Brooke and Rhyse’s luxurious St. Pete Beach wedding combined classic white flora with romantic candlelight and glimmering gold accents. The bride and groom exchanged vows in a traditional cathedral ceremony before hosting their closest friends and family in a dreamy ballroom atmosphere.
“We truly focused on the guest experience and tried to make sure our guests were fully taken care of upon arrival to our wedding weekend. It’s so special to be surrounded by family and friends who have been along for our journey as a couple, so we really wanted to make them know how special they are. We focused a lot on our families and made them a huge part of our weekend. Although it was a busy time of year right after Christmas and before New Year’s, it was such a joyous time that our guests were in great spirits, and it made the weekend have a palpable vibe to it. We led by example as a couple and were the happiest we could be through it all, and that radiated throughout our guests.”
The Venue
“Growing up in St. Petersburg around the beach, there was always the allure of the beautiful Pink Palace on St. Pete Beach. When we started looking at venues, we wanted to pick a hotel that could accommodate our style as well as our out of town guests looking for a vacation.
After touring The Don CeSar, the vision was becoming real as I thought about having our ceremony at our family church and celebrating the reception just a short drive to The Don CeSar. Their beautiful views, wonderful staff, and history really sealed the deal for us. We can’t wait to show our children the place that holds such a special place in our hearts. The staff at The Don CeSar was so on top of the service. Plated dinner was a breeze.” – The Bride
“Planning an out of town wedding is not the easiest thing to do. When looking for a planner, we wanted someone who was on top of all aspects with our wedding. This included giving us advice on timing, vendor relationships within the community, and overall very organized. We had our initial introductory meeting with PARTIES A’ LA CARTE, specifically with Jessica Ralph. Wow! From that first meeting I knew Jessica was a straight shooter and who I wanted in my corner throughout my wedding planning process. This was the best decision we could have made. It’s cliché, but she made our dreams a reality. At times when my vision was too vague, she knew how to narrow that in and bring it to life. Her right hand woman, Macie, was so easy to communicate with and keep us organized through it all. I don’t miss wedding planning, but I do miss getting to talk to these two on a regular basis!”
Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pros:
Reception Venue, Caterer, Cake and Rehearsal Dinner: The Don Cesar
Planner: Parties A’ La Carte
DJ: Tampa Bay DJ Company
Ceremony Venue: St. John Vianney Catholic Church | Photographer: Cornelia Zaiss Photography | Videographer: Voila Cinematic | Design and Productions: MMD Events | Florist: Raining Roses Productions | Tabletop Rentals: Treasury Rentals | Cocktail and Dinner Linens: Nuage Design | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Chairs and Tables: Decora Event Rental | Draping: Swag Decor | Dancefloor + Stage Wrap: W Event Design | Boxwood Walls, Escort Walls, Chandeliers Infinity Event Solutions | Bars + Banquets: Event Effects | Cocktail Music: Kristen Elizabeth Harp | Invitations: URBANcoast | Transportation: Star Trolley, Luxor of Tampa | Dress Shop and Designer: CC’s Bridal Boutique, Essence of Australia | Shoe Designer: Manolo Blahnik | Bridesmaid Dress Shop and Designer: Revelry | Hair + Makeup: D2 and Co | Photobooth: White Tie Booths | Live Painter: Melissa Munger Art
Ryan and Christian’s intimate Seffner wedding was a sentimental celebration filled with bohemian-inspired details, a neutral color palette, and an homage to family.
“Christian and I are pretty relaxed and easy-going, so we wanted to ensure our wedding felt like a casual party and not a huge over the top affair. We tried to make a 92-person wedding feel intimate with fun bonding moments through polaroids floating around the venue, custom CD mix tapes for our guests to take home, and an outdoor escape to make guests feel at home. We had music as a major theme of our entire wedding through our seating chart, party favors and customized playlists that showed our true interest. We are big on being in the moment, embracing candid fun and making everyone feel all the emotions with us. We wanted a wedding that felt intimate and truly that we were sharing our hearts with everyone that traveled to spend the weekend with us. Our vows were sweet and very goofy just like us.”
The Planner
“We were careful in selecting each vendor but it was incredibly important that our wedding planner would not only need to be organized, but we cared more about finding a planning company that brought the light hearted, fun energy Ryan and I needed in the final stages of wedding planning as it can get stressful!
