UNIQUE Weddings + Events is more than just a planner – we’re planners who design. Based in Tampa and serving the greater Bay Area (including St. Pete, Clearwater, and beyond), we craft bold, personalized weddings that feel like you, not a copy-paste Pinterest board. With nearly 20 years in design and a “plansigner” attitude, we bring style, strategy, and sass to every wedding.
What We Love About UNIQUE Weddings & Events
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We Love Weddings Because…
We’re obsessed with the journey: getting to know each couple, learning their quirks, and turning that story into a completely personal, seriously fun celebration. The best moment? When our couples light up because they see themselves – their style, their personality, and all – reflected in every detail.
Our Wedding Style
Your style is our style. Rustic-country? Sleek-modern? Jaw-dropping glam? We can pull it off and make it feel like you. We especially love when you bring us off-beat inspiration – photos from a trip to Italy, your grandmother’s vintage jewelry, or a fabric you found on vacation. We’ll translate those personal touches into a wedding that feels fresh, intentional, and unforgettable.
Our Personality
We’re fun…and we make the planning process fun, too! This is one of the biggest celebrations of your life; if you’re not enjoying it, you’re doing it wrong. Expect laughter, honest advice, and a team that knows how to keep things stress-free without losing the sparkle.
What Inspired Us to Start Our Business
With a background in interior design – residential, hospitality, and retail, we saw a chance to shake up weddings. We wanted couples to skip the cookie-cutter formulas and fully personalize their day, not just “break” the rules but rewrite them. Seventeen years later, that mission is still what drives every wedding we design.
What Makes Our Business Stand Out
What sets us apart:
• Design First. Every detail matters – we don’t just coordinate, we bring your style to life in every space.
• You + Vision Focused. We help couples bring their quirks, inspirations, and personality to the table (yes, even that vintage fabric or bold travel-moment idea).
• Fun + Fearless. Planning weddings is serious work, but the process doesn’t have to feel stiff. Expect collaboration, a healthy dose of sarcasm, out-of-the-box ideas, and a partner who cares about the experience just as much as the look.
Associations & Awards
Member, Suncoast Wedding & Event Leaders (SWEL)
National Association for Catering & Events (NACE) – Wedding of the Year
NACE Program of the Year
Tampa Bay Business Journal “Best in the Biz” – Favorite Event Planner
CityVoter Tampa A-List – Top Wedding Planner
The Knot Best of Weddings
Contributor, Wedding Planner Magazine
Regular Article Contributor, Marry Me Tampa Bay
Our weddings and design work have been featured in print and online outlets such as:
Style Me Pretty
Trendy Bride Magazine
WeddingWire
Occasions Magazine
Every Last Detail
Offbeat Bride
The Knot Magazine
…and, of course, Marry Me Tampa Bay
Services & Pricing
At UNIQUE Weddings + Events, we believe design is built in, not added on. We have three core levels of service to suit different needs, all backed by design + expert planning, with customizable add-ons and à la carte options.
• Design + Management – Investment begins at $3,200+
• Full Planning + Design (Most Popular) – Investment begins at $6,750+ (average $7,500–$8,000 depending on guest count & scope)
• Weekend / Multi-Day Planning + Design – Investment begins at $10,000+ (average $12,000–$15,000 depending on guest count & additional events)
À la carte upgrades are available to customize your package and create the perfect fit for your celebration.
Additional fees may apply for weddings outside our service area, venues that require extensive setup, weddings over ~100 guests, or multiple locations.
A Few Fun Facts About Me:
Born and raised in New Orleans, so my childhood was all about Mardi Gras parades and sucking crawfish heads.
My style? Preppy with a statement.
I’ll happily sip sweet wine or cocktails – but I’ll never say no to a spicy Bloody Mary.
Known to spontaneously cut or color my hair (keeps life interesting).
Guilty pleasure: anything Kate Spade.
Starbucks go-to: iced vanilla chai latte.
Favorite quote: “Make a bold mark, not a dull impression.” – Unknown
My honesty can be loved and loathed – it depends on the day.
