Shawna and Elliott’s St. Petersburg wedding featured bold colors complemented by soft pinks and gold details for their interfaith wedding.
“I went mainly with colors and not a theme for the inspiration. We wanted darker colors because of the time of year and wanted a modern-romantic feel,” the bride shared. “Our colors were navy, burgundy, blush, ivory, with greenery for the winter season. We chose these colors with gold geometric shapes throughout to add a modern touch.”
To showcase the bride and groom’s personalities, the couple’s differing faiths were a highlight of the ceremony.
“We incorporated and meshed our religions together to make them more unique,” Shawna explained. “I am Catholic and my husband is Jewish. We said prayers from both religions, broke the glass, and were lifted on chairs by our guests later in the evening.”
While the bride knew she needed a wedding planner, she didn’t realize how much her investment in a coordinator would impact her wedding day.
“At first, I looked for a price when choosing a wedding planner, and I did not want to spend any more money, so I was only looking for a day-of coordinator. I wanted them to make sure everyone was on schedule with a timeline and the vendors showed up,” the bride revealed. “When I found comparable prices, I spoke with Coastal Coordinating. From start to finish, this was the most pleasant experience of my entire wedding planning. I got way more than anticipated for what I paid compared to other wedding-planning companies I spoke to. Lauren went above and beyond day of coordinating. I spoke with her months in advance. We were able to use their inventory for no extra cost and edit our timeline as many times as needed. Lauren was hands down my best vendor. If I did everything all over again, this is the only decision I would not change.”
To create a romantic ambiance for their 80 guests, the Land O Lakes couple elevated their modern romantic reception experience with burgundy linens, blush pink napkins, gold chargers, flatware, and an all-white dance floor.
“Kate Ryan Event Rentals went above and beyond! I loved the inventory and advice they gave during the table mock-up,” the bride beamed.
Looking back, one of Shawna’s favorite parts of the day was also an interactive way for her guests to commemorate the celebration.
“We loved the photo booth! The attendants made it fun with their bubbly personalities, and we had guests sign next to their photos for our guest book. The most fun was the small intimate group of people who attended and danced all night long together,” the bride reminisced.
What did you look for in a wedding hair and makeup artist?
I wanted full glam on a budget. I had a previous makeup artist contracted. It was an awful experience so I had to switch a week before my wedding because it was too much of a risk.
Femme Akoi was my top two choice; I did not go with them originally only because my previous one was a little cheaper for my bridesmaids. My coordinator reached out to them for me and was able to book three stylists a week in advance!
Femme Akoi was so professional, experienced, and did a great job with hair and makeup!
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
At first, I looked for a price when choosing a wedding planner, and I did not want to spend any more money, so I was only looking for a day-of coordinator.
I wanted them to make sure everyone was on schedule with a timeline and the vendors showed up.
When I found comparable prices, I spoke with Coastal Coordinating. From start to finish, this was the most pleasant experience of my entire wedding planning. I got way more than anticipated for what I paid compared to other wedding planning companies I spoke to.
Lauren went above and beyond day of coordinating. I spoke with her months in advance. She came to the table mock-up and helped with décor. We were able to use their inventory for no extra cost and edit our timeline as many times as needed. She spoke to vendors before and during the wedding weekend, recommended vendors, offered décor advice, did the table setting, layout, and décor before for ceremony and reception, and details I was unaware of. Lauren and her assistant brought all of our décor, gifts, and valuables left by friends and family to our room after the night was over. I seriously could go on and on.
Lauren From Coastal Coordinating was hands down my best vendor. I cannot say enough good things. She was very genuinely sweet and caring. She was very knowledgeable, and she did more than expected. If I did everything all over again, this is the only decision I would not change.
The Proposal:
We had just bought our first house and were having a housewarming party! We had been together at that point for five-and-a-half years. Elliot unexpectedly proposed that night in front of close family and friends! I had no idea with all that was going on for planning the party. If I knew, I would have practiced a better response and wore a better outfit, lol!
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We have not yet because of Covid but plan to go to an all-inclusive in Jamaica or the Bahamas.
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
Originally, it would have been Nashville but, COVID.
We went to Miami instead. It was only three hours away and less strict than other states.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
I went mainly with colors and not a theme for the inspiration. We wanted darker colors because of the time of year and wanted a modern-romantic feel.
What were your colors?
Navy, burgundy, blush, ivory, with greenery, were our colors for the winter season. We chose these colors with gold geometric shapes throughout to add a modern touch.
How did your rentals add to the ambiance of your event?
Kate Ryan Event Rentals went above and beyond! I already loved the inventory and advice they gave during the table mock-up.
There was a miscommunication about doing the ceremony and reception in the same room. I rented a white dance floor and table inventory separately and it was not marked that it was a room flip. This was supposed to be an extra charge due to having to flip the same room with different décor and set up the dance floor at the same time.
The rental team and my coordinator worked together and made the room flip all happen in an hour flawlessly for no extra cost.
What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
I wanted up-lighting, to be able to request songs, for them to be able to read the room and keep people on the dance floor the entire time.
Eric was the DJ at a wedding we went to previously. He did everything we wanted! He even made last-minute changes for us and cut into other songs at specific times we wanted for one of our dances!
Why did you choose to incorporate the sparkler fountains?
We wanted fountain sparklers as well as guests holding sparklers for our exit.
We chose Spark Wedding Events because they were highly rated.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
My advice would be to focus on the things that matter most and do not invite filler guests or second option guests. I would also not have young children at the ceremony or reception.
Ceremony, Reception Venue, and Caterer: The Karol Hotel
Photographer: Jonathan Hare Photography
Videographer: Reel Insight Productions
Planner: Coastal Coordinating *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Florist: Pixies & Petals
Rentals (Linens, Napkins, Dance Floor, Chargers, Flatware): Kate Ryan Event Rentals *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Cake: Sweet Kreations
DJ: Grant Hemond & Assoc. *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Invitations: Minted
Dress Shop and Designer: Ivory & Lace
Shoe Designer: Dillards
Bridesmaid Dress Shop: David’s Bridal
Hair & Makeup: Femme Akoi Beauty Studio *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Rehearsal Dinner: Seasons 52
Sparklers: Spark Wedding Events *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Photobooth: Snapshoot Photobooth
Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.
*Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pros are highly respected by our local wedding community and have been personally vetted by our editor.
