Lane and Garrett's waterfront Tampa wedding featured a romantic garden ceremony and reception with a simple, chic theme. The bride and groom chose a burgundy and champagne color palette to complement the timing of their December nuptials.
“We're both not over the top or too showy, so we kept every decision we made that way also. Less is more. We didn't want to do too much to take away from the meaning of the day,” the bride explained. “We tried to combine the traditional wedding with the New Orleans style weddings, no seating plan, it just flows as one big party with no plan. Everyone sits wherever they want, whenever they want, eats whenever they want, and its just one big party.”
The Tampa couple knew that they needed great entertainment to embody the celebration that they had imagined and hiring Tampa wedding entertainment company, Matt Winter Band was the perfect choice to get their guests on their feet.
“We knew we wanted a band since that was common for most New Orleans weddings (where Garrett is originally from), so we wanted to have the experience of live music that made everyone celebrate and get up and dance, and Matt Winter Band did exactly that!” the bride gushed. “We watched their videos online and read all of their reviews, and we both loved their sound and the way they performed. We booked them before we went to go see them perform locally and when we did finally see them we knew we made the right choice!”
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Looking back on their wedding day, Lane reflected that paying homage to her groom's New Orleans heritage was one of her most memorable moments.
“We did a traditional New Orleans second line (a celebratory ‘march' around the room) with umbrellas and second line handkerchiefs; it was special because a lot of people had never been a part of a second line before, so they thought it was so unique and everyone loved it. When the New Orleans Saints score a touchdown they play the second line song into Stand Up And Get Crunk, so we ended our second line with that song. All of the Saints fans got so excited because they knew that's what happens when the Saints score a touchdown, so it was nice to see everyone enjoying it!” the bride reminisced.
The Proposal:
Garrett and I met in Tampa. His love for pugs and the New Orleans Saints quickly grew on me, along with all of Garrett's other great qualities.
Flash forward four years, when we took a trip to Savannah to celebrate our four-year anniversary. I thought it would be a nice little weekend getaway at our pet-friendly hotel with our pug, Brees. We arrived Friday night after work and spent all day Saturday walking through Savannah and enjoying our time together. On Sunday we ate breakfast at our hotel and started packing up our hotel room. Garrett went back to give the room a second look to make sure everything was packed up (or so I thought), and I waited in the living room getting ready to carry Brees and our luggage to the car. As he walked up to me he said, “I know I don't say it enough, but I love you…and I want to ask you a question…” and got down on one knee, pulled out a box from his pocket, and asked “Will you marry me?” I WAS IN SHOCK! Even though I waited four years for this, I was still so surprised. My Nana's ring was in a illuminated box and already sized perfectly for me. It was perfect!
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
It was simple chic, nothing too flashy or over the top. We're both not over the top or too showy, so we kept every decision we made that way also. Less is more. We didn't want to do too much to take away from the meaning of the day
What were your colors?
Burgundy and champagne. We got married one week before Christmas, so we incorporated burgundy and champagne in our wedding colors and all of our florals were green leafy flowers to give it the holiday feel.
What did you look for in a wedding band/ entertainment?
We knew we wanted a band since that was common for most New Orleans weddings (where Garrett is originally from), so we wanted to have the experience of live music that made everyone celebrate and get up and dance and Matt Winter Band did exactly that!
I want to learn more about Live Wedding Entertainment
We watched their videos online and read all of their reviews and we both loved their sound and the way they performed. We booked them before we went to go see them perform locally and when we did finally see them we knew we made the right choice!
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Plan in advance! We were engaged for about 16 months, and we started planning right away. Our reception venue had only one opening 16 months in advance, so we're glad we went when we did! We made all the big decisions in the beginning so we weren't rushed or stressed and could actually enjoy being engaged.
Ceremony Venue: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church
Reception Venue: Davis Islands Garden Club
Photographer: Lora Rodgers Photography
Florist: 4 Seasons Flowers & Designs
Caterer: Roux
Chair Rentals: Black Tie Rental
Linens Rentals: Connie Duglin
Bar Rental: Spunky Spirits
Cake: Let Them Eat Cake
Band: Matt Winter Band *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Officiant: Bride's childhood priest
Invitations: Vista Print
Transportation: Compass Limo
Dress: Wtoo
Bridesmaid Dress Shop: David's Bridal
Hair & Makeup: Megan Arata and Lauren Welch
Tuxedos: Men's Warehouse
