Lead Photographer | Dafne Spencer
Associate Photographer | Kara Lerchenfeld
Assistant | Tara Zimmerman
Ceremony + Reception Venue | Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club
DJ | Grant Hemond and Associates, Inc
Florist | Iza's Flowers, Inc
Hair + Make-up | Supreme Makeup & Hair Designs
We absolutely loved being a part of Shannon and Kevin’s big day. They were married in Siesta Key (their second favorite place) and surrounded with love. The couple met four years ago, on the dance floor of Traders and has been dancing together ever since.
Kevin original proposal plans did not go as planned due to a late arrival of the ring. However, things happened just like they were mean to be because he ended up popping the question to Shannon in New Smyrna Beach, where the couple originally met! In the words of Shannon, “it was perfect”.
Shannon and Kevin are some of the most generous souls and love surprising each other with acts of gratitude. They share a love for 60s-70s country music, rock and roll, traveling, boating and spending time with loved ones. Oh, and they do cherish their Friday night Winn Dixie runs.
Their wedding day was a classic beach wedding and filled with joy and love. Congrats, Mr. and Mrs. Ward!
Lead Photographer | Audrey Clifford
Associate Photographer | Alexa Rodriquez
Cake | Frosted Cakes by Nicola
Caterer | Mattison's
Ceremony Site | Siesta Key Beach
DJ | DJ Jeremiah
Ceremony Planner | Siesta Key Events
Reception Planner | Mattison's
Hair + Makeup | Brides by Kelly Anne + Co
Invitations | Paper Goat Post
Officiant | Brian DerMiner
Reception Venue | Tropical Breeze Resort
Wedding Gown | Minerva's Bridal
CHINESE TEA CEREMONY
What a special start to Joe and Kristen's wedding weekend with a sacred Chinese wedding tea ceremony. 🇨🇳 ☕️ The tea ceremony is traditionally one of the most significant events at a Chinese wedding. It's called "jing cha" in Chinese, literally meaning, 'to respectfully offer tea'. It incorporates a very formal introduction of the bride and groom, and expresses respect and gratitude to their families. This time-honored exchange has been carried down for hundreds of years through the groom's family. The tea ceremony represents purity, tranquillity, respect and harmony. In China, this ceremony is very elaborate and can last all day long. Kristen and Joe chose to give a nod to this important family tradition with an intimate and simple, yet meaningful, elegant and beautiful observance.
Lead Photographers | Rebecca Zoumberos + Carlos Rello
Ceremony Site | The Don CeSar
Hair + Makeup | Femme Akoi Beauty Studio
Pet Care | FairyTail Pet Care
REHEARSAL
Practice makes perfect! We were blessed by beautiful blue skies for Kristen + Joe's wedding rehearsal!
Lead Photographers | Rebecca Zoumberos + Carlos Rello
Ceremony Site | The Don CeSar
Officiant | Sensational Ceremonies
WEDDING DAY
Q: Let’s start at the beginning. How did you two first meet?
Kristen’s Answer: Joe and I originally met at work, he was the physician and I worked the front desk. We would go out together with groups from work and started out as friends. I I would see Joe's true personality and he could not keep me away, plus i think he liked me a little bit too. Then I eventually ended up falling for the guy when I joined him on a last minute trip to Puerto Rico.
Joe’s Answer: As Kristen's stated above, we met at work and found each other to have similar interests. It's one of those unique chapters in life that just doesn't have a title, the story just wrote itself and we were together.
Q: What makes your relationship special?
A: Together we love to travel, pools and beaches, try new food/restaurants, or even just be lazy and binge watch a new TV series. We have a bucket list of all the places we want to go. When we are not traveling we are usually in town trying new food or binge watching a TV show.
Q:What do you love about each other?
Kristen’s Answer: I love how Joe is such a dork he can always find a way to make me laugh, and when he laughs he has this cute little giggle. He is also so smart it still amazes me to this day. He loves his family so much (even the crazies) and has grown to be part of mine. He's also an Asian that likes country music, what could i not love about that?
Joe’s Answer: I love Kristen for not only her intelligence and beauty, but her character and her accepting of me for who I am...I believe she phrased it "a dork". I always willing to take on new adventures with me. She loves her family (yes like mine, even the crazies) as I love mine. Plus who can resist and country girl!
Q: How did you know your partner was the one? When did you first know this in your relationship? (these may often be the same moment, but aren’t always)
A: We first started out as friends so I wouldn't say either of us knew at first we were the ones for each other but then when started to get to know one another better and that like became love. I fell for Joe when we were cooking one night and he starting dancing with me in the kitchen. When he did that I knew he was the one.
Q: Give us all the details about the proposal. How and where did it happen? Was it a surprise? What was the planning process?
