Jessica and Andrew
“Our wedding design inspiration was simplicity and classic elegance. I have always found beauty in simplicity. Our colors were white/ivory with some black and just a few gold accents to lean into the classic aesthetic.”
-The Bride
FEATURING
Jessica and Andrew’s intimate Clearwater Beach wedding was a timeless August celebration that combined neutral decor and classic florals with delicate black-and-gold accents. The Sarasota bride and groom hosted their 40 guests for a traditional chapel ceremony followed by a beachfront ballroom reception with sweeping views of Florida’s iconic sand, surf, and sunsets.
“Since we were only inviting our closest family and friends, we did not have a wedding party with official bridesmaids and groomsmen. Instead, we had our parents and our siblings walk down the aisle and sit in the first row,” the bride revealed. “We were also able to announce that we were expecting our first child at our wedding since I was 10 weeks pregnant on the day of our wedding celebration and just had my first ultrasound. It was perfect being able to tell everyone at once and capturing their reactions.”
Researching Wedding Vendors
“I used Marry Me Tampa Bay during the wedding planning process by reading reviews on vendors I was considering. I was also looking for any similarities in my aesthetic compared to the photos that were posted by previous couples.”
The Guest Experience
“We focused a lot on accommodating guests and making it worth their trip to show our appreciation for their travels. We also invited all of the guests to the welcome dinner the night before the wedding. We had a trolley to take guests from Clearwater to Harborside Chapel for the ceremony and back to Clearwater for the reception. We had snacks and drinks on the trolleys and tons of hors d’oeuvres at the cocktail hour once they arrived at the Sandpearl.
Although my husband and I don’t drink, we had an open bar at the welcome dinner and the reception for the guests to enjoy. We added lots of extras like extended time at the venue, late-night snacks, and extra pastries after dinner and cake. Everyone was stuffed with amazing food, and we got so many compliments on how thoughtful our wedding was. From Polaroid cameras at every table to bathroom amenity baskets, people noticed all the little details and showed so much appreciation for it all.”
The Proposal
“Before we moved to Florida, we used to come to visit quite frequently. We would always go to Sharky’s On the Pier (in Venice) every Friday. I used to tell Andrew that I loved Sharky’s so much I wanted him to propose there. A few months after we moved to Sarasota, we got engaged at Sharky’s just as I had hoped.”
The Ceremony
Harborside Chapel
“The most important element of our wedding was having it in a chapel and officiated by a pastor, where all of our family could pray over us. Finding a chapel where we could all get ready was the goal. The church we attend in Lakewood Ranch only had a large auditorium or a classroom; that didn’t really fit what I had envisioned, so while I was searching for chapels, I found Harborside Chapel and fell in love. It had everything I was looking for and more. They were absolutely amazing to work with, and it worked out perfectly.”
The Bach Party and Honeymoon
“I took a bachelorette trip to Rosemary Beach with a few friends to celebrate my 30th birthday and upcoming wedding. I’ve been wanting to go there for a while, as I’ve seen so many photos of how gorgeous it is.
We stayed at the Sandpearl Resort for our honeymoon. We love the beaches on Florida’s west coast and wanted to stay close enough to home because I was 10 weeks pregnant with our first child on the day of our wedding celebration. We actually eloped at our local courthouse nine months prior to our wedding ceremony and celebration.”
The Photography
Lifelong Photography Studio
“I wanted a wedding photographer with positive reviews that highlighted reliability and professionalism. I hired Lifelong Photography Studio because, among the photographers I was considering, they had the most consistently positive reviews and were the most straightforward to book with.
They were very lovely, supportive people. I was struggling with the heat and being 10 weeks pregnant in such a tight, heavy dress, and they were very kind and caring towards me.”
The Reception
Sandpearl Resort
“We wanted a reception venue close enough to the ceremony location that we could transport our guests via trolley. We chose the Sandpearl Resort because downtown Clearwater has so many lodging options right along the beach, since our guests were all traveling in for the wedding. The shops are so fun, and there’s just so much to do. We wanted a place that offered enough to make the trip worth it for our guests.
I really like the Opal Collection of hotels—they are all lovely. When I saw an option on the white sands of Clearwater, I was set. The Sandpearl was so accommodating and helped us with logistics, considering our smaller guest count but big vision.”
The Inspiration
“Our wedding design inspiration was simplicity and classic elegance. I have always found beauty in simplicity. Our colors were white/ivory with some black and a few gold accents to lean into the classic aesthetic.
Both of our families live in New Jersey, so it was a destination wedding for all of our guests. We tried to lean into the destination theme and incorporate the things we love most. Our table markers were images of all the places that meant most to us as a couple (where we met, our first apartment, where we got engaged, our first home, our wedding venue).”
The Rentals
Kate Ryan Event Rentals
The Entertainment
Grant Hemond & Associates
“Our DJ, Adam Hensleigh of Grant Hemond & Associates, was amazing. We made our own playlist and asked him to use it, and he still added a ton of value with the lights and bringing the energy—it was great.
We booked the DJ at the last minute, and he showed up for us with such a positive, fun vibe. Every single person was on the dance floor the whole time—we all danced until our feet hurt.”
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Our harpist, Kristen Elizabeth, was absolutely fantastic. She is so worth her price and is such a sweet and talented person.
What advice would you give to other Clearwater couples?
Enjoy the wedding planning process and find the fun in it as much as possible. Planning a wedding and coordinating with so many different people and guests can create tons of stress, but try to take a step back when things get chaotic and remember this is meant to be one of the best days of your life.
