Juliana and Sahith
“Our biggest inspiration was making sure the wedding truly felt like us. We wanted to weave together our individual cultures—Colombian and Indian—while also celebrating the American culture we share. Every detail was chosen with that in mind, from the décor to the little touches, so the day reflected not just our backgrounds, but also who we are together. Our colors were pink and green. They’re our favorite colors, and we felt like together they really represented us—bright, lively, and full of contrast but still complementary. They gave the whole celebration a joyful, personal touch.” -The Bride
FEATURING
Juliana and Sahith’s cultural Tampa wedding was a vibrant celebration of Colombian, Indian, and American traditions, brought to life through lush pink and green florals and joyful, personalized details across their multi-day celebration. Romantic blooms filled each space with color and energy, reflecting Juliana’s love of florals and the couple’s bright, lively style. Thoughtful elements such as a custom crossword, watercolor guest portraits, and favors of Colombian coffee and chai honored their cultures and shared story. Each event offered a meaningful experience, creating a personal wedding weekend that felt uniquely theirs.
“We live in Roanoke, Virginia now, but we decided to get married in Tampa because it’s such a meaningful place for us. It’s where we first met and where our relationship grew, and it also happens to be where Sahith’s family lives. So it felt really special and natural to bring everyone together here,” the bride explained. “Our wedding was unique in a few ways! We had watercolor artists create guest portraits as favors, which was such a fun and memorable touch. We also brought together two very different, lively cultures—Colombian and Indian—and finding creative ways to blend them made the day truly one-of-a-kind. Even with their differences, the cultures came together beautifully, adding so much energy and personality to our celebration.
Researching Wedding Vendors
“We found most of our wedding vendors through Marry Me Tampa Bay. Seeing real weddings on Marry Me Tampa Bay was incredibly helpful—it gave us a clear picture of how our own vision could come to life. It was the perfect starting point to gather inspiration and also to create our initial list of vendors. From there, we could really imagine the details of the day and how everything would come together.”
The Proposal
“Sahith proposed on St. Pete Beach when we were medical students. What started as a casual beach day turned unforgettable when he suggested a walk along the shore and surprised me with a picnic setup—candles, flowers, and chocolates—before getting down on one knee. To top it off, our closest friends, who had been secretly watching from behind the dunes, came running over to celebrate with us. It was the perfect mix of romance, fun, and loved ones.”
The Ceremony and Reception
“For our wedding day, we wanted a venue that offered not just a beautiful backdrop but also a place to gather before and after the celebration. We were also hoping for a space with Spanish flair to honor Juliana’s background. Hotel Haya gave us exactly that. We chose Hotel Haya because of its convenient location, all-inclusive options, and the Spanish flair, which was especially meaningful to Juliana. One of our favorite parts was sharing breakfast the morning after our wedding with our guests who stayed at the hotel—it extended the celebration and created such warm memories. The most important element of the wedding for Sahith was the open bar. Hotel Haya’s Bar made sure it was a true celebration!”
The Bach Party & Honeymoon
“I hosted my bachelorette party in Tampa in the days leading up to the wedding. We had such a fun mix of activities—yoga, candle making at Candle Pour, a tiki tour through Tampa Bay, and a Mehndi brunch with my bridesmaids. It was such a special way to spend quality time with the girls and celebrate before the big day
We’re heading to Costa Rica for our honeymoon! We’re excited to enjoy a mix of jungle adventures and relaxing beach time. Since we’re both residents and taking time off can be tricky, we decided to plan the honeymoon a few months after the wedding—it gives us something wonderful to look forward to and extends the celebration of our marriage.”
The Design
“Our biggest inspiration was making sure the wedding truly felt like us. We wanted to weave together our individual cultures—Colombian and Indian—while also celebrating the American culture we share. Every detail was chosen with that in mind, from the décor to the little touches, so the day reflected not just our backgrounds, but also who we are together
Our colors were pink and green. They’re our favorite colors, and we felt like together they really represented us—bright, lively, and full of contrast but still complementary. They gave the whole celebration a joyful, personal touch. The flowers were everything. Rebecca with Bustle and Bloom created the most gorgeous floral designs that brought so much color, joy, and life to the day.
We wanted our wedding to truly reflect who we are. Juliana’s love of florals and pink was woven into the décor and outfits, while small personal touches—like a crossword puzzle with details from our lives and wedding favors of Colombian coffee and chai tea—subtly celebrated our personalities and cultures. These little details made the day feel uniquely ours.”
The DJ
Graingertainment
“We wanted a DJ who could seamlessly blend all of our musical tastes into the wedding day—from Spanish and Indian music to indie and fun dance tracks. Graingertainment did this effortlessly! They kept the energy high, mixed everything perfectly, and made sure the dance floor was alive all night. Their service made the music feel as personal and joyful as the rest of our celebration.”
Most Memorable Moments
“Our favorite moment was seeing the dance floor completely packed! All our friends and family—even our grandparents—were up and dancing. We looked around and didn’t see a single person sitting, and it was such a joyful, unforgettable feeling to celebrate with everyone moving and laughing together.
Another unforgettable moment was exchanging personalized vows. Sharing our own words with one another made the ceremony feel incredibly meaningful.”
The Photography
Evoke Photo and Film
“I was looking for a photography team that could truly capture the day’s feelings, not just the moments. From our first meeting with Stacy Boyce at Evoke Photo and Film, we could tell they were calm, cool, and collected.
Both Stacy and Gary made us feel completely at ease in front of the camera—they gave direction when we needed it, but also let us naturally enjoy our wedding day. The result truly reflects the day’s joy and love.”
The Indian Ceremony Venue
“We wanted something small and meaningful, with just our closest family and friends—about 45 people. We were looking for a space that felt intimate but still beautiful, and Whitehurst Gallery was perfect. I first saw Whitehurst Gallery in photos in Marry Me Tampa Bay and instantly fell in love. The space is stunning—the library and its beautiful ceiling, and the outdoor columns—create an elegant, timeless feel.
Whitehurst was so accommodating and kind, which made the day even more special. Their service was just as impressive; the team’s kindness and attention to detail made everything seamless. I’d recommend Whitehurst Gallery to any couple looking for a chic, intimate setting for their wedding.”
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Several vendors truly exceeded our expectations! Graingertainment, our DJ, did a fabulous job mixing all of our music—so seamlessly. I would recommend them to anyone!
Bustle and Bloom, Rebecca, our day-of coordinator, kept everything organized and ran the day smoothly; we were so grateful for her guidance and support.
Evoke Photo and Film were like friends to have around on the wedding day, and the final photos were absolutely perfect—chef’s kiss!
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Choose vendors who are flexible and easy to work with—it makes a huge difference on the big day. We planned our wedding in Virginia, so it was key to have accommodating vendors. Focus on the details that matter most to you, because those are the moments that will make your wedding truly memorable. You must get a day of coordinator; they make all the difference.
