Ally and Jake
“During the planning process, I envisioned a reception that felt incredibly romantic, with a warm, intimate ambiance. I was drawn to the idea of soft candlelit lighting and elegant, flowy drapery cascading from the ceiling to create a dreamy atmosphere. These elements came together beautifully to set the perfect tone for the evening. I didn’t stick to one specific color but opted for a neutral color palette instead. My bridesmaids wore a beautiful shade of brown, and the florals featured a mix of soft pinks, browns, and whites. The combination created an elegant, timeless look that felt warm and romantic.” -The Bride
FEATURING
Jake and Ally’s urban Ybor City wedding was a glamorous affair filled with neutral flora, romantic candlelight and ethereal styling. The bride and groom wed in a traditional Catholic ceremony set in a stunning cathedral before celebrating with a historic hotel ballroom reception.
“During the planning process, I envisioned a reception that felt incredibly romantic, with a warm, intimate ambiance. I was drawn to the idea of soft candlelit lighting and elegant, flowy drapery cascading from the ceiling to create a dreamy atmosphere. These elements came together beautifully to set the perfect tone for the evening,” the bride beamed. “I didn’t stick to one specific color but opted for a neutral color palette instead. My bridesmaids wore a beautiful shade of brown, and the florals featured a mix of soft pinks, browns, and whites. The combination created an elegant, timeless look that felt warm and romantic.”
The Plant City bride knew she wanted to host the 180-guest nuptials in the same Catholic church where her grandparents were married and sought a nearby reception venue befitting her dreamy vision for the November celebration. The character and charm of Hotel Haya‘s historic event space, with its plastered brick walls and high ceilings, created the perfect setting.
“Hotel Haya was amazing to work with from start to finish. Our initial tour of the space with Meghan Hygh immediately gave us a great feeling, and Logan was incredible throughout the process, helping us with the menu, tastings, and ensuring that every detail reflected the vibe we envisioned for the day. Their attention to detail and commitment to making our day special made the entire experience unforgettable!” the bride raved. “Being from Plant City, the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, and having served as the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen in 2018, I knew I had to incorporate a nod to my hometown. For dessert, we had a ‘make-your-own’ strawberry shortcake bar, which was such a fun and unique touch. The Hotel Haya catering staff brought this idea to life beautifully, allowing our out-of-town guests to get a delicious taste of Plant City.”
Ally relied on the skilled team at EventFull Weddings to guide her through the planning process and ensure the day was flawless. Karen Cerboni’s expertise allowed the couple to immerse themselves in their wedding day experience as it unfolded.
“I was looking for a wedding planner who was detail-oriented, highly organized, and someone who would guide me every step of the way throughout the entire planning process. I wanted someone who would work alongside me, ensuring that every aspect was taken care of and that I felt supported from start to finish. I chose EventFull Weddings because Karen was not only kind but also checked off every box of what we were looking for in a wedding planner,” the bride gushed. “From the very beginning, Karen was there to support us—helping us find vendors, navigate wedding logistics, and even meeting with us multiple times for food tastings, floral mock-ups, and coffee check-ins. Her dedication and attention to detail ensured that our day would be absolutely perfect.”
With a focus on their guests’ experience, Ally and Jake prioritized their DJ search. Their mutual love of music and dancing helped guide their selection process, and they knew they found the perfect fit with Cory Barron at Tampa Bay DJ Company.
“My husband and I are both big music lovers and love to dance, so it was important to us that our guests felt the same way and joined us on the dance floor to celebrate our wedding,” the bride detailed. “We hired Cory with Tampa Bay DJ Company because he helped us create the perfect playlist for our guests. He also made sure our entrance video played just as we envisioned and perfectly timed our first dance to match the music we had chosen. His attention to detail and ability to set the tone for the celebration made the night unforgettable.”
Guests were treated to an unforgettable evening of stunning decor, culinary delights, and energetic music. Wispy draping added softness to the candlelit reception space, while clear ghost chairs from Kate Ryan Event Rentals added a modern touch. To preserve their memories of the day, The Gala Photobooth captured snapshots of the couple’s friends and family as treasured keepsakes, and even created a special guestbook filled with printed images and handwritten messages of well wishes.
