Carissa and Nick’s downtown Tampa wedding combined modern furnishings with avante-garde flora in a unique museum setting. A monochromatic palette of elegant black fashion and decor accented with stark white and vibrant green injected luxuriousness into the gallery atmosphere.

“The theme was elegant black-tie night at the museum. The venue was chic and modern and had a diverse collection of art exhibits on display, including African and Caribbean artists. Having the wedding at the museum was a nod to Nick’s parents’ love for art, as they’ve curated a beautiful collection and own a gallery in Philadelphia,” the bride revealed. “Nick’s favorite color is black, and we both love how an elegant, formal dress code could set the tone for a special occasion, so we requested our guests to wear all black. We also incorporated black into our decor colors, with a pop of bright green incorporated with the florals.”

The West Palm Beach couple knew the importance of working with a local wedding planner to guide the creation of their 150-guest November celebration. Staci Mandikas of UNIQUE Weddings & Events checked all their boxes and delivered the wedding of their dreams.

“When it came time to select a wedding planner, I looked for someone who was confident, organized, experienced and flexible; Staci with UNIQUE Weddings & Events was all of the above!” Carissa raved.

“From the beginning, Nick and Carissa were clear—they wanted a wedding that felt intentional, modern, and true to them. We focused on clean, refined details that aligned with the aesthetic of the Tampa Museum of Art without overshadowing it,” the weddig planner detailed. “Floral elements were sculptural and understated, creating visual impact through form rather than abundance. The color palette was soft and fresh—elegant without feeling overly traditional. Their twilight ceremony added an incredible sense of atmosphere, and the flow of the evening—from cocktail hour to the Art Galleries to the reception—was designed to feel immersive and effortless. Every detail reflected their style and story in a way that felt completely authentic.”

Crisp white linens paired with chic black chiavari chairs and black charger plates elevated the space for a modern feel, while ikibana-style floral arrangements of white lilies and green belles of ireland created movement and whimsy in the space without detracting from the surroundings. Given the groom’s family gallery and love of artwork, the unique museum setting provided guests an immersive experience and left them with lasting memories.

“Allowing access to the art galleries upstairs was a detail that so many guests raved about,” Carissa beamed.

“Tampa Museum of Art is one of those rare venues that feels like a blank canvas and a statement piece all at once. You’ve got this stunning modern architecture—glass, steel, clean lines—and then you step inside and it’s flooded with natural light, with the art galleries just steps away. It’s sleek, elevated, and a little unexpected in the best way,” Staci articulated. “What makes it really special, though, is how versatile the space is. You can go full minimalist and let the structure shine or layer in bold, artistic elements and it still feels cohesive. The waterfront location, the twinkling city lights, the galleries—it all adds this effortlessly cool, cultural energy that’s hard to replicate anywhere else in Tampa Bay.”

While the entire evening was truly memorable, it was the special dances during the reception that created core memories for the couple.

“The most memorable moments were my first dance with Nick, my dance with my father, and dancing with my step daughters, Olivia and Elena,” the bride reminisced. “Nick showed his moves with a choreographed dance with his mom too!”

The Proposal:
Nick proposed at my parents’ house one weekend in September while we were in town visiting family. Immediately after the proposal, friends and relatives Joined us to celebrate. His parents and my closest friends flew in to make it all happen.

Where did you go on your bachelorette?
My best friends planned the most luxurious bachelorette trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We stayed in a beautiful villa with seven suites, chef, and staff for four nights. I had a small list of possible locations, and they ran with the rest. I’m so grateful for my friends and all their love and support.

What did you look for in a wedding planner?
When it came time to select a wedding planner, I looked for someone who was confident, organized, experienced and flexible; Staci with UNIQUE Weddings & Events was all of the above!