Shannon and Rob's waterfront Tampa wedding celebrated the bride and groom's everlasting love and the adversity that they faced together on the journey towards their wedding day.
“I've been in treatment for a brain tumor for a year now, so most of the wedding planning process I was sick and in treatment. I was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of brain cancer; one that isn't very common in people my age. The same tumor that John McCain just died from, a glioblastoma grade 4,” the bride shared. “They took as much as they could, but due to where it is located they can't get it all, because one wrong move can paralyze me or effect a lot of neurological things. I had two additional surgeries and multiple admissions to the hospital for various other conditions throughout the months leading up to the wedding.”
Not letting the events leading up to her wedding day keep her down, the bride chose her favorite flower to add a splash of color to her Tampa wedding.
“We had an array of sunflowers and natural colors. I just really love sunflowers,” Shannon explained.
MORE: YELLOW WEDDING INSPIRATION
The couple knew the importance of documenting their wedding day and looked for a Tampa wedding photographer with a patient and caring personality.
“I didn't have to look far for a wedding photographer. My maid of honor is friends with Andi of Andi Diamond Photography and has used her services for family and kids pictures for many years, so I knew already that I liked her style. We knew Andi would be a great photographer and reliable for our wedding day,” Shannon gushed. “Andi was fantastic! Up until a couple days before the wedding, I was in the hospital so I was not in top physical shape for such a long wedding day. She was so patient when I got tired and needed a chair to sit down during pictures. My wheelchair didn't have the footrests, so at one point she was holding my feet up and walking backward so I didn't have to hold them off the ground on my own.”
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Looking back on their wedding day, one of the couple's most memorable moments was sharing their vows.
“During the ceremony when we got to the ‘in sickness and health' part we both laughed a little given the situation we are currently in,” the bride reminisced.
The Proposal:
On Christmas morning, we were exchanging presents before going to Rob's sister's house for breakfast with his family. The ring was hiding downstairs in the living room, so he made me close my eyes so I wouldn't see the hiding place (to this day I still don't know where it was at). Rob opened the box and asked! I was so caught off guard I said “Are you serious?” I didn't believe he was actually asking me to marry him, as we hadn't really talked about it much. Naturally, I said “Yes,” after the initial shock wore off.
How would you describe your theme?
We had an array of sunflowers and natural colors. I just really love sunflowers.
What were your colors?
Sunflowers and cobalt/royal blue.
What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
I didn't have to look far for a wedding photographer. My maid of honor is friends with Andi of Andi Diamond Photography and has used her services for family and kids pictures for many years, so I knew already that I liked her style. We knew Andi would be a great photographer and reliable for our wedding day. She was fantastic! Up until a couple days before the wedding, I was in the hospital, so I was not in top physical shape for such a long wedding day. She was so patient when I got tired and needed a chair to sit down during pictures. My wheelchair didn't have the footrests, so at one point she was holding my feet up and walking backward so I didn't have to hold them off the ground on my own.
I want to learn more about Andi Diamond Photography.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Sit back and relax and just enjoy the process. I didn't get to enjoy most of the process of planning my wedding day. It sucks thinking back on things I forgot or missed out on. My bachelorette party was given to me in the hospital waiting room because I was still there and not able to leave for an entire day. Thanks to family and friends it was still a good time.
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Rusty Pelican
Photographer: Andi Diamond Photography *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Florist: Jazzy Blossoms
Caricature: Carrot Catchers
Cake: A Piece of Cake
DJ and Videography: Elite Visions Entertainment
Invitations: Zazzle
Dress Shop: Alfred Angelo
Bridesmaid Dress Shop: David's Bridal
Hair: Env Hair Studio
