For the Record at Tampa Garden Club

Monica + Phillip

Monica and Phillip were one of those couples who expressed a true vision for their wedding early in the planning stages.

Assuming the role of event planner, I was delighted to nurture this throughout the process through much communication and a sample guest table design involving the florist.

Photos By Mike Zawadzki Photography  

Monica and Phillip were classmates and on the rowing team together in high school, and dated since their freshman year.

For the proposal,  Phillip planned a big surprise “treat yourself” day for Monica. It started with receiving diamond earrings (the perfect decoy for the ring coming later…), a massage, lunch at Wright’s deli and mani/pedis with her best friend, then meeting him for a “wine tasting” at his parents’ beach condo in Redington.

" I drove out there to meet him, and he was waiting for me with beach chairs set up on the sand. We sat for only a few minutes before he got down on one knee! He then told me the wine tasting was a decoy to get me to drive to the beach,"  recalled Monica.

" We celebrated that night with lobster dinner at the Don CeSar. The next morning our friends joined us for a beach day to celebrate with us! It was perfect."

Monica's vision was elegant, clean, floral, bright, classic. "We loved the idea of vibrant red textiles with gold and white accents, with florals bringing in more color." Later they added some hints of yellow, purple, and bright blue for more variety.

 Photography was probably one of the most important aspects of their wedding - making sure all of the important activities and elements were captured. They entrusted Mike Zawadzki Photography.

What experiences did they share as a couple that might be relevant to their reception?

"We have attended many music festivals and concerts together, share a large vinyl record collection, and often bond over our shared love of music; we also love to dance! recalled Monica. "We want our reception to be an active celebration and keep our guests on the dance floor as much as possible."

 

A surprise vinyl record with a selection of past pictures together was waiting for Phillip while he was getting ready. 

The "record" theme was carried out in table numbers.

 

The ceremony was actually in two parts - the traditional American one and a special Persian one which involved the lovely ladies of the wedding party.

                            

Monica and Phil provided many personalized photos and signage that was displayed on entry and side tables during the reception.

For social hour, the couple chose a combination of Middle Eastern and American tidbits from Potato Croquettes and Stuffed Grape Leaves to Deep Fried Grit and Shrimp Cakes and Stuffed Mushroom Caps. 

The conservatory was the official bar and cocktail hour area. Market lighting accentuated the room later when guests participated in a photo booth experience. We decorated display and high top tables in gold with apple red accents. 

One of our favorite florists, Carmen's Flowers, did an incredible job pulling together such variety of blooms and colors. 

The couple chose to display a seating chart for the 130+ guests to find their tables. They did it by table on individual cards integrated into the framed chart.

 

Inside the main ballroom, lavishly draped walls installed by West Coast Events and Rentals,  focused on the detail of the guest tables which featured an apple red runner, gold charger plates and matching red napkins with a gold sequins ring. Carmen's alternating collection of gold pillar candle holders and tall colorful centerpieces filled the space with much color and texture.

A1 Foliage supplied a wide range of tropical plants to accent the wall and window areas. Sunkissed Sweets provided the wedding cake and chocolate dipped strawberries. 

      Sun Kissed Sweets provided the wedding cake along with yummy chocolate dipped strawberries.

                                

Most ceremony elements were re-purposed for the sweetheart table décor.

 A special moment was captured between Monica and her grandmother.

Our buffet menu included carved, tender roast beef along with a Citrus Salmon. 

 

 

Many thanks to Monica and Phil for allowing us to be a part of their special day.

Planning, Design, Coordinating, Catering  - Catering By Robert / Event Concepts . FL

Photographer -  Mike Zawadzki Photography 

Florist - Carmen’sFlowers 

DJ and Photo Booth - Fast Breaks Entertainment 

Chair Rentals and Drapery - West Coast Events and Rentals

Plants - A1 Foliage 

Light show - Full Color Lasers

Wedding Cake - Sun Kissed Sweets

Officiant - Wes Morris

Graceful, Rustic Styling at SoireEstate

Joanna and Alex

It was the perfect March wedding day. The cooler temperatures calmed the nerves of a very involved bride and groom.

Joanna thought of every detail: from a specific lace table runner that matched the attendant gowns to a wide array of  sweets with many different textures and colors.

The husband and wife team at  Paisley Sunshine Photography, did a wonderful job capturing the full details of the day.

Here are some special moments from Joanna and Alex's wedding day at SoireEstate:

The Perfect Lace Match

                          

Alex and Joanna had special moments in separate getting ready areas. 

Follow the Fiddle artist, David Bathen, created many enchanting moments with his music.

First Looks are the Best!

 

 "Sow what you grow" was part of Joanna and Alex's ceremony.

The DJ was centrally located near the ceremony area which eventually became the focal point for dancing later in the evening. 

Inside the European styled stable house, we had wood farm tables ready to greet guests for the main reception. Joanna requested a special napkin fold for our mauve napkins on top of our antique ivory charger plates. Each guest received a mini bottle of champagne as a favor.

Joanna provided most of the vessels used along the centers of the long tables. Some of our in-house bud vases were intersperse among an eclectic assortment of florist provided taller white milk vases, and the couple's silver criss cross votive holders, lace and burlap and lace encased glass cylinders, 

Jason's Creations provided all of the fresh florals which included garden roses, daisies, and a variety of single stem buds to compliment the table design.

Social hour was held on the outside porch of the stable house with some specialty cocktails. Additional high top tables were set in the adjacent lawn area. 

We set up the buffet tables with our lace overlays and crate containers for hot food chafing dishes.

The couple chose a shorter wood table for their sweetheart table. It was garnished with a silver sequins runner, bridal bouquet, illuminated pearl trimmed bottles, and eventually the wedding cake.

A special room was set aside for all of the other special sweets that included macarons, and a candy station.

Many thanks to Joanna and Alex for including us in your wedding day!

Planning, Decor Coordination, and Catering: Catering By Robert / Event Concepts . FL

On-Site Coordination by SoireEstate

Photography by Paisley Sunshine Photography

Flowers by Jason's Creations