Brianna met Carl at a high school football game during her freshman year. Within four months the pair began dating.
Two years into the relationship, Carl joined the Navy and was off to bootcamp. The couple stayed together and exchanged letters for the two months that he was away.
This past New Year’s Eve Carl proposed during an Ybor City fireworks show. However, the soon-to-be newlyweds didn’t have long together to celebrate as the groom was deployed just two months later on the USS Enterprise.
“It was the hardest thing to go through,” Brianna shared. “My family was extremely supportive with helping me plan the wedding.”
Pink & Silver Rustic Country Wedding in Dover, FL
For their spring wedding, the couple chose wedding venue Cross Creek Ranch, just east of Tampa.
“We mainly chose this venue because of its rustic, country feel,” Brianna explained.
The bride incorporated paper lanterns, antique vases and burlap details mixed with pink wedding flowers, giving her country wedding reception a soft, elegant feel.
Complementing the rustic surroundings, wedding guests were treated to Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Q.
“The food was great. We wanted something that everyone would enjoy,” the bride said.
To capture their big day, the couple hired Plant City wedding photographer Jeff Mason photography.
“I knew his assistant photographer, Stephanie Humphrey, from former pageants and I knew I wanted them to do our big day, Brianna shared. “Jeff did our engagement photos as well and they came out amazing! They were really helpful by making us feel comfortable on front of the camera.”
Family played a large role Brianna and Carl’s wedding day and the pair honored them with vintage family photos hanging on a clothes line.
While most brides don’t want to share the spotlight, Brianna’s wedding day came just one day after her grandparents 50th anniversary, and she wanted to honor their marriage during her own nuptials.
“We wanted to show my grandparents that we wanted to share our big day with them and have them feel special as well. So, we got them a cake and Jeff photographed them while they cut their cake,” Brianna reminisced.
Jeff Mason Photography did our engagement photos as well and they came out amazing! They were really helpful by making us feel comfortable on front of the camera. – The Bride
What advice do you have for other Tampa Bay brides? Don’t stress out! It’s really not worth it. You have so much support. Make sure you make your wedding day about you and your husband.
Dover Wedding Venue: Cross Creek Ranch
Dover Wedding Photographer: Jeff Mason Photography
Dover Wedding Caterer: Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Q
Dover Wedding Cake: Alessi Bakery
Dover Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal
Dover Wedding Hair & Makeup: Salon 3 Salon