Beginning the Fall Wedding season in Florida with – quite literally – a perfect wedding day at Darby Farm with Bryson and Rachel.
Rachel joined a family that I have been friends with for years. She emailed me in November of last year to tell me about her dream wedding day at Darby Farm and it all actually happened how she described almost a year prior! Bryson proposed the summer of 2021 after a 5 mile hike at Glacier National Park and Rachel couldn’t wait to say yes!! Hurricane Ian threatened the Tampa area just days prior to their wedding so lots of back up plans were discussed BUT ultimately, the storm shifted downward and spared Tampa. We were thankfully left with a high of 82 degrees with a slight wind and a fully sun-shined day!
The relatively new venue, Darby Farm is a stunning modern barn with the best ceremony spot (a photographer’s dream!)
It was our first time shooting here and it quickly has become one of our top favorite venues in Florida! From the getting ready space for both Bride and Groom to the ceremony spot to their beautiful, modern indoor barn for the reception, we couldn’t have asked for anything better for this sweet couple.
Since Ryan and I are friends with Bryson’s family, we got to have a triple date one night a few months prior to the wedding. It was really sweet to be able to hang out with Bryson and Rachel that night and get to know their genuine personalities. We even all did an escape room that night which was so fun!! Even a few weeks before the wedding, we all had a game night together with some friends where we played Jackbox games on the Switch and were dying laughing so hard! It’s not often I get a chance to hang with my couples before their wedding day in scenarios like that so I’m really thankful for those opportunities.
Let’s begin by sharing the amazing vendor team that helped make this day as perfect as it was!
PLANNER | Brittany Bauer Events
VENUE | Darby Farm
FLORIST | Arms of Persephone
DRESS | CC’s Bridal Boutique
GROOMSMEN ATTIRE | Men’s Wearhouse
BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES | Azazie
HAIR | Hair Snob
MAKEUP | Anamary Valdes
DJ | Fast Breaks Entertainment
CATERING | Savory Roots
CAKE | Publix
Soooo I think we all became quickly obsessed with their flower girl and Bryson’s daughter, Ella. She is such a sweet girl! Right after Rachel had finished getting ready, Ella had a flower behind her back. She went right up to Rachel and presented it to her🥹 Cue all the “AWWW”s! She was really involved throughout the entire wedding day and wanted to be by Rachel’s side.
How freaking beautiful is this ceremony spot?? Literally PERFECT.
TIME CAPSULE
Bryson was telling Ryan and me before the ceremony about this idea they were doing. They both had written a message to each other on the morning of their wedding. Mentioning how they were feeling, what they were excited for in the years to come and things like that. I asked if that was their Vows they would be saying. He told me it was part of this time capsule they plan to hammer shut during the ceremony. Included was a Wine that ages beautifully over years and years. They plan to open it in 20 years to crack open the wine and read the messages they had written to each other on their wedding day🥹
Thankful for our third shooter, Katie for capturing this moment right after the Family Formals. I didn’t even notice it! Ryan was keeping Ella occupied by teaching her how to make a dog face with her fingers. He said she started laughing after he taught her how to make its tongue stick out😆
One of my best friends since middle school – Maribel🤍 Very thankful for not only her friendship, but her constant advice, kindness and for introducing us to Bryson and Rachel so we could be part of this amazing Darby Farm wedding. Also… 28 weeks pregnant here with our baby girl!
Cue even more tears!! Rachel and her dad danced to their Father Daughter dance. Then transitioned to Bryson dancing with his daughter, Ella😭 I MEAN……. ugh that is such a sweet idea!
Rachel’s momma’s reaction to the Father Daughter Dance with Bryson and Ella. There were a lot of tears flowing.
It is an honor to have captured such a beautiful day with really kind people🤍 Wishing you every happiness in your lives together, Bryson and Rachel! Thank you so much for having us!
Had to sneak in a bump photo 😉
