She’s a bartender with a degree in fashion.  He is a rockstar from the UK.  When Erica and Mark selected the Powel Crosley estate for their spring-time wedding, Erica knew just the theme: the Roaring 20’s Prohibition Era.

Her exquisite 20’s inspired lace gown was complimented beautiful by her one-of-a-kind brooch bouquet assembled by her mother.

Guests arrived at the estate and were greeted by an authentic vintage car… just a little something to “set the mood”, one might say.  Their ceremony, which took place waterside on the estate’s beautiful property, featured white hydrangeas and feather plumes for some whimsy, of course.  At the alter, large floral pieces featuring hydrangea, various roses and hanging amaranthis framed our couple as they exchanged their vows.

After the ceremony, guests (who, incidentally, arrived in period-inspired threads themselves!) enjoyed the sounds of big band music, delicious appetizers and non-alocoholic beverages – this is the prohibition, after all!  But that’s not all – even the client’s vendors were asked to arrive in their 20’s inspired best to commit to the overall illusion!

The reception, held in the estate’s main room, was reminiscent of the period – highlighting the property’s architectural beauty and cloaking the room in blush pink satin, champagne/antique golds, large floral centerpieces and mercury glass.

After dinner, guests were moved to the estate’s patio before the “big reveal”: our team transformed the space previously used for dinner into a speakeasy where guests celebrated the end of this event’s “prohibition”!  Meanwhile, the most beautiful dessert room we have ever seen (or smelled, for that matter) retained the opulence and color scheme held through dinner to give guests the contrast between “high society” and “basement speakeasy”.

We absolutely L-O-V-E-D designing this event and thank each and every vendor for their involvement in making this fantastic event a reality!

Venue: Powel Crosley Estate
Photography: Your Story By Us
Event Design: Us!
Chair, Drape and Lighting Rentals: Us!
Coordination: Us!
Floral: Redman Steele
Catering: Good Food Catering
Sweets/Cake: Laurie Cinelli – A Piece of Cake
Band: Z-Street Band
DJ: Ben – Grant Hemond and Associates

Jason Mize’s work brings with it a style … there are some great vintage elements in his work… and has the outstanding ability to look where others may not look.  What our client’s love most about Jason is his demeanor – he is calm, cool and collected; he is warm and kind; he is assertive and specific…. all outstanding traits of a wedding photographer and they are equally responsible for keeping your day on time!

Name: Jason Mize

Business Name: Jason Mize Photography

Hails from: Georgia

How long have you served the Tampa Bay Market??Lived here 18 years

How long have you been a photographer?  4ish years

What attracted you to the profession? My wedding!  When we got our photos back, I was able to relive our wedding day – I never realized how photography could do that!  Combined with my passion for all things art, my newfound career was born!

What is your most memorable wedding and why? Probably a more recent wedding up in the Jacksonville area, there wasn’t a huge budget, but all of their friends and family helped with setting up and pulling the whole thing together. The couple was young and so in love! It was a glorious day up until the bride started walking down the aisle. It started raining, and they just went with it, it was a Jesus filled ceremony. And it rained off and on the rest of the night. This was the first time that a client didn’t let anything get in the way of the day, we took photos in the rain, and it was amazing! I’ll remember that wedding for a LONG time!

Would you say that you have an area of expertise or specialty? I feel that I’m a story teller. I love to document my clients day as it unfolds, but also add the way that I see it through my lens. It’s one of the biggest days of someone life, and I love that I can add my art to it!

If you could offer one piece of advice to every bride, what would it be? Don’t get caught up in what everyone else is doing, make the wedding about you and your personality. And realize the reason why you are getting married, its about the ceremony. Don’t rush through it, the vows that you’re sharing are supposed to last a lifetime.

As far a photography, I would advise brides to pick someone’s style that fits your personality.?Also, make sure that their work is consistent, and timeless. You want to make sure that you’re still going to love the photos 40 years from now!

Why do you love working with Event Design? Event Design is such an amazing group to work with! I’ve known the team for a long time and their personal investment with each client (and vendors!) makes the event flow even more smoothly!  Their professionalism is unmatched.  Working with their client’s is always fantastic because I know the day will be epic!

New York Sophistication.  Southern Charm and simplicity.  One might think: “Never the twain shall meet!”, but at Event Design we yelled “Yes, Please!”

MaryAnn and Chris approached us looking for assistance in pulling together their Davis Island Garden Club Event.  Wanting to leverage the natural beauty of the property for their exclusively-outdoor ceremony and reception, they sought the bold compliments of Coral, Navy and White for their fall affair.  To achieve this North-meets-South juxtaposition, we paired white linens with satin navy blue runners to offer a bold, clean line on the table.  Rustic lanterns compliments the natural surroundings and offered the “backyard home-style wedding” the couple was looking for.  Hydrangeas, coral and peach standard and garden roses offered more natural elements to the tablescape and were delicately complimented by seeded eucalyptus for a pale green finish that didn’t compete with their overall scheme.  The table was finished with a coral satin napkin set with an off-the-table overhang offering a modern, relaxed aesthetic.

