Alex and Kelvin's Dade City wedding combined rich jewel tones of emerald green and copper accented with bohemian floral and greenery along with modern furnishings. The bride and groom exchanged vows in an outdoor lawn ceremony before treating guests to a reception inside a historic brick-clad venue with a former life as an automobile warehouse.
“Our wedding theme was eclectic and whimsical. My husband and I are very relaxed people so having a super formal and uniform wedding was not something we ever pictured for ourselves. I was inspired by all things spring when deciding the theme for the wedding. I really wanted the décor to be something upbeat, quirky, and lively. I used Marry Me Tampa Bay to seek out unique wedding venues and explore pictures to see what sort of vibe and theme would best complement the style of my husband and myself,” the bride shared. “Our colors included rich gem tones that were complemented by golden yellow, terra cotta, and soft pinks. I chose these colors based on our wedding flowers; the flowers were the first thing I had planned out, and I wanted to complement the rich florals.”
The Wesley Chapel couple searched for a unique wedding venue with an aesthetic charm that would enchant their 120 guests. Upon seeing the historic brick walls and outdoor ceremony space at Venue at the Block, Alex was immediately smitten.
“When I was looking for a wedding venue, I really wanted a modern industrial look. Brick walls and large windows for natural light were something I felt was important. I was very particular and wanted to have an outdoor ceremony so having an area for that was a top priority,” the bride explained. “Venue at the Block had the exact look I was going for. I specifically picked it because of the venue layout. It was just redone in 2020, so everything was updated and new. Venue at the Block provided the perfect space for our event and was accommodating to our timeline, even allowing us to start a whole hour earlier than what is usually offered.”
Alex and Kelvin incorporated personal elements throughout their celebration, from unique music selections to serving cocktails named after their pets.
“Our wedding was unique to us because we included small details all over that represented us perfectly,” the bride detailed. “Our drinks were named after our pets, our wedding sign was customized to say ‘I love you, dude,' we used Blink-182 songs during the ceremony, and we did a first look and private vows.”
Months into planning, the bride began to feel stress and anxiety set in, but once she was referred to the experienced team at Special Moments Event Planning, she felt the weight lifted off her shoulders and was able to enjoy the rest of the planning process as well as the big day.
“I was looking for a wedding planner who could match my calm. I have a very easygoing approach to life, and I needed someone to match my energy and make wedding planning enjoyable. Special Moments was able to provide that for me; I never once felt overwhelmed and felt confident with all my choices,” Alex beamed. “My mother-in-law used Marry Me Tampa Bay to find Special Moments Event Planning, and thank goodness she did! I was struggling with timelines and small details and really hit my breaking point. Special Moments swooped in, and all my stress washed away after the first meeting. They were so personable and reassuring the entire time.”
One of the reception speeches was a complete surprise for the bride and groom and ended up being one of the highlights of the evening.
“Our most memorable moment from the wedding was the best man's speech. Our best man is my husband’s brother, and he had been deployed just a month before the wedding. He was able to surprise us with a video recording of his speech. The speech was projected onto the wall of the venue, and there was not a dry eye in the house. During the speech, we were asked to be the godparents of our niece, to which we happily said yes,” the bride reminisced. “The best part was that our best man was secretly being Facetimed in the entire time, so we got to see him in real time! This part of the wedding was so special.”
The Proposal:
Kelvin proposed on the Riverwalk. We were invited out for drinks at Armature Works with friends, and my best friend (who was my MOH) suggested we go on a walk first. Five minutes into the walk, we stopped on a bridge to look at the water, and Kelvin got on one knee. I originally had no clue what was going on, so my first word was not “Yes” but instead, “You’re so annoying.” The “Yes!” came shortly after, though, haha!
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
When I was looking for a wedding venue, I really wanted a modern industrial look. Brick walls and large windows for natural light were something I felt was important. I was very particular and wanted to have an outdoor ceremony so having an area for that was a top priority
Venue at the Block had the exact look I was going for. I specifically picked it because of the venue layout. It was just redone in 2020, so everything was updated and new. Venue at the Block provided the perfect space for our event and was accommodating to our timeline, even allowing us to start a whole hour earlier than what is usually offered.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Reykjavik, Iceland! Iceland was seriously the most uniquely beautiful place I’ve ever been, and the food was unexpectedly incredible. We chose Iceland because we are so used to sunny beaches and Florida sand, so we wanted to completely change the scenery. We spent a whole week in Iceland, and it was a snowy wonderland. We stayed at an environmentally friendly hotel that my husband picked out; it was truly perfect.
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
New Orleans. I chose New Orleans for its rich history and intentionally went during Mardi Gras to experience the parades and community.
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
I was looking for a wedding planner who could match my calm. I have a very easygoing approach to life, and I needed someone to match my energy and make wedding planning enjoyable. Special Moments was able to provide that for me; I never once felt overwhelmed and felt confident with all my choices.
My mother-in-law used Marry Me Tampa Bay to find Special Moments Event Planning, and thank goodness she did! I was struggling with timelines and small details and really hit my breaking point. Special Moments swooped in, and all my stress washed away after the first meeting. They were so personable and reassuring the entire time.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Eclectic and whimsical. I was inspired by all things spring when deciding the theme for the wedding. I really wanted the décor to be something upbeat, quirky, and lively. My husband and I are very relaxed people so having a super formal and uniform wedding was not something we ever pictured for ourselves.
What were your colors?
Our colors included rich gem tones that were complemented by golden yellow, terra cotta, and soft pinks. I chose these colors based on our wedding flowers; the flowers were the first thing I had planned out, and I wanted to complement the rich florals.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
The first thing I knew after my proposal was that I wanted Regan from Arms Of Persephone Floral to do my flowers. I was the most confident about this decision, and I will continue to recommend her to everyone. When planning the theme and colors for my wedding, I had such a difficult time verbally conveying what I wanted, and yet somehow, she was able to curate the perfect wedding florals and palette.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
BREATHE! The day comes and goes so quickly; enjoy the littlest things, and soak up every minute of planning. In the moment planning can really, well, suck. But remember that you “get” to do this. Frame everything positively by reminding yourself you’re so fortunate to get to plan a wedding and get to marry your person.
