Rachel + Benny Step Into The Limelight | Opal Sands Resort | Clearwater, FL

March 10, 2020

They drove up to CT for Christmas to surprise their family. Little did she know, Ben had something else planned. After everyone opened their presents Ben brought out a box and said “this is for everybody”. In the box was a cable to plug into the TV and a card saying “plug me in”. They plugged it in and a video started to play. It was a slideshow of all the pictures they took together in the past 5 years, and steps on falling in love. At the end was a picture of Ben holding a sign saying “will you marry me” and he was down on one knee in front of Rachel. WOWZA! All the feels!

They are both caring to one another, Rachel knows he would move mountains for her if she asked. They have each others backs through everything. Rachel also loves how goofy they can be with each other. They can be themselves 100% of the time. They bring out the best in each other. Ben always says that Rachel makes him a better man.

Rachel & Ben like going to the movies, they like to try new things, like going to a new restaurant or trying a new activity. They tried Top Golf and it was so much fun even thought neither of them are golfers. They also like to go to the beach with their dog Mort.

For their wedding they wanted to find a location that was simple but had a wow factor. With Opal Sands Resort, it was the view. It fit perfectly with what Rachel was going for. They didn't want to have a beach wedding but wanted that ocean as the backdrop. Opal Sands Resort was perfect for that. They wanted a simple and elegant feel, not too over the top with everything. Rachel wanted a simple dress, but added a belt to make it pop. With florals Rachel wanted to do very romantic and tasteful.

Rachel wanted to live in the moment and have gorgeous images to look back on… we just loved how they took in the day and allowed it to just flow naturally, it was intimate and purposeful with touches of class and so much LOVE to go around.

Rachel & Ben we wish you both ALL the best in life! Enjoy it all (together).

Lead Photographer | Dafne Spencer
Associate Photographer | Audrey Clifford

Hannah + Adam Step Into The Limelight | Isla Del Sol Yacht & Country Club | St. Petersburg, FL

March 6, 2020

Hannah & Adam met in the Summer of 2015 through mutual friends. Since then… life has been full of beauty and their fur babies! Adam even proposed to Hannah right in their living room alongside their doggies.
They support each other in everything they do and honesty is key between the two.
Hannah & Adam enjoy traveling, hiking, swimming and exploring together.

Their wedding day was filled with lot of colors and family was all around… we were surrounded by water and sunshine. We truly loved seeing these two tie the knot. They have planned and dreamed of this day for quite some time, so seeing their vision come to life was precious. There were many DYI elements, from the bouquets done by Hannah’ sister to the decor on the gazebo to each little detail on the tables, the custom shells carrying the rings and flower girl baskets all made or embellished by hand.

Hannah & Adam we wish you both so much LOVE and many more adventures together!

Lead Photographer | Dafne Spencer
Associate Photographer | Kara Lerchenfeld

Megan + Matthew Step Into The Limelight | Lido Beach Resort | Sarasota, FL

March 5, 2020

Surrounded by friends, family and love these two families became together in the midst of a lighthearted and fun ambiance. Megan and Matthew met back on October 24, 2014. Their first date was to Handles Ice Cream shop in their hometown of Fishers, IN. Their second date was to the Indianapolis Zoo.

According to Matt he proposed “very extravagantly” 😉. He proposed in front of the soldiers and sailors monument in Indianapolis, IN with all of their friends and family around. The bride’s best friends (Cristina and Michelle) took Megan on a scavenger hunt that ended at the monument. Cristina got Megan and Michelle lost in the middle of downtown Indianapolis on the way to the monument, in the pouring rain with a dead cell phone. But thankfully all worked out in the end!

What do you love about each other? {In their own words…}
Matt loves about Megan:

She’s always thinking about others and putting others first
Great person, great friend
Puts up with my annoying and goody behavior

Megan loves about Matt:

Selfless, caring, loving
Will give everything he has if it will help someone else
His desire to make the world a better place (police officer, soldier in the army)
His love and passion
Goofy, never takes life too seriously

Together they enjoy playing with their “fur babies” Cooper (dog) and Niko (cat), going out to eat at new restaurants, double dates with Cristina and Spencer, exploring zoos and aquariums in different cities and spending time with families and friends.

Megan’s love for the ocean and her dream of getting married on the beach inspired their search for the perfect wedding venue. Megan’s grandparents live in the Sarasota area and that is how they discovered Lido Beach Resort. Their classy, yet casual wedding was a little bit country with ocean vibes. They brought their home town in Indiana to the beach by with incorporating country music and sunflowers in the decor.

Lead Photographer | Rebecca Zoumberos
Associate Photographer | Michael Zoumberos

Breanna + Joey Step Into The Limelight | Palmetto Riverside Bed and Breakfast | Palmetto, FL

February 19, 2020

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

Meredith + Brantley Step Into The Limelight | The Birchwood | St. Petersburg, FL

February 14, 2020

a little something about our Meredith & Brantley…

How did he propose: (From Meredith's POV:) We were celebrating our third anniversary. As fans of wine and big band music, we decided to spend our anniversary at a Great Gatsby-themed NY Eve party at a vineyard/hotel outside of Atlanta, where we were living at the time (Chateau Elan). We went with another couple, who apparently was in on an even bigger surprise. Brantley had planned a proposal with the hotel staff - with roses and rose petals covering the hotel room, I walked into our room to see a bottle of champagne and two champagne glasses. When Brantley asked me to look at the champagne bottle, I noticed that there was a question printed on the bottle: "Will You Marry Me?". Completely surprised, I turned around to see Brantley on his knee holding a ring!!

What do you love about each other: Meredith: Brantley will put others before himself, always. He is selfless, empathetic, thoughtful, and aware. Brantley understands how important family and friends are to me, and constantly encourages us to go and visit the people that mean the most to us - one example of how he always puts others first :) He is funny, always finding ways to make me laugh even if I'm having a less-than-ideal day. He is kind and constantly challenges himself to be a better person - inspiring me to do and be better.
Brantley: Meredith makes me want to be the best version of myself. She is smart, passionate, and driven, and inspires everyone around her. She has pushed me (in a good way!) to want to lead a healthier life. She also introduced me to travel, and now one of our favorite things to do is to go explore new places either around Tampa Bay or outside of Florida.

These two were swooning the whole day… they just simply LOVE being together and that was felt around.
Their intimate ceremony at The Birchwood was perfectly filled with laughter and special moments are Meredith said their I do’s. They planned each aspect of their wedding day together, from selecting the music style to hand-selecting each flower {yes ladies, you read it correctly!}. Each detail shared their love story together and we are ALL here for it!

Meredith & Brantley… thank you so much for having us be a part of your LOVE STORY…
We wish you ALL the best in ALL you do..

xoxo

Lead Photographer | Dafne Spencer
Associate Photographer | Kara Lerchenfeld
Intern | Carly Eggers