The sweet finish to the evening – the most incredibly dessert display we have ever seen created by famiily – rum balls, petit fours complete with monogram and an assortment of home-baked cookies were beautifully displayed and smelled even better than it looked.  We count it a “win” that managed to walk away without testing the baker’s recipes *smirk*!  And, of course, this entry wouldn’t be complete without a shout-out to the groom’s cake.  Chris’ professional hockey career inspired the couples super-fun hockey cake – sweet!

Venue: Davis Island Garden Club
Photography: Ashfall Mixed Media
Event Design: Us!
Floral: Us!

I can’t stress this enough: The biggest ticket items have to be done first.  This is usually venue/food and beverage, photography, and the bride’s dress.  If you do not take care of these bigger ticket items first, you may run out of budget before you get them done.

As a planner, part of the fun for me is taking a client’s wedding budget and working to beat their budget anywhere I can.   It’s a little game I play with myself to see how far I can stretch the dollar – or how much I can get included for the price (because remember: cost and value are not the same thing!)  It’s important to remember that your budget is flexible… well, kinda.  Anytime you save in one category, you can either choose not to spend that money at all, or allocate it together area all together.

Let’s say your budget allocates you $1,200 for DJ services – but you negotiate a rate with the DJ where all your needs are met for $1,000.  You have saved $200! Congrats! You now have the option to save that money, or allocate it to another area that needs it – such as floral or your wedding dress.

The converse is also true, however.  If you overspend in an area, it means you need to find the money elsewhere to cover the overage.  This is the hardest part of living on a wedding budget, but you have two choices:

1)     Reduce the budget in another area.  For example, if your budget allocated $1,200 for your wedding dress but you found your DREAM dress for $1,400, you are $200 over-budget.  You may make the decision to re-allocate the $200 to the dress budget and then decide not to have wedding favors as the trade-off.

2)    Earn more money.  Plenty of couples take on side-jobs or second jobs to help add a little padding to their wedding budget.  Yes, you’ll be busy.  But won’t it be worth it if it means you can plan without stressing over money?

Hands On Sweets is somewhat new to the Tampa scene when it comes to all things confection, but we are here to tell you that this is one vendor who provides a drop-dead-gorgeous presentation!  Professional, personable and committed to detail, Chef Marie provides our clients with a five-start customer experience and “woo”s clients by her immaculate presentation, beautiful truffles and down-right delicious cakes and confections.  She is every client’s dream: Organized, responsive, creative and uber talented!

Name: Chef Marie Martinez

Business Name: Hands on Sweets

Hails from: Puerto Rico

How long have you served the Tampa Bay Market? 1 ½ years

How long have you been a Pastry Chef/Baker? 3 years

What do you love most about the work you do? I love baking but I absolutely adore designing and decorating wedding cakes. It is a special day and I have the privilege of designing their dream cake. It is amazing how a relationship is built after all the sweet talk with the bride and groom. Having that final product finished and delivered is probably the best feeling in the world!

What was your most memorable cake? The most memorable cake has to be our own wedding cake since it was a challenge to make, deliver and still be on time to get married! It was a cake that Carlos and I designed and it was probably the most difficult cake to make.

Apart from that I think the first wedding cake I made back in Puerto Rico just because someone gave me the opportunity to start this journey.

What area, if any, would you say is your specialty? I would say our specialty is wedding cakes but it is difficult. Custom cakes are probably what I feel totally comfortable in doing and no matter the cake, it always gets me excited to make it. We tend to make simple, elegant and modern cakes that have an art deco feel to it.

If you could offer one piece of advice to every bride, what would it be? Book in advance, feel free to ask questions and keep it simple, elegant and tasty. After all it is probably the most important cake you will ever have.

Why do you love working with Event Design? The team at Event Design are among the most organized designers I have ever worked with!  They are a breeze to communicate with, clear in their needs and interests, and a cinch to work with!  When we work with Event Design, the event is truly collaborative – we are two partners working together to make the couples’ day magical.  Our clients have total peace of mind when they work with Event Design.  Amazing work every single time!

“Opulence” was the word Bianca used to describe the vision she had for her big day at the Sandpearl Resort.  Her elegant and super-chic blush, ivory and gold palette complimented Bianca’s love of all things beautiful.  20ft drape caught the attention of guests entering the ceremony held in one of the venue’s ballroom’s and gave guests the sense the room swept above them.  The alter space was complimented by a glittering crystal curtain and beautiful floral arrangements; Candles clustered along the aisle gave the bride a fairy-tale-like walk down the aisle as she approached the man she would marry.

