Kayla and Avery's Safety Harbor wedding featured traditional elements and classic details surrounded by extended family and friends.
The bride wanted her wedding to be timeless, so she chose a classic, muted palette for the florals and decor.
“I did not have a specific theme. I just wanted to have pretty neutral colors to have beautiful pictures to look back on,” the bride shared. “We used neutrals such as tan, white, light pink, and navy blue. I chose these colors because they correlate well together and would make for beautiful photos in the white chapel.”
MORE: NEUTRAL WEDDING INSPIRATION
The Pinellas couple sought a wedding venue that could accommodate a large number of guests while also complementing their faith-based ceremony.
“I was looking for a traditional church setting with pews, natural lighting, seating up to 250, and neutral colors,” Kayla explained. “When I toured Harborside Chapel for the first time the beauty of the venue was completely captivating, and I knew I wanted to have my ceremony there. I thought the service was absolutely beautiful. I loved how the pastor had Avery and I look out at the guests; it was very emotional to look out and see all the support of your loved ones.”
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In touching a moment, the bride and groom invited their friends and family to join them for a group prayer during the reception.
“Having all of our guests gather around laying hands on us in prayer was the most unique aspect of our wedding,” Kayla reminisced.
The bride treasured her bridesmaids for being a part of her big day, and she wanted them to look and feel amazing in their dresses. She fell in love with a creamy-hued gown from Bella Bridesmaid and knew they would be flattering for her bride tribe.
“I knew that I wanted a nude dress so that I could accent with any color that I decided. I chose Bella Bridesmaid because they had the designer that I wanted. The experience was great! They were all very kind and helpful!” Kayla raved.
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Kayla was fortunate enough to experience many of her wedding vendors prior to her wedding day, by volunteering as a “bride” model in a styled shoot. When the Femme Akoi Beauty Studio artists glammed her up for a photo session, she knew she wanted them for her wedding day as well.
“I wanted a natural look that enhanced how I normally look. I loved the way Femme Akoi did my makeup. I am very picky with those things so they were the only people I wanted,” Kayla raved.
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Looking back on her wedding day, Kayla's favorite memories occurred all throughout the day and had one major theme, celebrating with family and friends.
“Having both my mother and his mother help me with my dress, seeing my dad, looking into Avery's eyes when the doors opened, looking around the room to see all my guests faces, being pronounced husband and wife, and having everyone surround us laying hands on us in prayer at our reception [were the most memorable moments],” the bride recalled.
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
For the ceremony, I was looking for a traditional church setting with pews, natural lighting, seating up to 250, and neutral colors.
When I toured Harborside Chapel for the first time the beauty of the venue was completely captivating and I knew I wanted to have my ceremony there. I thought the service was absolutely beautiful. I loved how the pastor had Avery and I look out at the guests it was very emotional to look out and see all the support of your loved ones.
The Proposal:
I was upstairs getting ready for dinner and Avery was outside on the dock fishing, which was a very common occurrence. When I finished getting ready I went to meet him on the dock, and he handed me the fishing pole and told me there was a big snook I should try to catch. I turned around to say, “Avery, the line is on the ground…I am not going to catch this stupid fish.” To my surprise, when I turned around, he was knelt down on one knee. He was holding the ring in a way that I was unable to see it. So I thought that it was a joke, and he was just teasing me, so I started to cry and said, “That is not a funny joke. That is too far.” Only to realize that he was not joking. Avery asked me to marry him and that was the start of one of the best days of my life.
What were your hair and makeup inspiration?
I wanted a natural look that enhanced how I normally look. I chose Femme Akoi Beauty Studio because I had been involved in a styled wedding shoot, and they were the hair and makeup team. I loved the way they did my makeup. I am very picky about those things so they were the only people I wanted.
What was your bridesmaid dress inspiration?
I knew that I wanted a nude dress so that I could accent with any color that I decided. I chose Bella Bridesmaid because they had the designer that I wanted. The experience was great! They were all very kind and helpful!
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
I did not have a specific theme. I just wanted to have pretty neutral colors to have beautiful pictures to look back on.
What were your colors?
We used neutrals such as tan, white, light pink, and navy blue. I chose these colors because they correlate well together and would make for beautiful photos in the white chapel.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Do not allow this time to stress you out. Enjoy every aspect and remember that the only thing that really matters is that you and your future spouse are there, and everything else is just a plus. In having that attitude if any small aspects of the wedding go array it won't be as upsetting.
Ceremony Venue: Harborside Chapel *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Venue
Reception Venue: Gulfport Casino
Photographer: Jake and Katie Photography
Videographer: Caleb Tacia
Florist: Petals Presents and Parties
Caterer: Fresh Connections
Cake: Corey's Bakery
DJ: Grant Hemond & Associates *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Officiant: Kurt Parker
Transportation: Alpha Limousine
Dress Shop and Designer: The Dressing Room; Eddy K
Bridesmaid Dress Shop and Designer: Bella Bridesmaid – Watters *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Hair & Makeup: Femme Akoi Beauty Studio *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.
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