Tomires + Matt Step Into The Limelight | Harborside Chapel + Fenway Hotel, Autograph Collection | Dunedin, FL

𝒪𝓊𝓇 𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝒮𝓉𝑜𝓇𝓎...
THIS IS HOW WE HAPPENED...

Back in 1970 he was born in Texas and because his dad was a military, he moved and lived every where in the country, landing in and out of FL a time or two, but in 2008 he was back for good and joined the lab at the back-then called All Children’s Hospital. While her, back in 1975 decided to enter the world via São Paulo Brazil. She too moved away from home, landing in Boston where she spent more than twenty-one years before heading down to St Petersburg to work at the All Children’s Hospital lab. We worked in distinct sections of the same lab. We were peers facing the same professional challenges and, with many other peers, we often collectively came up with solutions for our teams. Because of our work views and personalities similarities, we became friends and eventually discovered we were both facing final stages of the same personal challenges too. Eventually we were on the way to rebuild our lives and why not allow the friendship to evolve into something else? We wouldn’t be able to stop it anyway! But wait, we worked together and he was promoted, so we wanted make sure we were not violating any work policies, so we headed to HR. “What if they said nope, not allowed?”, “what if one of us had to go?” - we were both single parents and needed our jobs. We were so nervous at that meeting with HR. Matt started going in circles and wouldn’t stop talking, my legs were restless and words were barely spoken- like two teenagers asking dad if we could date... suddenly phew, we could become official and still keep our jobs! Matt ran to our bosses office and spilled it all out- I got their first congrats text and almost passed out! Our love grew inexplicably fast and when we were sure of it all, we engaged our kids and they were very receptive and we all got along right away. Life has thrown a lot of challenges at us but we grew stronger with each one of them. In a 2nd trip to Boston he very romantically popped the question- without hesitation i said YES...

𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝐸𝓃𝑔𝒶𝑔𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉 𝒯𝓇𝒾𝓅
USF VS UMASS

He had this proposal all planned out months before and he fooled me really well. He told me that the USF football would play UMASS in Boston and that would be a nice trip for us too. It was a nice getaway too, and God knows how much we needed it. The trip was sweet from the first moment we left the house- Matt is so special and romantic! We arrived at the airport in Boston about 10am, got our luggages, took an Uber and around 11am we were already in the Godfrey Hotel by the Boston Garden to drop off our luggages. For our surprise the room was ready and we could go upstairs- thank God, i thought, we had been out of the house since 4am! Quick trip to the room and I thought we could just relax for a little bit (I’m not a morning person and we’ve been up since 3:30a!) but Matt wanted to go for a walk, I tried using my powers to convince him but he firmly said “no Tomires, let’s go for a walk”. So we ventured towards the Boston Public Garden- fall was just beginning in Boston and the air was crispy and the trees had barely started to change. Matt looked worried and distant- I thought to be some issue with the kids or their mom- gave him a little space to talk when he wanted. We walked a little faster than usual, almost as in a mission, but I again wanted to give him his space. We entered the park and crossed the Lagoon Bridge, where the proposals usually happen. We stopped to admired the most beautiful tree, the only one with red leaves, full blown beauty. We stood under it and Matt started this deep conversation, all romantic, and in a quick movement he got on his knees and asked me if I would marry him. Oh my God, the world stopped and without a doubt I said YES. We hugged, kissed and made two bystander girls cry as well. They offered to take our pictures. We texted everyone, then in full ecstasy we headed out for some prosecco and then to Monica’s Salomeria, for our favorite Italian sandwich! He spotted that tree from the uber ride- I love this guy!

from the couple’s wedding website: https://www.zola.com/wedding/tomiresandmatthew

𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒲𝑒𝒹𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒟𝒶𝓎
PASSION

We could not have asked for a more perfect day for these two! The Florida weather was crisp and simply perfect… family and friends were anticipating only good memories and that is all they got. All around! Such sweet memorable moments, gorgeous fall-feel decor, amazing delicious food and Brazilian desserts ❤
We 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒𝒹 being a part of Tomires & Matt’s special day so much! This one was extra special since Tomires is from Brazil, I (Dafne) had many opportunities to connect with her and her family in Portuguese.
Love was everywhere and Tomires & Matt love passionately, not just each other but all the ones around them… it was beautiful to witness. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your story! Parabéns!

