Julie and Greg met during the Charity Road Rally Fireball Run, a canyon ball run type of event that brings awareness to missing children. Julie was the organizer while working at the Chamber of Commerce.
“Greg and I chatted quite a bit that night and exchanged info, but first thing in the morning he was off to a new town. Neither of us really thought we would ever see each other again, but within the next few weeks we found ourselves talking everyday,” Julie reminisced. “We planned our first date within two weeks of the random meeting. We met in Nashville and literally from then on one of us was constantly traveling to be with the other.”
After eight months of a long distance relationship, Julie, who was living in Iowa, and Greg, who was living in Georgia, moved to the Tampa Bay area.
“We both wanted to start of lives together somewhere new. We had visited Tampa Bay twice while dating, and on our last visit it was like a scene from a movie walking along the pier in St. Pete watching the dolphins play feet in front of us. We both loved the area and it was an easy choice to start of lives here.”
While Greg had been planning his proposal, it was the FedEx delivery person who spoiled the surprise.
“We were actually both together when FedEx came and I wouldn't stop asking what was in the package,” Julie explained. “Greg took off into another room, then came back in with the ring and proposed.”
Orange Rustic Waterfront Tampa Bay Watch, St. Petersburg, Florida Wedding
Julie and Greg began planning an outdoor, Florida wedding and chose waterfront wedding venue Tampa Bay Watch, just a few miles from their home.
“We live in Tierra Verde and love the area so much we knew we wanted everything close,” the bride explained. “We also wanted something outdoors, but not at the beach, and our style is more laid back and unique than the large hotel weddings. Tampa Bay Watch had the scene we were going for, and when we were told we could put a tent up it was a done decision.”
The bride used lace, burlap, mason jars and chalkboards for her rustic, sherbet orange St. Petersburg wedding.
“We wanted to keep things very light and embrace the natural beauty,” Julie said. “My floral arrangements were ivory and orange with touches of pink, green and twigs. My tables linens were ivory with a lace overlay and burlap runners.”
Julie wanted a St. Pete wedding florist who understood her vision, but wasn't afraid to try unique wedding ideas and hired Apple Blossoms Floral Design.
“We went with Scott from Apple Blossoms because from our first meeting he was so amazing and just got it!” Julie gushed. “I was so confident he was going to do everything I wanted, and he did just that. He was so willing to listen to what I wanted and perfect it.”
It was important to the the couple to be great hosts for their wedding guests, and they were treated to a pre-wedding as well as post-wedding party.
“We both took the approach with our wedding that we wanted it to be a wedding we'd want to be guests at! We really put a ton of effort in making our guests feel special,” the bride explained. “We hosted a pre-wedding BBQ at our home the Thursday before, so guests could meet and greet and not just be meeting people for the first time at the wedding. We also put quite a bit of effort into our welcome bags guest in their hotel rooms upon check-in. We included a custom drawn map of the area highlighting some of our favorite spots, a welcome letter with itinerary, local info on things-to-do, snacks, trail mix my mom and I made and three things to represent Greg and I's home states: a bag a popcorn from the Iowa Popcorn Company, a liter of Saratoga Springs Water and a bag of Florida fresh oranges! We also hired Jolley Trolley to provide them all transportation to and from the wedding. Greg and I like to have fun and we wanted our guests to be able to let loose without having to worry about driving.”
During the Tierra Verde wedding ceremony, music played an important role as the couple hired live musicians to play as they walked down the aisle.
“I walked down the aisle to Chris Cox singing Zac Brown Band's Whatever It Is.” Julie said. “We also used Nora Jones' Come Away with Me for the seating of the families, Randy Montana's 1,000 Faces for the bridesmaids, Leann Rimes' Some People for lighting the unity candle and One Republic's Good Life for the recessional.”
The bride's most memorable moment of the day occurred during her waterfront Tampa Bay wedding.
“Coming down the stairs with my dad onto the aisle and seeing Greg, our wedding party and all our guests, it was surreal. I will never forgot how it made me feel,” the bride reminisced.
Coming down the stairs with my dad onto the aisle and seeing Greg, our wedding party and all our guests, it was surreal. I will never forgot how it made me feel. – The Bride
We went with Scott from Apple Blossoms because from our first meeting he was so amazing and just got it! I was so confident he was going to do everything I wanted, and he did just that. He was so willing to listen to what I wanted and perfect it. – The Bride
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay Brides?
Have fun, don't take things too seriously, trust your vendors you hired them for a reason, and make it your own.
St. Petersburg Wedding Venue: Tampa Bay Watch
St. Petersburg Wedding Photographer: Caroline Allen Photography
St. Petersburg Wedding Planner: UNIQUE Event Design
St. Petersburg Wedding Florist: Apple Blossoms Floral Design
St. Petersburg Wedding Officiant: Sensational Ceremonies
St. Petersburg Wedding Invitations: A Work of Heart
St. Petersburg Wedding Live Musicians Chris Cox Band and Hailey Whitters
St. Petersburg Wedding DJ: Breezin Entertainment & Productions
St. Petersburg Wedding Transportation: Jolley Trolley
St. Petersburg Wedding Hair: The Michele Renee Hair & Makeup Artist Group
St. Petersburg Wedding Makeup: Authentic Beauty
St. Petersburg Wedding Guest Accommodations: TradeWinds Island Resorts
St. Petersburg Bride & Groom Accommodations: Don CeSar
St. Petersburg Groomsmen Suits: Men's Warehouse
We are proud to have Apple Blossom Floral Designs as a Marry Me Tampa Bay sponsor!
