Tampa Bay Engagement Wedding Inspiration

Lakeland Airport Engagement Session

Christin and Aaron's Lakeland engagement session highlighted two important aspects of their life, their passion for traveling and love for one another.

“We chose two different locations for our engagement shoot. We knew we wanted an aviation theme at our wedding since Aaron is a pilot, and we've enjoyed traveling for missions together. It was really fun and represented our love for travel and adventure,” the bride shared. “We also shot at Lake Mirror in Lakeland which is where Aaron proposed to me. For that location, we were looking for more of a simple, romantic feel.”

The groom's pilot's license came in handy during the couple's first dates.

“On one of our first dates, Aaron took me up in the air! On our first Valentine's Day together, he got me a small metal airplane to remind me of our date and represent all the adventures we have together,” Christin said. “We knew we wanted the setting of our shoot to be a little different and mean something. Having our engagement pictures taken at the Lakeland airport was absolutely perfect for us!”

MORE: AIRPORT ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS

The bride and groom searched for a Lakeland wedding photographer who they felt comfortable with and could naturally photograph their emotions..

“We looked for someone who could capture our personalities and our love for each other. It was really important to us to feel at ease with our photographer too!” Christin explained. “We absolutely loved Ailyn's work [of Ailyn La Torre Photography] on her website and after meeting her at her office, we knew she was the perfect photographer for us. Her work is stunning, and she's such a sweet person who made Aaron and I feel so comfortable.”

The couple hosted a Lakeland wedding in May at the church where they first met.

“We were so excited just to become husband and wife. Since Aaron's family lives in West Virginia and my family lives in Ohio, we were really looking forward to having them close. Having our family and our dearest friends share in our special day meant the most to us!” the bride gushed. “We loved our day and are enjoying our newlywed life.”

How did you meet and fall in love?
We met at our church in Lakeland. We enjoyed sharing our interests with each other. We did a lot of fishing together and bike riding. We loved watching movies together and just grabbing coffee at a local coffee shop. Talking and hanging out was so fun and easy. Aaron quickly became my best friend.

How would you describe the theme/style of your engagement shoot?
We chose two different locations for our engagement shoot. We knew we wanted an aviation theme at our wedding since Aaron is a pilot, and we've enjoyed traveling for missions together. I think our shoot at the airport was really fun and represented our love for travel and adventure.

We also shot at Lake Mirror in Lakeland which is where Aaron proposed to me. For that location, we were looking for more of a simple, romantic feel.

The Proposal:
Ok, I need to tell you a little back history before I explain how he proposed because the timing was really special. Our church celebrates missions each year, so our story technically started in the November before Aaron and I actually started talking. It was a Wednesday night service, and there was a missionary from Alaska who came to speak. At the end of the message the missionary invited anyone to come forward who just wanted all that God had for them. Of course we both responded! What's just amazing to us is how we didn't really know each other, but both responded to an altar call wanting all God had for us. Looking back on the video from the service, you can see Aaron standing right behind me!

It was during missions week when Aaron proposed. He started the proposal off by walking me to the front of the church; he held my hand and reminded me that that was where it all started. Then, he took me on a little trip to a few of our special places. We got coffee at the Starbucks where we met after church, and we ended up at Lake Mirror. We walked around the lake and he reminded me that it was on a walk around that lake when he reached over and held my hand for the first time. When we got to the promenade area, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him!

What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
We looked for someone who could capture our personalities and our love for each other. It was really important to us to feel at ease with our photographer too!

We absolutely loved Ailyn's work [of Ailyn La Torre Photography] on her website and after meeting her at her office, we knew she was the perfect photographer for us. Her work is stunning, and she's such a sweet person who made Aaron and I feel so comfortable.

Veneu: Lakeland Airport and Lake Mirror | Photographer: Ailyn La Torre Photography

Joint Waterfront Clearwater Engagement Session

Sisters Leigh and Amiee hosted a joint Clearwater engagement session with their soon-to-be grooms.

“[Our theme was] beachy, casual and fun,” Leigh explained. “It was perfect as Michael and I both love being on the beach and by the water. It was a lot of fun just being in love!”

MORE: CLEARWATER ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS

The sisters, who both grew up in Tampa, but live in Miami, will also be sharing their big day together.

“We are having a double wedding. We got engaged two months apart, are two years apart and are best friends,” Leigh shared. “We lost our mother December 31, 2014, and with everything going on in our lives, a double wedding seemed like the right thing to do.”

The couples searched for Clearwater wedding photographer who could allow them to be themselves and capture all of the right moments.

“We wanted quality photos, great candids, good lighting and nothing too fake looking or touched up,” Leigh explained. “We loved Limelight Photography and their amazing photos! It was a no brainer to choose them.”

MORE: LIMELIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY WEDDINGS

Leigh and Amiee will tie the knot next month at a Hilton Downtown Tampa wedding.

“I'm looking forward to celebrating this special day with my sister and getting to marry the love of my life and best friend,” Leigh beamed.

How would you describe the theme/style of your engagement shoot?
Beachy, casual and fun. It was perfect as Michael and I both love being on the beach and by the water. It was a lot of fun just being in love!

How did you and your fiancee meet and fall in love?
Michael and I met in college, however we didn't begin dating until after college when he got my number out at a bar with mutual friends.

How did he propose?
He took me to a beautiful place in Miami called Viscaya. There is an amazing garden and water area, and he proposed right on the dock. My dad and sister were there to surprise me as well.

What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
We wanted quality photos, great candids, good lighting and nothing too fake looking or touched up.

We loved Limelight Photography and their amazing photos! It was a no brainer to choose them.