Mill Pond Estate didn’t “horse around” for this soft romantic wedding
Before moving from Cincinnati to Tampa, Christian and Ryan took a memorable trip to Portugal that Ryan planned down to the last detail. Christian, however, wanted to surprise Ryan with an activity that he’d planned himself. The day of, he revealed that he'd planned a scenic sailboat tour on a private sailboat across Lisbon's iconic Ponte 25 de Abril at sunset complete with a wine tasting and charcuterie. As they sailed under the bridge, Christian popped the question, completely catching Ryan by surprise. It was the perfect start to what would be an unforgettable trip! Planned with the help of Wilder Mind Events, the couple's wedding at Mill Pond Estates became a perfect fusion of romance, nature, and personal flair, creating an unforgettable day that celebrated not only their love for each other, but also their shared memories and passions.
Featured venue: Mill Pond Estate
Captured on camera by The Hello Photography and Lens Culture , the wedding embraced the beauty of its natural surroundings with a stunning hanging lantern installation that adorned both the large oak tree at the ceremony and inside the sailcloth reception tent. Every detail was thoughtfully curated to reflect the couple’s personalities and their love for their pets, family, and cherished memories. The nature-focused setting of Mill Pond Estates perfectly embodied their commitment to a love that is both grounded and flourishing.
The foundation of romantic wedding design
The Hello Photography captured the couple's chosen color palette of soft neutrals—sage, nude, taupe, and cream—punctuated by delicate pops of light pink, perfectly reflecting the romantic yet relaxed vibe they envisioned for their special day.
Sentimental bridal style
For her wedding day, Ryan found her perfect dress at The White Closet Bridal in downtown Tampa. Her wedding day shoes were stylish Dolce Vita heels, and she accessorized with a clutch, earrings, and a necklace from Anthropologie and Kozakh Jewelry. As a sentimental touch, she carried her great grandmother’s handkerchief embroidered with her new initials, and she wore her mother’s wedding bands down the aisle.
Standout maid of honor style
The bridesmaids wore dresses from Birdy Grey—her Maid of Honor in champagne and the rest of the bridal party in olive green. To accessorize, the bride gifted each of the girls custom pearl earrings from Kozakh Jewelry and a bottle of her favorite Jo Malone fragrance, Wood Sage and Sea Salt.
On trend: Olive green suiting
Groom Christian looked sharp in an olive-green suit from Milano Exchange paired with brown leather Gucci loafers. As a special gift, the bride gave him custom cufflinks and a Shinola gold watch to mark the occasion. The couple also selected each other’s wedding scents from Jo Malone for a personal touch.
Tan suit rentals
The groomsmen wore light tan suit rentals from Men’s Warehouse, completing the stylish and coordinated look for the wedding day.
Color palette: Soft and organic
The wedding florals, designed by Mill Pond Estates, embraced a soft, organic, and muted color palette featuring a delicate mixture of creams, whites, nudes, and subtle hints of soft blush. The florals were designed to feel wild-grown, with varying heights and sprays of blooms that evoked a natural, effortless beauty. Garden roses, ranunculus, white cosmos, amaranths, and assorted wildflowers blended seamlessly, creating a whimsical yet refined atmosphere.
Minimalistic yet elegant floral design
Key floral and decor elements included a growing, minimalistic floral installation that added a sense of movement and life, while a stunning hanging lantern installation above the ceremony, nestled in a broken oak, introduced a touch of romantic charm.
Floral dog collar
A sweet dog floral collar added a personalized and playful detail.
Seating chart made of records
A unique seating chart displayed the groom’s creative handiwork—a custom-built record wall, which added a retro yet modern twist to the natural setting. Each table was assigned a different corresponding record.
Natural wood and cream decor
The lounge area exuded an intimate and relaxed vibe with pieces from Oak & Ash in natural wood and cream tones, ensuring the space felt cozy and inviting. Together, the floral design by Mill Pond Estate and the thoughtfully curated decor from Oak & Ash created a serene, romantic atmosphere that was both timeless and fresh.
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The inspo behind "fun facts"
For the catering and bar service, the couple wanted to create a memorable experience for their guests. Having met while bartending, they thought it would be fun to incorporate "fun fact" napkins alongside their signature cocktails, sparking conversation among guests.
Pet-inspired menus
For the signature drinks, they selected a mezcal/tequila spicy margarita with a black salt rim and a traditional Manhattan with Luxardo cherries for bourbon enthusiasts. The cocktails were cleverly named after their pets and included the "Theo Spicy Marg" for their cat and the "Ollie Manhattan" for their dog. Bar Artistry not only delivered exceptional signature cocktails but also provided champagne service and a full bar. Guests praised the bartenders for their skill and the excellent service.
Crafting the perfect menu
Elite Events Catering, renowned for its top-notch service, exceeded expectations for the couple. During cocktail hour, guests enjoyed passed appetizers including small tacos, empanadas, and caprese bites. As guests took their seats, they were treated to a floral-decorated Caesar salad with a twist on the traditional recipe and featuring a vibrant blend of rainbow radishes, colorful carrots, and toasted breadcrumbs. For the main courses, guests could choose from beef short ribs with roasted vegetables and potato gratin, a spicy Yucatan shrimp pasta, or a mushroom truffle ravioli for vegetarians.
On trend: Modern farm tables
The reception featured a complementary hanging lantern installation inside the sailcloth tent along with long farm tables adorned with a mix of bud vases and small arrangements, with table runners and dried orange slices bringing in texture and warmth. Romantic tapered candles in varying heights added dimension, while modern touches like gold-accented flatware and chargers, rented from Oak & Ash, injected a contemporary flair.
A cake for everyone
Ryan and Christian knew they wanted a small, traditional cake with a classic touch—a simple design featuring "Just Married" in elegant white lettering. They chose Publix to create the cake, opting for a vanilla base with cookies and cream filling and a smooth cream cheese frosting. To ensure all guests were well-fed, they also had sheet cakes from Costco, available in both vanilla and chocolate, so everyone could enjoy a slice of something sweet.
The classic outfit change
For the reception, Ryan changed into a white floral slip dress from Isabel O'Neil’s Little White Dress collection and a comfortable yet fun pair of white platform Converse.
Late-night snacks: A taste of home
For the late-night snacks, the couple wanted to bring a taste of their hometown, Cincinnati, Ohio, to their Florida celebration. They opted for traditional chili cheese coneys, just like those from the famous Skyline Chili. Elite Events Catering expertly prepared the dish, giving guests a delicious taste of Ohio and created a nostalgic moment for the couple.
Favors: Sentimental CD's
To ensure their guests left with a piece of the celebration, the couple provided CD favors featuring "Dad's favorite music," a sentimental nod to the bride's late father.
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- Venues: Mill Pond Estate
- Flowers: Mill Pond Estates
- Event Planning & Design: Wilder Mind Events
- Catering: Elite Events Catering
- Bar: Bar Artistry
- Photography: The Hello Photography
- Videographer : Lens Culture
- Decor Rentals: Oak & Ash
- DJ: Modern Era Weddings
- Hair, Makeup & Beauty: Femme Akoi
- Wedding Day Pet Care: Fairy Tail Pet Care
- Saxophone Player: The Sugar Sax