Tequila Shots & Everlasting Vows: Stephanie & Ricardo's Unique Love Story at Powel Crosley Estate

Love Story

It all began with a simple slide into the DMs while Stephanie was on a magical vacation in Mexico. Little did they know, that that fateful message would blossom into a five-year romance filled with adventure, laughter, and undying love!

But their love story reached new heights when Ricardo planned a picture-perfect proposal during a family Christmas shoot with their beloved Frenchie. Stephanie recalls, "I had a broken pinky nail on my ring hand lol. We planned a family Christmas shoot with our Frenchie, and at the end of the shoot, Ricky got down on one knee in the middle of downtown Tampa, and it was perfect." A moment so magical, that even a chipped nail couldn't diminish its beauty!

Stephanie and Ricardo's vision for their dream wedding was nothing short of breathtaking – an all-white, old Hollywood vintage glam affair that would transport their guests into a world of timeless elegance and romance. Their inspiration? The treasure trove of ideas on Pinterest, of course!

With 80 loved ones in attendance and 10 months of meticulous planning, every detail was carefully curated to reflect their unique love story. From the stunning Powel Crosley estate in Sarasota as their venue to the vintage glam theme that permeated every aspect of the celebration, this wedding was truly a labor of love.

As Stephanie shared, "Walking down the aisle and seeing my fiance at the other end" was the key moment she’ll remember for the rest of her life. That second, when their eyes met and the world around them faded away, encapsulated the essence of their love and the beginning of their forever.

Morning details

In the whirlwind of wedding preparations, Stephanie took the reins and crafted their invitations herself, infusing her personal touch into every detail. Her creativity didn't stop there – she even designed the custom wedding menus for the big day, ensuring a cohesive and personalized experience for their guests.

When it came to choosing their wedding rings, Stephanie and Ricardo made it a joint affair, visiting the jewelry store together to pick out the perfect bands that would symbolize their eternal commitment. But Ricardo had one more surprise up his sleeve. “I had special earrings to match my aesthetic for the day and Ricky gifted me a pearl Dior ring at our rehearsal dinner that matched my pearl wedding earrings the day of the wedding,” Stephanie mentioned.

Bride getting ready

As the morning light filtered through the windows of their venue, Stephanie slipped into her breathtaking Pronovias gown. “It was the first dress I tried on and after trying on several other gowns I knew I had found the one,” she admitted. Purchased from the prestigious Calvet Couture in Sarasota, this gown was the embodiment of her vintage glam vision.

Surrounded by her bridesmaids, mother, and mother-in-law, Stephanie added the finishing touches to her bridal look – an exquisite long veil, pearl earrings, and pearl ring, along with chic Loeffler Randall shoes. Her bouquet, a stunning arrangement of all-white roses crafted by the talented team at Styled in Bloom, completed her ethereal bridal ensemble.

As for her bridesmaids, Stephanie chose the effortlessly chic dresses from Show Me Your Mumu, ensuring her closest friends looked and felt their best on this momentous occasion.

Groom getting ready

While Stephanie was surrounded by her loved ones, Ricardo was getting ready for the big day with his groomsmen and father by his side. Dapper in a sleek tuxedo from The Black Tux, Ricardo exuded a sense of timeless sophistication that perfectly complemented Stephanie's vintage glam vision.

At their stunning venue, Ricardo and his crew captured some unforgettable getting-ready moments, setting the stage for a day filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories.

First Look

Stephanie and Ricardo opted to forgo the traditional first look, instead choosing to share their first moments together in a unique and intimate way. “We did a first shot of tequila in the foyer of our wedding venue before walking the aisle without seeing each other,” said the bride.

As Ricardo laid eyes on his stunning bride for the first time, he was left speechless, overwhelmed by her radiant beauty and the realization that this was the moment they had been dreaming of.

Ceremony

As the sun dipped low in the sky, Stephanie and Ricardo exchanged their vows and became husband and wife in a heartfelt ceremony on the patio of their venue. Stephanie's parents proudly walked her down the aisle to the romantic strains of "A Thousand Years" played on the violin, setting the tone for a truly enchanting evening.

One of the most memorable moments from the ceremony was when Stephanie's father and mother removed her blusher veil, revealing her radiant smile to the world and her husband-to-be. It was a moment filled with love, joy, and the promise of a lifetime of happiness.

Photoshoot after the ceremony

After exchanging their vows, Stephanie and Ricardo took advantage of the stunning scenery at their venue to capture even more magical moments. From the balcony overlooking the ceremony site to the grand staircase inside the building, and even incorporating a vintage vehicle, their photo session was truly breathtaking.

Wedding Venue & Decor

Stephanie and Ricardo's vision for their wedding was a masterclass in vintage glam, and their venue and decor choices brought that vision to life in the most stunning way. With a color palette of crisp white and black accented with touches of gold, every detail was carefully curated to create an atmosphere of timeless elegance.

But it was the personalized touches that truly made this wedding one-of-a-kind. “We did custom napkins and drink toppers with our Frenchie on them, we had custom welcome drink tags and custom stirrers for our bar. We had custom wedding newspapers and handfans for the ceremony. We also had custom cups for all of our guest drinks! For the reception, we had custom sunglasses for guests to wear as well as custom light-up stinks for the dance floor and a head cutout of our dog which was a huge hit!” the bride commented.

When it came to choosing their venue, the couple knew they wanted something near the water that also captured the essence of an old estate. The Powel Crosley Estate in Sarasota was the perfect choice, offering a stunning blend of natural beauty and historical charm.

Reception

As the night fell and the celebrations kicked into high gear, Stephanie and Ricardo shared their first dance as husband and wife to the swoon-worthy sounds of "Thank God" by Kane Brown. It was a moment that encapsulated the pure joy and love that filled the air.

But the fun didn't stop there! The couple ensured their guests were well-cared for with a mouthwatering array of food and drinks, including their signature margaritas and favorite indulgences like chicken and waffles and grilled cheese with tomato soup. “Because it’s something we both love to eat!” Stephanie laughed.

And what's a wedding without a cake? Publix rose to the occasion, providing a delectable confection that was not only beautiful but also delicious – the perfect sweet ending to a truly magical day.

Throughout the evening, Stephanie and Ricardo's vendors truly went above and beyond to make this day one they would cherish forever. “They were all truly amazing! We couldn’t have picked a better wedding vendor group honestly! They all carried out our vision perfectly! Our photographer was the absolute best and went above and beyond to capture our wedding day in its entirety and the photos turned out better than we could’ve ever expected, they are truly something we will cherish forever. Our wedding coordinator was amazing to work with and made our day flow so well and captured the best BTS for us! Our DJ is the absolute best and kept the party going all night long. Air florist made my dream florals come to life and worked with me throughout the whole process when I had questions or wanted to change anything and made It so easy to do! Our caterer and staff were amazing the day of, the food was grata and the drinks never stopped. My hair and makeup artist is the sweetest and did a phenomenal job, I truly felt the most beautiful I ever have and it lasted all night! Everyone really made our day the most special for us!” the bride mentioned.

As the night drew to a close and Stephanie and Ricardo bid farewell to their loved ones, they knew that their love story was just beginning – a tale of romance, adventure, and everlasting joy that would only grow sweeter with time.