Amidst the excitement of the day, it was a quiet and intimate moment between Ally and Jake just before the ceremony that the bride cherishes most.
“One of the most memorable moments was doing a first touch and prayer with my husband,” Ally reminisced. “It brought a sense of calm amidst the busyness of the morning and gave us a quiet, meaningful moment together before all the excitement began. It also made me even more excited for the amazing night ahead.”
The Proposal:
We got engaged at Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland, Florida. Jake came up with a creative plan by asking my mom and his mom to coordinate a Mother’s Day photo shoot that included my sister-in-laws. During the “photoshoot” he was waiting nearby with a sweet picnic setup, ready to ask me to marry him. It was such a thoughtful and memorable moment!
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Right after our wedding, my husband and I went to Savannah, Georgia, and stayed at the cutest bed and breakfast. It was the perfect way to unwind and relax after all the excitement of the wedding festivities.
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
My bridesmaids and closest friends joined me in Scottsdale, Arizona, for my bachelorette trip. It was the perfect change of scenery and an adventure-filled getaway!
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
I was looking for a wedding planner who was detail-oriented, highly organized, and someone who would guide me every step of the way throughout the entire planning process. I wanted someone who would work alongside me, ensuring that every aspect was taken care of and that I felt supported from start to finish.
I chose EventFull Weddings because Karen was not only kind but also checked off every box of what we were looking for in a wedding planner. From the very beginning, Karen was there to support us—helping us find vendors, navigate wedding logistics, and even meeting with us multiple times for food tastings, floral mock-ups, and coffee check-ins. Her dedication and attention to detail ensured that our day would be absolutely perfect.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
During the planning process, I envisioned a reception that felt incredibly romantic, with a warm, intimate ambiance. I was drawn to the idea of soft candlelit lighting and elegant, flowy drapery cascading from the ceiling to create a dreamy atmosphere. These elements came together beautifully to set the perfect tone for the evening.
How did the rentals enhance the ambiance of your wedding?
We used the ghost chairs from Kate Ryan Event Rentals and they helped bring cohesiveness to our reception decor.
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
Hotel Haya was amazing to work with from start to finish. Our initial tour of the space with Meghan Hygh immediately gave us a great feeling, and Logan was incredible throughout the process, helping us with the menu, tastings, and ensuring that every detail reflected the vibe we envisioned for the day. Their attention to detail and commitment to making our day special made the entire experience unforgettable!
Being from Plant City, the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, and having served as the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen in 2018, I knew I had to incorporate a nod to my hometown. For dessert, we had a ‘make-your-own’ strawberry shortcake bar, which was such a fun and unique touch. The Hotel Haya catering staff brought this idea to life beautifully, allowing our out-of-town guests to get a delicious taste of Plant City.
What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
My husband and I are both big music lovers and love to dance, so it was important to us that our guests felt the same way and joined us on the dance floor to celebrate our wedding. We hired Cory with Tampa Bay DJ Company because he helped us create the perfect playlist for our guests. He also made sure our entrance video played just as we envisioned and perfectly timed our first dance to match the music we had chosen. His attention to detail and ability to set the tone for the celebration made the night unforgettable.”
Why did you choose to have a photo booth?
We wanted our guests to leave with a fun, personalized keepsake from the night. The Gala Photobooth stood out to us because of their great reputation and the variety of options they offered. One of the highlights was that as guests took their photos, the staff at Gala Photobooth used those pictures to create a guest book for us. It was such a thoughtful touch, and we loved looking back at all the fun moments our friends and family captured.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations ?
Our florist and our wedding planner. I can’t say enough great things about both of them! Their attention to detail, creativity, and professionalism made our wedding day absolutely perfect. I would highly recommend them to anyone planning a wedding!
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Enjoy the planning process—this is a once-in-a-lifetime event that’s all about you and your future husband! Don’t be afraid to get creative and make it exactly what you’ve dreamed of. Also be flexible and know everything will workout even if you have some minor planning hiccups throughout the process. The week of our wedding the person that was going to marry us had an emergency, so he was unable to marry us. Luckily my husband quickly made some arrangements so we could get connected with someone who could marry us. It all worked out for the best!
