Amanda and Larry’s Ybor City wedding wasn’t only a celebration of their love for one another, but it also supported a great cause.

“Every November the CL Space holds an online auction for a wedding package that includes a variety of wedding vendors with all proceeds going to the Children’s Home Network. After reviewing the vendors and what they were providing in the wedding package, as well as checking out the venue in person, I knew I had to bid on it!”

Going with an industrial chic theme to complement their modern, yet historic wedding venue, the St. Pete couple chose a color palette of navy and blush with copper accents.

“I am a Transportation and Land Use Planner, so I love urban settings and the historic charm that the downtown area brings. Additionally, Larry and I both love exploring new cities and seeing how older spaces have been transformed into something new,” Amanda shared. “I used Marry Me Tampa Bay for ceremony and reception inspiration. When I was first trying to decide on a venue, it was a great resource for seeing real weddings in spaces all across Tampa Bay and with all different styles.”

With photography listed as one of the most important elements on her list to relive the lasting memories of their day, the bride wanted a wedding photographer who captured creative, unrehearsed shots and used natural light in their work.

“Since Larry and I had never really done professional photos together, we wanted someone who would ease our nervousness. I have several friends who had used her Kéra Photography‘s services in the past, and I loved how their pictures turned out. Kera and her assistant were so pleasant to work with during our wedding day. They knew just how to capture all the little details and even went along with my request to go on top of a parking garage in Ybor City to capture shots with the Tampa skyline in the background.”

MORE: KÉRA PHOTOGRAPHY WEDDINGS

The couple described themselves as “people who take good food seriously,” so hiring a Tampa wedding caterer was a big decision. Lucky for the couple, Tastes of Tampa Bay excels in both service and quality when it comes to catering.

“We wanted a wedding catering company that would take our food tastes into consideration and create a menu that was personalized to us,” the bride explained. “I am half Filipino and really wanted to incorporate some traditional Filipino food, while also including healthy and fresh foods that Larry and I enjoy. Some of our wedding day menu items included: bacon wrapped plantains, veggie egg-rolls, adobo chicken, pancit (Filipino noodle dish), chimichurri steak, and fresh vegetables. Our guests really enjoyed the food. Plus, the dinner portions were quite large.”

MORE: TASTES OF TAMPA BAY WEDDINGS

The couple wanted a non-traditional wedding cake that steered away from the large tiered varieties. Opting for a smaller dessert with cake pops from Sweetly Dipped Confections was the perfect choice.

“Whenever Larry and I go out for dinner and have dessert, we always choose carrot cake, so, of course we decided to have a carrot cake. Sweetly Dipped was very easy to work with and all of their creations are gorgeous. Plus, the cake pops tasted good!” the bride gushed.

MORE: SWEETLY DIPPED CONFECTIONS WEDDINGS

Looking back, the bride shared that some of their most cherished wedding day moments happened during the reception.

“The father/daughter and mother/son dance were very memorable for us. It just made us so happy seeing our parents happy and celebrating our special day with us. The dance floor was packed the entire night, and even my grandma was moving and grooving. All of our friends and family kept telling us they’d never had so much at a wedding,” the bride reminisced.

The Proposal:
Larry and I were headed to the Bahamas for his 28th birthday trip via the ferry out of Fort Lauderdale. We’ve been together since 2006 (high school sweethearts), so this was just a normal celebration for us. Once we arrived at our resort and had taken some time to unwind in our room, Larry told me to close my eyes and wait. I seriously had no idea he was about to propose. He’s quite the comedian, so I figured he was just going to show me some funny outfit for the trip. However, when we told me to open my eyes I found him on one knee with the ring in his hand and him asking me to marry him! Of course, the answer was yes! So while it was his birthday, I ultimately received the best present. What made it even sweeter was that prior to our trip, he had already taken the time to ask permission from my dad and had picked out the ring with his mom.

How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Industrial chic. We both wanted something that was modern, yet also historic. I am a Transportation and Land Use Planner, so I love urban settings and the historic charm that the downtown brings. Additionally, Larry and I both love exploring new cities and seeing how older spaces have been transformed into something new.

What were your colors?
Navy and blush with copper accents. We wanted colors that classic, yet complimented our venue. Plus, I am obsessed with all things copper, and it added just the right amount of accents for our industrial chic theme.

What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
I really wanted a wedding photographer who used lots of natural light and created shots that seemed unrehearsed. Since Larry and I had never really done professional photos together, we wanted someone who would ease our nervousness.

I have several friends who had used Kéra Photography‘s services in the past, and I loved how their pictures turned out. Kéra and her assistant were so pleasant to work with during our wedding day. They knew just how to capture all the little details and even went along with my request to go on top of a parking garage in Ybor City to capture shots with the Tampa skyline in the background.

What did you look for in a wedding caterer? What was your menu inspiration?
We wanted a wedding caterer that would take our food tastes into consideration and create a menu that was personalized to us. I am half Filipino and really wanted to incorporate some traditional Filipino food while also including healthy and fresh foods that Larry and I enjoy. Some of our wedding day menu items included: bacon wrapped plantains, veggie eggrolls, adobo chicken, pancit (Filipino noodle dish), chimichurri steak, and fresh vegetables.

Tastes of Tampa Bay’s service was amazing! They were so easy to work with and all of the food tasted great. Our guests really enjoyed the food. Plus, the dinner portions were quite large.

What was your wedding dessert inspiration?
Whenever Larry and I go out for dinner and have dessert we always choose carrot cake. So, of course we decided to have a carrot cake. Plus, it seemed appropriate for our Fall wedding. We didn’t really want a large, tiered wedding cake so complementing a smaller cake with cake pops was perfect for us.

Sweetly Dipped Confections was very easy to work with and all of their creations are gorgeous. Plus, the cake pops tasted good. Guests enjoyed them. Sweetly Dipped was also kind enough to coordinate with my cake vendor and deliver both the cake and cake pops to my venue, which eliminated one delivery fee for me.

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Planning the wedding for me wasn’t really stressful until the last two months when everything started to happen at once. Plus, we were in the middle of buying our first home. Life can get chaotic while planning a wedding but it is important to remember not to stress the little details. In the end, it is all about celebrating your relationship with one another and having those that mean the most to you around on your special day. Nobody is going to remember all the minor details. All your guests will remember is the smile on your faces!

Ceremony and Reception Venue: CL Space
Photographer: Kéra Photography *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Planner: Bourbon and Blush Events
Florist: Bloominous
Caterer/Linens: Tastes of Tampa Bay *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Piping & Draping/Chair Rentals: IM Events
Cake: Sweet Suprise Cakes
Cake Pops: Sweetly Dipped Confections *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
DJ/Uplighting: DJ L Mo & Company
Officiant: Chaplain Bessie Mohead (St. Petersburg Police Department Chaplain)
Invitations: Invitation Galleria
Transportation: Blue One Transportation
Dress Shop and Designer: Tie the Knot Boutique, Enzoani Blue 
Bridesmaid Dress Shop and Designer: Azazie
Hair & Makeup: Nicole Gallivan and Kristina Weck
Suits: Generation Tux
Photobooth: On 3 Photobooth
Hotel Accomodations: Aloft
Rehearsal Dinner: Spain Restaurant