Emily and Josh's Bowling Green wedding featured rolling hills, an outdoor lawn ceremony, and a serene celebration that complemented the natural beauty of their surroundings.
“Our theme was romantic and slightly rustic. We wanted a ton of candles with a little rustic charm added in,” the bride explained. “Our colors were dusty rose with gold accents and a lot of greenery. It fit the time of year and our venue.”
The Fort Myers couple read Marry Me Tampa Bay for inspiration and to discover their resort-style wedding venue.
“Marry Me Tampa Bay helped shape our decor and the overall look of our wedding. There were a ton of ideas and examples that we could use to create our dream wedding,” Emily shared.
One of the most important elements of the wedding day was finding a photographer and videographer team who would capture the emotion of the day in an effortless way. Mars and The Moon Films‘ vibrant cinematography style and vivacious personality made them the ideal selection for the laidback couple.
“We hate getting pictures taken, and we didn't want anything that came across as stuffy or too posed. Bonnie and Jon of Mars and The Moon Films were so easy to work with, and we connected with them from the start. The way they shoot weddings is so unique and authentic,” the bride gushed. “Their portfolio of work is amazing. We didn't want a typical wedding film or the same posed pictures as everyone else, and they are so unique. We got along with them so well that they made the entire process easy and fun. Their services are unmatched. I watch our wedding film at least once a day, and it's six months later.“
Ensuring their 150 guests would pack the dance floor and keep the party going all night was a top priority for the bride and groom, and Graingertainment‘s reputation for creating a high-energy environment was exactly what the couple was looking for.
“We wanted a DJ who was fun and would keep the party going. Our families love to dance and making sure the entire wedding felt like one big party was really important to us. Our photographer recommended Graingertainment, and they were fantastic,” Emily raved. “They were easy to work with and understood exactly what we wanted our day to be.”
The romantic partially pulled-back hairstyle showcased the bride's long and voluminous curls. To take advantage of the cooler air and low humidity that Florida offers in the winter, Emily also styled her bridal party in long loose curls with a glam makeup application that allowed each bridesmaid's natural beauty to shine through.
“I wanted to actually look like myself, and Femme Akoi Beauty Studio was amazing. My stylist was incredible, and she helped me decide how I wanted my hair and makeup. She made the recommendations, and I couldn't have been happier,” the bride shared. “We had a large bridal party, and they handled everyone and kept us on schedule.”
As Emily reminisced on all of the memories of their wedding, seeing her husband-to-be at the end of the aisle filled her heart with love, and sharing their last dance with their parents created the most magical moment for the newlyweds.
“The ceremony was beautiful, and seeing Josh when I first was walking down the aisle is something I'll never forget,” the bride reminisced. “We did a private last dance at the end with both of our parents, and that was really special.”
“Bonnie and Jon of Mars and The Moon Films were so easy to work with, and we connected with them from the start. The way they shoot weddings is so unique and authentic. We didn't want a typical wedding film or the same posed pictures as everyone else, and they are so unique. I watch our wedding film at least once a day, and it's six months later.”
-The Bride
What were your wedding hair and makeup inspiration?
I wanted to actually look like myself, and Femme Akoi Beauty Studio was amazing. My stylist was incredible, and she helped me decide how I wanted my hair and makeup. She made the recommendations, and I couldn't have been happier. We had a large bridal party, and they handled everyone and kept us on schedule.”
The Proposal:
We got engaged in Cashiers, North Carolina. My nieces and nephews are my whole world, and Josh brought my three sisters and their families and proposed to me with my five nieces and nephews with ring pops on their fingers on a mountain.
What did you look for in a wedding photographer and videographer?
We hate getting pictures taken, and we didn't want anything that came across as stuffy or too posed.
Bonnie and Jon of Mars and The Moon Films were so easy to work with, and we connected with them from the start. The way they shoot weddings is so unique and authentic. Their portfolio of work is amazing. We didn't want a typical wedding film or the same posed pictures as everyone else, and they are so unique. We got along with them so well that they made the entire process easy and fun. Their services are unmatched. I watch our wedding film at least once a day, and it's six months later.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Barbados because we wanted to go somewhere neither of us had ever been.
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
Miami because everyone was from all over the country, and it was easy to fly into.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Romantic and slightly rustic. We wanted a ton of candles with a little rustic charm added in.
What were your colors?
Dusty rose with gold accents and a lot of greenery. It fit the time of year and our venue.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
They all did! We couldn't have asked for a better team. Christina at Streamsong was amazing and made our day perfect. Mars and the Moon Films captured it beautifully and gave us the memories we'll have forever.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Pick vendors that make you feel comfortable and don't stress the small things. Enjoy your day regardless of if it goes perfectly as planned or not.
What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
We wanted a DJ who was fun and would keep the party going. Our families love to dance and making sure the entire wedding felt like one big party was really important to us.
Our photographer recommended Graingertainment, and they were fantastic. They were easy to work with and understood exactly what we wanted our day to be.
