Many brides dream of their wedding day and the moment in which their father would walk them down the aisle, but for Holly this day was bittersweet as her father Officer Charles Kondek was killed in the line of duty in December 2014. To honor her father's service, several Tampa Bay wedding professionals came together to provide the couple with a semi-donated wedding.
“Joe and I created a ceremony that would honor my father, who died in the line of duty 12/21/14,” the bride shared. “We had all of our closest Tarpon Springs Police Department family there in uniform. They walked the bridesmaids down the aisle. One walked me down the aisle along with my little brother. One even agreed to be our officiant and married us. Two officers out of those present were also in my parents wedding as well. It meant a lot to us as well as the officers. These officers are our family and we would have been truly lost without them these past few years.”
“I can tell you what it's all about. Joe and Holly and our blue family. We have a saying, ‘gone but never forgotten.' And this is one way. You'll see a sea of blue here today from Tarpon Springs Police Department,” said Sgt. Scott Osarzuk to NBC's News Channel 8. “Charlie is part of our family, as Theresa and the rest of their family. And when we say ‘gone, but not forgotten, we mean it.
Holly and Joe's classic, New Tampa wedding featured a winter-inspired color palette.
“I really wanted something that was simple and beautiful all at the same time. The ivory, silver, wine and navy completed that look perfectly. They were great colors for a winter wedding,” Holly shared.
Wanting to keep their wedding local to the Tampa Bay area, the couple searched for a Tampa Bay wedding venue with an outdoor ceremony site and indoor ballroom for their reception, and chose Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club.
“Tampa Palms was everything we were looking for and more. I never felt rushed when I had questions or during tours. They made everything so stress-free!” the bride gushed. “The ceremony area was incredible, the ballroom was amazing, and we even had a private outdoor area! The coordinator was amazing to work with, the food was delicious and there wasn't a single thing I wasn’t happy with. That’s something to truly be thankful for as I know a lot can go wrong during a wedding!”
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When Tampa wedding planner Parties a la Carte heard about Holly's story through Gold and Diamond Source's Julie Weintraub, they stepped up and donated their planning services to bride and groom.
“Really not knowing the steps to planning a wedding can be stressful, but Jessica and Parties A La Carte did all they could to help every step of the way. They answered countless questions, and never made us feel like a burden,” the bride shared. “I really appreciate everything they’ve done for us! I couldn’t have asked for anything more, and we couldn’t have done it without them.”
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Every detail was beautifully thought of, from the gorgeous berry Over the Top Rental Linens to the chiavari chairs from A Chair Affair, which complemented the ambiance of the entire event. Sweetly Dipped Confections rounded out the evening with tasty cake pops for the guests.
“Cake pops were a great dessert to add because we felt that many people would enjoy them while dancing and mingling,” the bride explained. “The desserts were great and so convenient. Everyone loved them! Sweetly Dipped Confections came highly recommended by our wedding planner, and they definitely didn’t disappoint!”
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Looking back on their wedding day, the bride shared that one of her most memorable moments was planned unbeknownst to her.
“The officers chose a song without my knowledge, and they all took turns dancing with me, being that I did not have my Father-Daughter dance. That dance ended with me dancing with my brother, who is one of my very best friends. My husband followed and danced with me afterwards. There isn’t much more you can ask for than that,” Holly reminisced. “Joe and I had so many people help in the planning of our wedding that we wouldn’t even begin to know how to say thank you for. Just know we are so so so thankful for each and every one of you. Julie Weintraub not only being the one that connected us to Parties a la carte, but also helping us with a few vendors as well.”
The Proposal:
The proposal was in the comfort of our own home. Joe printed out all of the pictures of him and I together throughout the years and set up through the entire house along with rose petal trails and balloons. He met me at the door and handed me a blindfold. He walked me to each area of the house where he had typed up and framed each milestone in our relationship. It was extremely sweet and thoughtful knowing I don’t like to be the center of attention in public it was the perfect way to propose.
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
Something affordable with great food and a vendor that was easy to work with. I also really wanted a venue with a beautiful outdoor ceremony area and an indoor ballroom.
Send me pricing and availability for Preferred Wedding Venues
Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club was everything we were looking for and more. I never felt rushed when I had questions or during tours. They made everything so stress-free. The ceremony area was incredible, the ballroom was amazing and even had a private outdoor area! The coordinator was amazing to work with, the food was delicious and there isn’t a single thing I wasn’t happy with. That’s something go truly be thankful for as I know a lot can go wrong during a wedding!
How did you incorporate you and your spouse's personalities into the wedding?
Joe and I created a ceremony that would honor my father, who died in the line of duty 12/21/14. We had all of our closest Tarpon Springs Police Department family there in uniform. They walked the bridesmaids down the aisle. One walked me down the aisle along with my little brother. One even agreed to be our officiant and married us. Two officers out of those present were also in my parents wedding as well. It meant a lot to us as well as the officers. These officers are our family and we would have been truly lost without them these past few years.
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
Someone who would help me to not only be a less stressed during my busy work weeks, but to also help me make decisions on things I was torn between.
I want to learn more about planning from Parties A La Carte.
Really not knowing the steps to planning can be a stressful but Jessica and Parties a la Carte did all they could to help every step of the way. They answered countless questions, and never made us feel like a burden. I really appreciate everything they’ve done for us! I couldn’t have asked for anything more and we couldn’t have done it without them.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
I really wanted something that was simple and beautiful all at the same time. The ivory, silver, wine and navy completed that look perfectly. They were great colors for a winter wedding as well.
What was your dessert inspiration?
Cake pops were a great dessert to add because we felt that many people would enjoy them while dancing and mingling. The desserts were great and so convenient.
I Want to Learn about Desserts from Sweetly Dipped Confections.
Everyone loved them! Sweetly Dipped Confections came highly recommended by Parties a la Carte, and they definitely didn’t disappoint!
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Really get to know your vendors. If they are chosen carefully, they will make your wedding better than you’ve ever dreamed it could be. Relax on your wedding day, soak in every moment. It goes by so much faster than you think.
Venue: Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Venue
Photographer: Photography by Avery
Videographer: VH Video
Wedding Planner: Parties a la Carte *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Florist: Bruce Wayne Florals
Desserts: Sweetly Dipped Confections *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Photo Booth: Bash Booths
Linen: Over The Top Rental Linens *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Cake: Chantilly Cakes
Rentals: A Chair Affair *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Entertainment: Elite Entertainment
Hair & Make-Up: Destiny & Light
Wedding Dress: CC's Boutique
Rings: Gold and Diamond Source
