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Ceremony/Reception Venue Avila Golf & Country Club
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High school sweethearts, AnneMarie and Michael, find love and planned a beautiful romantic wedding at the Avila Golf & Country Club, despite the demands of Michael’s career as a Navy Fighter Pilot. Both AnneMarie Talladira and Michael Edmonson were born and raised in Tampa and met at the tender age of 15. They dated on and off through the years and finally decided to get back together after Michael’s return from deployment, aboard the USS Harry S. Truman in 2010. The couple moved to Oak Harbor, WA for a year, but are now back in Florida stationed in Pensacola. Prior to proposing, Michael asked AnneMarie’s father for her parent’s blessing and her father helped plan the engagement surprise. While both families thought they were enjoying a joint theme park trip to Walt Disney World, Michael had other ideas. He got down on one knee and proposed by the rose garden in front of Cinderella’s Castle. “They had no idea they were going to witness a proposal,” AnneMarie said. “It was truly a magical moment.” The couple started planning, but then stopped and started several times due to Michael’s commission to become a pilot in the US Navy. Finally, finding a venue and time that fit their schedule, AnneMarie decided she needed a planner. Through a friend’s recommendation, they met with Christina Craft, owner of Ideal Design Events. “We met for five minutes when I knew this was the girl to help me,” said AnneMarie. “She made wedding planning fun. If I was stressed, one call calmed me down. I had no idea how much went into a wedding. It was difficult at the end because I had to move two months before the wedding, so we did phone meetings and Skype for décor and anything visual.” Several things that could have been disastrous were easily remedied by having a planner. Just a few days before the wedding ceremony, the officiant had a family emergency in the Philippines, so Craft contacted another pastor, who in a short time wrote a beautiful ceremony, after a conference call with AnneMarie and Michael. At the last minute, AnneMarie’s sister and maid of honor, who serves in the U.S. Marine Corps, was called to participate in training exercises and she could not leave her base. As a surprise to the bride, Craft arranged to Skype her into the wedding line up. “It was amazing that my wedding planner was able to plan that for me,” AnneMarie said. “I was balling when I finally realized she could see the whole thing and I could see her.” When the big day arrived, AnneMarie recalls that she could not stop smiling. “Michael looked so handsome in his uniform and I just stared at him the entire time. I was so ready to become husband and wife with all our loved ones there to witness.” Following tradition, AnnMarie had her something blue, which was Michael’s name tape off of his navy blue camo uniform sewn into the inside of her dress, a new piece of jewelry, and a borrowed hair clip from her cousin, who wore it when she got married early in the year. Due to Michael’s training schedule for flight school, the couple delayed a honeymoon, but do hope to go to Europe in the future.
Planner and Event Design Ideal Design Events Catering Avila Golf & Country Club Décor/Draping/Dance Floor/Lighting/Linens Tenting/Staging/Rental Chairs/Chandeliers Ideal Design Events Florals Bay Bouquet Ceremony, Cocktail Reception, Reception Music/DJ DJ Kevin Kramer Invitations/Programs/Stationery Ideal Design Events Make-up & Hair Destiny & Light Hair & Makeup Group Wedding Dress CC’s Bridal Boutique Groom’s Attire Full Navy Dress Whites Bridesmaids' Attire CC’s Bridal Boutique Photography K & K Photography www.kandkphotography.com Videography Dunn Right Video Officiant Pastor Wayne Goldworthy
www.TampaBayWed.com
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