Tucked away within the peaceful settings of Seminole, Florida, near Tampa Bay's beaches, is Royal Pine Estate. This picturesque two-acre private venue is surrounded by a forest of mature pine trees, creating a serene, woodsy feel.
Delaney Driver, owner and lead wedding planner of Wilder Mind Events, orchestrated the ultimate immersive wedding experience, transforming the venue into a real-life rendition of a whimsical wedding festival, inviting guests to partake in interactive elements, delectable cuisine, and refreshing drinks.
“Our theme was brought to my head when we were walking through the forest part of Royal Pine Estate for the first time. I immediately got festival vibes and thought of the music festival Electric Forest. The space was so unique and unlike anything I have seen in this area, so I immediately wanted to go as funky as possible,” the wedding planner explained. “When I think of a musical festival, I think about all of the colorful outfits and staging. We tried to do all of the colors, but the main focus was purples, oranges, and greens. The festival, colorful, and trippy vibes were what we were going for.
Wilder Mind Events designed the styled shoot with a unique perspective, emphasizing the personalities and authentic essence of the couple over fleeting trends. Delaney strongly advocates for weddings that reflect the couple's interests rather than choosing only what is popular.
“I hate the word ‘classic' because that means something different to everyone. When we plan a wedding or shoot, we focus heavily on personalities and what speaks true to the couple. Trends can be helpful and might influence small details like an invitation or cake, but we don't put much focus on being trendy,” Delaney revealed. “Weddings evolve so much every year and especially every decade. What you like now probably is not what you will like in 10 years, which is why a classic wedding is unachievable. Classic back in the 1980s versus now is very different; however, when you plan a wedding around your interests. your love, and what truly represents you as a couple that is what withstands the test of time.”
Royal Pine Estate invites couples to extend their stay, offering ample space for turning a one-night celebration for up to 150 people into an entire wedding weekend. With its charming woodland setting and contemporary design, the private estate venue offers accommodations for up to 28 guests.
Capturing every magical moment of the day, McNeile Photography joined the soon-to-be-weds as they laughed and played on the swing in what felt like an enchanted forest, resulting in Pinterst-worthy photos. Seeing Aaron McNeile, the owner of McNeile Photography, connect with Iris and Laz was like watching natural chemistry unfold. His lively and approachable demeanor didn't just uplift the couple; it brought an extra spark to the session.
Wedding content creator Behind the Vows was on hand to document the offbeat moments with a highlight reel reflecting the couple's love for music and laughter.
“We're always on the lookout to capture the lively and fun moments of the day. With interactive elements, like the arcade games and silent disco, the couple was filled with authentic smiles and laughter,” Behind the Vows content creator Stephanie Woo explained. “One of my favorite moments was watching Iris and Laz's faces light up on the swing. Having that type of energy lead the day brings out the best content.”
The vibrant florals from By the Bay Floral set the tone for a whimsical yet elevated evening, while luxury lounge rentals from Stella Rose Events and hand-painted signage by Madwolfe Designs added to the enchanting feel.
“This design is definitely more geared towards the eccentric couple who loves music festivals, bold colors, and funky design and who really wants to just dance and party,” Delaney beamed. “By the Bay Floral custom-made the mushrooms and dandelions- which was so impressive!”
As Delaney reflected on all the elements of this epic event, the addition of the personal touches truly transformed the evening into a memorable festival experience, and the wedding planner offered advice on how couples can utilize this inspiration in their own designs.
“My favorite elements of the shoot were the silent disco and the arcade games. This was such a fun twist on a wedding day and is a way to help couples think outside of the box when they are planning their own wedding day,” Delaney shared. “The biggest thing to think about is the budget. Doing a more non-traditional style wedding, even if it's more casual, does not save you money if you want to go all out. Renting all of the colorful lounges, bringing in a photo bus, mobile bar, etc. all cost money.”
“Our theme was brought to my head when we were walking through the forest part of Royal Pine Estate for the first time. I immediately got festival vibes and thought of the music festival Electric Forest. The space was so unique and unlike anything I have seen in this area, so I immediately wanted to go as funky as possible,” the wedding planner explained. “When I think of a musical festival, I think about all of the colorful outfits and staging. We tried to do all of the colors, but the main focus was purples, oranges, and greens. The festival, colorful, and trippy vibes were what we were going for.
-Delaney Driver, owner and lead wedding planner of Wilder Mind Events
“My favorite elements of the shoot were the silent disco and the arcade games. This was such a fun twist on a wedding day and is a way to help couples think outside of the box when they are planning their own wedding day,” -Delaney Driver, owner and lead wedding planner of Wilder Mind Events
“We're always on the lookout to capture the lively and fun moments of the day. With interactive elements, like the arcade games and silent disco, the couple was filled with authentic smiles and laughter. One of my favorite moments was watching Iris and Laz's faces light up on the swing. Having that type of energy lead the day brings out the best content.” –Behind the Vows content creator Stephanie Woo
Estimated cost of this wedding for 150 people: Venue: $10,000-$12,000 (Includes two-night stay and valet) | Planning: $6,000 | Photography: $4,500 (8-hour package) | Content Creator $1,299 (8-hour package) | Bride Hair + Makeup $350 | Invitations: $2,000-$3,000 | Bartending: $2,800 | Catering: $8,690-$9,290 | Officiant: $600 | Hunter Dining Chairs $1,800 | Chloe Chairs $115 each | Ceremony Chairs for $1,800 | Hunter Dining Tables $3,825 | Lounge Sets- $1,538 | Orange Set with Table $589 | Arcade Games Rentals $450 | High Tops Tables $712 | Signage: $800
