Over the past eight years, we've formed not only a community with our Marry Me Tampa Bay wedding pros but also a friendship.
And what does friendship lead you to?
Weddings.
But when you attend the wedding of one of the most elite wedding planners in Tampa Bay, Jessica Ralph Bova, owner of Parties A'La Carte, you know you won't be attending just any wedding.
When I first received the invitation to a “black-tie 40th birthday” for Jessica's fiancé, Jim, I didn't think anything of it because Jessica is known for hosting classy events.
But when I arrived, I discovered I was in for more than just a birthday celebration.
As a luxury wedding planner, Jessica understood the expectations that her guests would be hoping for, so she chose a truly unique experience that delivered a memorable night for her 130 guests.
“My friends and family see all the wonderful events I have planned for my clients in the past, which would set their expectations significantly higher when it came to planning my special day. With the idea that they were attending a 40th birthday party, the guests' expectations were slightly different than what they would have been if they knew they were attending my wedding,” Jessica explained. “The shock of the surprise created that wow factor for all the attendees which helped add a unique element to my special day that no one saw coming!”
As a celebrated wedding planner, Jessica knew all the right vendors to create a wedding day that even the most detailed-oriented bride would approve of.
“Having experience in the wedding industry actually made this planning process smooth for me. I think when you have planned as many weddings as I have you have a better understanding of knowing what could happen and what is needed,” the bride shared. “Additionally, I have been lucky to create many great relationships with vendors and that allowed me to be stress-free on the day of, especially with the large [reception] flip from my husband's 40th birthday party to our wedding. It was great to have confidence in all of my vendors.”
Every detail of the surprise wedding was perfectly executed. From the unexpected outdoor ceremony to the personal monograms to the exquisite decor and late-night snacks, our editorial team was so honored to attend a memorable evening.
For couples looking to plan their own surprise wedding, Jessica advises to “keep things under wraps and make sure that your ‘cover event' matches the style of your wedding.”
“Tell as few people as possible to ensure you have the element of surprise! If you’re going to transition into a formal event, have your cover event be formal as well,” Jessica shares. “This will make the transition smoother and keep the overall theme consistent. Go in all the way! Go all out with your branding and make sure your cover event is branded just as well as you would brand your actual wedding!”
Looking back on their wedding day, one of the couple's favorite moments was sharing that the celebration was not a birthday party, but indeed, a wedding.
“My favorite part of the day was telling our moms. I handed each of them a little gift and said this is not just a 40th birthday party it is also our wedding day. They both started crying, it was a really sweet moment!” Jessica reminisced.
How was it different planning a wedding when you are in the wedding industry?
Having experience in the wedding industry actually made this planning process smooth for me. I think when you have planned as many weddings as I have you have a better understanding of knowing what could happen and what is needed. Additionally, I have been lucky to create many great relationships with vendors and that allowed me to be stress-free on the day of, especially with the large [reception] flip from my husband's 40th birthday party to our wedding. It was great to have confidence in all of my vendors.
What made you decide on a surprise wedding?
For me, I think my friends and family see all the wonderful events I have planned for my clients in the past, which would set their expectations significantly higher when it came to planning my special day. With the idea that they were attending a 40th birthday party, the guests' expectations were slightly different than what they would have been if they knew they were attending my wedding. The shock of the surprise created that wow factor for all the attendees which helped add a unique element to my special day that no one saw coming!
