Brook Sneath and Sherwin P. Simmons II met while working for the same company and have known each other over five years. Over the course of time, the couple realized that their lives were so much more enriched by being together. The proposal happened in February 2012 for a Valentine’s Day celebration at the Loews Don CeSar Beach Resort. “We go to St. Petersburg every year for Valentine’s and the proposal was completely unexpected,” said Brook. “It was a total surprise.”

The planning didn’t start immediately, the couple enjoyed being engaged for awhile. When they got serious, they enlisted the help of Stephanie Crona with Table 6 Productions. The couple wanted a formal wedding with a big party to celebrate with all their family and friends. “I knew I wanted a “winter sparkle” wedding with it falling in-between Christmas and New Years,” Brook said. “We had a lot of fun working with Stephanie and her amazing vendors in choosing the finishing touches.” The color theme of the wedding was a “mix of metallics” including gold, silver, champagne and blush.

After several months of dress shopping, Brook found her dream gown at Malindy Elene located in Tampa. The bridal party had six bridesmaids and six groomsmen, along with honorary/junior groomsman, and four ushers. The couple were married by Sherwin’s brother, Stephen Leal. “We spent a lot of time putting together the ceremony in terms of the reading selections and verses that meant something to us,” Brook said. “There was also a special reading by Sherwin’s eldest son, Sherwin Palmer Simmons III, who read a special dedication at the start of the ceremony to his grandfather (the groom’s father) who is no longer with us.”

The florals were beautifully created by Stephanie Prenatt of FH Weddings & Events. The bouquet included a mixture of white flowers, including roses and some orchids with blush roses incorporated throughout. Brook followed the tradition of something old and included her grandmother’s broach attached to her bouquet. “I think we both felt a little anxious about the “big day” as there is so much that goes on with preparation, getting ready and photos, but were mainly excited to have it all come together and be surrounded by people we love so much, as well as, officially become husband and wife,” Brooke recalled.

The reception was held in the Grand Ballroom of the Renaissance Vinoy, with nearly 200 guests dining on cooking stations of cubans, mac & cheese, sushi, sliders and other delectable bites. The groom’s cake was pirate themed, as Sherwin has been involved with the Gasparilla parade since he was a little boy. Cake designer, Elise Garcia, created a peanut butter chocolate cake (the Groom’s favorite), with pirate figures of Sherwin, Brook, the boys and Sherwin’s father looking over the crow’s nest.

As huge Seminole fans, the couple modified their honeymoon to go to Las Vegas for a few nights, followed by a trip to Pasadena to see the National Championship game. Upon the Nole victory, the couple flew to the Caribbean for a stay at the Viceory in Anguilla, followed by five nights at Sugar Beach in St. Lucia.

Image Gallery

click on images to enlarge view or view as a slideshow