A: Joe proposed on February 10, 2019. We were on a cruise and it was formal night and he said let’s take a walk around the ship. So we got the the front of the ship, there was no one else around, he said " you know I love you right?", then got down on one knee and proposed. Of course I said yes! It was a surprise because I thought if he was going to do it he was going to be cliche and do it on valentines day and definitely not on he front of the ship. We knew we were going to get engaged soon but we are both traditional and Joe still wanted for it to be a surprise for me. He also asked my dad and my mom and sister. They all knew i was getting engaged before I did!
Q: We’re all about the bling... Tell us all about that ring!
A: Oh the bling!! Joe customized an engagement ring with the help of Masina Diamonds. She is a little of 5 carats combined without the wedding band. It is a princess cut the center stone is a little over 3 carats with diamonds wrapping around the entire band.
Q: Inspiration for your wedding location and wedding day outfits? A: Since before we were even engaged we always talked about wanted a beach wedding. We never wanted it to be in Atlanta and are both beach people. St. Pete is a beautiful beach where we can still have friends and family attend.We wanted a casual beach wedding with just a bit more elegance but not a formal reception.
Lead Photographer | Rebecca Zoumberos
Associate Photographer | Michael Zoumberos
Bridesmaid Dress | Charme Bridal
Cake | The Don CeSar
Caterer | The Don CeSar
Ceremony Site | The Don CeSar, North Beach
DJ | Grant Hemond and Associates, Inc.
Florist | 2Birds Events
Hair + Makeup | Femme Akoi Beauty Studio
Invitations | Beacon Lane
Officiant | Sensational Ceremonies
Pet Care | FairyTail Pet Care
Reception Venue | The Don CeSar, North Terrace
Wedding Gown | Charme Bridal
We absolutely loved being a part of Mandi & Justin’s intimate ceremony…
They graced us with so much passion and love, we shed lots of happy tears.
They met online and have been doing life together ever since.
Justin had the biggest surprise for Mandi the day he proposed to her. Justin had their realtor call Mandi to schedule a walk through to go over some of the punch list items they had fixed. When she opened the door to the house, Justin was there on one knee in front of her. She now gets to think back to that day whenever she walks in the front door of their home (how memorable!)
They love to go out to nice restaurants, relaxing in their pool, traveling to new places and they have two dogs that they LOVE very much!
Mandi loves that Justin is so supportive and is always there for her when she needs him. He is trustworthy, reliable and an excellent leader. Justin loves that Mandi is caring, loving and supportive of him, even when it's not easy to be. He loves that she challenges him to be a better man, he loves that he knows she will be there for me no matter what the obstacle is.
Originally they had a more elaborate wedding planned. Mandi’s Grandfather had a health scare a few weeks ago and they realized that if the closest people in their lives wouldn't be able to see them get married, there was no point having it. Within 24 hours they canceled the wedding and started replanning (for the 3rd time!). Mandi & Justin were actually so excited about this intimate ceremony and that their parents and grandparents would get to be there to watch the exchange their vows.
Mandi has been coming to Longboat Key since she was 1. Her Grandparents bought a condo there and then moved there about a year after (to St. Petersburg). Mandi's Mom and Step Father moved to Bradenton when they retired. When her parents divorced when she was 13, she moved around a bit but Longboat Key has been the one constant in her life. Mandi couldn't wait to share Longboat Key with Justin because it's a such a special place to her.
Just the fact that they were able to pull it together this quickly and change on a dime actually is pretty indicative of who they are as a couple. It is a huge reason they know that they are meant to be together. Covid actually brought them closer together and even stronger as a couple. They were able to be a really good team making tough decisions and then not dwelling on them.
Their wedding day was a true example of letting love take center stage… they celebrated their LOVE beautifully and shared these beautiful moments with the ones who matter most - family!
Lead Photographer | Dafne Spencer
Associate Photographer | Nick Brown
Ceremony Site | The Resort at Longboat Key Club
Florist | Sue Ellen's Florals
Hair + Makeup | Ana Molinari Salon and Spa
Officiant | A Wedding with Grace
Wedding Gown | Essence of Australia
Rosario & Roger are full of life and always up for an adventure!
They met online and hit it off right away, there is no denying their love for one another… it’s simply natural!
Roger proposed to Rosario during a surprise helicopter ride overlooking the ocean and the beaches of St Petersburg & Clearwater FL { I mean, how romantic is that?}
They love making each other laugh and enjoy salsa dancing, singing and playing guitar, binge- watching Netflix, fine wining & dining, traveling, boating… their engagement session was loads of fun, their personalities truly shine when they are together and I could’t be happier for them and their beautiful silver, navy and lime green journey! I just loved how they incorporated their wedding colors into their engagement session {made my heart happy!}
Now we anxiously await, October 10th - The BIG day!
They will be saying their vows at The Tampa Club and I am so here for it.
I loved meeting these two amazing souls and cannot wait to celebrate their love real soon.
Happy Wedding Planning!
Senior Lead Photographer | Dafne Spencer
