Tampa Bay Wedding in the Woods | Land O’ Lakes Wedding

Janet and Mason’s outdoor, Land O’ Lakes wedding featured a secluded rustic setting, elegant chandeliers and candlelit centerpieces.

“We both love the outdoors, so our ceremony was literally in the woods and the aisle was lined with pine trees,” the bride explained.

The Lutz couple incorporated personal touches into their ceremony, with the bride creating a unique entrance.

“The ceremony was always my main focus. It is the part that really mattered to me, because that is where I became a wife and my husband said his beautiful vows,” Janet shared. “I sang, as both of my parents walked me down the aisle.”

With a remote location where everything had to be brought in and almost 400 wedding guests, the pair knew they needed a Tampa Bay wedding planner for their big day.

“I have been a part of too many weddings where the bride and family are running around the day of to get things done. It is so stressful. I did not want our families to have to set up or clean up anything,” the bride explained. “Amy from Glitz Events was very excited about my vision and wanted to help even though we only had about six months to plan the whole thing! I trusted her so much; I knew she would just take my idea and get it done. The service was outstanding; Glitz Events knocked it out of the park!”

The bride and groom’s gold and pale pink outdoor Tampa Bay wedding was inspired by the wedding ceremony from the movie Twilight.

“I had some interesting and specific ideas, plus a budget, and I was looking for [a wedding florist] who would understand me and be willing to try new things,” Janet explained. “The moment we walked into Northside Florist, I was in love! Kathy has such a beautiful shop and was genuinely excited about my vision. The aisle was covered in petals, the centerpieces and the feasting table were awe-inspiring and my bouquet was breathtaking!”

Looking back, one of the bride’s most memorable moments was prepping for her big day.

“Getting ready in the morning with my bridesmaids, mom, mother-in-law and wonderful makeup artist was so fun! We sang songs, danced to ‘NSync and ate. I had such a great group of my closest friends, and we all got along really well so it was just very nice,” Janet reminisced.

What did you look for in a wedding florist and what was your decor inspiration?
My floral/decor inspiration was definitely the Twilight movie wedding. I had some interesting and specific ideas, plus a budget, and I was looking for someone who would understand me and be willing to try new things.

The moment we walked into Northside Florist, I was in love! Kathy has such a beautiful shop and was genuinely excited about my vision. She was willing to make a brooch bouquet (which she had never done before) and was able to make a pretty garland with flowers spilling over the head table. We also had the most perfect romantic arch with flowers and crystal accents. The aisle was covered in petals, the centerpieces and the feasting table were awe-inspiring and my bouquet was breathtaking! Northside Florist has everything you need and the best out there, in my opinion.

Why did you hire a wedding planner and what did you look for in one?
I have been a part of too many weddings where the bride and family are running around the day of to get things done. It is so stressful. You really do not know all the little details that go into planning a wedding. You even have to decide how many extra plates you should have, just in case! I wanted to do absolutely nothing the day of my wedding but get my hair done. I did not want our families to have to set up or clean up anything. I was looking for someone who would work with my vision, budget and have a kind, easy-going personality. Wedding planners also get better pricing from other vendors!

Glitz Events was the third company we interviewed. We met Amy, and it did not take long to decide she was hired. She was very excited about my vision and wanted to help even though we only had about six months to plan the whole thing! I trusted her so much; I knew she would just take my idea and get it done. I didn’t need to double-check or ever worry about anything. She also did our invitations and completely handled the cake. Amy and her assistant, Tara, were there the day of, as well. Their service was outstanding; they knocked it out of the park. Glitz Events is the best wedding planner on the face of the planet!

The Proposal: 
After watching the sunset near the pier in Safety Harbor, Mason and I were walking back to our car when we passed the beautiful downtown gazebo. Mason asked me to dance with him in the middle of the gazebo and that is when the song God Gave Me You started to play and our friends and family walked out from hiding. They were carrying sparklers and circled around us. Mason got down on one knee and pulled a ring from his sock (don’t worry it was in a small bag). I was so surprised and of course, said “YES!”

How would you describe your theme?
Our theme was “rustic glam” which my amazing wedding planner, Amy from Glitz Events, came up with.

What were your colors and why did you chose them?
Our colors were gold, pale pink and neutrals. I choose them because the color swatches my wedding planner showed me looked soft and pretty together.

What did you look for in a wedding cake decorator and what was your cake inspiration?
Corey’s Bakery did great. It was a two-tiered naked cake; simple yet elegant.

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay Brides?
Most importantly, allow some time before everything starts to walk around and take in your ceremony location and just look at everything.

Also, doing a first look was really great and allowed more time to relax since we got most of the pictures done before the ceremony.

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Private Residence in Land O Lakes
Photographer: Blue Lane Studios
Videographer: Trinity Wedding Cinema
Planner: Glitz Events
Florist: Northside Florist
Caterer: Catering by the Family
Rentals: Ideal Design Events and Royal Restrooms
Cake: Corey’s Bakery
DJ: Grant Hemond & Associates *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Officiant: Derek Hudson
Invitations: Glitz Events
Dress Shop and Designer: CC’s Boutique – Allure Couture
Bridesmaid Dress Shop and Designer: Neiman Marcus
Hair & Makeup: Collective Creations