This sweet and creative couple had a SURPRISE wedding at their engagement party. Guests thought this was just a party, but it was actually their wedding ceremony. It was such a fun surprise!
Recently, I’ve been seeing this trend of a “surprise wedding,” and I really love the concept. While I totally understand it’s not for everyone, it’s a unique way to celebrate for those couples who are looking to do something really untraditional or who just really love something different.
Keep reading for all the fun-loving details about this surprise wedding.
About this Surprise Wedding
Brandy and Michael are anything but traditional. They didn’t want a huge wedding but rather a celebration where people could eat, drink, and be merry. Instead of a traditional wedding venue, they booked the rooftop of a vibey local restaurant in Ybor, Casa Santo Stefano.
The only people who knew about the surprise wedding were their parents. Everyone else attending the “engagement party” had no idea. For their cover story, Brandy and Michael told everyone that they were getting married at the courthouse the next morning. But once they arrived at the party, surprise!! They had a shotgun ceremony and celebrated the rest of the night, hanging out with their people.
As far as their day leading up to the wedding, it was super chill, and they just hung out with each other until it was time to get ready. After getting ready at their house with their puppies, they headed to the party in a vintage car. We gave them one of our cameras to take pictures on the ride over. It was such a candid way to capture each other’s emotions, and they took the sweetest photos of each other. Your heart will melt when you see them.
Keep scrolling to be inspired by this vibey, surprise wedding day!
Kind words from my couple
“Overwhelmed by how much they feel like our real life. Which makes us realize our real life is so beautiful. We were both so comfortable, and nothing felt the slightest bit forced. You can feel the authenticity on every single photo. Looking at all of them is genuinely so much fun.”
– Brandy & Michael
Watch their Super 8 Film for all the candid moments on this Surprise Wedding Day!
Surprise Wedding Day Vendors:
- Coordinator: Day of Details Coordination, @dayofdetailscoordination
- Photography & Super 8: Katelyn Rose Photos, @katelynrose_photos
- Venue: Casa Santo Stefano Ybor, @santostefanotpa
- Florist: Acacia Floral Co., @acaciafloralco
- DJ: Labor of Love Records, @laborofloverecords
- Hair: Mandy Does Updos, @mandy_does_updos
- Makeup: Dana Renee Makeup, @danareneemakeup
- Decor: Dreams 2 Reality Design, @dreams2realitydesign
- Cake & Desserts: Le Cafe Clementine, @cafeclementinestpete & Jamison B. Dough Joe, @jb3doughjoe
- Transportation: Classic Wedding Cars Sarasota, @classic_wedding_cars_fl
Hi, I’m Katelyn!
While I am a Tampa-based wedding photographer, I love to travel to capture love stories. Anything from weddings and elopements to engagements and couples sessions. In addition to photographing your special moments digitally, I also include film and Polaroids in every package. All proposals are custom and delivered after we’ve had time to chat so that I can better understand your photography needs.
As an artful wedding photographer, it’s important for me to be involved in the vision process from start to finish. Even if you’re unsure of where to begin, I will be able to help you curate a shoot that is authentic and intentional for who you are as a couple.
If you’re looking for someone to document your wedding day with an artful eye, then inquire here!
