Lindsey and Jesse’s rustic, chic Tampa Bay wedding exuded romance and southern sophistication. The Wimauma bride and groom knew that their Tampa Bay roots would bring them just a few pastures away from where Jesse grew up.
“Like any girls do, I dreamed about this day for years and bounced back and forth between many different color schemes and themes. I wanted the floral and décor pieces to reflect me,” the bride gushed. “A few years before, I had fallen in love with the look of succulents, peonies, and the brassy, geometric terrariums. I decided to subtly incorporate all of that with the romantic, rustic, chic design of our venue. It was perfect.”
MORE: RUSTIC WEDDING INSPIRATION
The couple focused on making their wedding day reflect their faith and loved ones.
“We are very family-oriented. Jesse and I both agreed that we wanted our wedding to be centered on our love of Christ, our love for one another, and our family,” Lindsey explained. “We spent countless hours in God’s word searching for verses that were most meaningful to us, picking through our favorite family recipes to serve on our dessert table, wood burning our wedding favors by hand, selecting our favorite songs to dance to, framing photographs of our lost, loved-ones, and all the other little details.”
To document every aspect of their wedding, the couple hired Tampa Bay wedding photographer Rad Red Creative.
“We wanted photographers who would capture Jesse and I as we are as a couple, our faults and all. Also, we wanted our photographs to feel natural and effortless and not so staged,” the bride explained. “When meeting Brittany and Leo, they were so down to Earth and relatable, with a raw edge to them. I think Leo’s beard sealed the deal for Jesse! I just knew we had to have them photograph our wedding! We wanted rad photographs, and Rad Red Creative did just that and more! We never stopped laughing, and they captured every moment perfectly!”
Looking back on their wedding day, Lindsey reflected on her most cherished memories.
“The whole day seemed like a blur between curling hair and getting makeup done, getting dressed, exchanging gifts, and taking wedding party photographs until it was time for the ceremony,” the bride reminisced. “For me, the most memorable moment was pulling up to the barn doors that separated me from my family and friends and grabbing my dad’s arm as I stepped out of the old, rusty pick-up truck. Walking through those barn doors to see the barn filled with people who loved us all under twinkling barn lights, where my husband stood at the end of it teary-eyed was the most memorable moment.”
How did you incorporate you and your spouse’s personalities into the wedding?
We are very family-oriented. Jesse and I both agreed that we wanted our wedding to be centered on our love of Christ, our love for one another, and our family. We spent countless hours in God’s word searching for verses that were most meaningful to us, picking through our favorite family recipes to serve on our dessert table, wood burning our wedding favors by hand, selecting our favorite songs to dance to, framing photographs of our lost, loved-ones, and all the other little details.
The Proposal:
On October 22, Jesse’s mother, sister, and I planned to have a girls’ day with manicures in the morning, shopping in Orlando, and carving pumpkins that evening with Jesse. I had been begging my fiancé for days to buy pumpkins so that we could decorate our doorstep for our first Halloween in our new home. Well, we skipped out on the manicures so that we could squeeze in more shopping. On our way home we got stuck in the dreadful I-4 traffic. Between picking at my overgrown manicure, Jesse kept texting me when we’d be home so that we could carve pumpkins, and I felt bad because it was already getting dark. We finally made it home and his mother began to lug all of our shopping bags in. As I was carrying bags on both arms and complaining about only having acrylic nails left on my thumbs from the long ride home, I glanced into the living room wondering why his mother was sitting on the sofa when we still had more bags to carry in. That’s when I realized that Jesse was standing next to a table with four, large hand-painted pumpkins with a question in blue paint (he later explained to me that he tried to mix different colored paints to make turquoise because it was my favorite color) that asked, “Will you marry me?” Of course, I began to cry! Partly because my best friend was asking me to marry him, and because we skipped out on getting our nails done that morning and I picked them all off except for my thumbs! Jesse being the man that he is comforted me and tried to make me laugh through the tears suggesting we can try again another day. Thus, began the wedding planning and the road to #HitchingHamricks!
What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
We wanted photographers who would capture Jesse and I as we are as a couple; our faults and all. Also, we wanted our photographs to feel natural and effortless, not so staged.
A friend from high school hired Rad Red Creative for her wedding, and as I was looking through her photographs I just knew we had to have them photograph our wedding! Jesse and I loved that they were a couple. When meeting Brittany and Leo, they were so down to Earth and relatable with a raw edge to them. I think Leo’s beard sealed the deal for Jesse! We wanted rad photographs, and Rad Red Creative did just that and more! We never stopped laughing, and they captured every moment perfectly!
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Like any girls do, I dreamed about this day for years and bounced back and forth between many different color schemes and themes. I wanted the floral and décor pieces to reflect me. A few years before, I had fallen in love with the look of succulents, peonies, and the brassy, geometric terrariums. I decided to subtly incorporate all of that with the romantic, rustic-chic design of our venue. It was perfect.
What were your colors?
Burgundy and navy. We were having a winter wedding and thought that combination of colors went best together. I love burgundy, and he loves blue.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Definitely invest in a wedding planner binder or book to organize all the little details! I recommend doing DIYs to save money if you are on a budget. You don’t have to break the bank to have your dream wedding! Include your spouse in making wedding decisions; make them feel included along the way. Most importantly, getting married is one of the most hectic and fulfilling times of your lives. Root yourselves and your marriage in the love of the Lord and you will be truly blessed!
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Southern Grace
Photographer: Rad Red Creative
Videographer: Foundation Productions LLC
Florist & Decor Rentals: Ever After Vintage Weddings & Rentals
Caterer: Simply Southern Catering
Table Rentals: A-Z Rentals
Cake: Publix Bakery
DJ: Anvil Events & Entertainment
Officiant: Steve Hamrick
Invitations: Minted.com
Dress Shop and Designer: David’s Bridal Tampa by Galina Signature
Bridesmaid Dress Shop and Designer: Azazie.com
Hair & Makeup: Destiny & Light Hair & Makeup Group
Bartenders: Spunky Spirits