Katie and Kyle's Clearwater wedding combined rustic charm with elegant details complementing their springtime yacht club setting. The bride and groom chose a palette of champagne and natural greenery with punches of saturated red tones.
“In the beginning, I had a difficult time describing what I was looking for; it was really a combo of so many things! I ended up with romantic, rustic, glam! I wanted bold colors, twinkle lights, natural wood, and attention to all the details,” Katie beamed. “I wanted to incorporate beautiful deep colors in my florals like burgundy and wine while bringing in lots of greenery. I chose champagne for the bridesmaids dresses to really help our colors pop!”
While planning their nuptials, Katie connected with the experts at Marry Me Tampa Bay to provide insight and ideas.
“I reached out to Amanda at Marry Me Tampa Bay a few times with questions on vendors and processes. Since we really only had a venue coordinator and not a wedding coordinator, it was great to hear some excellent advice from a veteran in the wedding business!” the bride boasted.
To complement her beaded low back wedding dress, the bride chose mismatched satin and chiffon bridesmaids dresses.
“I knew I wanted a neutral hue, and I was thrilled to see that Bella Bridesmaids Tampa had all of the designers I was eyeing online. We tried a few different options before we landed on Amsale for the satin dresses and Hayley Paige for the chiffon and lace dresses,” Katie explained.
The bride chose a natural wedding day hair and makeup style with a dash of drama.
“I wanted to look and feel like myself but with a bit of old Hollywood glam,” Katie declared. “Michele of Michele Renee The Studio knew what I was going for and nailed my look on the first try during my trial. I chose airbrush makeup to ensure it would last all day, and I added some extensions for length and fullness for my hair.”
To incorporate both rustic and glamorous details throughout the décor, the Palm Harbor couple selected A Chair Affair for their extensive inventory.
“I wanted to incorporate a little rustic feel so we rented the country chic chairs for the reception. I also loved the clear gold beaded chargers from A Chair Affair and could not get them out of my head. So we splurged and we are so glad we did because the chargers made all the difference in the table details,” Katie raved.
The pair utilized every area of their venue for different portions of their celebration, maximizing the use of the space and providing their 130 guests with a unique experience.
“I really liked the fact that I used almost every space at our venue for something different. Our guests weren't cooped up in one area the whole time,” the bride revealed. “We used the beautiful lawn and garden area for our ceremony, the fire pit and pool area along the intercoastal water for the cocktail hour, the indoor reception room for first dances and dinner, then back outdoors to the pool area for the photo booth and dancing!”
Katie and Kyle created a deliciously sweet dessert display complete with a three-tier wedding cake dripping with ribbons of caramel. They sought a wedding bakery with bold flavors that resulted in an unforgettable cake.
“The most important thing for me in deciding on a bakery was the taste! The Artistic Whisk exceeded my taste expectations!” Katie raved. “We were thoroughly impressed with their virtual tasting experience and kit too! We chose lemon cream as our main flavor, a tier with my personal favorite, and a signature flavor of theirs, cannoli cream!”
According to the bride, a last-minute decision to share an intimate first look with her groom ended up being one of her most treasured memories of the day.
“A few weeks before the wedding, we decided that it was important for us to do a first look. We also decided to write letters to one another to read before the ceremony. However, both of us forgot to write it down and only had it on our phones. So we took a moment after the first look to read each other our notes,” Katie reminisced. “We had the photographer and videographer allow this to just be us. Even though our day was amazing and shared with so many loved ones, I cherish that special time we had just for us.”
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
My bachelorette party was in Park City, Utah. It was important that we could all spend time together, so we rented a house big enough to fit 12 girls. We had a blast snow tubing, ice skating, eating some great food, and playing in the snow.
What were your wedding hair and makeup inspiration?
I wanted to look and feel like myself but with a bit of old Hollywood glam.
Michele of Michele Renee The Studio knew what I was going for and nailed my look on the first try during my trial. I chose airbrush makeup to ensure it would last all day, and I added some extensions for length and fullness for my hair.
One of my bridesmaids had used Michele Renee The Studio five years ago for her wedding and raved about her experience. They were very responsive and flexible with scheduling trials, engagement party makeup, etc. They went out of their way to come to my house for everything which was so nice.
What was your bridesmaid dress inspiration?
I wasn’t really sure what color I would end up with on bridesmaids dresses. I knew I wanted a neutral hue, and I was thrilled to see that Bella Bridesmaids Tampa had all of the designers I was eyeing online. We tried a few different options before we landed on Amsale for the satin dresses and Hayley Paige for the chiffon and lace dresses.
The Proposal:
Kyle wanted this moment to be intimate and just about us. He took us out for a sunset cruise on his boat. We were listening to some music and watching the sun go down at our favorite spot near Honeymoon Island where he got down on one knee and either asked me to marry him and be his wife. We both can't remember because I had instantly started crying and even forgot to give him an answer.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
In the beginning, I had a difficult time describing what I was looking for; it was a combo of so many things! I ended up stating it as romantic, rustic, glam! I wanted bold colors, twinkle lights, natural wood, and attention to all the details.
What were your colors?
I wanted to incorporate beautiful deep colors in my florals like burgundy and wine while bringing in lots of greenery. I chose champagne for the bridesmaids dresses to really help our colors pop!
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We went back and forth on honeymoon destinations up until two weeks before the wedding. We decided to keep things easy on us and do a road trip now and do a more tropical trip when more COVID restrictions are lifted. We drove north to Charleston, SC for a few days and enjoyed some great food and drinks. Then we drove back South to Amelia Island to relax on the beach.
How did the rentals add to the ambiance of your wedding?
I wanted to incorporate a little rustic feel so we decided to rent the country chic chairs for the reception. I also loved the clear gold beaded chargers from A Chair Affair and could not get them out of my head. So we splurged, and we are so glad we did because the chargers made all the difference in the table details.
What did you look for in a wedding bakery?
The most important thing for me in deciding on a bakery was the taste!
The Artistic Whisk exceeded my taste expectations! We were thoroughly impressed with their virtual tasting experience and kit too! We chose lemon cream as our main flavor, a tier with my personal favorite, and a signature flavor of theirs, cannoli cream!
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Read reviews, and do not settle. There are always ways to make your dream wedding come to life, no matter the budget. Have patience, and ask for help and advice!
Venue and Caterer: Carlouel Beach and Yacht Club
Photographer: Kristen Weaver Photography
Videographer: The Blanton Creative
Florist: The Bride's Bouquet Palm Harbor
Rentals: A Chair Affair *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Cake: The Artistic Whisk *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
DJ: Mello Vibes Entertainment
Ceremony Music: SRQ Violinist Matt Dendy
Photobooth: White Tie Photo Booths
Officiant: Pastor Stephen King
Invitations: Dear Kathryn
Transportation: Clearwater Jolley Trolley
Dress Martina Liana
Shoe Designer: Badgley Mishka
Bridesmaid Dress Shop and Designer: Bella Bridesmaids Tampa *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro Amsale and Hayley Paige
Hair & Makeup: Michele Renee The Studio *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding ProRehearsal Dinner: Marina Cantina, Clearwater Beach
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.