I love anything with tomato, though I’m still not convinced it’s a fruit.
My ideal client is sarcastic and isn’t afraid to drop the occasional f-bomb.
One thing most couples would be surprised to know is:
I’m up ridiculously early on wedding days – think 3 or 4 a.m. – double-checking timelines, supply lists, and printing last-minute forms. Rest is for after the sparkler exit; I like to start the day prepared for absolutely everything.
Non-wedding Passions:
My family. My husband and my daughter are my biggest cheerleaders and the reason I can pour so much love and energy into every celebration.
Reviews from Marry Me Tampa Bay Couples
Marry Me Tampa Bay curates the below reviews from real couples whom we’ve personally interviewed. As Tampa Bay’s most trusted wedding planning resource, these reviews are 100% accurate and aren’t created by fake accounts.
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When it came time to select a wedding planner, I looked for someone who was confident, organized, experienced and flexible; Staci with UNIQUE Weddings & Events was all of the above!
– Carissa and Nick |
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We wanted a wedding planner who would be excited to create something truly unique. We had a big vision for a magical fantasy land, but needed someone who could bring it to life down to every last detail.
Staci’s experience with both elegant and themed weddings made her the perfect choice. After seeing her work, we knew she could make our enchanted forest a reality—and she did! Her eye for design and understanding of guest experience ensured everyone had an amazing time. Throughout the planning, she guided us seamlessly, making sure nothing slipped through the cracks. On the wedding day, it felt as if you said her name, she would magically appear with the solution to any problem. Our guests told us it was one of the most fun weddings they’d ever attended. I would recommend UNIQUE Weddings + Events to any couple, whether your vision is whimsical or classic. Staci is 100% committed to making it happen while staying on budget. She truly brought her own kind of magic to our special day.
– Emily and Levi |
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We needed someone who knew the venue and was easy to communicate with. Staci Mandikas of UNIQUE Weddings + Events is amazing! She had incredible communication throughout the entire process. It truly felt like having a friend by my side the whole time. Staci and her team handled every challenge with such grace. You are never alone if you hire Staci and her team for your wedding. She can turn your dreams into reality, and I’m so thankful for her.
– Katie and Ryan |
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My journey with UNIQUE Weddings and Events has a deep familial connection. I’ve known Staci since before she started her wedding and event planning business—my mom was her Maid of Honor. In fact, Staci’s own wedding was the first she ever planned, and it was so stunning that it inspired her to launch her career. She later planned my sister’s wedding and did an incredible job. I had followed her work over the years, so when it was time for me to choose a planner, the decision was an easy one.
Staci is truly amazing at what she does! She has an incredible depth of knowledge about the wedding industry and is always on top of every detail. She works magic—it never feels like a question of if she can make something happen, but how she’ll make it work. That level of dedication is so admirable, and she is an absolute joy to work with. Our wedding day felt completely seamless, and I know that’s all thanks to the effort she put in behind the scenes. She is truly incredible.
– Amanda and Jason |
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We looked for someone who can get the job done and who had done multiple weddings at our venue because we knew that they would be aware of all their restrictions. We hired Staci from UNIQUE Weddings + Events because of her experience and also her knowledge of our venue.
– Veronica and Eric |
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We were really looking for someone we could connect with on a personal level. Finding a planner we ‘vibed with’ was key to feeling at ease during the long and sometimes stressful wedding planning process. From the start, we knew UNIQUE Weddings + Events was the perfect fit to bring our vision to life. Their creativity, out-of-the-box thinking, and openness to planning a non-traditional wedding set them apart. While many weddings include extended speeches, choreographed dinners with sweetheart tables, and pauses in the party, we wanted a cohesive, exciting experience that never felt dull, and Staci delivered exactly that!
UNIQUE Weddings was impeccable! Everything we loved about Staci during the planning process carried over seamlessly to the wedding day. She acted as our advocate and voice with vendors, ensuring that the wishes of both the bride and groom were honored every step of the way.
– Mary and Andrew |
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