The entire crew of WILDER MIND EVENTS are some of the most creative, unique, fun, and hilarious people I’ve ever met. I felt like the moment I met them I knew they were going to be my planning choice as nothing felt too serious, and just overall fun, which is truly what wedding planning should be. They allowed me to have my moments of worrying and stress, but then they always just calmed me and took over anything I needed with their easy-going nature and true loving personalities. I feel like I made some amazing friends with Morgan, Delaney and Demi after the weekend was over.” -The Bride
“We loved partnering with Elite Events Catering because Melissa Misgen spent time with us on the phone learning about our favorite dishes and creating a custom menu within our price point. We bounced ideas off each other, and she didn’t miss a single detail. She took so many notes, and she went so above and beyond by our first tasting that we immediately felt relieved and knew our guests would be blown away.”
“FAIRYTAIL PET CARE‘s services was recommended by our planner, and we ultimately chose them as they set us up with our sitter and had us meet in person to get to know one another before the big day. After meeting with our sitter we immediately felt at ease knowing Ollie would be in the best hands as they are so thoughtful and kind to our special pup!”
Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pros:
Planner: Wilder Mind Events
Caterer: Elite Events Catering
Hair + Makeup: Femme Akoi
Rehearsal Dinner: Flor Fina, Hotel Haya
Pet Care: FairyTail Pet Care
Venue and Florist: Mill Pond Estate | Photographer: HelloPhoto | Videographer: LensCulture | Bar: Bar Artistry | Rentals: Oak and Ash Events | Cake: Costco and Publix | Cocktail Hour Music: Sugar Sax | DJ: Modern Era Weddings | Invitations: Truly Engaging, Zola | Transportation: Barracuda Travels | Dress Shop and Designer: White Closet Bridal, Isabel O’Neil Bridal | Shoe Designer: Dolce Vita | Bridesmaid Dress Shop and Designer: Birdy Grey | Phone Guestbook: After the Tone Phone
Rachel and Dylan’s SOUTH TAMPA WEDDING was an elegant evening filled with classic white flora, natural greenery and romantic candlelight. The couple exchanged vows in a traditional Jewish ceremony before hosting a chic ballroom reception and tented dance party at a waterfront yacht club.
“Our wedding theme was timeless. I wanted the focus of our wedding to be on us and not a theme or a trend. We chose green, white, and gold for our colors because I wanted a very timeless look and a color that went well with having a late winter/early spring wedding.”
The Planner
“We were looking for a full-service planner for a reasonable price. Karen with EVENTFULL WEDDINGS was very detailed throughout the wedding planning process and was especially great on the day of our wedding to help things run smoothly.” – The Bride
“I wanted a timeless look with white roses and other florals. Our florist, SAVE THE DATE FLORIDA, surprised us with a gorgeous combination of white florals that were classic, yet special and unique. Our planner recommended her, and we were very pleased with her communication and service. The flowers were exactly what we wanted, and they were absolutely stunning.”
“We chose The Gala Photobooth, which our guests loved. Their website was easy to navigate and see what to expect for the final product. I would recommend them to anyone!”
Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pros:
Planner: EventFull Weddings
Florist; Save The Date Florida
Rentals: Kate Ryan Event Rentals
Photo Booth: Gala Photobooth
Venue and Caterer: Tampa Yacht & Country Club | Photographer: Sarah and Ben | Videographer: Voila Cinematic | Cake: Tampa Bay Cake Company | Custom Cookies: Sweet Caroline’s Home Bakery | Harpist: Harpist Kristen Elizabeth | Band: Phase 5 Band | Signage: Jane of All Trads | Linens: Nuage, BBJ LaTavola | Paper Goods: A&P Design Co | Transportation: Clearwater Jolly Trolley, American Classic Wedding Cars Service, Danny Green-Vintage Rolls Royce | Dress Shop and Designer: Dress White Magnolia, Designer Maggie Sottero | Shoe Designer: Bella Belle | Tux: Men’s Wearhouse | Bridesmaid Dress Shop and Designer: Billy J Boutique | Hair + Makeup: Denise Burkle, DBCM Studio | Rehearsal Dinner: The Columbia Restaurant Ybor City | Ceiling Installation: The Production Crew
Nicole and John’s moody, modern TAMPA WEDDING brought together a chic all-black dress code, timeless monochrome décor, and a high-energy celebration that felt more like a party than a traditional affair. Inspired by the bride’s love of minimal design and her years spent in New York City, the couple’s contemporary theme paired industrial elements with statement details such as disco balls and a checkered dance floor.
