Kayleigh and Evan
The Howey Mansion
“My initial word to describe my vision of our wedding was ‘vintage.’ I wanted to give my guests the vision of stepping back in time with an old-money look. I envisioned our wedding party in simple black and white colors, and I wanted to show small pops of brass and green in the décor. They are simple and timeless colors that aren’t going out of style anytime soon, and it fit our vibe perfectly.” -The Bride
FEATURING
Kayleigh and Evan’s elegant Howey-in-the-Hills wedding was a chic affair filled with neutral flora and monochromatic decor that transported guests back to a glamorous era.
“My initial word to describe my vision of our wedding was ‘vintage.’ I wanted to give my guests the vision of stepping back in time with an old-money look. The Howey Mansion is so beautiful in every way, and the hidden prohibition room in the basement is what really sold us when it came to setting that scene of going back in time,” the bride beamed. “I envisioned our wedding party in simple black and white colors, and I wanted to show small pops of brass and green in the décor. They are simple and timeless colors that aren’t going out of style anytime soon, and it fit our vibe perfectly.”
The Riverview couple were fated to connect with the talented photo and video team at We The Blackwells, discovering their portfolio through social media and later winning a photo shoot that was so impressive that it ultimately sealed the deal for documenting their 120-guest November celebration.
“The most important aspect that we wanted for our photography and videography team, besides beautiful photos and videos, was comfort. We did not want to feel shy in front of the camera,” the bride revealed. “I found We The Blackwells through social media, where I entered a contest they had for a free engagement shoot, and I won! The results of our engagement shoot were so breathtaking that we decided to also hire them for the wedding as our photography and videography team.”
The pair stayed true to their personalities, selecting wedding experiences and details that felt authentic to their relationship. The result was a wedding celebration that was filled with custom touches that their friends and family recognized as uniquely them.
“We chose our venue for its beauty, and seclusion. It is a venue that is frozen in time with the most elegant style and a unique flow going from room-to-room that neither of us have experienced at any weddings that we’ve attended before. It was as simple as deciding whether we can picture the best day of our life occurring at this venue,” the bride detailed. “I believe that you first need to have a vision of what you want and what you don’t want. From there is when you find the right venue to fit your image. One thing that I noticed everyone saying during our wedding was, ‘this is so them.’”
The entire day felt like a whirlwind of energy and excitement, but there were two intimate moments when Kayleigh felt present and peaceful, which created core memories for the bride.
“The most memorable moments for me were privately reading our vows to each other, and my first looks with Evan and with my dad,” the bride reminisced. “These were moments when I could breathe and take everything in before the chaos started. I can still replay these moments over and over in my head and feel a sense of warmth.”
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We honeymooned in Mexico, Riviera Maya at Unico 2087°. This was an affordable all-inclusive resort with a lot of excursions and highly-rated food.
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
Scottsdale, AZ. I saw this location a lot on social media, and I had never been to that area so I wanted to experience it for myself.
The Proposal:
Evan and I had been living in Massachusetts at the time. We were set to move to Florida within the next two weeks. He had been planning a going away party for us with all of our friends and family invited. When the day of the party came, I had a few of my closest friends over before the party, as we had planned to grab drinks at a nearby bar. Evan had told me that he and two of his friends would meet us at the bar, and we could all go to the party together. Before heading to the bar, my friends convinced me to take our dog outside. That is where I saw Evan standing by the river outside our apartment with flowers in his hands. I walked up to him and that is when he got down on one knee and proposed. I later discovered that the going away party was actually an engagement party.
What did you look for in a wedding photo and video team?
The most important aspect that we wanted for our photography and videography team, besides beautiful photos and videos, was comfort. We did not want to feel shy in front of the camera.
I found We The Blackwells through social media, where I entered a contest they had for a free engagement shoot, and I won! The results of our engagement shoot were so breathtaking that we decided to also hire them for the wedding as our photography and videography team.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
My initial word to describe my vision of our wedding was ‘vintage.’ I wanted to give my guests the vision of stepping back in time with an old-money look. The Howey Mansion is so beautiful in every way, and the hidden prohibition room in the basement is what really sold us when it came to setting that scene of going back in time.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
The photography team made us feel so confident and comfortable. They were also able to capture every aspect that we could imagine and bring it back to life in their photos. Arthur’s Catering went above and beyond with their food and service. Everything was so delicious! Ana Christine Events, our wedding planner, was an amazing choice! Christy helped with so many questions we had prior to the wedding and waited on us hand and foot on the day of! DJ Jay Edwards was awesome! He kept the dance floor filled throughout the night and included songs for all ages that attended the wedding.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Do what feels right. Don’t pick something or do something just because its what other people want or expect of you.
