Each year our editorial team reviews close to 500 real Tampa Bay weddings and about 200 actually make it onto the blog.

Believe it or not, we can tell you details about each of the weddings we feature as well as the couple. Our staff really makes it a point to connect with our featured couples and the details that make their wedding memorable.

At the end of the year, we like to reflect on our favorite real weddings and styled shoots to chose our “Best of” for the year. Here is our curated list of cake, flowers, wedding dresses and paper goods for 2018.

Cake

Photo: Andi Diamond Photography | Cake: Alessi Bakery

Alessi Bakery provided an indulgent dessert table with an array of sweets that were beautifully displayed, complete with a two-tiered, hand-painted robins egg blue wedding cake. Guests could choose from berry parfait shooters, cake pops, and cupcakes.

VIEW MORE: Tampa Waterfront French Country Styled Shoot | Westshore Yacht Club

Photo: Brandi Image Photography | Cake: The Artistic Whisk

“The Artistic Whisk is so out of the world, creative,” the bride gushed. “Jovana really gets to know you and draws up ideas of what she thinks embodies your personality.”

VIEW MORE: Elegant Lavender and Blush Downtown Tampa Wedding | The Vault

Bouquet

Photo: Grind & Press Photography | Bouquet: Apple Blossoms Floral Designs

“Apple Blossoms Floral Designs came recommended from our wedding planner, and they did not disappoint. Our wedding fell on Mother’s Day weekend, one of the busiest holidays possible for florists. Scott at Apple Blossoms was up to the challenge and provided us with excellent service and beautiful floral arrangements. Even with this busy holiday looming, he came and personally dropped off the flowers at my venue and checked in with me. We were very impressed!”

VIEW MORE: Vintage Americana Red, White and Blue St. Pete Wedding 

Photographer: FotoBohemia | Bouquet: Cotton & Magnolia | Hair & Makeup: Femme Akoi

“Planning my wedding entirely from Japan and not being able to meet any of my vendors in-person or even view our venue, I was understandably quite nervous about how everything would come together on our big day,” Rachel explained. “I chose Cotton & Magnolia as my florist because, from the beginning, Elaina was so wonderful and easy to get in contact with. She was always open to working with my ideas and could take everything I was thinking and make it more beautiful and organized than I could have dreamed of. She also took our budget into serious consideration and worked with me to create the best possible experience.”

VIEW MORE: Romantic, Vintage English Inspired Wedding | St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club

Photography: Aggie Photography | Bouquet: Cotton & Magnolia

“I was very focused on the flowers for the wedding; they were one of the most important parts of the wedding decoration for me,” the bride shared. “I hired Cotton & Magnolia because of their organic, natural style. The owner, Elaina, has a beautiful style and completely understood what I was going for. She made my vision for the wedding happen. Every single arrangement she created was absolutely gorgeous and exactly what I asked for!”

VIEW MORE: Romantic Peach and Mint Green Floral Inspired Downtown St. Pete Wedding | St. Pete Shuffle Board Club

Photography: The Ganeys Wedding Photography | Bouquet: Ever After Vintage Weddings | Dress: Nikki’s Glitz and Glam Bridal Boutique

“Our theme was a good mix of boho and eclectic. I often gravitate towards that look in my overall day to day style, but mostly I chose it because it delivers a very relaxed and intimate feel,” the bride shared. “More than anything I wanted a wedding that felt like a celebration of close friends and family, which is why I chose the long tables where we could eat together and be close.”

VIEW MORE: Burgundy and Pink Jewel Toned Boho Chic Lakeland Wedding

Centerpiece

Photography: Ailyn La Torre Photography | Florist: Frances Stollmack | Venue: The Vinoy

“We wanted a simple yet sophisticated and romantic feel for our wedding. We love greenery, blush pink and silver accents; to us, this was a classic and timeless look that we would still love throughout the years.”

VIEW MORE: Sophisticated Blush Pink and Silver Downtown St. Pete Wedding | Vinoy Renaissance

Photography: Sarah and Ben Photography | Planner: NK Productions | Florist and Rentals: MMD Events

“I specifically reached out to NK Productions after a meeting with our designer. Once they realized that we needed everything to be brought in and that logistics would be key, they knew they wanted to work with NK Productions.” the bride gushed.