When the ceremony concluded, the room was transformed into a candle-lit wonderland.  Pale-colored hydrangeas and roses in blush and white were set atop large glass vases and surrounded by floating candles, glass, crystals and more for a killer feasting table seating 60 family and close friends at the center of the room for huge “wow” factor.  Beautiful, embroidered Champagne and sequined sheer overlays offered sparkle and and whimsy to each of the guest tables – catching the light of an abundance of candles set through out the room.

But more beautiful than the room itself was Bianca and John’s love for each other.  It was a love you felt when they entered the room – and one that lingered with you long after they departed.  We count ourselves so incredibly fortunate to have been a part of their event – and of their union to one another.

Venue: Sandpearl Resort
Photography: K&K Photography
Chairs, Draping, Uplighting: Us!
Floral: Us!
Coordination: Us!
Cake: Cakes by Nomeda

There is something Pinterest doesn’t tell you about all those wonderful little DIY projects: They are time consuming.

I am a huge crafter.  I love craft projects – so I figured out how to craft for a living and became an Event Designer.  When I was planning my own wedding, I was bound and determined to save myself money and buy everything myself – make it myself and install it myself.  Oh! How I wish someone would have told me:

1. Crafts are expensive.  If you are buying it at Michael’s, Joanne’s Fabric, Pearl, Hobby Lobby, etc., you are paying retail pricing.  You could have rented it for the same (or close) cost from a décor company.
2. Wholesale sometimes means getting more than you need.  The price per unit is great, but you may end up with twice as much as you really need.
3. Sometimes silk is not cheaper than live floral.  If they are GOOD silks, they are likely the same price.  If it’s going to save you $100 in the end, why not just get live flowers?
4. Sometimes things don’t come together the way that you expect.  Take it from me and all my DIY fails, do ONE first.  Establish if you LOVE it enough to do it another 10-20 times.  What were the real costs associated with the project?  What were the material costs? How many of each item did you use in your piece? What as shipping? And, of course, how long did it take you to make it?  If one centerpiece is taking you an hour to put together – you may have 20 hours of assembly ahead of you.
5. Failures drive your costs up.  Do NOT buy all your materials without making one first.  Remember, keep track of how expensive that one was – and then times it by the number of projects you start/do that you don’t like.  I literally had to go back to the drawing board numerous times for my centerpieces and cake topper.  I spent around $300 on centerpiece mock-ups for myself.  That’s $300 I could have spent with a professional.  In the end, I spent about $300 on my centerpiece materials. I could have just had someone else take care of them for $600.00 and had something much nicer than what I wound up with.
6. You will have a TON of stuff left over after the wedding? What are you doing to do with it?  Store it? Sell it? Give it away?  Just think about it before your living room is taken over for the next few months and your on-going crafts make dinner time at the dining table an impossibility.
7. Just because your trying to make it yourself, doesn’t mean it’s free.  Every trial, every mock-up, every vase… all of those are coming out of your décor budget.  We said back in Chapter 2 – money doesn’t grow on trees.  Unless you are taking this spending money out of your “entertainment” budget, it’s got to come from somewhere.

In the end, if all you are saving is $200 in delivery charges/installation, is it worth it? For me, it wasn’t – I wished I had just bit the bullet and hired a florist.  Rather than my sad little votive arrangement with glass beads and fabric – I was so convinced it didn’t matter to me, but on the wedding day, I was so mad at myself I insisted on doing it myself.  I did not feel pride.   I did not feel “wow”.  I looked at my hard work and said: “That’s it?  All that work!”

Phew. That was a blur!

You’ve planned for hours… months… years! At last, the big day has arrived!

And then it was over.

While that may seem a bit extreme, it’s not too far off from the truth!  In the end, you will have worked tirelessly to plan your perfect day, and the day will be over before you can say “thank you for coming”.  (Sometimes, literally!)

But what of those guests who traveled from the furthermost tips of the country to witness  your marriage?  You may have every intention of “making the rounds”, but time is fleeting when the big day arrives and splitting the time between Aunt  Louisa who came in yesterday all the way from Michigan and shaking your tail feather on the dance floor will prove to be harrowing at best.

