In a recent conversation, Melissa took us back to those special moments and shared the couple’s remarkable experiences:
I know that everyone says their wedding day was “perfect,” but I have to say, ours really was. It was 77 degrees and sunny, our 126 guests enjoyed every minute, the food and service was impeccable, and we could not have asked for more.
When I imagined my wedding, I knew I did not want a huge, ballroom wedding. I pictured a romantic ceremony with water views, but no sand. We wanted a venue where we could have everything on site from start to finish. So when our boater friend recommended Tarpon Lodge and we visited the property, we knew at once that this was it. And we were right. From the earliest planning stages, the staff was amazing. It seemed like they knew exactly what we wanted before we even asked.
Because the lodging is on site, the property was ours for the weekend, which made it a really neat experience. The feeling was that of a family getaway, and our friends and family who traveled here from the north were so appreciative of being together.
The sense of privacy and intimacy carried over to our ceremony which took place right on the dock, just like I had always envisioned. My husband had spent months building the most magnificent arch out of driftwood – saying our vows under the arch that he had crafted added an extra special touch. Plus, the staff had it timed perfectly – we said our “I do’s” just in time for a most breathtaking, gorgeous sunset.
With the balmy temperature and soft twilight, our outdoor cocktail hour was beautiful and resulted in magnificent photos. Corn Hole, outdoor games and a chance to write us heartfelt notes provided more activities for our guests. Next, Shohreh had recommended we have our first dance outside and they had put a small dance floor on the lawn – yes, it was one of those magical moments we will never forget.
Dinner took place inside, and the flow from restaurant to patio to bar area was flawless. And let me tell you about the food – it was absolutely unbelievable, and our guests are still talking about it to this day.
We danced and laughed late into the night, ending with 55 of our guests sleeping at the Lodge, giving us even more valuable time to spend with friends and family.
Every second was lovely and memorable, and we could not have planned it better. The best part was that we never felt like we were planning it alone – we had Tarpon Lodge’s amazing staff taking care of everything!
So do you see what I mean when I use the word “perfect”? It was.
At the end of the day, our wedding was not just a celebration of us, but a celebration of family. It was so wonderful for all of us to come together to experience these once-in-a-lifetime moments.
Would we recommend Tarpon Lodge as a wedding venue? Absolutely! For the couple seeking an intimate, romantic, waterfront venue with a unique personal touch, Tarpon Lodge is the perfect place.