“We titled our inspiration board ‘moody modern black and white wedding.’ We wanted to incorporate the timeless elegance of a neutral palette with modern elements like disco balls and a checkered dance floor. I lived in Manhattan for several years and was inspired by the brick industrial look. We wanted a venue that could speak for itself, and Armature did just that. When asked what my favorite color is, I will always answer BLACK, so when it came time to pick colors, it was a no-brainer: black chairs, black tablecloths, black napkins…black everything! Not only was the decor black with whispers of WHITE, but we asked our guests to wear all black, black-tie attire. Weddings are an incredible opportunity to dress up, and I am so grateful that all of our guests felt the same way! Every single person wore black, and the photos turned out amazing. John and I were the center of attention in our off white/pearl tux and dress. It is our day, and I wanted to make sure we both stood out.”
The Planner
“Planning a wedding is a very intimate process, and you will be spending a lot of time with your planner, so it was important to me that I was working with someone with whom I got along and genuinely enjoyed working with. I was a bridesmaid in a wedding Katy from Coastal Coordinating had planned, and when I saw the multi-page, minute-by-minute detailed breakdown of the day, I knew that Katy and I would get along great!”- The Bride
“Save the Date Florida was recommended to me by my planner, and they were amazing. They completely nailed the vision—romantic and minimal, with lots of warm candlelight. It was exactly what I imagined.”
Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pros:
Planner + Photobooth: Coastal Coordinating
Florist: Save the Date Florida
Rehearsal Dinner: J.C. Newman
Getting Ready Venue: Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay
Rentals: Gabro Event Services
Venue: Armature Works | Photographer: Stephanie Velez | Videographer: MSM Video | Caterer: Salt Block Hospitality | Rentals: Baystage Live | Cake: Sweetwood Bakery | DJ+ Musicians: Curate Entertainment, DJ Ryan Love | Officiant: Family Friend, Brant Wickersham | Invitations: Zola | Transportation: Affari Transportation | Dress Shop and Designer: Magnolia Laine, Blue Willow Tucker Dress | Alterations: Ruth Shafer, Bridal Alterations by Ruth | Shoe Designer: Christian Dior | Hair + Makeup: Lea Cakes | Suits: Milano Exchange
Avery and Noah’s intimate LONGBOAT KEY DESTINATION WEDDING combined fresh, natural hues of papaya pink and palm green with tropical elements like woven rattan decor, exotic flora, and juicy mangos to reflect the surrounding climate of the sunshine state, plus a few disco details as a nod to their unique wedding date.
“We didn’t choose specific wedding colors, but we have both always loved TROPICAL colors and plants,” the bride shared. “This, along with years of PINTEREST history, is what brought our wedding vision together.”
The Venue
“We wanted somewhere lush and tropical but that also had a ‘backyard’ vibe. We loved the atmosphere and people at THE RESORT AT LONGBOAT KEY CLUB. They were extremely chill and accommodating. They made the whole process effortless!” – The Bride
“I loved the tropical destination wedding vibe at THE RESORT AT LONGBOAT KEY CLUB. The beautiful Banyan tree in front of the water created a gorgeous ceremony spot.” – The Photographer
Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pros:
Venue and Caterer: The Resort at Longboat Key Club
Photographer: Love and Covenant | Planner: Swanky Soiree | Florist: CJs Design Florals | Rentals: Swanky Soiree, Stella Rose Events | Cake: Cakes by Ron | DJ: Signature Elite DJ | Dress Shop and Designer: Wedding Angels Bridal, Martina Leanna
Faith and Brandon’s classic St. Pete Beach wedding was an enchanting weekend, as they transformed the TradeWinds Resort into a lively hub for their family and friends. Breaking away from typical tropical themes, their celebration embraced a sophisticated black, white, and champagne color palette, which perfectly balanced the joy and fun of a beach resort with an elevated, modern feel.
“Our colors were a classic champagne and black combo. You always see a lot of bright colors and white chairs for a beach wedding. I wanted things to look more formal and classic, even though we were on the beach,” the bride shared. “The black chairs and black arbor with all white florals were a dream come true.”
