Katie and Jacob
Le Méridien
“When we initially planned our wedding on St. Pete Beach, we envisioned an elegant and simple celebration with a beachy fall vibe, featuring colors of sage, baby blue, and bronze that reflected both the beach setting and the season. Although two hurricanes postponed our October date, those colors continued to shape our celebration. In the end, the unexpected cancellations made our wedding all the more unique when it finally happened, and the rich history of our new venue added an extra layer of meaning to our day.” -The Bride
FEATURING
Katie and Ryan’s classic spring wedding in downtown Tampa brought together 100 loved ones for an elegant and timeless celebration at Le Méridien. The day perfectly captured their vision of simple sophistication, with a palette of sage, baby blue, and bronze that complemented the historic venue’s charm. Following a heartfelt ceremony on the grand steps, guests enjoyed signature cocktails, live music, and a lively reception that showcased the couple’s fun-loving personalities. From emotional vows to a packed dance floor, every detail reflected the warmth, joy, and effortless beauty of their spring celebration.
“Living in Tampa, Florida, we knew it was the perfect place to celebrate because it was close to home and filled with things for our guests to enjoy,” the bride beamed. “What mattered most to us was surrounding ourselves with the people we love, finding the perfect venue, and working with an amazing planner who brought it all together effortlessly.”
Hair and Makeup Inspiration
Adore Bridal
“I really wanted a very natural glam look, which Adore Bridal nailed. My favorite part was that they put in my clip-in extensions and gave me my dream, loose fishtail braid.”
The Venue
Le Méridien
“Because we had to reschedule the wedding due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the most important element in a venue was having one location where we could hold every event of the weekend.
We loved the historical aspect of Le Meridien, and the grand stairway was beautiful for the wedding. Additionally, we loved their event planner! They were amazing!”
The Photography & Videography
We The Blackwells
“We wanted a team that brought a unique style to the photos and creativity.
We hired We The Blackwells because of their portfolio and personalities. They were amazing and really stuck with us through the good and bad times during wedding planning. They made us feel comfortable every step of the way and took amazing photos.”
The Proposal
“Jacob told me that we were going to dinner with his parents, and, because I am a chronically late person, we were running late. So he drove us so I could finish my makeup in the car. I didn’t know it, but he was desperately trying to get us to the beach before sunset, and his driving reflected that. I ended up getting carsick and almost drove myself home, but I managed it in the end. Long story short, I was nearly proposed to in the car, but ended up saying yes on the beach at sunset.”
Most Memorable Moment
“Our most memorable moments were writing our vows 30 minutes before the ceremony, reading them, and my husband tearing up during his.”
The Design & Inspo
“When we initially planned our wedding at another hotel on St. Pete Beach, we envisioned an elegant and simple celebration with a beachy fall vibe, featuring colors of sage, baby blue, and bronze that reflected both the beach setting and the season. Although two hurricanes postponed our October date, those colors continued to shape our celebration. In the end, the unexpected cancellations made our wedding all the more unique when it finally happened, and the rich history of our new venue added an extra layer of meaning to our day.
We included our personalities in the wedding by having our signature drinks (gin & tonic and Aperol Spritz), making cocktail hour napkins featuring our beloved dog, choosing the Le Méridien (for my law background), and including a groom’s cake that was the logo of our favorite football team.”
The Music
Grant Hemond and Associates
“We really wanted a DJ who could get the party going and keep it entertaining.
We were referred to Grant Hemond & Associates by our wedding planner, and we hired them for their flexibility with music and excellent reviews. They were amazing and very professional.”
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Our wedding planner, and We The Blackwells. Our wedding planner was amazing and handled even the most stressful issues with grace. She had a whole spreadsheet to keep me organized and perfect our communication. We The Blackwells really went above and beyond to make our day memorable and even had us do a cute elevator/bar shoot after the ceremony.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Planning a wedding can be extremely stressful, especially during hurricane season, and if you have to reschedule, don’t fret because you may end up having an even better wedding day.
