Carmen and Biko
“We always throw a New Year’s Eve party for friends and family, so we wanted to make sure everything felt comfortable and fun instead of overly formal. We wanted it to feel like us. We chose black and white with touches of gold to match the classical, simple theme and New Year’s Eve.
Our wedding theme was timeless and classic. We chose this design because the venue spoke for itself. It did not need anything too loud or extravagant.” -The Bride
FEATURING
Carmen and Biko’s classic Tarpon Springs wedding was an elegant affair combining European charm with luxurious details and a timeless color palette of black and white hues. The Lakeland couple hosted their 72 guests for a special New Year’s Eve celebration set against the backdrop of a neoclassical Florida art gallery and estate.
“Our wedding was unique because it was a party, it was about family, food, fun, and music. Not so much about us but about everyone,” the bride shared. “Our most memorable moment was looking at everyone enjoying themselves and being able to live in the moment. It was an unforgettable day, and we cried about it for days afterward because we were overwhelmed with love and gratitude.”
The Venue
Whitehurst Gallery
“We love Europe, so in looking for our venue, the architecture and simplicity of the building were important. The venue does not need much because it speaks for itself and its history.
We specifically chose Whitehurst Gallery because of its beautiful architecture. The vehicles available through Whitehurst were a plus because Biko loves classic vehicles. The library and chandeliers appealed to me because I love Beauty & The Beast. The team was amazing from beginning to end and beyond. They followed up, sent pictures, and were just a pleasant and spectacular team to work with.”
The Proposal
“Biko always promised he would take me to Paris on my 35th birthday, and he did just that. On the day of, we visited the Eiffel Tower. After visiting the top of the Eiffel Tower, we went down to the 2nd floor to grab a drink. While taking pictures, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.”
The Photography
Amber Yonker Photography
“I was looking for someone to capture details, especially details I knew I would miss during the hustle and bustle of the day. Also, I wanted someone who loves black and white photography and classic images.
Amber Yonker Photography was absolutely amazing. Not only is Amber an amazing photographer, she is an amazing person. I chose Amber because of her ability to capture the details in the images I saw: a simple kiss, a couple holding hands, the detailed photographs of locations and things within while making sure to use every part of the building as imagery.”
The Bach Party & Honeymoon
“For my bachelorette party, we went to Nashville, mainly because most people had not been and it was an experience.
We went to the Dominican Republic for our honeymoon and stayed at the Royalton Resort.”
The Inspiration
“We always throw a New Year’s Eve party for friends and family, so we wanted to make sure everything felt comfortable and fun instead of overly formal. We wanted it to feel like us. We chose black and white with touches of gold to match the classical, simple theme and New Year’s Eve.
Our wedding theme was timeless and classic. We chose this design because the venue spoke for itself. It did not need anything too loud or extravagant. We also love classical music and Europe, specifically Italy. We incorporated our personalities through the music we chose, which reflected our Hispanic and Jamaican cultures, and the style of the décor.
We focused most on keeping things personal and meaningful—small details that reflected us and made the day feel genuine rather than overly traditional. We also prioritized two important elements: great food (and lots of it) and great music.”
The Entertainment
Graingertainment
“We were looking for someone who was lively and happy. We hired Graingertainment because the team was amazing. I had many questions for the DJ, and the owner called me to handle them. He also asked detailed questions about my husband and me to make sure to pair us with the best DJ that matched our personalities.
Graingertainment did not miss because DJ Dickie was absolutely amazing. My family and friends could not get over how well the music blended and how seamless the transitions were between Hispanic, country, Jamaican, etc. The team was amazing, and I loved the sparklers and cloud floor effect. The ease of picking songs using their website and not needing constant meetings was great because wedding planning can be exhausting.”
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Every single vendor exceeded our expectations. 3C’s Catering did phenomenal with the food and also packed some up for us to take back with us, which we ended up eating again at the hotel lobby, bringing in the New Year with those that stayed. We do not have enough words to describe how amazing the team at Booze and Bubbles was. She was absolutely amazing to work with and included our personalities in the signature drinks. Brittany Bauer of Brittany Bauer Events was phenomenal. My husband surprised me with her services, and she kept the secret; once we got the ball rolling, we clicked so well. Our valet was amazing. My makeup artist, Modern Glam by Monica, and her team were absolutely patient and phenomenal. We loved the treatment and looks. I already received my video from Azul Visuals, which was amazing.
What advice would you give to other Tarpon Springs couples?
Do not stress the little things. Live in the moment
