Leslie and Tanner’s dark and moody Bowling Green wedding intertwined a romantic floral design featuring shades of reds and pinks, complemented by abundant candles, chandeliers, and gold embellishments. Deep, evocative hues and oversized inflatable balloons further enhanced the ambiance, creating an enchanting atmosphere.
“Because we chose to have a New Year’s Eve wedding and because it was a second marriage for both of us, we decided to lean into the party vibe/celebration of family and friends. Our colors were black, white, silver, gold, and a pop of magenta,” the bride beamed. “I saw a post on Pinterest with dark and moody colors and huge inflatable balloon balls, and I asked my planner if she could find someone who could bring that aesthetic to life.”
The Plant City couple’s Tampa Bay wedding took place at a sprawling 7,000-acre golf resort nestled in a secluded and picturesque area of Florida. With 115 guests in attendance, the bride and groom selected the venue for its unique remote setting and its convenient proximity, approximately an hour from their home.
In their search for the perfect wedding photographer, the bride sought someone who would capture authentic moments that truly embodied the essence of the entire day rather than the traditional style and selected Arianna J Photography.
“We wanted someone who doesn’t take ‘regular’ wedding photos, photos that look staged and where people do not look thrilled. I wanted someone who could capture the love and togetherness of the day,” the bride explained. “I could tell Arianna was an amazing photographer from her social media accounts and the conversations we had prior to the wedding. She was amazing on the day of the wedding. She has such a calming demeanor, and she kept me from getting overwhelmed the day of the wedding.”
Some of the most important elements of the couple’s wedding day were having their family and friends in attendance, as well as the music and the food. The bride wore a custom-made ring, carried a white silk, beaded purse that belonged to the groom’s great-grandmother, and had a locket with her late father’s photo. Clad in a sequined lace mermaid gown, Leslie was accompanied down the aisle by her two sons, who each stood by one member of the couple during the ceremony. Adding an even more personal touch, the bride’s sister officiated the wedding.
At the commencement of the ceremony, the reception unfolded in a softly illuminated space adorned with accent lighting and gleaming decor. To elevate the romantic ambiance of the reception, the bride and groom styled the table settings and gold-accented pieces from Kate Ryan Event Rentals.
“We rented all of the glassware, silverware, and plates from Kate Ryan Event Rentals, and they were perfect! We chose gold-rimmed glassware and gold silverware, and they were stunning!” the bride gushed.
“Our Mia Double gold rim glassware collection was complemented by the gold rim glass chargers and our Capri flatware set. Together, they provided the tablescape with a stunning touch of gold, creating a perfectly elegant ambiance that beautifully matched the New Year’s wedding celebration,” Ellie Hidalgo, Director of Customer Relations and Marketing at Kate Ryan Event Rentals, added.
As they reminisced about their wedding day, Leslie and Tanner shared meaningful moments from their ceremony and the unexpected ‘wedding exit.’
“Our beloved dog of 17 years passed away just a couple of days before the wedding, and our planner surprised us with a little locket with a picture of her to attach to my bouquet. We also wrote vows to one another, and I had a pair of reading glasses with bedazzled jewels on them. Tanner couldn’t see because he was tearing up a little bit, so I offered mine to him, and he put them on, sparkles and everything!” the bride shared. “My oldest son stood up and delivered a very moving speech, and that was pretty special for us. Lastly, we could not have fireworks after the wedding and reception because the resort is a wildlife-protected area, so we decided to do something crazy. We gathered some friends and family and jumped in the pool! We did not intend for guests to join us, but they did, and the pictures are priceless!”
The Proposal:
This one is pretty funny. I messed it up for myself because I told Tanner that he would never be able to “surprise” me. He wanted both of the kids to be a part of it, so he waited until the last day of summer before my oldest had to go back to college, and we went to the local bowling alley.
Tanner invited my mother and some of the kids’ friends to join in, and I had no clue what was about to happen. After an hour, he got down on one knee while I was bowling, and I turned around, and there he was with my fantantic ring! I was completely and pleasantly surprised. He posted it to my Instagram, and you can hear how shocked I was. All I kept saying was, “Why Here?! Why Here?!”
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
My sister and some friends took me to Nashville. It was a blast!!
What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
We wanted someone who doesn’t take ‘regular’ wedding photos, photos that look staged and where people do not look thrilled. I wanted someone who could capture the love and togetherness of the day,” the bride explained.
I could tell Arianna J Photography was an amazing photographer from her social media accounts and the conversations we had prior to the wedding. She was amazing on the day of the wedding. She has such a calming demeanor, and she kept me from getting overwhelmed the day of the wedding.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Because we chose to have a New Year’s Eve wedding and because it was a second marriage for both of us, we decided to lean into the party vibe/celebration of family and friends. I saw a post on Pinterest with dark and moody colors and huge inflatable balloon balls, and I asked my planner if she could find someone who could bring that aesthetic to life.
What were your colors?
Our colors were black, white, silver, gold, and a pop of magenta.
How did the rentals add to the ambiance?
We rented all of the glassware, silverware, and plates from Kate Ryan Event Rentals, and they were perfect! We chose gold-rimmed glassware and gold silverware, and they were stunning!
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We are taking a family cruise in June to Alaska, so we are going to count that as the honeymoon.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
My wedding planner did a stellar job of pulling it all together and keeping me on track!
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Get a wedding videographer. We did not, and I am regretting it every day.
