Before You Say I DO

Emma and Dillon’s beautiful Tampa wedding was so much fun. They were a pleasure to work with and they had a wedding day that truly reflected them.

Bride and groom across the road from the Tampa Garden Club overlooking Tampa Bay

But, like most weddings, the things that go on early on the wedding day take lots of planning and timing is key. Counting back from the time the ceremony will start tells you what time you need to start your wedding day!

Getting Ready

The beginning of the day takes lots of planning and coordination. Typically you’re going to have things like hair and makeup, you also want to make sure you eat a little something.

Then you have lots of details! Detail photos are way more than just cute flat lays of your personal items. For most couples, there are things that hold special meaning. From special jewelry to that special perfume or cologne. And don’t forget those wedding invitations that were picked to set the tone for the entire wedding.

Flat lay photo of a Tampa Bride's accessories

Flat lay photo of a groom's accessories

Flat ay photo of a Tampa couple's wedding invitation

Then you want to make sure you allow time for some fun with your wedding party! Getting dressed always takes a little longer than you would expect because you’ll also want some photos of those special moments with family and your wedding party.

Tampa bride having some pre wedding fun with her wedding party

Tampa bride's reveal to her wedding party

On the morning of your wedding, you may also want to send a gift or handwritten note to your fiancé.

Tampa groom reding a note from his bride to be

Before Your First Look

Emma and Dillon’s first look was across town at the beautiful University of Tampa. And getting there and to your wedding ceremony takes some planning. Traveling with their wedding party for their first look and group photos took a little coordination to make sure Dillon didn’t see his bride-to-be.

Tampa bride standing behind her blindfloded groom to be as they head off for their first look

Once in place, it was time for the big reveal!

Tampa bride and groom ready for thier first look at the University of Tampa

Not only did the couple get to see each other, but arrangements were made for a very special person in their lives to meet them for some pre-wedding photos.

Tampa bride and groom right after thier first look

Tampa bride and groom joined by their dog for some prewedding photos

Tampa bride and groom taking some photos with thier dog

After some photos together the couple also built in time for photos with their wedding party and family. Taking a lot of these photos before the wedding ceremony allows you to relax and enjoy the rest of the wedding day with family and friends.

Tampa bride and groom on the steps of the University of Tampa

Tampa bride and groom with tier wedding party

Tampa bride and groom with their wedding party

For Emma and Dillon that also meant allowing time for their ketubah signing before heading down the aisle.

Tampa bride and groom holding thier ketubah with their witnesses

They’re Ready To Say I DO

With everything in place for the wedding ceremony, everyone took their places. Emma was escorted down the aisle by her mothers to Canon in D and Here Comes The Sun!

Garden wedding ceremony at the Tampa Garden Club

Bride walking down the aisle with her two moms!

But there was one more member of the wedding party waiting patiently to make their way down the aisle.

Fairy Tail Pet Care with a Tampa couple's dog waiting to make his entrance

Tampa bride and groom's dog making his entrance

With everyone in their places, Emma and Dillon exchanged their rings and wedding vows surrounded by family and friends.

Tampa bride and groom exchanging wedding vows at the Tampa Garden Club

Tampa bride and groom exchanging wedding vows

PRO TIP: We love that the wedding officiant stood several steps in front of the couple and just off to the side. Not only can guests and the couple hear them, but their head isn’t in all of the photos of the couple!

Tampa bride nd groom celebrating after their wedding ceremony

It’s Party Time

Following the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed cocktail hour, some photobooth fun, and some sunset photos before heading inside for dinner and dancing.

The ballroom was set with white linen accented by gold chivari chairs, cold rimmed charger plates, and lush floral arrangements on gold risers. The couple chose an intimate wedding cake with a custom cake topper paired with displays of some of their favorite bite-sized desserts.

Ballroom of the Tampa Garden Club set for a wedding reception

Intimate wedding cake with a custom cake topper

Their reception began with their first dance as husband and wife to XO by John Meyer.

Tampa bride and groom's first dance

This was followed by touching toast a delicious dinner and lots of dancing. And, how cute is their sweetheart table? The lush tablescape really pops against the hedge wall behind them, and we love the custom neon sign!

Tampa bride adn groom sitting at thier sweetheart table in front of a hedge wall with a custom neon sign

Congratulations, Emma and Dillon! We wish you a lifetime filled with special moments.

Thank You For The Kind Words!

We truly appreciate the kind words in Emma and Dillon’s 5 Star Google Review

Hiring Tammy and the Special Moments team was the best wedding decision we made! If you are a bride and don’t know where to start planning your wedding, hire Tammy and her team and they will walk you through every step of the process. There were so many little details about wedding planning that the average person is likely to forget; Tammy and her team made sure every detail was perfect and made sure we had the wedding of our dreams. Everything about our wedding day was perfect and we actually got to enjoy our wedding day because we knew Tammy had everything else under control. Brides, this is your sign to hire Tammy and her team; you won’t regret it!

Tampa Wedding Team

Tampa Wedding Planner: Special Moments Event Planning

Tampa Bay Wedding Venue: Tampa Garden Club

Hair and Makeup: Michele Renee The Studio

Wedding Photography: Lifelong Photography Studio

Floral Design: Monarch Events and Design

Catering: Chive Innovative Catering

Rentals: Gabro Event Services

Linens: Connie Duglin Linens

Videographer: Legendary Films by Damir

DJ and Photobooth: Boone’s Professional Events

Bakery: Publix Greenwise Market

Pet Services: Fairy Tail Pet Care

Hotel Accommodations: The Westin Tampa Waterside

 

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