The Venue
“We would go to St. Pete and the Rum Fish Bar & Grill at the TradeWinds Resort all the time for dinner. We loved the destination wedding feel of the TradeWinds, even though it was only 10 minutes from our house; it was the perfect fit. The TradeWinds was the perfect fit for us because it made us feel like we were away at a destination resort, but we were only 10 minutes from home. Everything was absolutely wonderful, from food to accommodations, and the service was top-notch. Hannah Poff, the Catering Sales Manager, made dreams come true. She was the absolute best to work with!”
“I looked Will DeCosta and the Iryus Weddings team and immediately was blown away by their work. They are the best photo and video team around, truly. I could not have asked for a more professional and creative team that made sure I had all the photos and videos I wanted.”
Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pros:
Venue + Caterer: TradeWinds Island Resort
Photographer + Videographer: Iyrus Weddings
Planner: Truly Yours | Florist: In Bloom Florals | Rentals: Rent All City | Cake: Publix, Frida’s Cafe & Bakery | Violinist: Matt, SRQ Entertainment | Band: The Headliners | Invitations: Zola | Dress Shop and Designer: White Closet Bridal Tampa & The Dressing Room St. Pete | Shoe Designer: Christian louboutin, Steve Madden, and Betsy Johnson | Hair + Makeup: Savannah Olivia Beauty
Angelique and John’s timeless BROOKSVILLE WEDDING was a serene and sophisticated affair, where classic charm met modern design. Infused with BLACK and WHITE hues and stunning gold accents, their celebration unfolded across the European-style grounds, providing an ambiance that was both grand and intimately refined.
“When thinking of our wedding design, we wanted something timeless yet modern, something that even 50 years from now will still look beautiful and unforgettable. Our wedding colors were BLACK and WHITE with GOLD accents. Every time I went on PINTEREST to get ideas, my heart melted when I saw black and white weddings, so when I showed John, he felt the same way. You can’t go wrong with black and white, and it’ll always stand the test of time.”
The Venue
“We wanted a beautiful scene for our wedding venue, but also had a lot of space so that we didn’t feel confined to a certain area. We wanted different areas where guests can mingle, such as a fire pit, dance floor, dining space, ceremony in front of that beautiful tree, and plenty of seating near the dance floor and bar too. Choosing La Hacienda on Snow Hill was by far one of the best decisions we made for our wedding! We couldn’t have picked a better venue to have our wedding! Our guests were in love with it, and we’re still getting messages from guests saying how our wedding was the most beautiful wedding they’d ever been to! La Hacienda had the most amazing staff! They truly made wedding planning and even our wedding day so seamless and stress-free!” – The Bride
Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pros:
Venue: La Hacienda on Snow Hill
Photographer: Madisun Paige Photography | Videographer: A and S Photo Film | Planner + Florist: Stephanie Voth Events | Caterer: Savory Roots Catering | Bar: All Mixed Up Bar | Rentals: Fancy That Linens | Cake: Melissa’s Cakes | DJ: Gig Set Go | Officiant: Ron Newcomb | Invitations: Minted | Transportation: L3 Limo | Dress Shop and Designer: Brides of Florida | Hair: Paint It Black Hair Studio | Hair: Urbanity Salons | Makeup: Flawless By Frank | Makeup: Jackie Riley Makeup | Rehearsal Dinner: Esposito’s on Dale Mabry in Tampa
Ashley and Daniel’s romantic DOWNTOWN ST. PETE WEDDING was a beautiful fusion of heartfelt tradition and personal flair, culminating in a celebration uniquely their own. Their enchanting woodland theme intertwined with elements like a traditional Catholic Mass and a touching nod to the groom’s Irish heritage.
“Danny has Irish heritage, which blended well with the fantasy elements, so our wedding invitation had a more Celtic theme. The green colors we implemented throughout our decor and outfits hinted to that as well. Ashley loves fantasy novels and really anything with a magical, ethereal atmosphere to it, so she chose a wedding dress that reflected that: an a-line organza gown with large embroidered flowers starting at the bottom and ending at the long train. She also wore a crown and had a cathedral-length veil. We’d describe our theme as ‘Woodland Fantasy.’ Our color palette included darker GREENS, olive and emerald, IVORY, GOLD, and wood accents. We felt that these colors, combined with our decor, would really evoke the woodland fantasy theme we wanted to capture.”
