Blake & Suzy's Sunset Beach Wedding

"Someday we'll look back on this and laugh". That's usually what you tell yourself when you're having a really stressful day and things just don't seem to be going your way. Imagine having a day like that on your wedding day!

Blake and Suzy almost did. But all is well that ends well, so read on...

We had been working with Blake and Suzy on the details of their beach wedding for a couple of months. They were visiting from Indiana and we all thought we had everything nailed down. Marriage license? Check. Officiant? Check. Photographer? Check. However, Suzy called us about four hours before their wedding to say she had lost her purse while shopping earlier in the day and was frantically searching for it. Luckily, they had already sent us copies of their IDs, so performing the marriage ceremony wasn't going to be a problem. But clearly this was not the best way for them to spend the hours leading up to their wedding!

We next heard from Suzy about two hours before the wedding. While carefully retracing the route she had taken earlier in the day, filing a police report, and calling all the stores she had visited, she had missed a call from a good Samaritan who had picked up her purse. Great news - except now they had to drive 30-40 minutes each way to pick it up, then get ready, and still try to get to the beach in time for their wedding - and we only had about an hour of sunlight even if we were starting on time!

Well, we don't know how they did it, but Blake and Suzy arrived looking like they had spent the day in a salon getting ready, not rushing around town stressed out and looking for a lost purse! While their ceremony did start a little later than expected, they had just enough time to make it a true sunset beach wedding. They were literally saying their vows as the sun approached the horizon!

Also in attendance was their handsome and happy six month-old son, Carson. Carson so wanted to be a part of the action that he managed to wriggle out of his stroller. Ron just picked him up and continued officiating the ceremony without missing a beat! It was a beautiful sunset and a beautiful beach wedding for a beautiful family. And a story that Blake and Suzy will surely look back on and laugh at for many years to come!

Congratulations guys. May your honeymoon be completely stress free!

Claire Copeland & Ron Thompson
Simple Weddings by Simple Treasures Photography
Tampa-Clearwater-St Pete Beach Wedding Packages

Tampa Snooze & Cruise Weddings

Cruise Weddings have become very popular in recent years. According to About.com, "Five years ago, there were practically none, but this year there will be thousands [of cruise weddings]. Carnival Cruise Lines alone estimates it will plan over 2000 weddings this year". However, once they dig a little deeper, many brides are discouraged by the logistical challenges of cruise wedding packages.

For starters, most cruise weddings must take place while the ship is in port in order for the wedding ceremony to be legally binding (once the ship is offshore, it is in international waters and thus not subject to the laws of any particular state – there is no "high seas" or international marriage license). While there are a few exceptions to this rule, having a wedding ceremony while the ship is still at the pier and passengers are boarding is not what most brides have in mind when they think of a cruise wedding.

Wedding guests and wedding vendors can also be problematic. Invited guests who are unable to go on the cruise face the prospect of getting through port security and the hassles of boarding the cruise ship, and couples may be forced to choose from a select few wedding photographers and other vendors who have access to the cruise ship.

While some couples choose to wed while the ship is in a foreign port, this presents even more legal and logistical issues – little things like getting a marriage license and finding a wedding photographer can be quite a challenge.

But don’t despair! Simple Weddings by Simple Treasures Photography has partnered with the beautiful waterfront Chase Suites Hotel in Tampa, Florida to offer an exclusive Snooze and Cruise Simple Wedding Package!

The Snooze and Cruise Simple Wedding Package combines the best of both worlds – get married on the Chase Suites Hotel’s beautifully landscaped grounds or waterfront pier, or on the beautiful white sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico just a few miles away, then set sail on your Caribbean Cruise Honeymoon from Tampa with Carnival Cruise Lines!

The Chase Suites Hotel in Tampa has a

beautiful waterfront deck and pier.

This affordable Tampa wedding package starts at only $999* and includes:

• Transportation from Tampa International Airport to the Chase Suites Hotel
• A one-night stay for the bride and groom in one of the Chase Hotel’s newly renovated suites, complete with champagne and chocolates
• Transportation to and from the Hillsborough County Courthouse to obtain a Florida Marriage License
• Your wedding ceremony performed on the grounds of the Chase Suites Hotel or at nearby Ben T. Davis Park on the white sand shores of Tampa Bay
• Wedding Photography
• Transportation to the Port of Tampa to set sail on your honeymoon cruise!

Tampa Bay's White Sand Beaches are a Popular Spot for Beach Weddings

Contact Simple Weddings today at 727-537-9331, or visit http://www.simpleweddingsflorida.com/ for more information!

*Price includes "Just the Two of Us" Wedding Package for Bride and Groom only and one room for one night at the Chase Suites. Additional rooms, extra nights, and additional wedding ceremony options are available at discounted rates. All package options are subject to availability. Cruise is not included with package. See www.SimpleWeddingsFlorida.com for more information on wedding packages. See hotel website for more information on room availability and rates. Simple Treasures Photography, LLC and the Chase Suites Hotel are not affiliated with Carnival Cruise Lines.

Engagement Photos on the Beach (Literally!)

Joe called a few weeks ago asking if I would photograph him and his girlfriend. But this wasn’t just any photo shoot - Joe was going to propose to Megan during the shoot! Even though this is not a “wedding story”, every romantic in the world will enjoy this one, and I just couldn’t resist sharing it!

Megan had no clue and let me tell you, Joe went all out for his true love! He booked a hotel room in Treasure Island, FL, and prepared it with all the trimmings; roses, champagne, and cake…He even scattered rose petals around the room. He had been running around all day and calling me to arrange the details to make this the perfect date…and it was!

Joe was unbelievably calm during the shoot and just clowned around and had fun. He brought a beach bag with a towel as a ploy to hide the ring (even though Megan had insisted that it really was not necessary). We got lots of great shots and the just as the lighting was right, we got a few beautiful pics of Megan alone while he grabbed the ring. He pointed out (imaginary) dolphins in the distance, and as Megan was searching the horizon he gave me the thumbs up and got down on one knee.

It was very romantic and sweet, and I have to say it even made me cry! The images tell the rest of the story…..

Megan of course said “YES” and after a few final shots (and lots of screams of disbelief and happiness), I left the happy couple to enjoy the rest of their evening. Joe pulled out all the stops. He put his heart and soul into this, and I have smiled every time I look at these images.

Congratulations guys! Thank you for allowing me the honor of capturing these precious memories for you. I wish you all the best and please remember us when you start making your wedding plans!

Sincerely,

Claire Copeland

Simple Treasures Photography by Claire

www.SimpleTreasuresFlorida.com