Shania and Timothy's Tampa Heights wedding was a romantic evening combined with a winter color palette of burgundy and navy and rustic decor. The laid-back evening was focused on celebrating with family and friends and ended with a giant sing-a-long on the dance floor.
“I love the simplicity and elegance of it. We are both down to earth people. We love the idea that the simple and elegant rustic design was perfect for our personalities. I love the simplicity and elegance of it,” the bride shared. “Our colors were burgundy, ivory, and blush, with hints of navy and rose gold. I found the color scheme on Pinterest and completely fell in love with it.”
The bride and groom knew Tampa Bay would be the perfect location to host their 180-guest wedding (pre-COVID), and they enlisted wedding planner Special Moments Event Planning for their stellar reputation.
“I wanted to find a planner who would be able to understand my vision and make it become a reality,” the bride revealed. “I hired Special Moments Event Planning because I needed a day of coordinator. Tammy's services were budget-friendly. When I went to meet her in person, she was very friendly, knowledgable, and detail-oriented. She was the best thing that could have happened to our wedding. Tammy and her team did such a fantastic job bringing everything we had envisioned to life. It was just fantastic to see when it all came together. The day ran so smoothly. We didn't even feel like we were in a rush. I can't thank her and her team enough for all that they did.”
As the details of the day began to form, the Clearwater couple carefully considered how to document their wedding. For relaxed and effortless wedding portraits, Lifelong Photography Studios offered the perfect amount of direction and kept the pair at ease while being the center of attention.
“When looking for a photographer I wanted to find a company that would make us feel at ease and relaxed. My husband and I are not ones to be frequently in front of cameras. It was important to us to find photographers who could help us to feel that way of being in the spotlight,” Shania admitted. “When I came across Lifelong Photography Studio, the women working were friendly. They talked to me as if we had been friends for years. It felt like a casual conversation, not just a sales pitch to get my money. I hired Lifelong Photography for that reason and also because I could make a custom plan that was best for my budget. Not many photographers I looked at had the option to build s plan to fit your needs and budget. We were amazed at how wonderful our photos turned out! They captured so many wonderful moments that we will be able to treasure forever.”
To match the romantic rustic theme, Shania sought a boho-whimsical bridal look that would leave her feeling young and flirty. The Kitty Chen A-line wedding dress offered a sultry low-cut back with an illusion lace fitted bodice. Femme Akoi Beauty Studio paired a braided updo with a natural makeup style to tie in the casual-bohemian aesthetic.
“I do not wear a lot of makeup on the regular. I wanted something simple but enough to be a little extra for the big day. I love the boho look. That was my inspiration for finding my hairstyle for the day. I love the updo style with braids. I wish I could make my hair look like that all the time,” the bride gushed. “Femme Akoi had great reviews, and I was blown away from the pictures I have seen of the weddings they had done. I went for a trial and was blown away by my experience. Ayla did my hair and makeup. She answered all my questions and went through step-by-step what she was doing. She took my inspirational picture and made it personalized towards me. She helped me feel at ease during the hair and makeup process, which was a blessing.”
While Shania and Timothy started their wedding portraits at the picturesque University of Tampa, Skyline Limousine provided transportation for the wedding party as they moved toward the Tampa Heights venue.
As the couple reminisced about their magical wedding day, it was the moments of joy and laughter that they were grateful to have experienced and captured in photographs.
“The most memorable moments were our first look pictures. We were just gushing with emotions when we saw each other. It was just overpowering at that moment. I will always treasure that. Our friends don't always get to see the affection that we show to one another when it's just the two of us,” Shania confessed. “When everyone in the wedding joined together in a circle on the dance floor, with us in the middle, as we all sung Styx's Come Sail Away, it was just a magical moment. It's a tradition to play it at every wedding of my husband's fraternity. Having all of our family and friends come together and all sing made my heart so full. It really was a great ending to the night.”
What were your hair and makeup inspiration?
I do not wear a lot of makeup on the regular. I wanted something simple, but enough to be a little extra for the big day. I love the boho look. That was my inspiration for finding my hairstyle for the day. I love the updo style with braids. I wish I could make my hair look like that all the time.
