Lisa and Josh's romantic Clearwater Beach wedding paired glamorous gold decor with soft pink and white flora against a breathtaking ocean view backdrop. The bride and groom's day epitomized the combination of two families, as Josh's two children as well as the couple's furbaby all had special roles in the celebration.
The Oldsmar couple opted for blush tones and lots of sparkle, which the bride admits was inspired by her personal taste and love of all things glistening.
“Our colors were baby pink and gold; those are my favorite colors and my husband is just a good sport,” Lisa remarked. “Our theme was ‘Sunset Glam.” I have always been a girly girl and love all things pink, gold, and glittery, so we knew right away that lot of sparkle was going to be included. We really wanted the focus to be just the beautiful background and beautiful space, accented of course with a lot of glam!”
While researching beachfront wedding venues for their 110 guests, Lisa turned to Marry Me Tampa Bay and get a local perspective of what locations and vendors are available in the area.
“I absolutely used Marry Me Tampa Bay during our planning process. Every time looked at a venue, I would search the site so I could see real weddings at that property,” the bride beamed. “I used other apps, but having something local that really spotlights local vendors and actual weddings really helped us in picking who we wanted to work with.”
When FairyTail Pet Care began providing wedding day pet care services, Lisa was already a pet sitting client and knew she wanted to incorporate their dog, Ashley, in some way.
“Having our dog, Ashley, in our wedding was something I told Josh we were doing the minute we started planning, and he just said ‘She can’t wear a dress, and she can’t walk down the aisle.' Which was a fair trade for having my princess there for our big day,” the bride shared. “I am biased when it comes to FairyTail Pet Care because I have trusted them for years with watching Ashley, so having them incorporate her in our wedding day was a no brainer. I trust them 1,000% percent and the ‘Dog of Honor' video they did with her is one of the cutest things ever that I will always cherish! I highly recommend them and even if your dog doesn’t walk down the aisle, you can do what we did and have your dog as a ‘greeter'. Because honestly, who doesn’t want to pet a dog before they find their seat?!”
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Josh's two children played an important part of the couple's wedding day; his daughter sprinkled petals down the aisle out of the groom's fire helmet, and his son helped design and build the guestbook bench that guests signed at the reception. Lisa says that involving her stepchildren in their celebration was one of the elements that made their wedding so unique and special.
“I read vows not only to Josh but also to my future stepchildren,” the bride recalled. “I knew I wasn’t just marrying him, but Adam and Jane as well, and I wanted them to know I took the commitment to being the ‘bonus mom' just as serious as I took the commitment to marry their dad.”
The new family celebrated together dancing with their loved ones. Josh's sister recommended Grant Hemond & Associates to help create a memorable experience.
“Josh said the DJ for his sister’s wedding was amazing and kept the whole wedding flowing perfectly. So naturally, we just asked her who it was, and it was Grant Hemond & Associates. They were super professional and played all the songs we asked them to play which was important to us,” Lisa raved.
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Looking back, the bride maintains that her fondest memory occurred during the ceremony processional under the canopy of lights with the crashing waves in the distance.
“It sounds cliché but walking down the aisle was so memorable,” Lisa reminisced. “The moment the doors opened, our song played, everyone we love was there in the same place, and most importantly the way my husband was looking at me, smiling and happy, that is a moment I will never forget.”
Why did you incorporate your pet into your wedding day?
Having our dog Ashley in our wedding was something I told Josh we were doing the minute we started planning, and he just said, “She can’t wear a dress, and she can’t walk down the aisle.” Which was a fair trade for having my princess there for our big day.
I started using FairyTail Pet Care as pet sitters about seven years ago to watch Ashely when I traveled for work. They were just starting their company, and I believe Ashley was one of their first “clients.” It has been amazing to watch their growth and how far they have come. I have trusted them for years with watching Ashley, so having them incorporate her in our wedding day was a no brainer. I trust them 1,000% percent and the “Dog of Honor” video they did with her is one of the cutest things ever that I will always cherish! I highly recommend them and even if your dog doesn’t walk down the aisle, you can do what we did and have your dog as a “greeter.” Because honestly, who doesn’t want to pet a dog before they find their seat?!
What was your bridesmaid dress inspiration?
I wanted something flowy that would flatter all of their body types that also had a little bit of shimmer, I picked the color rose gold and told my bridesmaids I don’t care what the dress is as long as it’s all the same and long. I cared more about them all matching by having their hair up with statement earrings which I got for them.
We actually shopped at the Bella Bridesmaid Seattle location because two of my bridesmaids live in Seattle, and one lives in Idaho. I go home to Seattle often so I was there to shop with them. My mother actually got her Mother of the Bride dress there as well. They were awesome with helping with sizing and making sure we had everything on time. I also didn’t want something that everyone could find at a generic bridal store. Their dresses were high quality and flattered all of their body types very well.
The Proposal:
We love catching sunsets whenever we can, and I got home from work on a random Thursday and Josh said, “Let’s go to Honeymoon Island to catch a sunset,” so we did. The background of his phone was a picture of me standing and looking at the water, and he said he wanted a new picture, so he had me walk to the edge of the water. Josh took a picture of me facing the water, but when I turned around he was down on one knee holding a ring. I know he said a lot of really thoughtful loving things but I couldn’t tell you what they were because I was in such shock. I think I kind of blacked out. I do remember saying, “Yes,” though!
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We picked Serenity at Coconut Bay in St. Lucia. I have traveled extensively for work, and we wanted a place that neither of us had ever been. What was really important to us was a week of just “nothing.” Total relaxation, a beach, drinks and to have time that was just all about us. Unfortunately, it was scheduled for April, and due to COVID-19 it was postponed, so we plan on going sometime this fall (COVID permitting).
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Our theme was “Sunset Glam.” I have always been a girly girl and love all things pink, gold, and glittery, so we knew right away that lot of sparkle was going to be included. We really wanted the focus to be just the beautiful background and beautiful space, accented of course with a lot of glam!
What were your colors?
Our colors were baby pink and gold; those are my favorite colors and my husband is just a good sport.
What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
Josh said the DJ for his sister’s wedding was amazing and kept the whole wedding flowing perfectly. So naturally, we just asked her who it was, and it was Grant Hemond & Associates. They were super professional and played all the songs we asked them to play which was important to us.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Don’t worry about everyone else’s opinions! The day is about you and your significant other. Try not to focus on anything other than that. Family and friends will have their opinions on things, but ultimately it is a day for you to celebrate your love. Also, I read everywhere from every past bride “have a day of coordinator,” and I am so happy we did this! Even if you don’t have a wedding planner, have a day of coordinator! It makes the day go so much smoother and keeps everyone on track so you have nothing to worry about! Mine were rock stars! They helped with the kids, made sure everything was perfect, and wrangled people so everyone was where they needed to be when they needed to be there.
Venue and Caterer: Opal Sands
Photographer: Jeremy Scott Photography
Second Shooter: Jonathan Fanning
Videographer: Trinity Wedding Cinema
Planner: City & Fields Events
Pet Care: FairyTail Pet Care *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Florist: Publix
Cake: Chantilly Cakes
DJ: Grant Hemond & Associates *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Officiant: Ray Duke (family friend)
Invitations: SiennaMailInvitations (Etsy)
Dress Shop and Designer: CC’s Bridal Boutique – Essence of Australia
Shoe Designer: Badgley Mischka
Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Hair: Shear Joy Safety Harbor
Makeup: Bridget Julie
Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.
*Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pros are highly respected by our local wedding community and have been personally vetted by our editor.
