Claudeane and Robby's romantic South Tampa wedding featured neutral hues, classic white flora and greenery, and elegant decor. The bride and groom exchanged vows in a traditional church ceremony before dining and dancing with their guests at a chic outdoor country club reception.
“We chose to have our wedding in our hometown because we love Tampa and wanted our friends and family to be a part of our special day. Our theme was Southern classic. I always knew I wanted a very traditional wedding with a flair, and that’s how we decided to go with a Southern classic spin. From being a black-tie wedding to shucking oysters and having an espresso martini ice luge, it was our southern day!” the bride gushed. “We went very traditional with white, black, and pops of gold and green through the greenery and flowers.”
The Tampa couple envisioned an elegant celebration for their 300 guests and turned to the creative design experts at Botanica International Design Studio to transform the private club with stunning floral arrangements, chic table linens, and stylish furnishings. The refined al-fresco reception was created using white tables and King Louis chairs beneath a canopy of string lights, accented with delicate ruffled cocktail tables and clusters of cozy seating near the monogrammed dance floor.
“We were looking for a florist who could take our vision and make it come to life. We wanted someone who could handle the floral design, furniture setup, and linens. We hired Botanica International Design Studio because we knew they could handle a wedding of our size and the vision we were looking to create, including florals and beyond to furniture and linens. They really went over the top to create a perfect day for us,” the bride gushed.
The pair focused on the guest experience by prioritizing lively music and unique menu offerings for the February celebration. With gourmet offerings from hors d'oeuvres to desserts and even a sweet surprise for the groom, the result was an unforgettable evening for all those who attended.
“Beyond just the day being for the two of us, the band and food were the most important for us,” Claudeane revealed. “It was a lot of the little touches; we had an oyster station and a surprise espresso martini luge bar as our ‘grooms cake,' plus a bananas foster station.”
The couple sought a wedding photographer who could capture their celebration in a natural style that felt authentic and effortless. They instantly connected with Eddy Almaguer Photography with a comfort and ease that encapsulated the true emotions of the day in their portraits.
“We were looking for someone to capture our true selves throughout the day in natural light. We chose Eddy Almaguer Photography because Eddy is far more than just your wedding photographer; he’s a friend and a guest at your wedding,” the bride beamed. “We were blown away by how detailed he was throughout the day. Eddy captured the day by truly being a part of it and integrating himself into our lives, vibes, and friends. It was everything we could have hoped for in a photographer.”
With the pristine grass of the fairways, the mature oak trees, and the historic golf club in the background, the newlyweds shared an intimate moment together to soak in the setting and truly relish the wedding experience.
“When we stood at the top of the 18th green and looked down at our entire wedding as a couple. It was truly our favorite memory,” the bride reminisced.
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
St. Simons Island, GA. I wanted something beachy but with plenty to do outside the beach.
The Proposal:
Our proposal took place in Hyde Park Village. We were going shopping for a family member. Robby asked me to meet him there. He was nervous and acted very rushed. We left, and he asked if we could walk his sister to her car, which was all in a ploy to get us in front of the fountain where he dropped down on one knee after eight plus years of dating.
What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
We were looking for someone to capture our true selves throughout the day in natural light.
We chose Eddy Almaguer Photography because Eddy is far more than just your wedding photographer; he’s a friend and a guest at your wedding. We were blown away by how detailed he was throughout the day. Eddy captured the day by truly being a part of it and integrating himself into our lives, vibes, and friends. It was everything we could have hoped for in a photographer.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
We chose to have our wedding in our hometown because we love Tampa and wanted our friends and family to be a part of our special day. Our theme was Southern classic. I always knew I wanted a very traditional wedding with a flair, and that’s how we decided to go with a Southern classic spin. From being a black-tie wedding to shucking oysters and having an espresso martini ice luge, it was our southern day!
What were your colors?
We went very traditional with white, black, and pops of gold and green through the greenery and flowers.
What did you look for in a wedding florist?
We were looking for a florist who could take our vision and make it come to life. We wanted someone who could handle the floral design, furniture setup, and linens.
We hired Botanica International Design Studio because we knew they could handle a wedding of our size and the vision we were looking to create, including florals and beyond to furniture and linens. They really went over the top to create a perfect day for us.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We spent our honeymoon on the gorgeous islands of Maui and Lanai, Hawaii.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
We were blown away by how detailed Eddy Almaguer Photography was throughout the day, and Botanica really went over the top to create a perfect day for us.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Selecting the right vendors for you can make all the difference in your day. Do your research and don’t hesitate to give new vendors an opportunity to shine!