The Venue
“Our requirements for the reception venue were natural lighting, exposed brick, a room that could accommodate a large dance floor, and a welcoming atmosphere. The UDREAM event staff at The Morean Historic Train Station was a pleasure to work with.
We chose the venue because it met all of our criteria perfectly, but also because it had sentimental value for Danny. His family has been involved with the Morean Arts Center for many years, and he spent a lot of time at the Center for Clay during his youth.”
“We wanted someone who was truly a professional, but would also keep our own preferences and tastes in mind. We also wanted someone with high energy and the ability to get people out of their seats and on the dance floor quickly. We chose both GRANT HEMOND & ASSOCIATES and our DJ, Jason Tally, because of the extremely high number of five-star reviews they had. Neither the company nor Jason disappointed; it was easy to book with them, the price was very reasonable, and Jason was incredible! He was so kind, energetic, personable, and helped the reception go very smoothly.”
Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pros:
Reception Venue: Events at The Morean Historic Train Station
DJ: Grant Hemond & Associates
Ceremony Venue: St. Mary Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church | Photographer: Right up your Allie Photography | Videographer: Adam Hardin Films | Planner: Day of Details | Florist: Bloom House Florist & Baazar | Caterer: 3 C’s Catering | Rentals: Coast to Coast Event Rentals | Cake: Allie Cakes | Transportation: Adventure Party Bus | Dress Shop and Designer: Isabel O’Neil Bridal | Bridesmaid Dress Shop and Designer: Birdy Grey | Hair + Makeup: Just Beauty; HMU Justina Jefferson | Rehearsal Dinner: The Taproom at The Hollander Hotel
Danielle and Alec’s vibrant DOWNTOWN TAMPA WEDDING featured colorful flora and decor accented with exotic marine life. Stingrays and sharks made guest appearances during the ceremony nuptials, before guests transitioned to the rooftop for an al fresco reception overlooking Tampa Bay.
“We wanted our wedding to have a design that transitioned from the ceremony to the reception to reflect the mood of both. The wedding design inspiration was very romantic, inspired by romance novels or Bridgerton with lots of flowers, dim light, and classical music. Whereas the reception design inspiration was an upscale Miami rooftop club with more of a party vibe and neon colors. The idea was to have a VIBRANT and lush wedding that happened to be at an aquarium, but not aquarium themed,” the bride detailed. “We wanted to incorporate as much color as possible! We chose to go with JEWEL TONES with accents of gold in order to make as much of a color splash while still fitting with the darker lighting setting of our ceremony space.”
The Planner
“We looked for someone who was passionate about their job, friendly, but still professional. It was really important to us that we had someone who could also help us with choosing the designs to make sure everything went together cohesively. Heather and her team from BLUE SKIES WEDDINGS + EVENTS were lifesavers.
Partway through the planning process, Alec was deployed to the Middle East, so Heather was my go-to for all the planning and organization. She was always willing to listen, work through things, and make helpful suggestions. She made me feel like I was the only client she had, even though that was far from the truth. Heather is a great listener, proactive, and loves weddings. I would recommend her without any hesitation.” – The Bride
“We were looking for someone who could completely own the party. We wanted a DJ who was personable, professional, and who mixed music. We did not want to feel like the music was a playlist on shuffle. Cory Baron from Tampa Bay DJ Co. came highly recommended from our planner and many others. On the introductory call, we knew immediately he was the right choice because of how excited he was; his enthusiasm and ideas are infectious! We knew he loved doing his job and was going to make sure that our event ran smoothly and was a great party. We also used their extra services with lighting, CO2 bursts for the dip of our first dance, and fog bubbles for our exit. Cory made sure the lighting was the right vibe for the event and the most updated technology. These elements really elevated our wedding and made it even more memorable. Cory and his team were hardworking and innovative, and we knew our reception was in good hands with them!”
“Our wedding planner highly recommended Behind the Vows. We liked how their Instagram explained content creation and had fun videos that were specific to Tampa. The pricing was also reasonable and able to fit into our budget. We originally chose to have a content creator because both sets of my grandparents were going to be unable to attend the wedding, and we wanted to have videos to share with them immediately after the wedding. We had the videos the day after our wedding, and it was so nice to be able to relive everything. It was also more informal than a traditional videographer, and there were a lot of details captured so I can always remember all the work put into every detail. Where a formal videographer may focus more on the couple, content creators can focus on everything, so we also have videos that feature more of our guests and their enjoyment of the event!”
Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pros:
Planner: Blue Skies Weddings and Events
DJ: Tampa Bay DJ Company
Content Creator: Behind the Vows
Dress Steaming: Truly Forever Bridal Tampa
Rehearsal Dinner: Yacht Starship
Venue and Caterer: Florida Aquarium | Photographer: Kristen Weaver Photography | Videographer: Labif Film House | Florist: FH Event Design | Cake: Sweet Clementine Cakes | Rentals: Bubble Design Rentals | Live Music: Sunset Strings | Invitations and Signage: AM+Co | Transportation: Affari | Dress Shop and Designer: One and Only Bridal, Martina Liana | Shoe Designer: Bella Belle | Hair + Makeup: Savannah Olivia Beauty | Live Entertainment: Breezin Entertainment | Dance Floor: Xpress Urself Media | Caricature Artists: Al-Rod Studio Events | Phone Booth: Supreme Party Solutions | Phone Booth Decor + Jellyfish Artist: Artistic Spaces Inc. | Photo Booth: Party Cube Live | Corvette Rental: Classic Weddings Cars FL | Mobile Barber: Mobile Pro Barber
Alanna and Luke’s vintage YBOR CITY WEDDING was a heartfelt celebration of citrus tones, family roots, and vintage charm, with handmade friendship bracelets and a live cigar roller bringing the past and present together in perfect harmony.
“Our theme was vintage Florida orange. Luke is from New Jersey, and all of his guests were traveling from out-of-state, so I wanted to give them a true Florida welcome,” the bride explained. “We had oranges everywhere — from orange creamsicle cocktails to popsicles and truffles. Dried oranges adorned our tables and were woven throughout our stationery. We also wanted to incorporate Ybor City, so we included Cuban bread, a live cigar roller, a mention of the cigar rollers in our ceremony script, Spanish music, and even a flamenco guitarist. We didn’t have one overarching color, but we used warm earth tones like GREENS, ORANGES, and neutrals to create a soft, cozy, and romantic feel that tied into our vintage Florida theme.”
The Venue
“I already knew J.C. Newman would be our venue, but at one point we thought it might be too small for our large guest list. We ended up cutting our guest list to fit the venue, but before that, we considered other options. We wanted a place we could revisit anytime, somewhere we could enjoy long after the wedding. It needed to be more than just a wedding venue or a big space. We wanted it to be a staple in the community, a functioning business locals could enjoy. My grandmother was a roller at the factory, and she was very special to me. We used to play dominoes and poker when I was a little girl. I always knew I wanted to get married there, especially after they renovated the building. My uncles were also all bakers at La Segunda across the street, so I knew I had to have their Cuban bread on our menu.” – The Bride
“We needed someone who could really take control that day. Amanda with The Olive Tree Weddings knows Ybor City inside and out, and she was so familiar with all our other vendors. Her knowledge of the area and her professionalism gave me a huge sense of confidence and trust. Amanda and her team were absolutely wonderful, and I highly recommend her for all events, especially weddings in Ybor City.”
Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pros:
Venue + Cigar Roller: J.C. Newman Cigar Company
Welcome Party: Hotel Haya
Planner: The Olive Tree Weddings
DJ: Graingertainment
Photographer: Janel Herranz Photography | Florist: Westover Flowers | Caterer: Valerie, Catering by the Family | Rentals: Catering by the Family | Cake: Artistic Whisk | Dress Shop and Designer: The Collection Bridal, Monique Lhuillier | Shoe Designer: Loeffler Randall | Hair + Makeup: Hair: Darcy Greco, Salon Belladonna | Makeup: Vladimir Hernandez, Vladisangelsmakeupandhair | Popsicles: The Hyppo | Flamenco Dancers: Breezin Entertainment
Ally and Jake’s urban Ybor City wedding was a glamorous affair filled with neutral flora, romantic candlelight, and ethereal styling. The bride and groom wed in a traditional Catholic ceremony set in a stunning cathedral before celebrating with a historic hotel ballroom reception.
