Today we have a wedding very colorful wedding from Florida. I love all the tropical influence that the bride and groom incorporated. It’s so refreshing to see just vibrant colors together. Plus I love the blush wedding dress and plum bridesmaid dresses, such a great combo together. And another fun thing about this wedding is that the bridesmaid and groomsmen officiated it, how cool is that.
Stephanie & Brian
Tell us about your wedding: On April 22, 2017, Brian and I said “Aloha” to married life! We decided on an Island theme because of our love for roast pork! We knew we would want to serve it at our wedding, and, well, the themed evolved from that! We had a sunset ceremony on a wooden dock overlooking beautiful Lake Church at a private residence in Odessa, FL, just north of Tampa, in front of a group of 65 of our nearest and dearest friends and family. The space was decorated with flaming tiki torches, hand-made wooden signs, fresh pineapples, and tropical plants, flowers and leis to enhance the natural beauty of the lake and sky background. Our ceremony was short and sweet, officiated by our two bridesmaids and two groomsmen- each having a part in the ceremony. We also wrote our own vows and engaged in a traditional lei ceremony after we exchanged rings. The ceremony was followed by cocktail hour by the beach along the lake, and around the pool followed by a dinner reception under twinkle lights and stars on a deck at the residence. I loved how the entire event took place in the same area, giving our guests the opportunity to truly take in the beauty of the space. The reception space was decorated with family style tables topped with crisp white linens, bamboo chairs, fresh pineapples and flowers, wooden accents, candles and bottles of sparkling wine. We had a menu of Hawaiian and Cuban cuisine- roast pork, mojo marinated chicken, yellow rice, black beans, vegetables and salad- freshly made by an onsite kitchen our caterer brought in. Our first dance started off with one of our favorite songs by our favorite band, The Dave Matthews Band, which transitioned into the Chicken Dance half way through the song-we raise chickens, so this was an obvious (and hilarious!) choice! We opted to have a dessert spread with Mrs. Fields cookies (another obvious choice!), mini doughnuts, mini pineapple upside down cakes, Key Lime pie shots, and pineapple shaped chocolates. In addition, we purchased a small cake to use as our wedding cake. It was a delicious cinnamon crunch bundt cake with an edible nest topped with a sweet little bride hen and groom rooster. The evening was filled with fun. The music was pumping all night long, the drinks were flowing (including my signature pineapple sangria), and guests were having a blast in our photobooth. It was truly the time of our lives! Wedding Colors Decor: tropical colors, Bride: blush, Groom: Khaki and white, Bridesmaids: Plum, Groomsmen: Khaki and Hawaiian print How did the two of you meet? We met online! I was browsing profiles one evening when his caught my eye. We shared similiar interests and he had the kindest eyes. I sent him a message and we talked a bit before meeting in person. After that first date, we were inseparable! Describe your engagement: On our 5th anniversary, June 24, 2016, Brian proposed. He got down on one knee by a creek in the backyard of his grandmother’s house in Dover, DE while we were on vacation visiting her. She captured the entire thing on film, pretending to just want a few pictures of us before we left. Brian proposed with a gorgeous emerald cut Citrine stone surrounded by sparkling diamonds. I had lost my mother to breast cancer 4 years prior, and Citrine was her November birthstone. It was such a touching gesture and of course, I said yes! Personal or handmade details: Custom designed wooden signs, custom designed window-pane seating chart, hand carved pineapple vases Describe your flowers: Tropical, with real mini pineapples Memories and Stories about the Day: When my cousins (who are both dedicated fisherman) brought out their fishing rods and fished on the beach of the lake! (see pic) Your first dance song: You and Me by Dave Matthews Band, interrupted (purposefully) by the Chicken Dance halfway through! The thing that we would have done differently is? I would hire a day-of planner/organizer! Your advice for other plus size brides: Own your beauty, own your happiness, and own the day! Work on getting into that mindset early on after your engagement. If you spend the next weeks or months leading up to your wedding worried about your weight, what people might say about you as you walk down the aisle, or looking “fat” in pictures you paid a pretty penny for, you will miss out on the joy and excitement leading up to the big day! Don’t rob yourself of that experience by cluttering your mind with stresses, worries and “what-ifs.” Own your confidence! Three adjectives that describe the day: Breezy, Gorgeous, Joyous What has surprised you most during the first few months of marriage? We moved in together 6 months after we met, so we have lived together quite a while. Going on a honeymoon gave us a chance to reconnect and provided us with our first memorable moments together as a couple. There is something so special about spending those days after you’ve said “I do” to the love of your life without having to worry about going back to work or the routines and obligations of the day-to-day. A honeymoon allowed us to take the time to discover what it feels like to be married and enjoy uninterrupted time together. Even though we felt as though things might feel the same after we said I DO, going on a honeymoon really helped to solidify our union.
Vendor Love – Photography: Kristen Marie Photography | Bridal Attire: Tadashi Shoji | Wedding Favors: Paper Leigh | Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist: Salon Ciah | Rentals and Linens: West Coast Rental Inc and A Chair Affair | Caterer: M-n-M BBQ | Transportation: Uber Black | Jewelry: Gemvara | Bakery: Nothing Bundt Cakes & Mini Doughnut Factory | Bridesmaid Attire Designer: David’s Bridal | Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Tasso Elba | DJ: Clear Water DJ | Flowers: Apple Blossoms Tampa | Wine Bottle and Wine Glass Stencil: This Crazy Life Designs |
