Jen and Lou wanted a lucky day for their gambling themed wedding and reception. Fortunately for Jen and Lou, they asked the right planning company to be part of their day. Jen wanted to suprise her fiance with taking his love for gambling and making it a totally “Out of the Box ” Event. Special Moments got involved from the beginning of the planning process on this one. We were totally out to the test with a total budget for this event of $ 5,000. Yes, you read that right $ 5,000 !!!!
We started with finding a location that had gambling available on sight. Yes, the Hard Rock was out. Lou had been there with a previous girl before. Jen said No!!! We finally after numerous phone calls, many site inspections, meeting with several different people at the location, ( Every Department has a “in charge ” person.) chose Derby Lane on Gandy Blvd in St. Petersburg. Do you know how much persuasion,smiling, and selling it as a “great ” opportunity to get them to say Yes and then also have it closed to the public for the wedding Ceremony it took? After all, they had never had a wedding ceremony there before.
Jen and Lou’s Wedding Ceremony was to take place in a 30 minute window before they locked down the track and got ready to open to the public for the “Special Events ” they had planned for that night also. The wedding was to take place in the center of the track on a small island with just Jen , Lou and the minister. The guests would gather around the lake and watch the ceremony. Tammy came up with the idea after for the ceremony after listening to David Tutera at the Annual Conference in Orlando for the Association of Bridal Consultants. One of the key things that caught her attention was the wedding he did by the lake. All of the guests gathered around the lake while the Bride and Groom and Officiant were on a dock in the middle of the lake saying their vows while the guests held candles around the lake and witnessed the event. David Tutera mentioned that all of his events could be scaled down to meet any Bride’s Budget or style. It just took creativity or a few key elements from his events and focus on those few elements.
Jen and Lou thank you for inspiring Tammy!
Jen purchased her dress from the Brides Against Breast Cancer Sale in Orlando in March 2008. She had looked at wedding dresses on line before the sale and fell in love with a dress that had red trim on it and a hefty price tag of $ 1,000 for her budget. With that vision, Tammy and her set out to the sale. Jen walked in the door of the gown sale and hanging on the end rack was her dress! It was even in her size. Jen walked out with a gown, veil to match and crinolin for $ 300.00.
All said and done it turned out to be an amazing wedding and one of the “Out of the Box events” we look fondly back on and just say wow!
A big Kudos to all of the amazing vendors that took part in the dream and made it happen for Jen and Lou!
Wedding Cake: Chantilly Cakes – www.chantillycakes.com
Photographer: Britt McAllister- www.brittusa.com
Minister: Michael DePrisco – www.afloridaweddingceremony.com
Dress: Brides against Breast Cancer- www.makingmemories.org
Music: Chuck Weirich- www.tampadj.com
Flowers: Jenny McCloud- www.flowersbyjenny.com
Linens: Toni Tassoni- www.connieduglinlinen.com
Food: Alex Aubrey- Derby Lane www.derbylane.com
Transportation- Andy Oberield- www.metrocars.com
Hair and Make-up – Michelle Renee- 727-642-8017
Will be posting the professional pictures as soon as we have them. So check back to see the photos from this unique wedding.
