RAELYZ & CHRIS AT THE LANGE FARM

 By Ronda M. Parag | Photography by Jason Mize Photography

Raelyz Palmero was born in Caracus, Venezuela and moved to Key West, FL in the third grade. After completing high school, she moved to Tampa to attend college at the University of South Florida, and started working for Chris Rogers’ family business — Reeves Import Motorcars. What initially began as a friendship blossomed into something special. Raelyz says, “It took some convincing, but Chris never gave up and I finally gave in. He’s such a hopeless romantic.”

Chris proposed to Raelyz while on vacation with his family in Montana during the Christmas holidays. The couple had been dating about three years and Chris had asked Raelyz’s mother for her hand in marriage, while she was visiting Tampa during Thanksgiving. On the trip, Chris surprised Raelyz with a reindeer drawn sleigh ride in the snow and a proposal.

“He drew me away from the other people in the group of about 10 people,” remembers Raelyz. “Before I knew it he was down on one knee, with a small box in his hand and asked me to marry him. I was in shock, and totally surprised and over the moon with happiness.”

Like most girls, Raelyz envisioned her fairytale wedding many times. The couple took plenty of time to plan their dream wedding during their two year engagement. “I couldn’t have done it without my mom, mother-in-law, and amazing wedding planner Brooke Palmer of R.S.B.P. Events — they were absolutely amazing,” Raelyz said. “We were fortunate enough to work with the best vendors in the Tampa Bay area and it showed!”

The happy couple arrived at the ceremony in a stunning horse and carriage held at Lange Farm. The ceremony was outside in front of a huge old oak tree just before sunset. There were crystal chandeliers hung from the branches of the tree and the seating area was decorated in a vintage theme. Raelyz decided that they would go with traditional vows, because she didn’t think she would be able to hold it together if she had to read something super mushy. “It was so amazing to walk down the aisle and see all of the close friends and family that came to share this special moment with us,” remembered Raelyz and Chris. “The sun was shinning through the trees in the most divine way, it was just perfect.”

The reception included 200 people in the Garden House at the Lange Farm. One large head table and two family tables surrounded the dance floor and the guests were spread out on either side of the room. “Lauren Baldwin and her team at Puff n’ Stuff Catering delivered a fantastic plated dinner,” said Raelyz. “We served a mixed spring salad and country biscuits with crispy fried chicken, braised boneless short ribs, and au gratin potatoes as the main course. It was delicious!”

The four-tier custom cake was incredibly detailed created by Elise’s Pieces. “It matched the theme of our wedding perfectly,” said Raelyz. Fun was had by everyone dancing to music by DJ Coro. To begin the reception, the happy bride danced with her brother to a special song that their friend Rolando Rojas wrote for the occasion, and Chris danced with his mother, Kim Rogers to “I Love You Aways Forever” by Donna Lewis.

“He’s simply beyond caring, loyal, patient, kind, funny and I just love him and he loves me more than anything in the world,” Raelyz said. “I always have to thank him for loving me the way he does. It’s truly like out of a movie!” The couple plan to take a European honeymoon around their first anniversary.

THE DETAILS

Ceremony/Reception Venue – The Lange Farm  www.thelangefarm.com

Planner and Event Design – R.S.B.P. Event Planning  www.rsbpevents.com

Transportation – Maserati of Tampa and Primetime Limousine

Catering – Puff n’ Stuff  www.puffnstuff.com

Florals – Botanica International Design Studio  www.botanicaflorist.com

Décor/Draping/ Dance Floor/Chandeliers The Lange Farm, Botanica International Design Studio, Puff n’ Stuff, R.S.B.P. Events

Linens – Connie Duglin

Ceremony and Cocktail Reception Music – Rolando Rojas

Reception Music/DJ/Lighting – DJ Coro

Photography – Jason Mize Photography

Videography – Trinity Wedding Cinema

Invitations/Programs/Stationery – Paperless Post, UrbanCOAST

Make-up & Hair – LAC Make-Up Art

Bride’s Gown  – Vera Wang White

Bridesmaids’ Attire – Vera Wang

Groom’s Attire – Hugo Boss