Mandy + Matt | The Orlo, Tampa, FL.

We had such a blast working on Mandy and Matt's epic wedding! It was a day full of confetti, sparklers, countdowns, party hats - doesn't that sound like the recipe for such a great celebration?

Mandy gave us the scoop on the details of her gorgeous wedding. Read below for everything she had to say regarding her big day!

How did you meet your spouse?

We met while vacationing in Key West. I was building a “human pyramid” with strangers I had just met and recruited Matt to join! Come to find out we were from the same area and we ended up married a year later! :)

How did they pop the question?

Although he had an elaborate plan to propose at a specific place I’d never been, he ended up proposing in the middle of the night, in the middle of our bedroom, in the sweetest and most sincere way. It was perfect.

When it came to planning your wedding, what was most important to you?

That it felt more like a party than a wedding and that everyone had a great time.

What was the best part of your wedding day?

Marrying the man of my dreams, with all of my favorite people by my side.

How did hiring Stephanie Arias Event Planning help you plan your dream wedding?

Our original wedding planner didn’t seem to care about our vision, our needs, OR our budget, and we were quickly forced to part ways. Thankfully we were then referred to Stephanie and we couldn’t have been more pleased. Having planned most of the wedding ourselves, it was important for us to find someone that could help us execute on the day of. Not only was Stephanie professional to work with, she took an active interest in understanding our vision and literally took control when it was go time. Stephanie was proactive in her approach and ensured everything executed seamlessly. I have no idea what I would’ve done without her!

If you could provide a tip to another couple planning their wedding, what would it be?

Spend the money on a planner or day of coordinator. There are so many details that go into planning your perfect day, and event planners like Stephanie are truly invaluable. I am a highly organized and meticulous person, but I am NOT a wedding planner, nor did I want to spend my wedding day stressing over logistics. Spend the money, and enjoy one of the best days of your life. I would’ve paid double for Stephanie, and my husband agrees!

Where did you say YES to the dress, and what designer did you wear?

Bearer of the Bling! Chantal was amazing!! I have no idea who designed my dress, nor do I care. What mattered to me was that I felt beautiful. I loved my gown and I didn’t have to spend a fortune either!

Groom/groomsmen attire - where were they purchased/rented from?

The groom is boujee and wore two different tux jackets. His ceremony tux and all groomsmen tuxes came from The Black Tux. The tux he wore for the reception was a custom made Tom James.

When it came to your venue selection, why did you choose to get married there? Your answer

We chose The Orlo because it’s a gorgeous venue, could accommodate our headcount, gave us a blank canvas to make our own, and was budget-friendly. Shelby was amazing to work with and made us feel at home.