Leanne and Walker
The Bay Club at Westshore Yacht Club
“Our theme was a coastal garden party. We loved a lot of elements from garden party weddings, but knew we wanted it to feel true to Tampa and have a coastal-chic feel. Our colors were light blue with small hints of sage green.” -The Bride
FEATURING
Leanne and Walker’s coastal South Tampa wedding was a joyful March celebration where 102 guests gathered at sunset for an event that felt equal parts elegant garden party and laid-back Florida getaway. Soft blue blooms with touches of sage, crisp white details, and breezy umbrellas framed the ceremony, while water views and warm coastal air created a naturally beautiful backdrop from start to finish. Personal touches such as a hand-fasting ceremony and wooden oars signed by loved ones made the day feel deeply meaningful. As the evening unfolded with lively music, nonstop dancing, and spontaneous moments of laughter, the wedding felt less like a formal event and more like one unforgettable weekend bringing two families together.
“What truly made our day special was our friends and family. As two families came together, new friendships formed between people who may never have met otherwise and who now vacation together. Our wedding brought them together,” the bride revealed. “We wanted every detail to feel intentional and personal. It was incredibly important to us that our guests walked into the wedding and immediately felt like the day was ‘so us.’ We tied in unique elements like a hand-fasting ceremony and even had guests sign wooden oars instead of a traditional book. It was a nod to our love for the water, and we love having them displayed in our home today as a daily reminder of the people who helped us celebrate.”
The Bach Party & Honeymoon
“We threw my bachelorette party in St. Pete. Most of my bridal party was traveling from out of state, and I wanted a destination that was easy and cost-effective while still offering a fun, beachy vibe. We are so lucky to live somewhere that already feels like a vacation! Even though it was more of a staycation for me, we still rented an Airbnb and planned all the activities we would have done anywhere else, like poolside yoga, a tiki boat, and bar hopping, and didn’t have to worry as much about logistics. And my commute home the Sunday after was a dream.
We honeymooned in Thailand for two magical weeks, spending time in Bangkok, Koh Samui, and Phuket. We wanted a destination with incredible food where we could fully relax on some days and go on adventures on others. We ultimately narrowed it down to Thailand and Italy, and decided that Italy would always be there, while making a 24+ hour flight to Thailand might not be as easy later on. Now, with a baby on the way, we know we made the right choice! Even though we experienced a 7.7 magnitude earthquake on our last day, those weeks were some of the happiest of our lives, and now we have quite the story to tell! Not many couples can say they survived a life-or-death experience at the very start of their marriage, but we would go back in a heartbeat.”
The Hair & Makeup
Femme Akoi Beauty Studio
“I wanted a wedding day look that felt true to me. Femme Akoi Beauty Studio did one of my bridesmaids’ weddings previously, and since I loved my makeup for her wedding, it felt like an easy choice.”
The Proposal
“We were on vacation in Ireland with Walker’s family and had planned to take family photos on Strandhill Beach. Before everyone else arrived, Walker suggested we head down early for a walk along the shore. It was pouring rain, and with a photoshoot coming up, I was not exactly thrilled about getting soaked. Still, he convinced me to brave the weather and go for a walk in the rain.
As soon as we reached the beach, the clouds parted, and the sun began to shine. We walked along the shoreline until we reached a spot where the land juts out into the water. That’s when Walker took my hands, got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him. It turned out the photographer he had hired was not there for family photos after all, but to capture the moment he proposed.”
The Venue
The Bay Club at Westshore Yacht Club
“We realized early on that our happiest moments are always by the water, so naturally, we wanted our wedding to reflect that. That focus helped narrow down our search. We decided to skip the big hotel ballrooms and looked for a spot that felt hidden and intimate.
We picked Westshore Yacht Club for many reasons. We loved the location, how intimate it felt, and it’s hard to beat the view at sunset!”
Most Memorable Moments
“One of the most memorable moments was exchanging private vows. It was the one quiet moment where we could let our guards down and just be together before the madness began. It was perhaps the only moment of the day when we could truly let our guards down and be fully present as we committed our lives to each other.
The public ceremony was just as special, as we loved making those promises official in front of our friends and family. One of the most unforgettable moments from our reception had to be seeing Walker’s groomsmen hoist him and both of our dads onto their shoulders. It was spontaneous, hilarious, and a memory we still laugh about to this day.”
The Design
“Our theme was a coastal garden party. We loved a lot of elements from garden party weddings, but knew we wanted it to feel true to Tampa and have a coastal-chic feel. Our colors were light blue with small hints of sage green.”
The Rentals
Gabro Event Services
“We rented our dance floor, acrylic champagne glasses, and four white umbrellas from Gabro Event Services.
I was initially back and forth on whether to do the dance floor, but now, looking back, I can’t imagine our wedding without it! It really enhanced our photos and gave us peace of mind that our guests would have an even surface for dancing. The umbrellas kept our guests cool and shaded during the ceremony and helped tie in the ‘garden party’ vibe we were looking for.”
The DJ
Graingertainment
“We wanted someone experienced and fun yet professional. Graingertainment came highly recommended by many brides, and our planner had worked with them in the past. We thought they were great, and so did our guests.”
The Photobooth
The Gala Photobooth
“A photo booth was an absolute necessity! Anyone who knows me knows how much I cherish photos. It’s the perfect way to elevate the guest experience and ensure there is zero downtime during cocktail hour. We received so many compliments on it, and we loved looking through the digital gallery afterward to see how much fun everyone had. Carve out a specific time to jump in the booth with your new husband! We got so caught up in the festivities that we actually forgot to take a photo together.”
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Our photographers, videographers, and florist truly went above and beyond. The florist transformed the space beautifully, and our photo and video team captured every detail with such care and creativity. We placed a huge emphasis on documenting the day because we know that eventually, the photos and videos are all you have left to relive those moments.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Don’t be afraid to DIY. With a design background, I wanted to create our invitations and day-of stationery myself, which saved us a significant amount of money that we could then put toward other priorities we knew we did not want to DIY, like flowers. We also identified a few ‘nice to have’ items that we chose to make ourselves, including our seating chart, favors, and signage. Although I do not recommend hand-painting over 100 buoys for your seating chart!
Everyone says this, but really try to be present and take a moment to look around at the beautiful day you created together.
