Danielle and Malik’s South Tampa wedding featured an outdoor garden ceremony overlooking one of the most iconic backdrops in Tampa Bay.
The Houston couple channeled a chic and romantic style for their celebration and were beyond grateful to be able to celebrate with 150 of their favorite people mere weeks before Coronavirus changed the world.
“We both have friends and family scattered from Florida to Alaska and internationally from Jamaica and England. We’re so grateful that we were able to celebrate and bring all these people together before COVID shutdowns began to happen,” the bride shared. “We had a lot of family on both sides that hadn’t met so having them together for the weekend meant the world to us.”
The bride and groom chose a “romantic, modern, and timeless” setting for their outdoor garden wedding.
“Our colors were emerald green, charcoal gray, and cream with gold accents. I love the way deep emerald green looks in the sunlight,” the bride beamed. “I knew for years that I wanted to have a deep jewel tone in my wedding.”
MORE: GARDEN WEDDING INSPIRATION
While planning from a distance, Danielle consulted Marry Me Tampa Bay for guidance during the process.
“I definitely looked for wedding vendors through Marry Me Tampa Bay and also read the advice columns,” the bride remarked.
The couple reflected details of their love story with their music selection, favors, and decor, and later shared that these customized touches were what made their wedding unforgettable.
“We handmade our favors, which were small travel candles wrapped in a velvet ribbon and sealed with a wax seal which was a unique way for us to incorporate our business and our love for candles. Our personalities also came out with the music selection, especially during cocktail hour, and in the use of old family photos,” the bride reflected.
Malik is a former Tampa resident, so the couple began their venue search in the area. They envisioned waterfront views for their ceremony backdrop and were thrilled to find the Tampa Garden Club.
“I absolutely knew that I wanted to be near the water, but not quite a beach wedding. The Tampa Garden Club is a blank slate so our vision made it come to life! The view is what sold us though. We got married on the front lawn and had this beautiful bay view in the background. It was absolutely breathtaking,” Danielle raved. “The venue allows you to choose your vendors which I loved. Their service was impeccable. Planning from Texas was not always easy but they were so helpful in their communication.”
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It was that beautiful ceremony backdrop and the moment the newlyweds first saw each other during the processional that Danielle credits as her favorite memory of the entire day.
“To me, it was definitely laying my eyes on Malik as I walked down the aisle,” the bride reminisced. “There were so many smiling faces looking at the both of us but I was so happy to see him, and the ceremony set up was absolutely stunning.”
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
I absolutely knew that I wanted to be near the water, but not quite a beach wedding. The Tampa Garden Club is a blank slate so our vision made it come to life! The view is what sold us though. We got married on the front lawn and had this beautiful bay view in the background. It was absolutely breathtaking. The venue allows you to choose your vendors which I loved. Their service was impeccable. Planning from Texas was not always easy but they were so helpful in their communication.”
The Proposal:
It happened on Christmas Day surrounded by family. It was a lovely and intimate surprise.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We spent a week in the beautiful Tulum, Mexico. We wanted to have a super relaxing beach honeymoon. We had to plan our honeymoon very last minute. My husband’s job decided to retract their approval for our original honeymoon to Italy so we planned for Tulum instead. Looking back, it was a blessing in disguise considering the outbreak Italy had at around that time.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Romantic, modern, timeless. We knew that we wanted our guests to feel the essence of our love for each other through little details, music, and decor.
What were your colors?
Our colors were emerald green, charcoal gray, and cream with gold accents. I love the way deep emerald green looks in the sunlight. I knew for years that I wanted to have a deep jewel tone in my wedding.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Don’t compromise; your dream venue is out there and with the right planner your day can be just what you imagined.
Venue: Tampa Garden Club *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Venue
Photographer: CreatedFour
Planner and Florist: Janova Events
Caterer: 3 C’s Catering
Rentals: On the Move Productions
Linens: Fancy That Specialty Linens
Cake: Publix
DJ: DJ Tony, Y Not Productions
Officiant: Elder Jeffery M. Herrington Sr.
Transportation: Turo
Dress Shop and Designer: Misora Bridal (Houston), Mori Lee
Bridesmaid Dress Shop: Birdy Grey
Hair & Makeup: The Artistry of Makeup
Favors: Lonez Scents
Photobooth Rental: Tampa Magic Mirror
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.
