Kacie + Brian Step Into The Limelight | Tavares Pavilion on the Lake | Tavares, FL

February 1, 2019

Kacie and Brian met on a dating a website like a lot of couples now-a-days. Kacie was encouraged to try it because she had a crazy work schedule which included working overnights. One day, Kacie received a message from a man named Brian, who asked her about her love of theater. She was so impressed that this man actually took the time to read her profile to get to know her before reaching out to her. Meeting people online can be a little wary so after messaging for a couple of days they decided to meet at a local coffee shop in Jacksonville Beach called Bold Bean. They were supposed to meet for 30 minutes but everything felt so right that it turned into four hours!

Brian’s proposal to Kacie is kind of a funny story…they were in the midst of moving out of the Jacksonville area and Brian had been telling Kacie for several days that he wanted to go to the beach and take some pictures one last time before they leave. This didn’t sound odd to Kacie because Brian really enjoys photography. So, the last day of the move had arrived and it was time to go to the beach…unfortunately it was a really windy and rainy day. Brian got out of the car and was ready to go to the beach but looked back and saw Kacie still hiding inside. He’s like “come to the beach with me” and she just really didn’t want to go. Eventually he convinced her to go onto the beach with him but it wasn’t without troubles….like Kacie’s umbrella catching the high wind gusts and turning inside out on her (Haha). At the beach access point, the place of their first kiss, Brian took a few pictures of the water. He then hugged the pretty grumpy Kacie and began to tell her how much he loved her. Brian told her how he was so excited they'd finally be together and how he couldn't wait to spend the rest of their lives together. Kacie, was completely oblivious since he had written something similar in her Christmas card. Kacie then tried to get Brian to go back to the car. That's when Brian kissed Kacie and asked her if she would do him a favor.... "Will you marry me?” The ugly tears started, but Kacie of course said YES!

Kacie and Brian value the mutual respect they have for each other and strive to help the one another evolve into their best self. They love taking hikes together, watching the very witty television series Gilmore Girls, photography, and of course coffee. To honor their first date at Bold Bean it inspired Kacie and Brian to incorporate coffee into their wedding by having tea cup centerpieces filled to the brim with coffee beans. The personal detail of the tea cups came from the brides love of Disney and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Not wanting their wedding to have obvious Beauty and the Beast decor, they incorporated subtle hints throughout their wedding…like the beautiful staircase at Tavares, rose petals, and Kacie’s wedding dress. When Kacie tried her dress on for the first time she felt like she was Bell and when I saw her dancing with Brian during their first dance she looked like her too!

In Kacie and Brian’s own words…”Their love is a song that doesn’t end.”

Congratulations!

Lead Photographer | Stephanie Duffany
Associate Photographer | Alexa Rodriguez

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

December 3, 2018

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

Laila + Douglas Step Into The Limelight | Streamsong Resort | Bowling Green, FL

November 20, 2018

Michael and I hit it off instantly with Laila and Doug. This couple is down to earth, sincere, humble, hard working and honest. They met 5 years ago while Laila was managing a tanning salon and Doug kept returning for frequent tanning just to hang around Laila and ask her to go on a date with her! Their first date was at Starbucks and Laila proposed to Doug with a ring pop in their kitchen – the cutest story ever! You may see images from their engagement portrait session here. They enjoy working out, going to nice dinners, traveling, and hanging out at home with the dogs.

Their wedding was romantic, vintage and organic. Laila’s dress was a show stopper! And it was incredible to see the look of love in Doug’s eyes when he saw Laila walking down the aisle for their short and sweet ceremony. Laila wrote the ceremony herself! :) One of the best parts of the wedding day was this sweet couple spending time dancing and having fun with the people they love. Their guests felt comfortable, loved important and a part of something very special!

We really enjoyed getting to know them and capture part of their love story.

Lead Photographers | Michael + Rebecca Zoumberos

Cassandra + Scott Step Into The Limelight | Vinoy Renaissance Resort & Golf Club | St. Petersburg, FL

November 6, 2018

Scott and Cassandra first met while working together in sales. While developing their work relationship they realized quickly that they shared similar interests and hit it off almost instantly! They decided that it was worth investing time with each other outside of work and even kept in touch almost daily while Cassandra was traveling in Europe for about a month during the summer. When Cassandra returned from her summer trip, Scott asked her to meet him for dinner at Sushi Inc, in downtown St. Pete. They comfortably sat for hours just talking, laughing, and enjoying each other's company. It didn't even feel like it was a date because it seemed overly natural and easy without the "first date" jitters and awkwardness. From that night on, they started coordinating their days off together and made plans every chance they could. Throughout the last three years, they’ve had the best of times, gone through difficult ones as well, and have traveled to various places in the US, Iceland, London and Costa Rica and can't wait for their next adventure together! While there is no "perfect" relationship, theirs has always been SO great! Scott likes to remind her that, “their relationship will even get better with time.” He proved it to Cassandra when Scott took her back to their first date at Sushi Inc. Cassandra had been out of town for business for about ten days and Scott wanted to celebrate her finally being home. To her surprise, he really wanted to take it back to where it all began and to start the next part of their journey by asking Cassandra to marry him. After Cassandra said 'yes!' they went to The Canopy at The Birchwood, and celebrated by toasting with glasses of champagne!

As local’s, Cassandra and Scott LOVE St. Petersburg. When searching for their venue they wanted a location that would provide the elegant and timeliness atmosphere they were looking for, they found it at The Vinoy. On their wedding day, The Vinoy’s architecture served as the beautiful backdrop for their Tea Garden ceremony…At the beginning of their ceremony I noticed Scott facing the wrong direction just as Cassandra was getting ready to walk to him. THEN, I got goosebumps as I realized that Scott didn’t want to see the bride until she was at the aisle. (This was a first look, but at the ceremony! How adorable! )He turned around once he received the signal that Cassandra had arrived. It was such a sweet moment and throughout the ceremony you could see how much they love each other….and when they read their vows, it pulled everyones heartstrings. Cassandra and Scott’s love for one another is so unconditional, rare and special.

Congratulations Cassandra + Scott, may your life continue to be blessed!

Lead Photographer | Stephanie Duffany
Associate Photographer | Audrey Clifford

Nina + Cyress Step Into The Limelight | The Orlo | Tampa, FL

October 30, 2018

The sweetest of people, contagious joy, relentless emotions, meaningful traditions and a strong core foundation. All one needs to embark on an unforgettable journey.

Nina & Cyress met at barber school in 2014 and saw themselves in love and full of love to give in Bangkok Thailand as Cyress proposed to Nina.

Cyress is from Thailand and Nina’s family is from Cuba, their entire wedding day was filled with cultural heritage and traditions, from the groom’s attire to a traditional Thailand dance to the guava treats and cafe con leche during the reception. Witnessing these two families seamlessly embrace each other’s culture was magic 💕

Nina’s vision for her wedding day was a tropical, modern,clean and warm look with wild colors and simple greenery + palms - I think they nailed it! We felt ALL of that! Every little detail was elegant yet easy.

We felt so much love, gentleness and we truly love watching how Nina + Cyress loved on each guest ensuring their gratitude, it truly was a sight to see {everyone deserves a tight hug from Nina!}

Thank you to the Madera + Kagwast for families for having us be a part of such a special day for Nina + Cyress - Thank you! We pray that ALL you do be guided in love and may all of you ever dreamt come true.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

Lead Photographer | Dafne Spencer
Associate Photographer | Kara Lerchenfeld