Lexi and Tucker’s romantic South Tampa garden wedding overflowed with elegant details, a neutral color palette with pops of gold, and a mouthwatering menu.

“We envisioned a more formal fare in a quaint setting,” the bride shared. “We wanted to take something simple and beautiful and dress it up. Our end vision was something that embodied an elegant yet comfortable ambiance with a homey feel.”

MORE: GARDEN WEDDING INSPIRATION

Understanding the importance of hiring top wedding pros, Lexi searched Marry Me Tampa Bay to review local real weddings and research vendors.

“Using Marry Me Tampa Bay was a very helpful resource throughout the planning process. I utilized the site to read blog posts and see what vendors were being used at which venues,” the bride shared.

In search of a wedding planner who could bring their expert knowledge and organization to the table, the Tampa couple hired Blue Skies Weddings and Events so that they could relax and enjoy their wedding day.

“Kelly from Blue Skies was all I wanted and more in a wedding planner. We couldn’t have been happier with her service throughout our planning process and of course on the big day,” Lexi gushed. “She was always so quick to answer any questions I had or talk through any crazy ideas I came up with. Kelly ensured our special day was perfect, and we could not be more grateful that she was there!”

LEARN MORE ABOUT BLUE SKIES WEDDINGS AND EVENTS | EMAIL

It didn’t take long for the couple to narrow down the wedding photographer of their dreams because they found themselves coming back to the same one. After looking at many portfolios, the bride and groom knew Lifelong Photography Studios was their number one choice.

“Lifelong brought the energy that our wedding party and guests needed. From the first time we met Jorge at our engagement session, I knew we made the right choice,” Lexi beamed. “They captured every moment perfectly, and I still go through our wedding album on a weekly basis just reliving the day! Every guest commented on how great the photographers were, and our wedding party loved working with them!”

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIFELONG PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIOS | EMAIL

With the couple being big foodies, finding a Tampa wedding caterer who could really deliver when it came to taste and variety for their 110 guests was a must.

“Catering by the Family had delicious food and a familial feel to their service. The menu was a little all over the place, but each item we choose was something we loved and wanted our guests to enjoy too,” the bride beamed. “From beginning to end, Sandy, with Catering by the Family, was so helpful and knowledgeable. She was there whenever we needed her and ensured that the food was perfect the day of!”

LEARN MORE ABOUT CATERING BY THE FAMILY | EMAIL

Sharing their special day with family and friends was important to both the bride and groom, and it meant the world to them to be surrounded by such love.

“Something that was really memorable for us was having Tucker’s grandmother to say a prayer during our ceremony. It’s definitely a memory that everyone will deeply cherish because Tucker’s papa passed away and was not able to be there,” the bride reminisced. “We also loved our maid of honor and best man speeches; they did not disappoint!”

What was your bridesmaids’ dresses inspiration?
I really wanted a simple, neutral color for my bridesmaids’ dresses to match the theme of our modern yet elegant day. I also felt like a neutral color would really make our flowers pop! I didn’t mind if they all wore the same dress, so I sent them the designer and color I loved and let each bridesmaid pick their dress.

I waited a little longer to make a decision and Bella Bridesmaids had the option to expedite the dresses if needed. My experience at Bella was fabulous! The owner was very helpful and knowledgeable throughout our appointment, and the online portal was awesome giving me the ability to take a peek at what each bridesmaid chose!

The Proposal:
I surprised Lexi on the beach with a sunset proposal. I had a little help from our pup, Harley, who was hiding in the sand dunes and came running down to meet us with the ring around his collar. My mom, who is a professional photographer, was also in the dunes ready to capture the moment and of course provide champagne for when Lexi said “Yes!”

What did you look for in a wedding planner?
We wanted someone who was very organized and knowledgeable, so we could truly relax and enjoy the day.

Blue Skies Weddings and Events did not disappoint! We were very impressed with their knowledge of the venue and vendors from the first meet and greet call we had with the team. Kelly was all I wanted and more in a wedding planner. We couldn’t have been happier with her service throughout our planning process and of course on the big day. She was always so quick to answer any questions I had or talk through any crazy ideas I came up with. Kelly ensured our special day was perfect and we could not be more grateful that she was there!

What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
Lots of energy and fun-spirited to bring out our energy despite the day-of jitters.

We, of course, looked at many portfolios, but we were always pulled back to Lifelong Photography Studios because they just seemed to capture so much happiness in all of their photos. Lifelong had phenomenal reviews for all of their photographers, so we knew we could not go wrong with picking them! They brought the energy that our wedding party and guests needed. From the first time we met Jorge at our engagement session, I knew we made the right choice. They captured every moment perfectly, and I still go through our wedding album on a weekly basis just reliving the day! Every guest commented on how great the photographers were and our wedding party loved working with them!”

 

What was your wedding menu inspiration?
Tucker and I are big foodies, and we wanted our wedding food to be fun and delicious and something our guests would enjoy.

Catering by the Family had amazing food and a familial feel to their service. The menu was a little all over the place, but each item we choose was something we loved and wanted our guests to enjoy too. From beginning to end, Sandy, with Catering by the Family, was so helpful and knowledgeable. She was there whenever we needed her and ensured that the food was perfect the day of!

How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
We envisioned a more formal fare in a quaint setting. We wanted to take something simple and beautiful and dress it up. Our end vision was really just something that embodied an elegant yet comfortable ambiance with a homey feel.

What were your colors?
We both love simple neutrals and gold tones, so it worked out perfectly when we were deciding on decorations and color schemes.

What were your wedding cake and dessert inspiration?
We wanted something very simple, yet elegant that could be decorated with flowers matching the décor. My only regret is we wish we would have had more! There were so many choices that were all amazing, so it was hard to narrow it down for our dessert table. The team from Alessi Bakery was very knowledgeable and helped us narrow down the desserts we wanted on our special day. They were also very accommodating with pricing!

What did you look for in a wedding lighting and rental company?
Someone who had a wide selection of options as well as great reviews. Since our wedding was partially outside in November, and we knew it gets darker earlier in the night, Tucker and I really felt that the bistro lighting was the perfect touch for our big day! The lighting looked great in photos and added a pop to the overall décor.

We rented chiavari chairs, tablecloths, and bistro lighting through  Gabro Event Services; they checked both of the boxes and did a great job! Our wedding wouldn’t have been the same without the bistro lighting provided! The lighting was something we knew we wanted after we saw Gabro set up at the bridal show at our venue. We were ecstatic with the ambiance that the lights provided.

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Stay calm, it will all work out! Stress doesn’t make anything better. Lean on your friends and family when they reach out to help, they are there to support you!

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Davis Islands Garden Club
Photographer: Lifelong Photography Studio *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Videographer: Lens Culture Photography
Planner: Blue Skies Weddings and Events *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Florist: Flower Child
Caterer: Catering by the Family *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Rentals/Lighting: Gabro Event Services *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Cake: Alessi Bakeries *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
DJ: Celebrations24
Officiant: Sensational Ceremonies
Invitations: Minted
Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Hair & Makeup: Lasting Luxe
Cigar Roller: El Guajiro Cigars