Brianna and Seth's classic Dade City wedding featured a monochromatic black and white color palette, cascading greenery, and rustic wood tables and chairs accented with a plethora of warm candlelight.
“I would describe our wedding theme/design inspiration as modern. I wanted a very classic and timeless wedding, something that was simple yet elegant,” the bride shared. “Our colors were beige, white, black, and gold accents. I wanted them to be elegant and classic.”
Brianna turned to Marry Me Tampa Bay's real wedding features to gather inspiration while planning her nuptials.
“I used Marry Me Tampa Bay during the wedding planning process. I visited the site and social media accounts to get inspiration from other weddings published in the blogs,” the bride shared.
The New Port Richey couple envisioned an elegant-meets-rustic venue with plenty of space and amenities for their 190-guest celebration. Upon seeing the newly built event space at Simpson Lakes, they knew it was a perfect choice.
“We were looking for a barn-style venue but with a classic and more modern style. We specifically chose Simpson Lakes because it was everything we were wanting, a barn-style venue but with a modern twist. Simpson Lakes was amazing to work with; they made sure everything was perfect!” Brianna gushed.
The pair focused on the overall guest experience, prioritizing a lively reception and dinner menu that incorporated crowd-pleasing offerings instead of a traditional plated meal.
“The element of our wedding that was most important to us was the atmosphere; we wanted our guests to enjoy the night and have fun!” the bride beamed. “The food was also an important element. I didn't want a traditional sit-down meal with protein, veggies, and starch; I wanted my guests to enjoy their meals thoroughly. We incorporated our personalities into the wedding because we both love Italian food, which was why we decided to have a pasta and pizza bar, which was a hit!”
Brianna and Seth opted for a first touch instead of the more-common first look, which allowed them to share an intimate moment together before the ceremony while saving the element of surprise as the bride walked down the aisle. Those pre-ceremony moments will forever live in the bride's memories.
“One of the most memorable moments was our first touch; we stood back to back, holding hands and reading our vows to one another,” Brianna reminisced. “Another memorable moment was walking down the aisle. It was such a special moment to see all our friends and family there to celebrate our marriage.”
The Proposal:
One of my close friends asked if Seth and I could do a couple's shoot on the beach for her photography portfolio. Not thinking anything of it, we started walking down the beach to find the “perfect spot.” As we got closer, Seth had a path of roses leading up to an arch with lights and a LED sign that said, “It was always you.” Our family and friends were hiding in the bushes waiting for us; it truly was the most perfect night!
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We went on a cruise to The Bahamas, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. We chose to do a cruise because it allowed us to visit multiple locations but still have that “all-inclusive” feel.
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
Charleston, South Carolina. I chose this location because it had beaches but also had lots of shopping, food, drinks, and nightlife without being a big city.
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
We were looking for a barn-style venue but with a classic and more modern style. We specifically chose Simpson Lakes because it was everything we were wanting, a barn-style venue but with a modern twist.
Simpson Lakes was amazing to work with; they made sure everything was perfect!
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Modern. I wanted a very classic and timeless wedding, something that was simple yet elegant.
What were your colors?
Beige, white, black, and gold accents. I wanted them to be elegant and classic.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Our caterer was absolutely amazing to work with from the start! The food was absolutely delicious; people are still raving about it! Our photographer was also amazing to work with; they made sure they got every shot I listed!
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
The day goes by so fast; enjoy every minute, and know not everything will turn out perfect, but nobody will know except you!