VIEW MORE: Elegant, Rustic Outdoor Marsala Wedding with Barn Reception

Photography: Lifelong Photography Studio | Florist/Draping: Gabro Event Services | Planner: Kelly Kennedy Weddings and Events | Rentals: A Chair Affair | Venue: Isla del Sol Yacht & Country Club

“As the venue is located on the water and within a marina, I wanted to stay away from traditional nautical and beach themes. The design I created was on a different spectrum than what has been done at the venue before. I also wanted to step outside of my own personal box and pull together a design that was different than what I have ever done before,” wedding planner Kelly Kennedy explained.

VIEW MORE: Vibrant Purple and Pink St. Pete Wedding Inspiration | Isla del Sol Yacht & Country Club

Photography: Christina Maldonado Photography | Florist: Bloomingdale Florist | Linen Rentals: Over the Top Rental Linens

“Venetian masks served as both fun favors that also denoted each table setting. We imagined guests wearing them later as they celebrated and danced the night away. Moroccan lanterns, wine, and tea glasses add a fanciful touch and hint at adventures in faraway lands.”

VIEW MORE: Whimsical, Organic Outdoor Boho Wedding Inspiration

Dress

Photography: Castaldo Studio | Dress: Isabel O’Neil Bridal Collection

“I have always believed that a woman looks the most beautiful when she feels confident, for that reason I looked for a wedding dress that was figure flattering, elegant and comfortable. Those exact three things are what my Ines Di Santo gown from Isabel O’Neil Bridal embodied. The modified mermaid lace dress with plunging illusion back was the perfect way to surprise my new husband and guests during our first dance. I chose Isabel O’Neil Bridal Collection based on the unique selection of designers and great reviews from other local brides. The staff was wonderful in assisting me find a dress with a perfect fit that highlighted my best features and my dress made me feel radiant and ready to enjoy the night.”

VIEW MORE: Modern, Elegant, Purple Downtown Tampa Wedding | The Vault

Photography: Lifelong Photography Studios | Dress: Truly Forever Bridal

VIEW MORE: Unveiling The Don CeSar Hotel Ballroom Renovation | Marry Me Tampa Bay “Before 5” Networking

Photography: McNeile Photography | Dress: Truly Forever Bridal

“I was looking for organization in a bridal shop, a variety of up to date styles and reasonable prices,” the bride explained. Truly Forever Bridal had a variety of styles within my budget. The store is well-organized and the staff took their time to find exactly what I was looking for.”

VIEW MORE: Glamorous Pink and White Tampa Wedding | The Crystal Ballroom

Photography: Grind & Press Photography | Dress: Nikki’s Glitz and Glam Boutique | Hair and Makeup: Femme Akoi

VIEW MORE: Elegant Coastal Waterfront Dunedin Wedding Styled Shoot | Beso del Sol

Photography: Lifelong Photography Studios | Dress: The BRIDE Tampa | Hair and Makeup: LDM Beauty Group | Bouquet: Cotton & Magnolia

VIEW MORE: Modern, Bohemian Downtown St. Pete Styled Wedding | The Birchwood

Stationery

Photography: Kera Photography | Stationery: Sarah Bubar Designs

VIEW MORE: Marry Me Tampa Bay “Before 5” Networking | Harborside Chapel

Photography: Jonathan Fanning Studio | Stationery: URBANcoast

“URBANcoast was phenomenal from the start, picking out our invitations and stationery, to the end, providing day of materials and even incorporating our non-traditional ideas, like diamond-shaped cutouts for champagne glasses with guests names and table assignments which we used instead of plain place cards.”

VIEW MORE: Luxurious Neutral Outdoor Waterfront Sarasota Wedding | Powel Crosley Estate

Photography: Bara Miller Photography | Stationery: A&P Design Co

VIEW MORE: Elegant Southern Charm Inspired Vintage Wedding Styled Shoot | Covington Farms