Rustic Tampa Bay Wedding | Cross Creek Ranch Wedding

Sara and Markus made the transatlantic journey to host their rustic, destination Tampa Bay wedding.

“We live in Frankfurt, Germany, however, my parents live in Tampa, so we have have wonderful memories there,” the bride reminisced. “Logistically it was closer for my family to attend a wedding in Tampa than in Germany.”

The bride and groom choose a traditional wedding theme, with a touches of vintage decor and a neutral color palette.

“Markus and I both like classic elements, timeless things that don’t go out of style,” the bride shared. “Our theme was classic with a bit of romance. It reflected my style and taste.”

Since the pair were planning a wedding from abroad, Sara and Markus searched for a Tampa Bay wedding venue with multiple locations and comprehensive planning options.

“We wanted somewhere that had beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces. It was important to us to have a venue that provided an all-inclusive service, as this would make it easier for us to plan from far away,” the bride explained. “Cross Creek Ranch was perfect. We loved their gardens and had read numerous reviews about how great the service is. The women who work there really go above and beyond to make sure everything is exactly the way you want it. We were so thankful for them.”

MORE: CROSS CREEK RANCH WEDDINGS 

With guests from over 16 countries, it was a priority for the couple to provide an entertaining evening for their friends and family, and they looked for a Tampa Bay wedding DJ with an extensive catalogue.

“For many of them it was a reunion, and we wanted to make sure the atmosphere was fun and cheerful,” Sara shared. “[I wanted a DJ] who was willing to play exactly what I had requested, as I am very picky with music! We were very impressed with Grant Hemond  & Associates, because not only did the DJ stay within my suggestions. but he was very good at adapting and reading the mood of the room. He was friendly and great at interacting with our guests.”

MORE: GRANT HEMOND & ASSOCIATES WEDDINGS 

Looking back, one of the bride’s most cherished wedding day memories came during the ceremony.

“There was that one moment when my dad was walking me down the aisle and I made eye contact with Markus for the first time. That was the best,” Sara reminisced.

What did you look for in a wedding venue?
We wanted somewhere that had beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces. Since we were planning the wedding from Europe, it was important to us to have a venue that provided an all-inclusive service, as this would make it easier for us to plan from far away.

Cross Creek Ranch was perfect. They were the big star. The all-inclusive aspect was very appealing to us. We also loved their gardens and had read numerous reviews about how great the service is. The reviews are correct; the women who work there really go above and beyond to make sure everything is exactly the way you want it. We were so thankful for them.

The Proposal:
For the proposal, Markus surprised me by taking me to Honeymoon Island at sunset. We sat on a blanket talking and enjoying the view, and he even brought a small bottle of champagne for us all the way from Germany. It was beautiful!

How would you describe your theme?
Classic with a bit of romance. It was the image I had in my mind for years. It reflected my style and taste in everything else.

Markus and I both like classic elements, timeless things that don’t go out of style, so incorporating each other’s tastes was not difficult. From the beginning we both agreed on the majority of things. For Markus, family is very important, as is for me too, so I jumped at the idea of having pictures of our families displayed in the reception. For my part I really love reading, so having vintage books as centerpieces was a must from the very beginning.

What were your colors?
I always knew that for my wedding I would like to concentrate on creams, soft whites, and blush colors. To me these are colors that feel both warm and tranquil, which is the atmosphere I wanted for that day.

What did you look for in a wedding bakery?
We both love to eat, so for us it was mainly about the taste and quality of the products. We wanted something that not only looked good, but tasted good as well.

We loved Alessi Bakeries’ cakes in both design and taste. We also loved how flexible they were with us and how much work they put into what they do.

What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
Someone with an extensive catalogue who was willing to play exactly what I had requested, as I am very picky with music!

We had heard good things about Grant Hemond & Associates, and after the wedding we were very impressed, because not only did the DJ stay within my suggestions. but he was very good at adapting and reading the mood of the room. He was friendly and great at interacting with our guests.

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay Brides?
Relax and enjoy, and make sure you eat all that delicious food you’ve paid for!

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Cross Creek Ranch *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Venue
Photographer: Stacy Paul Photography
Florist: Alta Fleura
Caterer: Catered by Vesh
Cake: Alessi Bakeries *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
DJ: Grant Hemond & Associates *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Officiant: Sensational Ceremonies 
Dress Designer: Anna Kara
Hair & Makeup: Collective Creations