Breanna & Joey met on October 6th, 2017 on a first date after a couple weeks of chatting on Bumble in St. Pete (Stillwaters Tavern and The Canopy). But the story begins weeks before the first date in preparation for Hurricane Irma. Joey's condo was located in what suddenly became a mandatory evacuation zone. He was just going to stay anyway, but his family talked him into evacuated to his parent's house in Lakewood Ranch (15 minutes from where Breanna lived in Ellenton). Once he arrived he was bored and started swiping through bumble, which he had set to only a 20 mile search radius. Over the next few weeks Joey and Breanna were chatting and eventually had their first date. Without Hurricane Irma, they never would have met each other.
They were staying at the Rod and Reel resort on Anna Maria Island and Joey packed a bottle of wine in his backpack and said they should walk to Bean Point to watch the sunset. Once they got near the beach, he pulled Breanna aside near the sand dunes and started nervously telling her sweet things about their future together, then he reached into his back pack and Breanna thought he was getting more wine, but he pulled out a jewelry box and got down on one knee and asked her to marry him! It was perfect - Breanna had always dreamt of a sunset beach proposal.

Here’s what Joey had to say about his Breanna…

I love how caring Breanna is towards her friends and family. She always goes above and beyond to plan a birthday party or bake a home-made cake for her families special occasions, and she always works hard around our condo to make it a wonderful home. She is unflinchingly loyal in the same old fashion way I believe I am. She is so beautiful that I feel lucky everyday when I see her. She laughs at my jokes and she makes me laugh too.

Here’s what Breanna had to say about her Joey…

Joey is everything I've ever wanted in a husband. He's loving, caring, and always has my best interests at heart. My cousin passed away a few months before I met Joey. Throughout our relationship there have been times when I've come home upset and he would be all dressed and ready to go to the gym, but would just stay in bed with me for hours holding me. He's also very family-oriented which is very important to me. Whenever we first started dating, we were at a bar and one of his friends, who I had just met, told me 'Joey is the most genuine guy in downtown Tampa!' Haha, I didn't know at the time just how true that was. Before I met Joey, home was always a place. Now I feel at home no matter where I'm at, as long as he's there.

I mean… people! That’s some real LOVE right there!

For their wedding day, they wanted to make sure to incorporate Italia!
They went to Italy together in 2018 and had the time of their lives, plus Joey is 100% Italiano!
Italian food is their favorite so “pasta all around folks”… as well as their Italian-esque favors Jordan Almonds that represents represent the bittersweet life of a married couple. The sugar coating is added to the bitter almonds in the hope that the newlyweds will have more sweet times than bitter during their lifetime together.

We truly LOVEd being a part of Breanna & Joey’s love story! You two made our hearts so happy and seeing you both’s love for each other is inspiring. We wish you both ALL the best! Viva la Vida!

Lead Photographer | Dafne Spencer
Associate Photographers | Kara Lerchenfeld + Audrey Clifford