Rustic Blue and Burgundy Tampa Bay Wedding | Cross Creek Ranch Wedding
Raquel and Brian's rustic Tampa Bay wedding featured an outdoor garden ceremony and laid back atmosphere.
“I love being outside and the feel of being carefree,” the bride explained. “People loved the lawn games, and we had so many kids there that it really felt like a family coming together and not like a formal and stiff wedding. Seeing the kids having a blast and family enjoying the property really made Brian and I so happy.”
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The bride and groom combined elements of multiple themes to encompass their variety of likes.
“[Our wedding] was a little of everything: garden, vintage, rustic and folky,” Raquel said. “We have mixed backgrounds and mixed music preferences, and we each aren't ‘one thing,' but so many little likes that make us up as a whole.”
The South Florida couple hosted a destination Tampa Bay wedding at all-inclusive wedding venue Cross Creek Ranch.
“As a mom, teacher, and both working long hours miles away, it really helped having someone gather the details and have the vendors come together was crucial,” the bride gushed. “The pictures of Cross Creek Ranch blew me away. When we visited, Brian and I just felt like it was such a gorgeous place. The staff at was amazing. From the front desk girl to the planner to the designer, they were so professional but also personable. We got to know some of them and even invited them to the wedding. They came and we all had a blast!”
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To capture the motion of their big day, Raquel and Brian hired Tampa Bay wedding videographer Rad Red Creative.
“I wanted to see someone's work who would make our wedding look like art, highlighting offbeat details and cropping pieces together like a trailer,” the bride shared. “When I saw Rad Red Creative's work, it felt like seeing my favorite love story in a music video. They have a folky, hipster vibe It was so gorgeous! When we see our video now, it's like the preview to our marriage, a movie trailer to a love story.”
Looking back, some of Raquel's most memorable moments came during the wedding ceremony.
“Faith and family was always most important. We had an absolutely beautiful ceremony that tied it all together for us with faith, showed our love for each other and had our boys be apart of it all,” the bride reminisced. Seeing Brian wait for me at the end of the aisle, by the huge tree, and saying our vows together [was unforgettable]. To be able to start off our marriage with the trust and promise to serve each other and not just be partners, but actually serve was nice.”
What did you look for in a wedding videographer?
I wanted to see someone's work who would make our wedding look like art, highlighting offbeat details and cropping pieces together like a trailer.
When I saw Rad Red Creative's work, it felt like seeing my favorite love story in a music video. They have a folky, hipster vibe It was so gorgeous! When we see our video now, it's like the preview to our marriage, a movie trailer to a love story.
The Proposal:
Brian and I had been dating for about eight months. We had met at Crossfit in December, and he proposed there in August. The coaches were in on it and, and after explaining the workout for that night, they asked if there were more announcements.
That's when Brian turned me around and got on one knee. My sister was there and knew ahead of time, and we got it on camera. I've never heard it so quiet. When I said, “Yes,” there was a cheer, and it was so cute. I loved that he did it there, where it all started for us.
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
I wanted something simple. I don't like things that are too formal or pretentious, and I'm not a detail person, but Brian definitely is. All-inclusive was great. As a mom, teacher, and both working long hours miles away, it really helped having someone gather the details and have the vendors come together was crucial.
We had found Cross Creek Ranch through a Google search. The pictures they had featured blew me away. When we visited, Brian and I just felt like it was such a gorgeous place. I love being outside and the feel of being free and carefree. People loved the lawn games, and we had so many kids there that it really felt like a family coming together and not like a formal and stiff wedding. Seeing the kids having a blast and family enjoying the property really made Brian and I so happy.
How would you describe your theme?
It was a little of everything: garden, vintage, rustic, folky. The fact that there were so many little themes woven in was really just a testament of Brian and myself. We have mixed backgrounds and mixed music preferences, and we each aren't “one thing,” but so many little likes that make us up as a whole.
What were your colors?
Dusty midnight blue, grey and burgundy. The rich colors backed by the light and airy garden feel really gave such a gorgeous contrast.
What did you look for in a wedding bakery?
Quality sweets that were moist and not overwhelmingly sweet.
Alessi Bakeries had a huge assortment and worked with us on ideas for things that were a little outside the box for them. They pulled together an amazing assortment, and I wanted it to feel like a sweets array and not just focus on cake. We had macaroons, cheesecake bites, cookies, cake pops, mini cheesecakes, pudding, cream puffs and cake.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay Brides?
When people say they married their best friend, they probably did. Don't settle for anyone less than your best friend.
Also, make your wedding for you and your spouse and not for anyone else.
Remember, prepare for the marriage and not just the wedding.
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Cross Creek Ranch
Photographer: Jake + Katie Photography
Videographer: Rad Red Creative
Florist: Alta Fleura
Caterer: Catered By Vesh
Cake: Alessi Bakeries *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
DJ: Grant Hemond & Associates – Jody *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Officiant: Bob Triplett
Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas
Dress: David's Bridal