“During the planning process, I envisioned a reception that felt incredibly romantic, with a warm, intimate ambiance. I was drawn to the idea of soft candlelit lighting and elegant, flowy drapery cascading from the ceiling to create a dreamy atmosphere. These elements came together beautifully to set the perfect tone for the evening,” the bride beamed. “I didn’t stick to one specific color but opted for a neutral color palette instead. My bridesmaids wore a beautiful shade of brown, and the florals featured a mix of soft pinks, browns, and whites. The combination created an elegant, timeless look that felt warm and romantic.”
The Venue
“Hotel Haya was amazing to work with from start to finish. Our initial tour of the space with Meghan Hygh immediately gave us a great feeling, and Logan was incredible throughout the process, helping us with the menu, tastings, and ensuring that every detail reflected the vibe we envisioned for the day. Their attention to detail and commitment to making our day special made the entire experience unforgettable!
Being from Plant City, the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, and having served as the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen in 2018, I knew I had to incorporate a nod to my hometown. For dessert, we had a ‘make-your-own’ strawberry shortcake bar, which was such a fun and unique touch. The Hotel Haya catering staff brought this idea to life beautifully, allowing our out-of-town guests to get a delicious taste of Plant City.” – The Bride
“I was looking for a wedding planner who was detail-oriented, highly organized, and someone who would guide me every step of the way throughout the entire planning process. I wanted someone who would work alongside me, ensuring that every aspect was taken care of and that I felt supported from start to finish. I chose EVENTFULL WEDDINGS because Karen was not only kind but also checked off every box of what we were looking for in a wedding planner. From the very beginning, Karen was there to support us—helping us find vendors, navigate wedding logistics, and even meeting with us multiple times for food tastings, floral mock-ups, and coffee check-ins. Her dedication and attention to detail ensured that our day would be absolutely perfect.”
“My husband and I are both big music lovers and love to dance, so it was important to us that our guests felt the same way and joined us on the dance floor to celebrate our wedding,” the bride detailed. “We hired Cory with TAMPA BAY DJ COMPANY because he helped us create the perfect playlist for our guests. He also made sure our entrance video played just as we envisioned and perfectly timed our first dance to match the music we had chosen. His attention to detail and ability to set the tone for the celebration made the night unforgettable.”
Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pros:
Reception Venue and Caterer: Hotel Haya
Planner: EventFull Weddings
Chairs + Sweetheart Table Rentals: Kate Ryan Event Rentals
DJ: Tampa Bay DJ Company
Photobooth: Gala Photobooth
Ceremony Venue: Sacred Heart Catholic Church | Photographer: Larissa Soroka Photo | Videographer: Midsummer Productions | Florist: Gather and Grace | Rentals: Oak and Ash | Draping: FH Events | Cake: Tampa Bay Cake Company | Transportation: Jolley Trolley | Hair + Makeup: Jennifer Beauty & Co | Content Creation: Cupid Content | Invitations: Stationary Loft, Lakeland | Shoes: Gianni Bini | Rehearsal | Dinner Casa Santo Stefano | Dress Boutique One and Only Bridal, Orlando and Designer Liz Young | Officiant: Friar Michael Reyes
Annie and Thomas’ downtown St. Pete destination wedding was a colorful fete filled with a rainbow of flora, lush fabrics, and impressive artwork set in an elegant gallery setting.
“The wedding was designed around my dress! We had just two and a half months to plan the wedding, so instead of looking for a traditional wedding dress, I just chose a gown I loved. My dress was a rosy pink with gold, and my bridesmaids’ dresses were in shades ranging from gold to copper, while Thomas and the groomsmen wore gold ties. Our wedding planners brought the vision to life, creating a colorful, eclectic, and exuberant wedding with Arts and Crafts themes that complemented both my dress and the venue,” the bride beamed. “We used so many colors! Our ceremony area was draped in blue and copper, while our reception area was draped in green with blue and floral table coverings and green and coral floral dishes. I love color, and it came together beautifully! Parties A La Carte and MMD Designs worked together to help us create something that was colorful and exuberant but also beautifully designed.”
The Planner
“We moved our wedding date up, so we only had two and a half months to plan! We needed a wedding planner who was incredibly professional and capable of pulling it off in a very short amount of time.
Enter, Parties A La Carte. We interviewed a few wedding planners in the area, and we were just immediately impressed with Jessica and Cara. There aren’t enough positive things in the world to say about the PALC team. They’re just a wonderful group of people who truly care about the people they work with. They go above and beyond in every area.”