Let’s face it, when the big day comes around you’re thinking of one thing: getting hitched. Between all the little details it becomes nearly impossible to slow down and enjoy quality time with friends and family who have traveled so far to be there to witness your special moment.  With the aide of your wedding planner (let’s just assume you have made the incredibly wise decision to include a day-of planner in your event – hint, hint) you can at least relax a bit on the day of your wedding to enjoy the pampering, the excitement, and the embrace of family and friends.< What's a girl to do?  Make it a weekend affair! If it's feasible, encourage your guests to arrive in town up to two days in advance of the event to decompress and explore the area.  With more time available for you to spend with the people you care about most, it's a win-win! Say "Sayonara" to the single-day sprint and hello to a weekend of successive events leading up to your wedding day. Then sit back, relax and spend some quality time with Aunt Lousia and all the other beloved friends and family you've invited to be there. After all, we do live in the Sunshine state! Who wouldn't want to escape to tropical Florida for a few days?! Here are a few tips to help make your weekend a stress-free, mini vaca a few days before you begin the rest of your life as a Mr. and Mrs.! DAY 1 Centralize!
Generate an itinerary for your guests which keep them local to their hotel.  This will alleviate you from feeling responsible for transportation to all of your “funtivities”.  If you are certain many guests will have vehicles of their own, you can branch out a bit!

A Proper Greeting
A Welcome Bag is the perfect way to greet your out-of-town guests and set the stage for a fun wedding weekend. Let your guests know how much you appreciate them being there and get creative! Customize a tote, bag or cooler with your monogram or wedding logo, then fill it up with little treats! Think: tylenol, water, snacks, sunscreen or bug-spray.

You will also want to include a weekend itinerary, a map of the area, a few treats from a local bakery, etc. You get the idea…think of your favorite local things to do/see/eat and expand the list from there! Want that extra personal touch?  Include special stories about these locales as they apply to you and your fiance! (It might also be nice to include a coupon or free drink voucher to a few restaurants/bars that you’ve suggested.)

Once you jam-packed your welcome bags, draft a welcome letter from the both of you thanking your guests for being there – and don’t forget to include a good contact number or any weekend information that they will find helpful. Just make sure it’s someone other than you!

Tip: Check with the hotel where your guests will be staying; many hotels will deliver the welcome bags directly to the rooms and others will give them to your guests as they arrive to check-in.

Welcome Reception
Invite guests to join you for a welcome reception (but don’t break the bank!). Keep it simple! As long as you word your Welcome Reception invitation the right way, guests will not necessarily expect that you foot the bill.  Consider meeting at a local rooftop bar for light snacks and beverages, the lobby of the hotel for dessert, or poolside for a relaxed opening to the weekend.

DAY 2 All Together Now
Consider itinerary items which are unique to the area or hearken to what your market is known for.  In Tampa, for instance, a golf outing or dolphin site-seeing tour would be a great option.  Perhaps kayaking at Ft. DeSoto Park or Seashelling on Honeymoon Island.

And, of course, you can never go wrong with a day at the beach! (Sunblock, PLEASE!)

This evening, go “dutch” for dinner and meet up at the hotel for a fun night of mixer games to get your guests to mingle or trivia games highlighting fun facts about you and your soon-to-be spouse! You can search sites like Etsy for fun, printable games.  Just be sure to call it an early night so you are well rested for the big day tomorrow!

DAY 3 Say “I Do”
Finally, the day of your wedding! Remember to simply enjoy it! Suggest a few activities so your guests feel free to venture out on their own, but excuse yourself from this one. Get a massage, listen to your favorite music, gather your bridesmaids for a day of pampering and preparation. Then, go get yourself hitched!< DAY 4 Say Goodbye
If you are able to swing it, offer guests a send-off breakfast or brunch.  This is an item you may want to include in your budget and will want to send invitations for, specifically, to gauge interest and attendance.  After a weekend of fun and partying, everyone will be leaving today – and it’s a great way to thank your closest family and friends for partying with you!

If there were one word describe the work of Grant Hemond and Associates, it would be this: professional.  While the Grant Hemond team is comprised of many individual DJs, we can say with certainty that each DJ is current, entertaining and a consummate professional!  Their commitment to client satisfaction is unmatched – every moment of their work is focused toward making sure that they offer you the best possible entertainment experience.  They go above and beyond for their clients… truly.  It is because of this commitment to client satisfaction that we love Grant Hemond and recommend them regularly to our clients!
Business Name: Grant Hemond & Associates, Inc.

Hails from: Tampa Bay, Florida

How long have you served the Tampa Bay Market? Since 1985

How long have you been in Business?  29 years

What attracted you to the profession? Having the chance to be such an intricate part of our customers’ life events. Whether it’s a wedding or a private party, the ability to customize what we play to meet their vision and the tastes of their guests is a GREAT feeling!!

What is your most memorable wedding and why? Our team performs at over a thousand weddings each year. It would be hard to select just one.Each wedding has its own unique feel. They are all memorable. =)

Would you say that you have an area of expertise or specialty? DJ, Master of Ceremonies, Coordination and Crowd Motivation.

If you could offer one piece of advice to every bride, what would it be? References, References, References

Why do you love working with Event Design?  It’s ALWAYS a pleasure and honor  working with the Event Design Team!! They’re highly professional and proactive communicators.  With Event Design, each event is collaborative… we are always excited to work an event with them!