Megan + Ryan Step Into The Limelight | The Rusty Pelican | Tampa, FL

from Megan’s POV:

Ryan and I fell in love in graduate school. I am a year older and we were only in SLC together as a couple for 6 months before I moved across the country to Tennessee for my first job. We did long distance for a year before he blindly moved to Tennessee without a job to see if our relationship was the one. I think of our relationship as over coming a lot of obstacles from distance to family tragedies. We always look to each other for support and companionship through everything and we truly are each others best friends.

We enjoy watching/going to sporting events together. We LOVE our dog Lucy. When we lived in Utah and Tennessee we enjoyed hiking and getting out in the mountains together. We enjoy starting tv shows together and dumb humor like "The Office.”

Megan & Ryan’s wedding day was classic and simple with lots of elegant and unique touches… I mean did you see Megan’s stunning dress? Truly one of a kind and Megan looked so beautiful in it! AND did you see Ryan’s ever-so-classically-fun tie and socks? That’s their dog Lucy’s face on those socks! lol We love that so much.

Every moment was so special and we truly enjoyed being a pat of Megan & Ryan’s special day.

ps. wanna find Megan? Look for her on the dance floor and NEVER forget to give her enough space to MOVE 💃🏼 

Lead Photographer | Dafne Spencer
Associate Photographer | Gabriel Caldwell 

Bridesmaid Dresses | Birdy Grey
Cake | Publix Bakery
Caterer | The Rusty Pelican
Ceremony Site | The Rusty Pelican
DJ | On The Move Productions
Florist | Jennie's Flowers
Hair Stylist | Eyes on You Salon
Invitations | The Knot
Make-up Artist | Eyes on You Salon
Reception Venue | The Rusty Pelican
Videographer | Voila Cinematic
Wedding Gown | Flutter Bridal

Suzanne + Alex Step Into The Limelight | The Rusty Pelican | Tampa, FL

Suzanne & Alex’ Love Story

How They Met…

From Alex: May 18, 2013 is where this love story began. As I walked in nervously into what was my first day working as a Summer Camp Counselor at Hunter's Green Country Club in Tampa, all I was worried about was trying not to sweat through the only shirt they had given me to wear for the summer (do not be alarmed - soon after, I received a 2nd shirt). After walking through the front door, any shot I had at my nerves disappearing (and the sweating stopping) was gone, as I laid eyes on the most beautiful girl I had even seen. From that moment, I knew this girl was going to be someone special in my life - and when I saw her in her (mandated) one-piece bathing suit during swimming time, I knew she was the one for me.


The Proposal…

From Alex: Soon after we officially began dating (not until summer of 2016), I knew how I was going to do it. If and when we got to that point, I was going to take her back to summer camp at Hunter's Green. Thanks to a lot of planning (with the help of my mother, Matt Hilts, and plenty of friends along the way), I was able to convince her to visit our old stomping grounds with me, to check out the renovations. As we walked towards our old camp gathering area in the back of the club, I remembered an old conversation we had about six months earlier.

SC - "You nervous?"
AW - "I don't get nervous"
SC - "What about if you ever ask me to marry you, will you be nervous then?"
AW - "No"
SC - "I'll make sure to ask you in the moment"
AW - "I'll hold you to it"

As we stopped in front of the building, I turned and looked into her eyes, she seemed confused on what was going on. I knew at that point, I had pulled it off.

AW - "Aren't you going to ask me?"
SC - "Ask you what"
AW - "If I'm nervous"

It took a couple seconds for it to click with her, but before it did, I started to go into a rehearsed speech I had prepared 1,000 times leading up to this moment. When she finally sensed what was going on, and I saw the tears starting to form, and her face lighting up - I lost it. I no longer remembered what I was going to say. I'm not entirely sure what came out the rest of the way, but all I know is it ended with pulling out a small box from my back pocket (thanks, Jake Ninko, for the wallet-looking box - highly recommended) and I was on a knee, ready to give the love of my life the only secret I've ever had to keep from her (other than birthday presents). Obviously, you know what happens next.

Ready Or Not Here They Come!

From Alex: Life is hard. That's an understatement. Life is full of ups and downs. Isn't that the truth! I always loved the song, "Ironic" by Alanis Morissette - "It's like 10,000 spoons, when all you need is a knife", definitely my favorite line in the song. Life is most certainly - ironic.

How ironic it is, that in what I consider the greatest time of my life (my journey with Suzanne), we would also each go through our most difficult moments. Life hasn't been particularly kind to us in the past couple of years, but that's how I know we were meant for each other - I knew we were made for each other. I will never be able to put into words just how much support Suzanne has shown to be throughout my pain. She's been a shoulder to cry on, the Wall (pun intended) to lean on, and my best friend to vent to. She assures me that everything is going to be alright - and I believe her. This is why I pledged to her parents (and the rest of her family) that I'll work every single day to make sure I am everything to her, that she has been to me. I know that no matter what comes our way, as long as we both support each other, we can take on the world.

