Photos by Andy Martin
Melissa and Nick were not just "any" wedding couple with a vision of their wedding day. They were a bride and groom that had realistic ideas for a fun, unique celebration that incorporated many non-traditional elements.
First, instead of staying in a hotel close to the Tampa Garden Center, they defied the traffic "gods" and opted to rent a huge vacation rental in St. Pete Beach. With family and bridal party members close at their side, they enjoyed a relaxing non-city setting for their wedding weekend.
Melissa embraced the garden theme. She chose sage green and platinum as her primary wedding colors. Pastels in a variety of shades were also part of her event-scape.
The couple encouraged everyone to "do their thing" even with customization in attire.
Melissa and Nick chose to redirect the focus of their ceremony to the "side area" of the main wedding garden. They utilized our white pergola arbor and rented chairs from West Coast Events and Rentals.
Early in our planning together, Melissa expressed her interest in doing all silk florals and greens. I offered her my vendor status to a local wholesaler and she joined me one afternoon to make her selections. She did have Carmen's Flowers provide her fresh bouquet and a few other items. Everything else, from corsages to accent décor, Melissa fashioned herself.
A unique aspect was a picture painting that she and Nick did as part of their ceremony.
The frame that guests signed during social hour would be added to the wedding painting later.
Instead of traditional place cards, they chose to assign guests tables with small silk leaves stuck into thick birch branch pieces.
We placed some special toiletries inside the ladies restroom.
For social hour, we served our tasty Smoked Cheddar Spread fashioned into the shape of a heart.
Inside the main ballroom there was an eclectic arrangement of round and long guest tables for the 140+ guests expected to attend.
Silver runners, chargers and chair ties were coupled with our sage green napkins at each place setting. These, along with the white spandex chair covers were part of our in-house inventory of décor.
Centerpieces alternated between our various heights of glass cylinders to our white carriage lanterns, all accented with the abundance of silk greenery Melissa had purchased at the wholesaler.
Each table number had a significance for Melissa and Nick; and that significance was hand-written with love on each table number card.
The long head table was a traditional aspect the couple incorporated across the setting of the windows facing Bayshore Boulevard. We distinguished the main table for bride, groom, best man and maid of honor with platinum silver linen
A plated Mandarin Orange Salad with toasted coconut was pre-set at every place setting.
Guests pre-selected one of three entrée which included a Broiled Tomato Stuffed with Cheese, Salmon Filet with a Champagne Sauce, and Brushetta Chicken.
Instead of a typical wedding cake, Melissa and Nick chose a Donut Tower from Krispy Kreme.
Many thanks to Melissa and Nick for entrusting us with their special day!
