Liz and Reed’s South Tampa wedding was an enchanting evening set in a beautiful garden overlooking the famed Bayshore Boulevard. Warm tones of coppery pinks and saturated greens paired with crisp white and pops of gold for a welcoming setting.
“The theme for our wedding was Florida fall garden. With our wedding being in November, fall was right around the corner, so it was an easy choice!” the bride beamed. “The colors were rose gold, blush, cream, dusty blue, sage green, and dark eucalyptus. They were inspired by fall, but we wanted a more neutral fall tone.”
The local bride and groom envisioned a venue with both indoor and outdoor space for their 115 guests that offered great views and a convenient location. Upon visiting the Tampa Garden Club they knew it would be the perfect choice for their autumn nuptials.
“We wanted a venue where the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception were all at one location, preferably with an outdoor ceremony option. We also looked for affordability, beautiful scenery and views, and somewhere easy to travel to,” Liz detailed. “We chose the Tampa Garden Club because of its location and affordability. They have a beautiful outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour area, a large ballroom with a stage for the band, and stunning floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s also located in the Bayshore neighborhood, which is a beautiful area right along the bay. The Tampa Garden Club was easy to work with, and their wedding manager was always quick to answer emails and calls.”
The couple immediately clicked with planner Kelly Kennedy Weddings & Events. From their first conversation, they knew they were in great hands, and they could trust Kelly Kennedy and her team to guide them through the months leading up to the big day.
“We looked for a company that had good reviews, was easy to communicate with, professional, and affordable. Our photographer recommended Kelly Kennedy Weddings and Events. She worked with them in the past for an event and had a great experience with them,” Liz beamed. “We FaceTimed Kelly to acquire information about her company and prices. She had a warm, fun, outgoing, trustworthy, and professional personality; we hired her right on the spot! Leah and Lisa made our wedding day run smoothly and efficiently. We were so thankful for them.”
Liz and Reed wanted their celebration to feel personal, so they asked a family member to officiate their ceremony and also opted for an unconventional layout for their reception to create a more social setting.
“Our brother-in-law was our officiant for our wedding, so it was extra special having a close family member marry us,” the bride shared. “The set-up of our tables at the reception was unique. We had one long feasting table in the middle of the ballroom with four cocktail tables on either side. This was the best way to cohesively fit all our guests, and although it’s not the most conventional setup, we thought it looked great!”
To bring her vision to fruition, the bride turned to Kate Ryan Event Rentals to transform the event space. Pristine white linens paired with gold chairs elevated the neutral ballroom for a chic feel.
“We got feasting tables, linens, and Chiavari chairs from Kate Ryan Event Rentals. Their feasting tables helped make the ballroom look better, as my venue only had standard rectangular banquet tables. Also, their material and products were of good quality. It made the space look elegant!” Liz raved.
The pair exchanged vows in a secluded garden in front of lush columns of flowers surrounded by walls of greenery. The bride shared that the first kiss as husband and wife was the most unforgettable memory from the day.
“Our most memorable moment was at the end of the ceremony when the officiant announced us as husband and wife, and we had our first kiss as a married couple! It was a moment we will never forget!” Liz reminisced.
The Proposal:
We had a week-long vacation in mid-May, and we wanted to spend some time with family. Our hometowns are not far from Chicago, so we planned a whole day in the city. We planned to visit a couple of museums, enjoy a nice dinner, and stay the night in a hotel downtown. In between the museums, we decided to take a short walk, as the weather was very nice that afternoon. We walked behind the Planetarium, and as we were enjoying the lake scenery, nice weather, and downtown views, Reed proposed!
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
We looked for a company that had good reviews, was easy to communicate with, professional, and affordable. Our photographer recommended Kelly Kennedy Weddings and Events. She worked with them in the past for an event and had a great experience with them.
We FaceTimed Kelly to acquire information about her company and prices. She had a warm, fun, outgoing, trustworthy, and professional personality; we hired her right on the spot! Leah and Lisa made our wedding day run smoothly and efficiently. We were so thankful for them. Save room in the budget to hire a wedding planner! You won’t regret it!
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
We wanted a venue where the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception were all at one location, preferably with an outdoor ceremony option. We also looked for affordability, beautiful scenery and views, and somewhere easy to travel to
We chose the Tampa Garden Club because of its location and affordability. They have a beautiful outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour area, a large ballroom with a stage for the band, and stunning floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s also located in the Bayshore neighborhood, which is a beautiful area right along the bay. The Tampa Garden Club was easy to work with, and their wedding manager was always quick to answer emails and calls.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Costa Rica. We wanted to go somewhere tropical but also mountainous, as we love the beach but like to explore and hike. We also wanted a destination that did not take long to travel to.
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
Austin, TX. My sister lives in Dallas, and she suggested going to Austin because she really enjoyed visiting there and said it was a fun city! Plus, most of my friends are scattered throughout the Midwest, so Austin was a central location and an easier destination to travel to.
How did the rentals enhance your wedding?
We got feasting tables, linens, and Chiavari chairs from Kate Ryan Event Rentals. Their feasting tables helped make the ballroom look better, as my venue only had standard rectangular banquet tables. Also, their material and products were of good quality. It made the space looks elegant!
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
The theme for our wedding was Florida fall garden. With our wedding being in November, fall was right around the corner, so it was an easy choice!
What were your colors?
Rose gold, blush, cream, dusty blue, sage green, and dark eucalyptus. They were inspired by fall, but we wanted a more neutral fall tone.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Every vendor involved in our wedding did a fantastic job! Leah and Lisa of Kelly Kennedy Weddings and Events made our wedding day run smoothly and efficiently. We were so thankful for them. Our photographer took the most beautiful pictures, and we got all of them back in less than three weeks! Our florist made the most beautiful arrangements and color combinations of flowers for the wedding. The band was very lively, and fun and had an amazing sound. And lastly, our hair and makeup artists did a great job on all our hair and makeup.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Definitely save room in the budget to hire a wedding planner! You won’t regret it! On top of getting a wedding planner, I would also recommend a videographer! We just got our final video back, and it’s nice to look back at it and relive the day!
