Melissa + Brandon Step Into The Limelight | OPAL SANDS RESORT | CLEARWATER BEACH, FL

Meet the sweet couple that is Melissa & Brandon…
Brandon and Melissa met on Hinge. It was September of 2020 when they connected on the app. Brandon moved down in March at the start of the pandemic to be near his family who own a horse farm in Ocala, FL. Melissa was living in Tampa, FL. Despite the fact that they were living 100 miles from one another they somehow matched. They both ironically went to University of Miami undergrad (Brandon being a year ahead of Melissa). Brandon's Sophomore year at Miami he lived in a suite in the Pearson dorm building. They discovered that the exact suite he lived in, Melissa actually moved into the year following! Brandon and Melissa also lived in NYC at the same time as each other. Brandon says Melissa has been following him around for years but she is convinced it is the other way around :) Their first date was October 3rd of 2020 and Melissa always knew it was going to be something special.

Brandon then asked if Melissa could come to the farm because his parents farm was being featured in a local magazine and they would like Melissa to be in the photos. Melissa didn't think anything of it as this was fairly common. Well, Melissa showed up and the photographer asked (while Brandon’s parents got ready) if they could do some test shots in the garden. The next thing she knew Brandon was on one knee! As the two of them were basking in the shock, Melissa’s entire family came walking out of a near by cottage. It was absolutely beautiful. Their families had planned a beautiful dinner to follow.

Melissa and Brandon love spending time together doing things for Brandon's horse Buddy, taking golf cart rides around their neighborhood and the equestrian center, traveling, walking their dog, watching horse shows. They even joke how they just love washing the dishes together. Doing simple household things.

Both Brandon and Melissa have a love for the water. With such uncertainty in the world and travel, they wanted a destination wedding without it being too far of a destination. When they saw Opal Sands and met with Jenna, everything just felt right. Jenna made them feel like they were instantly family and showed them her love for her work and the property. There was really nothing that could compete with that.

Melissa and Brandon’s wedding was pure class and undeniable thought for meaningful tradition. We loved being able to witness Melissa and Brandon’s love for each other and their loved ones. The way they love is a true example of genuine grace for others. Melissa is the sweetest souls, she’s calm, intentional, loving and pure… Brandon beautifully complements Melissa with his confidence and presence, you can tell that Melissa feels completely secure with him. We just LOVED seeing these two together. Melissa and Brandon truly enjoyed each moment of their special day with each other and their families, it was beautiful to see them go to each table and listen to each of their guests and thank them (and vendors) throughout the day.

We wish Melissa and Brandon a lifetime of LOVE and many many more meaningful memories together מזל טוב!

Lead Photographer | Dafne Spencer
Associate Photographer | Gabe Caldwell

Band | Matt Winter Band
Bridesmaid Dresses | BHLDN
Cake | A Piece of Cake
Caterer | Opal Sands Resort
Ceremony Site | Opal Sands Resort
DJ | Matt Winter Band
Event Planner | Artistry Designs Group | Barb
Florist | Artistry Designs Group
Invitations | Busy Bride
Reception Venue | Opal Sands Resort
Rings | Freddy’s Jewelry
Videographer | Hearts Video
Wedding Gown | The White Closet Bridal

Carly + Ryan Step Into The Limelight | THE RESORT AT LONGBOAT KEY CLUB | SARASOTA, FL

Fun, classy, elegant, seamless 

Carly and Ryan both were student athletes at the university of Florida and met out at a bar at Techno Tuesday in the springtime when both of their teams had a rare midweek off day. Ironically, they ran into each other in the student athlete study hall earlier that day and didn’t speak to each other, haha! They love their little family and life they’ve built together in NC with their pup. They love that they can be totally themselves and goofy and not take life so seriously. Together they enjoy hiking with Bambino or even just going for walks around the neighborhood together (they call them family walks), cooking and traveling. 

They were in Asheville, NC and hiking the Triple Falls trail in DuPont National Forest. They we got to the first waterfall and Ryan proposed! He nearly slipped on the wet rocks. It was the best because their pup Bambino got to be there and was in all the pictures! 

Carly and Ryan always dreamed of a beach wedding! Their wedding was fun and casual but still classy and elegant. The story reflected their personalities - they know how to have fun and not be so serious all the time, but can still be put together, classy, and poised! The wedding had a beachy vibe yet it was classic, luxurious and elegant. They are both pretty easy going people and their beach wedding spoke to their personalities in that sense. They also loved their venue and truly believe it is just the absolute best and will trump all other wedding venues! 

A really cool DIY project was incorporated into their wedding. They made sand dollars with their wedding date and location on the back for favors. They had a string to hang as a Christmas ornament for people to remember their day every holiday season. 

