ashely and corey | isla del sol yacht & country club ceremony and wedding reception | st. petersburg, florida

… insight from ashley …
what was your favorite moment, or favorite part, of your wedding day?
I have two favorite moments: (1) walking down the isle as husband and wife; and (2) my fun choreographed father-daughter dance!
is there anything you wish you had done differently when planning your wedding?
Nothing in the planning, there were a few day of hiccups (like the lack of air conditioning) but nothing I could have planned differently!
which three vendors were most important to you when planning your wedding?
(1) photographer; (2) band; and (3) florist.
what was your biggest wedding day savings? (and was it worth it?)
My venue! I am completely type A and I actually had a spreadsheet of all the venues along the beach and gulf in Tampa, St. Pete and Clearwater with their prices and the different package deals. I visited around 10 different venues and the venue I chose was approximately half the cost of the other high-end hotels I visited. I was extremely surprised by how wonderful the food and service was during the cocktail hour and reception and have received so many compliments. It was definitely worth saving A LOT of money and still receiving wonderful food, service and a beautiful view over the water!
what was your biggest wedding day splurge? (and was it worth it?)
The band was definitely the biggest splurge and I think it was worth it for sure.
what was the best advice you received when planning your wedding? (and did you listen?)
My best advice I received was from two brides that recently got married in the Tampa area over the last few years. Rather than hiring a wedding planning or interviewing/meeting with multiple vendors, I took their advice for my photographer, florist, band, and cake! It saved me tons of time and the best recommendations are from friends!
was there anything encountered during wedding planning that was unexpected?
My venue’s coordinator was completely against using chiavari chairs and the table arrangement I wanted. I fought with him a lot on this and in the end I’m glad that I stuck to my guns because the chiavari chairs made the room look 100% better than had I used the venue’s chairs. Don’t get me wrong, my venue’s coordinate was absolutely wonderful and I am so grateful for his help during the planning, but I’m glad I didn’t give in on these points.
was there a moment(s) during your wedding day that surprised you?
Before I walked out to the ceremony I walked through the reception room and was completely taken by how beautiful it was!
when you look back on your wedding day in 50 years, what do you think you’ll remember most?
My father-daughter dance 🙂

how it all came together …