Catering By Robert . Event Concepts : Anchors Away!

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Anchors Away!

Brittany and Jake
May 2013
Photos by Celebrations of Tampa Bay

The unique journeys I take with brides and grooms have challenged me in ways I never expected. Such was the case for Brittany and Jake's late spring celebration that we also planned, coordinated, and catered Jake's sister's (Amanda's) wedding only two months prior.

While each bride's family took the initiative to individualize their celebration, there was always that desire to make both couples feel like their weddings were connected, but still different. Locations, color schemes, and some vendors created two very unique events. But the love and appreciation of family and friends was still very much a part of each special day.

I began working with Brittany's mom, Kathy, just months after booking "the other family wedding." This affair was to be held at the Belleaire Beach Community Center located on the intercoastal waterway just across the Belleaire Causeway in mid-Pinellas County.

The location had great possibilities, but Kathy knew many cosmetic additions were needed to turn the event space from a "city hall auditorium" into a vibrant reception space for this navy blue and hot pink event-scape.

Fortunately, Kathy's cousin Blanca and her husband, Joseph, were seasoned floral decorators over on the East Coast. They offered their professional, award-winning talents to create a magical landscape through wall draping, uplighting, and gorgeous fresh floral arrangements.

The transformation was amazing!

Our staff took care of the chair covers, ties, and basic table decor. Kathy and I worked together to configure the set up and event timing, deliveries, and additional items not provided by the facility. The city of Belleair did not set up up any in-house furnishings, so this responsibility lay with the client.

I was totally amazed at what this family was able to accomplish in such a short period of time. With Jake being active military, there was always an uncertainty reflected in Kathy's efforts on her daughter, Brittany's behalf. Still, the plans went forward in a positive manner.

It was a gorgeous Memorial Day weekend and the weather cooperated fully. "Kathy and Company" placed as many of the guest tables and chairs as they could the night prior during the scheduled wedding rehearsal outdoors. It was a tight squeeze with the dance floor "not quite positioned" the way they had instructed the installers, but everything fit except for the cake table which interfered with the dj set up.

We decided to elevate the cupcake stand and small "cuttable" cake up behind the sweetheart table to save space. It worked perfectly.

Even with limited set up time the day of the wedding, Brittany's talented relatives put together amazing florals and special effects that fully transformed the entire venue.The outdoor ceremony area overlooking the intercoastal waterway, was decorated in swaying fabrics. We took advantage of the extra space in the city building's wide main hallway for the sign-in and gift tables, bar and buffet tables.