Cassandra and Chris’ intimate South Tampa garden wedding provided their guests with a fun New Year’s Eve celebration that incorporated sophistication, sparkle, and spunky adoptable puppies!

“Our colors were rose gold with a touch of navy. I mostly just did neutral, white colors and a little gold,” the bride shared. “With it being New Year’s I was able to get away with a little mix up of colors.”

MORE: GOLD WEDDING INSPIRATION

The Dunedin couple sought to wow their 65 guests at every turn and wanted a Tampa wedding caterer that offered a variety of delicious options. Although researching caterers sometimes was a challenge, when the couple met with Elite Events Catering they knew it was a perfect match.

“I was so overwhelmed with all the choices of food and places I could choose from. I knew I wanted chicken while my husband was all for beef,” the bride explained. “Elite Events Catering was like a one-stop-shop! I loved it. The company was amazing with both their services and food. I received so many compliments on the food from my guests.”

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The bride envisioned a wedding cake that would compliment the beauty of their venue, so she turned to Tampa Bay Cake Company.

“I loved the idea of having a 3-tier cake so I searched on Pinterest, found one, and presented it to Emily from Tampa Bay Cake Company. She had her ideas, and we collaborated and came up with a beautiful elegant cake,” Cassandra beamed. “I chose the carrot cake because my husband and I absolutely love it. Emily blew that flavor out of the water. Thinking about it makes me want more!”

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The food selection wasn’t the only memorable part of their big day. The couple decided to forego traditional bridesmaid bouquets and opted for something different and fun.

“My wedding was unique because I had puppies instead of flowers for my bridesmaids. Having adoptable puppies was a huge part of my wedding and the most important. Everyone was so excited about the dogs because they didn’t realize the girls were walking down the aisle with them!” Cassandra beamed. “The guests awed about having puppies. Everyone came over to hold and play with them. I did not get my guests favors, instead I donated to the rescue that came, and two out of for puppies got adopted.”

The Proposal:
We were in Old Hyde park with all my closest friends and our two dogs. I had a girls’ dinner planned, and Chris showed up while we were taking pictures next to a tree. It was a total shock! He told me he was sick at home.

What was your wedding theme?
We had a New Year’s Eve wedding so I wanted sparkle. I loved the rose gold theme. I was able to get away with a simple and elegant look. I included some navy blue but mostly rose gold, whites, and glitter.

What were your colors?
Rose gold with a touch of navy. I mostly just did neutral, white colors and a little gold. With it being New Year’s I was able to get away with a little mix up of colors.

What was your wedding menu inspiration?
I was so overwhelmed with all the choices of food and places I could choose from. I knew I wanted chicken while my husband was all for beef. Elite Events Catering was like a one-stop-shop! I loved it. The company was amazing with both their services and food. I received so many compliments on the food from my guests.

What was your wedding cake inspiration?
The cake I wanted to fit with the venue. It was more a garden type venue; I wanted it pretty and simple. I loved having a 3- tier cake so I searched on Pinterest, found one, and presented it to Emily from Tampa Bay Cake Company.

She had her ideas, and we collaborated and came up with a beautiful elegant cake. I chose the carrot cake because my husband, and I absolutely love it. She blew that flavor out of the water. Thinking about it makes me want more! I chose something the guests would like, vanilla and strawberry. I wanted variety!

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
The wedding is about you and your husband. Don’t worry about other people. If having an intimate wedding makes you happy, do it. It flies by so enjoy every moment.

Hire a wedding coordinator for at the very least the day of. I can’t stress this enough! The best money you’ll spend is on a coordinator.

Venue: Davis Islands Garden Club
Photography: Landrum Photography
Planner: Crown Entertainment
Florist: Jason’s Creations
Catering: Elite Events Catering *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Cake: Tampa Bay Cake Company *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Bar: Spunky Spirits
DJ: Barry Crew
Officiant: Jami Weatherspoon
Photobooth: I Heart Photo Bomb
Hair and Makeup: Ashlee Ann Hair and Makeup
Wedding Dress: CC’s Bridal Boutique
Wedding Pet Care: Furry Ventures Pet Care
Balloons: Heather Salvadore