Amanda and Brandon’s Clearwater Beach destination wedding was a tropical chic-inspired affair with pops of bright fuchsias, yellows, and greens against a calming dusty blue color palette. To bring in elements of their favorite past-time together, the couple incorporated a snowboard guest book and had a grand sparkler exit to end the evening.
“We love to vacation so having a destination wedding speaks directly to our relationship. We love to laugh and make jokes so having a fun and vibrant aesthetic was important for us,” the bride explained. “I would describe our wedding theme as island chic! After such a tragic year, we wanted to make sure our wedding had bright and fun florals with calming tones and fresh vibes. Florals were vibrant pinks, orange, yellows, greenery, and we had pops of dusty blues because it is both our favorite color.”
The Pennsylvania couple originally planned an international wedding, however, due to the pandemic, the bride opted to stay within the States. She found the ideal resort for a tropical destination wedding through Marry Me Tampa Bay’s website.
“We chose Clearwater Beach for our wedding because we had to cancel our Cancun wedding due to COVID-19 and wanted to stay in the Gulf of Mexico. Between the white sandy beaches and clear blue water, Clearwater was an easy choice,” Amanda gushed. “I utilized Marry Me Tampa Bay to inspire my choices on colors, florals, and to decide on the Hilton Clearwater Beach. I loved seeing the various venues, and it gave me the inspiration behind the floral colors, arch design, etc., at the Hilton.”
The location of Hilton Clearwater Beach was easily accessible for their 82 guests to travel to, which offered multiple dining options and unobstructed beach views. The outdoor covered patio’s modern design and simplistic styling provided a blank canvas aesthetic that allowed the vibrant florals to pop against the coastal blue backdrop of the Gulf of Mexico.
“In a wedding venue, I wanted to make sure the venue gave me the opportunity to bring my vision to life. It was also important for the cocktail hour and the reception area to be covered to plan for any imperfect weather,” Amanda shared. “We chose The Hilton Clearwater Beach because of the white space, the location, and how wonderful their staff was while we were searching for our venue! I looked at the white space like a canvas and painted our vision of the perfect beach wedding. The Hilton was extremely accommodating and responsive. I have zero complaints about the venue or their staff, which is a dream come true for a bride who planned two weddings in 1.5 years.”
Creating an entertaining evening for the destination guests, Grant Hemond & Associates curated a playlist that had everyone on their feet.
“I looked for a true DJ who was able to mix songs and keep the dance floor full. It was also important to have someone who understood the audience and was nimble to adjust sounds based on the dance floor’s responses,” Amanda explained. They were incredible, and Adam was able to play all the songs on our list and then some. After the wedding, people of all ages and generations came up to us, boasting about how much they loved the playlist.”
As the bride looked back on her destination wedding, it was the moments spent with two of the most important men in her life that left the sweetest memories.
“I have a very strong relationship with my dad, so the Father-Daughter dance will forever be a wonderful memory for me,” Amanda reminisced. “My first kiss as husband and wife felt so real and pure. Brandon and I have been together for eight years, so finally making this official will forever be my favorite memory.”
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
White space! I wanted to make sure the venue gave me the opportunity to bring my vision to life. It was also important for the cocktail hour and the reception area to be covered to plan for any imperfect weather.
We chose The Hilton Clearwater Beach because of the white space, the location, and how wonderful their staff was while we were searching for our venue! I looked at the white space like a canvas and painted our vision of the perfect beach wedding. They were extremely accommodating and responsive. I have zero complaints about the venue or their staff, which is a dream come true for a bride who planned two weddings in 1.5 years.”
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Island chic! After such a tragic year, we wanted to make sure our wedding had bright and fun florals with calming tones and fresh vibes.
What were your colors?
Dusty blues, because it is both our favorite color. Florals were vibrant pinks, orange, yellows, greenery, and pops of blues. We wanted to make sure we brought colors into the fabulous white space that the Hilton Clearwater Beach created.
The Proposal:
Brandon and I learned how to snowboard together, and loved taking trips to Killington, Vermont for my birthday in December. Brandon planned a trip there for my birthday, and on the second day of the trip, we explored the peak of the mountain (there was a double black diamond at the top, which was nowhere near our experience level). To get to the peak, you had to hike through a trail that looked straight out of a snow globe. Brandon hired a photographer to hide in the woods to capture the entire proposal, and when we got to the peak, he got down on one knee. It was literally like I was living out a movie in real life.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We are going to St. Lucia! We wanted to go to an island where we could relax and have zero worries. This is why we are going to an all-inclusive Sandals Resort at The Grande St. Lucia!
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
We went to New Orleans! My favorite restaurant at home is a cajun restaurant, and I always wanted to experience New Orleans cuisine and the nightlife of Bourbon Street. The live music was another cherry on top of a great trip and city.
What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
A true DJ who was able to mix songs and keep the dance floor full. It was also important to have someone who understood the audience and was nimble to adjust sounds based on the dance floor’s responses.
Grant Hemond & Associates were incredible, and Adam was able to play all the songs on our list and then some. After the wedding, people of all ages and generations came up to us, boasting about how much they loved the playlist.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Make sure you put yourselves first while planning your wedding. Don’t let the opinions of others sway what you want to do or where you want to do it! It is your day, and the memories you make will live with you forever. Don’t hold back!
