Nancy and Bill's vibrant Central Florida wedding featured colorful flora and seasonal touches set amidst the pristine landscape of rolling hills, a rarity in the Sunshine State.
“We wanted bright colors to signify the joy we have found with one another. The colors were perfect for our spring/summer wedding,” the bride shared. “We chose turquoise, coral, and rose gold. We both love turquoise and wanted lots of colors.”
The local Tampa couple benefitted from the bride's years of experience as a professional event planner, relying on an all-star team of wedding professionals to orchestrate the celebration for their 100 guests. Recognizing the value of a well-versed photographer, Nancy turned to Carrie Wildes Photography for her breadth of experience and consistently stunning images.
“As a wedding planner, it was very easy for me to choose my vendors as I have worked with most of them for years. I tell my brides that they need to meet their photographers in person to make sure they like being around them. If they are not comfortable with them, their pictures will show that on their wedding day,” Nancy advised. “Carrie and I have known each other for 15 years; I knew she would do a spectacular job. With the venue we chose, we wanted lots of photos outside of the gorgeous landscape. Carrie is the expert, and she delivered exactly what we wanted.”
When it came time to find the perfect gown, Nancy scheduled a private appointment at Truly Forever Bridal, known for its attentive and pampering shopping experience and a vast selection of dresses in a broad range of styles.
“I did not want to visit multiple bridal shops and knew that Truly Forever Bridal has the largest selection of dresses in the state. I was confident that I would find my gown in one visit, and I did! I booked the VIP Diamond Suite, and it was the most wonderful experience. Their highly trained staff made it lots of fun for me and my guests!” the bride beamed.
Decorative linens and specialty place settings from A Chair Affair adorned the tables, while fresh flowers transformed the space, incorporating shades of coral and pink with accents of turquoise blue hues threaded throughout the décor. The team of floral artists at Monarch Events & Design took the bride's vision and elevated it beyond her wildest dreams, leaving her speechless at the final result.
“I wanted someone with the experience and talent to make our vision come to life. I have known and worked with Jean King at Monarch Events & Design for 20 years and have seen her consistently create the most beautiful weddings,” the bride gushed. “Her superpower is getting inside the head of a bride to see her vision, and then she runs with it, taking it to a whole new level. Her service is impeccable, and she will do whatever it takes to make her couples happy.”
With hundreds of weddings under her belt, Nancy effortlessly fine-tuned her wedding vision and selected a unique acrylic cake stand to create a jaw-dropping display.
“After planning weddings for others, I was able to take the best ideas of 20 years of experience and design the perfect wedding for Bill and me,” the bride detailed. “My favorite element was the cake table. We rented a clear table, and our florist added a clear riser and filled the area between the table and the riser with fresh flowers that dripped over the sides of the table. It looked as if the cake was floating on flowers.”
Knowing the importance of hiring a skilled DJ who had the skills to emcee the evening seamlessly while keeping the dance floor packed, the pair turned to Grant Hemond & Associates for their celebration. Their years of experience provided peace of mind and kept everyone dancing all night long.
“There is no one better than the team at Grant Hemond & Associates!” Nancy raved. “They are truly the most professional DJs in the business. We were looking for a fun and relaxed evening with lots of dancing. DJ Jody Bower understood the assignment and aced it!”
Sentimental moments unfolded while the couple swayed together on the dance floor, surrounded by their closest friends and family. From beginning to end, the emotions of the evening were unforgettable.
“I'll never forget our first dance. About a week before the wedding, we choreographed our first dance and practiced for a few days. Bill is not a dancer and was very nervous about it, but he did it perfectly!” the bride reminisced. “My most memorable moment was our last dance to Ed Sheeran's Perfect. There were a small number of guests left, and everyone was on the dance floor. My eyes were closed as Bill and I danced and sang together. When I opened my eyes, everyone had formed a circle around us and was watching as we danced. As we turned, I could see each and every face of our friends and family. The love and happiness on their faces were completely overwhelming, and for the first time that day, I cried. Later I learned that DJ Jody had orchestrated the ‘circle of love' around us.”
What did you look for in a wedding florist?
I wanted someone with the experience and talent to make our vision come to life. I have known and worked with Jean King at Monarch Events & Design for 20 years and have seen her consistently create the most beautiful weddings.
Jean's superpower is getting inside the head of a bride to see her vision, and then she runs with it, taking it to a whole new level. Her service is impeccable, and she will do whatever it takes to make her couples happy.
The Proposal:
We had our wedding rings designed by McAuley Fine Jewelry in Brandon, FL. Bill picked up my ring when I was out of town and couldn't wait to give it to me. When I drove to his home after my trip, he was waiting for me in the driveway and asked me to roll down my car window. He asked me to marry him before I could even get out of the car!
What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
As a wedding planner, it was very easy for me to choose my vendors as I have worked with most of them for years. I tell my brides that they need to meet their photographers in person to make sure they like being around them. If they are not comfortable with them, their pictures will show that on their wedding day.
Carrie Wildes and I have known each other for 15 years; I knew she would do a spectacular job. With the venue we chose, we wanted lots of photos outside of the gorgeous landscape. Carrie is the expert, and she delivered exactly what we wanted.
What was your wedding dress inspiration?
I did not want to visit multiple bridal shops and knew that Truly Forever Bridal has the largest selection of dresses in the state. I was confident that I would find my gown in one visit, and I did!
I booked the VIP Diamond Suite, and it was the most wonderful experience. Their highly trained staff made it lots of fun for me and my guests!
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
We wanted bright colors to signify the joy we have found with one another. The colors were perfect for our spring/summer wedding.
What were your colors?
We chose turquoise, coral, and rose gold. We both love turquoise and wanted lots of colors.
“My favorite element was the cake table. We rented a clear table, and our florist, Monarch Events & Designs, added a clear riser and filled the area between the table and the riser with fresh flowers that dripped over the sides of the table. It looked as if the cake was floating on flowers.”
-The Bride
What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
There is no one better than the team at Grant Hemond & Associates! They are truly the most professional DJs in the business. We were looking for a fun and relaxed evening with lots of dancing. DJ Jody Bower understood the assignment and aced it!
My most memorable moment was our last dance to Ed Sheeran's Perfect. There were a small number of guests left, and everyone was on the dance floor. My eyes were closed as Bill and I danced and sang together. When I opened my eyes, everyone had formed a circle around us and was watching as we danced. As we turned, I could see each and every face of our friends and family. The love and happiness on their faces were completely overwhelming, and for the first time that day, I cried. Later I learned that DJ Jody had orchestrated the “circle of love” around us.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Streamsong Resort was a dream venue. Their staff provided impeccable service and treated our guests so kindly. Their coordinator, Christina, was the perfect blend of professional yet sweet. She was calm and reassuring and made sure every detail we planned was perfect.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We spent a week in St. Lucia at a Sandals resort. Neither of us had been to an all-inclusive resort and wanted to experience it. We treated ourselves to the Butler service, and it did not disappoint. We have two more Sandals trips planned for the future.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Only use reputable vendors who have wedding experience. This will make your day not only flawless but you will not be bothered on your wedding day with any small “issues” that might arise because the professional vendors will know how to handle them.