Lead Photographer | Rebecca Zoumberos
Associate Photographer | Tara Zimmerman

Bridesmaid Dresses | Azazie 
Cake | Cakes by Ron  
Caterer | Longboat Key Club 
Ceremony Site | Longboat Key Club
DJ | Jam All Day Entertainment
Event Planner | Swanky Soirée Events
Hair Stylist | Brides by Kelly Anne + Co
Invitations | Minted
Make-up Artist | Brides by Kelly Anne + Co
Reception Venue | Longboat Key Club
Transportation | Siesta Trolley
Wedding Gown | Betsy Robinson’s Bridal 

Kylie + Sam Step Into The Limelight | The Florida Aquarium | Tampa, FL

Where to even start… Kylie and Sam have known each other since they were 8 years old, but didn’t start dating until almost 5 years after college. Though they’ve done partial long-distance for some time now, they have created such a sweet life for themselves—living in Maine with their two Australian Shepards and enjoying all things nature. Kylie rehabilitates animals, so getting married at the Florida Aquarium was a dream come true. 

One especially memorable part of the night was when the Florida Aquarium staff brought out a hawk and a barn owl for guests and the couple to take photos with. A barn owl was the first animal that Kylie was able to rescue, rehabilitate, and then release—it’s her spirit animal!

Kylie and Sam are easy-going, carefree people who love living in the moment. Their entire guest list flew from Maine to celebrate these two tying the knot, so it truly was a big celebration. Guests were definitely taking to the dance floor and showering this couple with love all throughout the night.

Lead Photographer | Tara Zimmerman
Associate Photographer | Gabe Caldwell

Cake |  Local Mini Donut Co.
Caterer | Florida Aquarium

Ceremony Site | The Florida Aquarium
DJ | DJ by CJ
Florist | Handmade by bridal party
Hair Stylist | Paris Adams
Invitations | Etsy
Make-up Artist | Paris Adams
Reception Venue | The Florida Aquarium
Videographer | Groom’s personal friend, Tyler Geyer
Wedding Gown | Tulle Bridal
Rentals | A Chair Affair
Transportation | BLAQD

Megan + Benjamin Step Into The Limelight | The Florida Aquarium | Tampa, FL

If you’ve never seen two people whole-heartedly in love, you need to see the way that Ben looks at Megan and the way these two talk about each other + their love story… true love has never been so obvious.

Megan and Ben flew to Florida for their big celebration, and with them they brought all of their friends and relatives. On their wedding day, Megan and Ben were some of the happiest people that we’ve been able to witness. Not only that, but their love is so distinct, genuine and gentle.  You can tell a lot about people by the way they love their friends and family, and these two care for their loved ones so well.

Wanting a wedding venue that was outside of the “norm”, Megan and Ben settled on the Florida Aquarium. To add their own spin on this venue, their decor (+ attire) was inspired by disco! We need to mention that Ben wore the most stylish jacket and shoes, which matched Megan’s blue bowed heels. Incredible.

Pairing perfectly with the energy of the day, Ben’s best man/brother sang his toast and even had a saxophonist come to serenade the couple. The bride’s sisters (maids/matrons of honor) also brought out a customized song going to the beat of “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air”, which is fitting due to their Pennsylvania roots.

We do not have the words to explain the amount of love and joy that we wish for Megan and Ben going into married life! We already know that they compliment each other so well, but we only hope that they continue to grow and cherish life together. 

Lead Photographer | Tara Zimmerman
Associate Photographer | Emma Hintz

Bridesmaid Dresses | David’s Bridal
Caterer |  Aramark at the Florida Aquarium 
Ceremony Site | The Florida Aquarium
DJ | Groom’s personal friend
Florist | Songs From the Garden on Etsy
Hair Stylist | Captivate Beauty
Invitations | Zazzle
Make-up Artist | Captivate Beauty
Reception Venue | The Florida Aquarium
Videographer | Voila Cinematic
Wedding Gown | BHLDN by Anthropologie 

Italian Club of Tampa Step Into The Limelight | 2022 Palo Longo Award Gala | Tampa, FL

On 11.5.22 Tampa’s very own Italian Club of  Tampa hosted the 2022 Palo Longo Award Gala to celebrate and award two members of the Italian Club the Paolo Longo award.  The Palo Longo Award highlights an individual’s commitment to spend their lives perpetuating Italian traditions and heritage and helping pass down those traditions for future generations.  The 2022 Palo Longo Award recipients Gilda Capitano and Jamie Granell.  These two individuals have made many contributions that benefit the community while also living by the Club’s mission set by past generations and will continue to pass down these values for many generations to come. Congratulations to both Gilda Capitano And Jamine Granell.

Lead Photographer | Steven McCarthy 
Associate Photographer | Jackie Pizio 

Caterer | Olympia Catering
Chairs | Gabro Events
Cigars| Long Ash Cigars
Coffee | Café ala Carte
Event Planner | Mark Stanish Jr.
Florist | Jennies Flowers
Live Plants | PLANTZ
Lighting & Band | Deleon Entertainment 
Linen & Décor | Outside the Box Rentals 
Venue | Italian Club of Tampa