Palm Harbor Innisbrook Resort Wedding with wedding photographer Photo Announce It!
Dori and Dana met while working at the Lost Colony near the Outer Banks of North Carolina. He was the sound engineer and she was a cast member.
“It was love at first sight,” Dori reminisced. “We dated at least a month before anyone in the cast or crew realized. It was a whirlwind summer romance and neither one of us wanted it to end.”
When the season coming to a close, the two parted ways: Dori to New York City and Dana to Jacksonville, FL. But unbeknownst to Dori, Dana decided to make the move with her to the Big Apple, where they lived together for seven years.
One evening at home, Dori spotted a potted tulip she had been previously eyeing. But a closer look revealed is was much more than just a pretty flower.
“I thanked Dana for buying the tulips then proceeded to the door to figure out what shoes I wanted to wear. As I walked back into the room to once again tell him I was ready to go, Dana gave me a funny look and that prompted me to look a little closer at the tulips,” Dori explained. “I was shocked and hadn't fully comprehended what was going on. I thought for sure I would've known when he was going to pop the big question, but he had caught me by surprise! He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! Crying and still in shock I said YES!”
Blue DIY Innisbrook Resort Wedding – Palm Harbor Golf Course Wedding
Soon after the engagement, the couple relocated to Tampa and began their dream wedding. Though, a last-minute change caused the couple to change to a new venue, hundreds of miles away.
“We had agreed on an outdoor garden wedding at the beach in Manteo, NC where we had first met. I had the Save the Dates ready to go be sent out. But unfortunately after seeing what the costs for vendors in North Carolina and working out the timeline and traveling costs to and from North Carolina, it just got more complicated and more out of our price range and looking like a lot more manual work for us the week of our wedding which we were trying to avoid,” Dori explained.
So with help from the groom, the pair chose a new venue, the Innisbrook Golf and Spa Resort in Palm Harbor.
“We loved it and decided it was great and they were willing to work with us on our budget,” Dori shared. “It was a nice resort and would cut our vendors in half because they offered so much. They also had great wedding packages to choose from, not to mention it was just 10 minutes away from where we lived.”
After visiting a Tampa bridal show, Dori and Dana set up an appointment with wedding photographer Photo Announce It!.
“The office was so nice and Deanna [of Photo Announce It!] had their work displayed beautifully. She was very clear on what they offered and they had great competitive prices. It was how wedding vendor meetings are supposed to go. We were looking for a good attitude, someone we wanted to work with and what all they offered for our budget.” the bride explained. “Deanna is amazing, and we believed she was the right person for the job. After we agreed on Photo Announce It! shooting our wedding and my bridal photo shoot, my very inquisitive mother asked if she knew of any good floral vendor advice among other possible vendors. She was such a huge help. Apparently she used to wedding consult before becoming a full-time photographer. She knew the area, our budget, and other trusted vendors.”
After researching wedding ideas on Pinterest, Dori created her DIY wedding decor.
“I knew Dana and I would not be doing a traditional send off, so one day my friend and I spent practically the whole day making these cute little flags that said “YAY” on them. I wanted to use the saying “YAY” because I have a tendency to scream that after every photo I take. My thought was after the officiant says “I now present to you Mr. and Mrs…” everyone waves the flags and cheers, and it was one of my most memorable moments!” the bride gushed.
Dori also monogrammed triangle board games for favors, created a quilt guestbook and had custom blown glass toasting flutes courtesy of one of her bridesmaid's brother.
Looking back, another memorable moment for Dori came during her Palm Harbor wedding ceremony.
“Dana's father marry us. He used to be a deacon for his church and is currently a prison minister at the juvenile prison in Virginia. It was such a special touch added to the ceremony,” the bride reminisced. “My parents brought an alter from our home church with this beautiful custom made cushion with my family's name on it. It really brought the ceremony together.”
I wanted to use the saying “YAY” because I have a tendency to scream that after every photo I take. My thought was after the officiant says “I now present to you Mr. and Mrs…” everyone waves the flags and cheers, and it was one of my most memorable moments! – The Bride
Dana's father marry us. It was such a special touch added to the ceremony. – The Bride
Deanna of Photo Announce It! is amazing, and we believed she was the right person for the job. We were looking for a good attitude, someone we wanted to work with and what all they offered for our budget. – The Bride
Palm Harbor Wedding Venue: Innisbrook Golf and Spa Resort
Palm Harbor Wedding Photographer & Videographer: Photo Announce It!
Palm Harbor Wedding Cake: Innisbrook Golf and Spa Resort
Palm Harbor Wedding Day of Coordinator: Patrick Donnelly – Friend of Bride
Palm Harbor Wedding Invitations: Michael's
Palm Harbor Wedding DJ: Hardy & Co
Palm Harbor Wedding Hair: Indaba Spa at Innisbrook
We are proud to have Photo Announce It! as a Marry Me Tampa Bay sponsor!