Femme Akoi Beauty Studio had great reviews, and I was blown away by the pictures I have seen of the weddings they had done. I went for a trial and was blown away by my experience. Ayla did my hair and makeup. I don't wear a lot of makeup, and she answered all my questions and went through step by step what she was doing. She took my inspirational picture and made it personalized towards me. She helped me feel at ease during the hair and makeup process, which was a blessing for me.
The Proposal:
We were at home watching the ball drop on tv on New Year's Eve with champagne at the ready as always. When it dropped, my husband and his best friend stood up and cheered Happy New Year. I cheered while sitting down, our dogs were snuggling me, and I didn't want to disturb them. I leaned up to kiss my boyfriend at the time. He told me he wasn't going to kiss me with our dogs surrounding me because they like to give us kisses when we try to kiss. I stood up and leaned to kiss him. He told me, “I want to do things a little different this year,” and knelt down. I was beyond thrilled! I almost couldn't believe it was happening, at this time this is almost nine years into our relationship, so I was getting antsy. After I questioned, “Are you serious?” I said yes and got my New Year's kiss.
What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
A company that would make us feel at ease and relaxed. My husband and I are not ones to be frequently in front of cameras. It was important for us to find photographers that could help us to feel that way of being in the spotlight.
When I came across Lifelong Photography Studio, the women working were friendly. They talked to me as if we had been friends for years. It felt like a casual conversation, not just a sales pitch to get my money. I hired Lifelong Photography for that reason and also because I could make a custom plan that was best for my budget. Not many photographers I looked at had the option to build s plan to fit your needs and budget. Buffy and Eden at Lifelong Photography were absolutely fantastic. They are both down to earth, fun women! Buffy was there for both our engagement photos and our wedding day. We were amazed at how wonderful our photos turned out! They captured so many wonderful moments that we will be able to treasure forever.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
We are both down to earth people. We love the idea that the simple and elegant rustic design was perfect for our personalities. I have always loved the rustic romantic look. I love the simplicity and elegance of it.
What were your colors?
Burgundy, ivory, blush, with hints of navy and rose gold. I found the color scheme on Pinterest and completely fell in love with it.
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
Someone who would be able to understand my vision and make it become a reality.
I hired Special Moments Event Planning because I needed a day of coordinator. Tammy's services were budget-friendly. When I went to meet her in person, she was very friendly, knowledgable, and detail-oriented. I really loved that about her. She was the best thing that could have happened to our wedding. Tammy and her team did such a fantastic job bringing everything we had envisioned to life. It was just fantastic to see when it all came together. She made sure that we didn't miss going over anything. The day ran so smoothly. We didn't even feel like we were in a rush. I can't thank her and her team enough for all that they did.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We, unfortunately, had to cancel our honeymoon due to COVID. We had a two-week trip planned to Scotland. When looking for a place to honeymoon, we fell in love with the pictures we saw of Scotland's nature. It's so scenic and has such natural beauty. My husband loves Scotch and Whiskey. We went to Ireland a few years back, which we loved. Now we wanted to go explore Scotland. We are hoping to reschedule if travel will be lifted.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Don't give up if you have trouble finding what you are looking for. You may just find it when you least expect it! That's exactly what happened to us when trying to find a venue. We struggled to find a place that could accommodate our guest count without breaking the bank.
I would highly recommend all the vendors we used. They were all amazing and very easy to work with. I know the whole wedding planning can be stressful. There are a lot of good vendors out there that will work with you to fit your budget/needs. Especially Tammy at Special Moments Event Planning. Definitely hire her, you can thank me later!
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Armature Works
Photographer: Lifelong Photography Studio *Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Planner: Special Moments Event Planning *Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Florist: The Bride's Bouquet
Caterer and Desserts: Puff n Stuff
Wedding Cake: Chef Brett Laude (Groomsmen)
DJ: Inpulse Entertainment
Officiant: Owen Foley (Friend of Bride)
Invitations: Zazzle
Transportation: Skyline Limousine *Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Dress Shop and Designer: CC's Bridal Boutique – Kitty Chen Couture, Perla
Bridesmaid Dress Shop: Azazie
Hair & Makeup: Femme Akoi Beauty Studio *Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
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.