Lead Photographer | Dafne Spencer
Associate Photographer | Kara Lerchenfeld

Bridesmaid Dresses | Better Bridal of Pittsburg
Cake | The Artistic Whisk 
Caterer | Fenway Hotel, Autograph Collection
Ceremony Site | Harborside Chapel
DJ | Events Done Right
Florist | Save the Date
Hair Stylist | La Bella Vita Salon and Day Spa | Jesse
Invitations | Cards and Pockets
Make-up Artist | La Bella Vita Salon and Day Spa
Reception Venue | Fenway Hotel, Autograph Collection
Wedding Gown | Nikkis Glitz and Glam Boutique



Samantha + Timothy Step Into The Limelight | Honeymoon Island + Dunedin Golf Club | Dunedin, FL

Samantha & Timothy met in college and doing life together just made perfect sense!
They are best friends and love experiencing new moments together. They enjoy going on vacations, out to dinner and watching sporting events. Both Samantha & Timothy are laid back and truly revel in taking each occasion of their lives with simplicity appreciating the good… not taking family nor friends for granted. We loved watching how friends assisted during their wedding day with a purity of heart and excellence.

The ceremony was casual and surrounded with family + friends. Honeymoon Island was the perfect backdrop for Sam & Tim, they both love the beach and have shared lots of family memories on the water.

Dunedin Golf Club was such a breath of fresh air, the golf course gave their wedding a romantic change of scenery with the gorgeous sunset peeking through the trees and greenery all around.

We so loved being able to capture this joyous moment for Sam & Tim!

Lead Photographer | Dafne Spencer
Associate Photographer | Kara Lerchenfeld

DJ | Jerry Johnson
Bridesmaids Dresses | Ella Park
Cake | Publix
Caterer |  Dunedin Golf Club
Ceremony Site | Honeymoon Island
Florist | Timber Tulips
Hair Stylist | Estefany
Make-Up Artist |  Estefany
Reception | Dunedin Golf Club
Wedding Gown | Ella Park

Dawn + Charles Step Into The Limelight | Fenway Hotel | Dunedin, FL

Dawn + Charles’ story began when they met on an online dating website. They are both big into health and fitness and love to train together by cycling, skiing boating, and hiking. Dawn + Charles are also hardworking and in their off time they love to live life large and travel.

Charles proposed to Dawn at a private beach in the Bahamas after enduring a very rough sea day on their boat. On the day of the proposal he knew the timing was right when all of a sudden the wind seized and the clouds opened to reveal the sun. He knew it was his late mothers presence and took it as a sign from above that Dawn was the one!

Congratulations on becoming husband and wife Dawn + Charles!

Lead Photographer | Stephanie Duffany
Associate Photographer | Audrey Clifford

Cake | JJ Gandy’s
Caterer | Fenway Hotel 
Ceremony Site | Fenway Hotel
DJ | Grant Hemond and Associates
Event Planner | Melissa, Elite Events Tampa Bay
Florist | Beyond Floral
Hair Stylist | Shook Color Bar
Invitations | Inviting Business
Make-up Artist | Shook Color Bar
Reception Venue | Fenway Hotel
Wedding Gown | Nikki’s Glitz and Glam Boutique
Cellist | Rose Mallare

Rebecca + Andrew Step Into The Limelight | Dunedin, FL | Engagement Session

Don’t you just love meeting new people?
I had the pleasure of meeting Rebecca + Andrew this month for their engagement session in Dunedin. Oh and they brought their lil puppies {too darn cute!}
Rebecca + Andrew will be getting married next June at Wyndham Grand in Clearwater Beach and we could not be more excited!
Ladies, find yourself a man who will smile at you the way Andrew smiles at Rebecca!
They are so in love, it’s the sweetest thing to see.
Enjoy your engagement to the fullest!

Photographer | Dafne Spencer

KRISTEN AND ERIC STEP INTO THE LIMELIGHT | DUNEDIN, FL

Kristen + Eric first met on Cape Cod but now live in their new hometown of Dunedin, Florida. The city accommodates their very active lifestyle and love of everything outdoors, including, fishing, kayaking, biking, the beach, and craft breweries. It was evident upon meeting them that they are such a playful couple, full of love and admiration for one another. I am honored to be able to capture their engagement and also very excited for their upcoming wedding at the historic The Fenway Hotel, in Dunedin Florida. 

Congratulations Kristen + Eric on your engagement!

Lead Photographer | Stephanie Duffany