Jasmine and Sheree's outdoor, waterfront Tampa wedding featured all of the luxuries of a tropical destination wedding, without having to walk in the sand. The Tampa couple opted to stay local for their wedding day and to bring a tropical paradise to their guests.
“My wife and I love warm weather, cool water, and the Caribbean. We wanted our guests to feel like they were in the Caribbean, even though we were on Tampa Bay,” Jasmine explained. “It looked like we were on a private island, the way the ceremony was set up and the way the reception had this really private, intimate feel. There was such a brightness to everything, an energy that just felt really, really good.”
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The couple opted for a guava and clover island-inspired color palette and decor abundant in tropical flowers. Wanting a laid-back, and fun-loving atmosphere for their wedding without a lot of fuss, Jasmine and Sheree selected a Tampa wedding venue where they felt relaxed, yet was also elegant.
“When we went to the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Tampa Bay for our tour and met the vendor coordinator, we felt like we were in the right place. We felt like the venue and service would give us everything we needed within our budget. It was close to the airport, on the water, and just had a great energy,” the bride gushed. “The reception was really important to us. We wanted it to be a time where our families would be able to let loose, get to know each other, and really enjoy each other.”
MORE: DOUBLETREE SUITES BY HILTON TAMPA BAY WEDDINGS
To stay on top of planning, the couple used Marry Me Tampa Bay to discover bridal events around the area.
“Marry Me Tampa Bay kept me updated on all of the bridal shows. I went to three!” Jasmine shared.
Looking back on their wedding day, the couple's most memorable moment was at the start of ceremony.
“I couldn't stop crying while walking down the aisle. Everything was just beautiful, the music, the water, and everyone was looking at me. I was just so overwhelmed with joy and felt so much love coming from everywhere. Sheree and I even did a first look, and cried then, but that didn't matter. I was a mess all over again coming down the aisle. Also the dancing. So much dancing. Everyone was on the dance floor, the energy was high, and everyone was just letting loose and having a great time. It's exactly what I envisioned. Exactly what I wanted,” the bride reminisced.
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
We wanted to be on or near the water. We wanted there to be natural green and just a feeling of natural beauty as part of the backdrop. We also wanted a place that would feel relaxed and elegant at the same time.
Send me pricing and availability for DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Tampa Bay.
When we went to the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Tampa Bay for our tour and met the vendor coordinator, we felt like we were in the right place. We felt like the venue and service would give us everything we needed within our budget. It was close to the airport, on the water, and just had a great energy.
The Proposal:
I proposed to Sheree at the Buckingham Fountain in Chicago, Illinois. She lived there while in graduate school and still has good friends there. We were there playing tourists for once; the last couple of times we went were for literary events (Sheree is a writer), and we ended up at the fountain. It was a beautiful day, and something just came over me. I asked Sheree to marry me. She didn't think I was serious. I had no ring, but I was sure I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
The theme was tropical destination wedding, but not! My wife and I love warm weather, cool water, and the Caribbean. We wanted our guests to feel like they were in the Caribbean, even though we were on Tampa Bay.
What were your colors?
Guava and clover. The colors are very tropical, and they are abundant in tropical flowers specifically, Birds of Paradise. The color combination felt very island-inspired.
How did you incorporate you and your spouse's personalities into the wedding?
Sheree basically let me run the show. Her only real concerns were the music and being adamant about having real flowers. We are both fun-loving and laid-back, so our wedding needed to be both lots of fun with not a whole lot of fuss. That's what we were able to have: a beautiful, fun, and relaxed day with our favorite people.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Give yourself time to plan and research so that you are not overwhelmed. Also, remember that the wedding day is yours and that what YOU want matters most of all.
Ceremony/Reception Venue and Caterer: DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Tampa Bay
Photographer: Dorian Gray Photos
Planner/Florist/Decor Rentals: Star Status Events
Cake: Publix
DJ: DJ AceVedo
Officiant: Pastor J Ricc Rollins
Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas
Dress Shop and Designer: David's Bridal and BHLDN
Bridesmaid Dress Shop and Designer: David's Bridal
Bridesmen: Men's Warehouse
Hair & Makeup: Helmet Hairworx (Atlanta, GA)
Program Fans: The Wedding Sophisticate
