Ashley and Brian
Tampa Museum of Art
“We chose a modern black-and-white theme for our black-tie wedding because we wanted it to feel timeless. I’ve always been drawn to the clean, understated elegance of black and white, and I wanted to avoid trendy décor that could make the wedding feel tied to a specific moment in time. Most importantly, we wanted to create a formal and meaningful celebration where our family and friends could gather to celebrate our marriage.” -The Bride
FEATURING
Ashley and Brian’s contemporary downtown Tampa wedding combined a neutral black and white color palette with minimalist flora and classic decor for a timeless atmosphere. During the April celebration, the Jacksonville bride and groom exchanged vows overlooking the Riverwalk before hosting their 125 treasured guests for a formal reception within a renowned Florida art gallery.
“My favorite moment of the day was when my husband and I slipped away during cocktail hour and had a chance to sit together, just the two of us,” the bride revealed. “We loved celebrating with our family and friends, but at the heart of it all, the day was about marrying the person I love. Taking a quiet moment to soak it all in together was incredibly special.”
The Proposal
“Brian knows I’ve never been someone who enjoys being the center of attention, especially in front of a large crowd. He had originally planned to propose during a group trip to Las Vegas the weekend before, and I was completely convinced it would happen there. I even had my nails done in a white design in anticipation. Instead, he chose to wait and proposed in our backyard, surrounded by my favorite things: him and our animals. It was intimate, thoughtful, and perfectly suited to who I am.”
Researching Wedding Inspiration
“We turned to Marry Me Tampa Bay early in the planning process to help define our vision and establish our overall goals for the wedding.”
The Experience
“I always knew I wanted to get married in downtown Tampa on the river, and the Tampa Museum of Art ended up being the perfect location for us to celebrate. It provided a one-of-a-kind backdrop for our wedding, but the personal details truly made the day our own.
Having fun and staying spontaneous has always been a big part of who we are as a couple. We love adding personal touches to the events we host and finding ways to make them feel authentic to us. We looked for opportunities to incorporate our personalities throughout the celebration, including an unforgettable exit on electric scooters that perfectly reflected our fun and spontaneous nature.”
The Photography
Evoke Photo and Film
“I had a very specific set of qualities in mind: I wanted someone I genuinely connected with who could make us feel comfortable and at ease throughout the day. It was also important that they could capture more than just posed portraits. I wanted our photos to tell the story of the day and reflect the emotions, energy, and moments that made it so special.
We chose Evoke Photo and Film because Stacy Boyce and I connected right away. From our first conversation, she understood exactly what I was looking for and made the entire process feel effortless. Her calm and reassuring presence helped keep me grounded throughout the planning process. On the wedding day, I never felt stressed or overwhelmed because I knew we were in great hands. And the photos? Absolutely amazing!”
The Honeymoon
“We chose to honeymoon in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Neither of us had ever been before, and there are direct flights from our town. We had an amazing time! We got matching coqui frog tattoos, mine with a wedding veil and his with a bowtie, while there and had the best time soaking up the sun.”
From The Photographer
“When modern art meets timeless romance. It was like being swept up into a beautiful whirlwind of inspiration, surrounded by some of the most beautiful pieces and spaces that Tampa Museum of Art has to offer. When I first spoke with Ashley and Brian, I knew this was going to be so much fun to capture. The modern lines and profiles of the museum itself created the perfect setting for our team to thrive artistically. We gravitate towards architecture and culturally rich venues. And of course – Ashley and Brian’s fun-loving, lighthearted vibes sealed the deal for us. Our favorite aspect of the venue is the reception space. Hands down, it’s one of the most vibey spots for a romantic candlelight dinner with your favorite people, and the black and white checkered dance floor was the icing on the cake.”
—Stacy Boyce, Evoke Photo and Film
The Inspiration
“We chose black and white for a timeless feel, ensuring that our colors did not clash with anything else in the venue and allowing for a seamless aesthetic. One of my biggest priorities was creating an atmosphere that would look just as beautiful in our photos decades from now as it does today.
I’ve always been drawn to the clean, understated elegance of black and white, and I wanted to avoid trendy décor that could make the wedding feel tied to a specific moment in time. Most importantly, we wanted to create a formal and meaningful celebration where our family and friends could gather to celebrate our marriage.”
The Rentals
Kate Ryan Event Rentals & Over The Top Rental Linens
The Entertainment
Grant Hemond & Associates
“When choosing a DJ, we wanted someone who understood how to engage guests of all ages and could create a playlist that appealed to everyone, and Grant Hemond & Associates met all of our requirements. They were incredibly responsive and made the entire process seamless. We’ve had several guests comment on how great the music was and how much they enjoyed the song selection.”
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
The florals, dance floor, and photography were the areas we chose to prioritize most. We wanted our guests to have an unforgettable time celebrating with us, especially during the reception.
The vendors who exceeded our expectations were Evoke Photo and Film, our florist from Sage Botanicals, and my hair and makeup team at Just Beauty by Justina. Each of them brought our vision to life while making the entire experience feel seamless and stress-free. Their professionalism, talent, and attention to detail allowed us to truly enjoy the process, and I can’t recommend them highly enough.
What advice would you give to other Tampa couples?
Take things slow, and remember you and your fiancé’s opinion is the only one that counts. Don’t worry about society’s standards when it comes to the length of your engagement, how many family members you should invite, etc.