Fast forward through all the tough times, we think it's time for a celebration. Through a recent move, new jobs, and all the joy of planning a wedding, I think it's time to throw a big party to show just how far we have come.

From Suzanne & Alex’ wedding blog | https://www.zola.com/wedding/suzanneandalexander




Lead Photographer | Dafne Spencer
Associate Photographer | Kara Lerchenfeld
Intern | Tara Zimmerman

Bridesmaid Dresses | Lulus
Cake | Publix
Caterer | The Rusty Pelican
Ceremony Site | The Rusty Pelican
DJ | DJ Cory Barron
Event Planner | Jennifer Matteo Event Planning | Ryan Mae
Florist | Victoria Blooms, LLC
Getting Ready Location | The CURRENT Hotel
Hair + Makeup | Brides by Kelly Anne + Co
Reception Venue | The Rusty Pelican
Videographer | Brandon Berlew
Wedding Gown | The White Magnolia | Jacksonville

Allison + Ethan Step Into The Limelight | Harborside Chapel + The Rusty Pelican | Tampa, FL

Allison and Ethan first met at CevicheTappas Restaurant in down town St.Pete after talking online for a few weeks. More than anything Ethan loves making Allison laugh, loves how incredibly kind she is and he says she has never met someone with a bigger heart. Allison loves that Ethan is so funny and entertaining! He is so patient and calm, and incredibly supportive. They never run of things to say and do together and they love being home together. They both enjoy seeing movies and binging on their favoriteTV shows. They like to visit family and travel together to different countries. Ethan found a quite spot near a beautiful fountain in the gardens of Versailles palace to propose one evening.

Their wedding was an elegant yet relaxed celebration of their marriage with all our family and friends. Everyone had a great time and danced the night away with them. The vibe of Rusty Pelican provided a cozy atmosphere and the beautiful water surrounding the location added to the romantic ambiance. When Allison and Nick first saw Harborside Chapel they knew it was where they wanted to get married-it’s so so simple and beautiful! Like a new canvas for us to paint their marriage. 

Colors are the wedding included navy blue, peony pink, blush, white, cream, eucalyptus green and a hint of fuchsia.  Some of their favorite wedding details included the Chapel itself, Allison’s dress, the wedding arbor, the floral arrangements and the atmosphere. Allison created all the center-pieces for the wedding. The groom Ethan brother and father built the wedding arbor for the wedding ceremony. Their DIY floral arrangements were lush with greenery and included blush, white and peony roses and a few fuchsia roses in a background of eucalyptus and mixed deep greens, complimented by floating candles.

This special day was the beginning of their story, and shared with their closest and most loved family and friends. 

What do you think will be your highlights from the ceremony and reception? I think we both are looking forward to sharing the our special day with family and friends. Relaxed. Excited. Emotional. Happy. MARRIED! Congratulations Allison + Ethan! 

Lead Photographers | Michael + Rebecca Zoumberos

Bridesmaid Dresses | Kennedy Blue 
Cake | Publix 
Ceremony Site | Harborside Chapel 
DJ | Frank Lebano
Florist | Arlene Floral Design LLC.
Hair Stylist | Michele Renee The Studio 
Invitations | Minted 
Make-up Artist | Michele Renee The Studio
Reception Venue | The Rusty Pelican 
Wedding Gown | CC’s Bridal Boutique St. Pete 

Ann + Phillip Step Into The Limelight | The Rusty Pelican | Tampa, FL

Ann Marie and Phillip met through work when Ann Marie reserved a private tour for Thriller Speedboats. She wasn’t going to go since she was working but Phillip insisted that she join them. It was a beautiful sunny Florida day and she couldn’t resist. She told herself, “why not?” A couple days after the tour Ann Marie and Phillip arranged to have their very first date. On this date, they could tell that they loved everything about each other!

Phillip proposed to Ann Marie by customizing their new puppy’s dog tag. A friend of theirs came over to visit their new addition and that’s when Ann noticed something different about her puppy. There was a tag on the collar, she looked at the tag and their was a picture of Ann and Phillip together as well as, “will you marry me?” ….and of course she said yes!

Ann Marie and Phillips’ wedding was directly on the water which provided amazing waterfront views of Tampa as well as the Sunset…and boy did they get an AWESOME sunset! The views outside as well as inside of their beautifully decorated reception room were enchanting. 

The 17th day of the month is an important day for Ann Marie and Phillip. It was when they had their first date and now, it is the date of their marriage.

In a “tale as old as time,” congratulations Ann Marie and Phillip on becoming husband and wife!

Lead Photographer | Stephanie Duffany
Associate Photographers | Keyont’e Howard + Audrey Clifford

Bridesmaid Dresses | Lulu’s
Cake | Alessi Bakeries
Caterer | The Rusty Pelican
Ceremony Site | The Rusty Pelican
DJ | DJ LV Productions
Event Planner | Ann Tipton
Florist | Arlene Floral & Event Designer
Hair Stylist | Chelsea Barefoot
Invitations | Minted
Make-up Artist | Richelle Ramon
Reception Venue | The Rusty Pelican
Wedding Gown | CC’s Bridal Boutique