“We were interested in a museum wedding from the beginning! We both love history and a vintage feel, so this was a great fit. The Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement is one of my absolute favorite museums. Thomas and I both love the arts and crafts style of art and their collection, so it seemed like a great fit.”
“Bruce Wayne Florals came highly recommended by our planner. The best creative results come from having the freedom to create, so we really let the florist run with the vision! I didn’t want to restrict the florist, or any of our vendors, to some strict idea I had in my head.”
“Annie and Thomas’ wedding was a florist’s dream, showcasing the beauty of creativity. With Amanda Allen’s and her team’s guidance at MMD Events, the vibrant and bold flower selections came to life,” John Elice, Creative Director at Bruce Wayne Florals detailed. “We sourced stunning blooms harvested and shipped from a farm in Oregon, along with unique foliage from local garden centers. We created a captivating atmosphere by blending traditional flowers with unexpected elements like dried sea oats. The ceremony colors were inspired by the stunning tiled murals of the museum, while the reception drew inspiration from the timeless elegance of the old Dutch masters.”
Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pros:
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Museum of American Arts & Crafts Movement
Planner: Parties A La Carte
Florist: Bruce Wayne Florals
Chairs, King Tables, Cocktail Bars: Kate Ryan Event Rentals
Photographer: Hello Photo | Designer: MMD Events | Caterer: Saltblock Catering | Specialty Ice: Tampa Bay Ice | Cocktail Linens and Reception Rounds: Reverie Social | Linens: Nuage Designs | Ceremony Chairs, Rugs for Band: Southern Chairs | Dance Floor Wrap: Letz Dance on It | Table Top Rentals: Treasury Rentals | Seating Chart Wall: Infinity Event Solutions | Draping: Swag Decor | Cake: Hands on Sweets | Cocktail + Reception Music: Finesse | Invitations and Day of Paper: URBANcoast | Transportation: Olympus Limo | Reception Dress: Roberto Cavalli & Clio Peppiatt | Shoe Designer: Givenchy + Vans
Lauren and Andrew’s picturesque Sarasota wedding was an elegant evening filled with soft blue and white flora set under moss-clad oak trees overlooking the Bay. The couple exchanged vows during a waterfront ceremony before enjoying an al fresco reception under a glamorous peak tent.
“We wanted something that would fit our outdoor venue so we decided on a springtime, garden party theme. We wanted to keep it springy so we chose light blue, white, and green as our main colors. Our florals were mainly white with pops of blue and lots of greenery throughout.”
The Florist
“Our inspiration was a spring garden party. We knew we wanted to work with Beneva Weddings after having an initial call with Corona Pardue; She was absolutely amazing to work with and created a stunning floral design for us. She helped guide us throughout the entire process and was truly one of the nicest people we worked with during our wedding planning.” -The Bride
“Lauren and Andrew’s floral palette was a classic, all-white, with a twist: a pop of soft blue. The classics went in, Playa Blanca roses, Premium Hydrangea, Lisianthus, Ranunculus, and Veronica to create a stunning base for stems of light blue Delphinium and blue Tweedia to shine. A lush and textural skirt of assorted eucalyptus foliage boasted stems of soft and velvety Dusty Miller, bringing touches of silvery sage greens to the palette. We try to include at least one fragrant bloom, and for these two it was a seasonal favorite: Stock flower, which boasts a clean, sweet, floral scent from its fluffy bloom. When Lauren and Andrew walked into their show table appointment with the mock-up on the table, I believe the trust we had already established was only strengthened. From then on, when it came to floral design they gave us their full trust which will always result in our best work.” -The Florist
Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pros:
Florist: Beneva
Hair + Makeup: Adore Bridal
Venue: Bay Preserve at Osprey | Photographer: Beth Joy Photos | Videographer: CGM Productions | Planner: Kelly Kennedy Weddings and Events | Caterer: Michael’s on East | Rentals: Palacios Events, So Staged Events | Cake: Cakes by Ron | Band: Paradigm Party Band | Transportation: Siesta Trolley | Dress Shop and Designer: Magnolia Laine Bridal, Martina Liana | Bridesmaid Dress Shop and Designer: Azazie | Rehearsal Dinner: Sage Restaurant
