Elegant Black and White South Tampa Wedding | Oxford Exchange Wedding
Laura and Steven's elegant South Tampa wedding featured a classic style and black and white decor, with gold accents.
“Our theme fit well with our personalities and was exactly how we wanted to celebrate our special day,” the bride shared. “We chose our colors because they are classic and elegant. We thought they would work well in the venue, which is so beautiful already, so we wanted something to complement rather than compete with it.”
The Tampa couple grew up in the area and wanted to celebrate their wedding day in their hometown.
“I couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere else. My husband and I have lived here all our lives, so we wanted to spend the most important day of our lives in the place we call home,” Laura beamed.
To make sure their South Tampa wedding ran smoothly, the bride and groom hired Tampa wedding planner Nicholle Leonard Designs.
“We were looking for someone who was experienced, organized and responsive. We also wanted someone who came highly recommended and who we genuinely liked,” the bride explained. “Nicholle Leonard Designs came highly recommended and Nikki, the owner, had all of the qualities we were looking for in a wedding planner. The service was unbelievable! I can’t say enough great things about Nikki and her team. They went above and beyond every step of the way, and our wedding day was flawless thanks to all of their hard work and dedication.”
Laura and Steven incorporated a personal touch by having a family member officiate their wedding ceremony.
“My uncle was our officiant and that was extremely special to us, since he knows us well and could share personal stories,” the bride gushed. “He had everyone laughing and crying. We couldn’t have asked for a better ceremony or officiant.”
Looking back, the bride's most memorable moment came during the first look.
“Seeing Steven in his suit on our wedding day was a feeling I could never put into words. It was so special. I loved having that time alone with him before everything started, so we could just enjoy an intimate moment and really soak everything in,” Laura reminisced.
The Proposal:
Steven proposed on October 24th and completely caught me off guard by doing at our place, which I loved. It was absolutely perfect!
What was the inspiration for your bridesmaid dresses?
I have always loved the twobirds dresses and thought they would look beautiful on the bridesmaids. I loved how each of them could style the dress in their own way to make it most flattering on their bodies, a luxury that anyone who has ever been a bridesmaid can appreciate!
I have used Bella Bridesmaid many times before for bridesmaid dresses and have always had a great experience. Molly, the owner, is great to work with, and I love the selection of dresses she carries. Their service was wonderful, and Molly was even kind enough to come and help the bridesmaids tie their dresses on the day of the wedding!
Why did you hire a wedding planner and what did you look for in one?
We hired a wedding planner to ensure that everything ran smoothly from start to finish. We were looking for someone who was experienced, organized and responsive. We also wanted someone who came highly recommended and who we genuinely liked.
I hired Nicholle Leonard Designs because they came highly recommended and Nikki, the owner, had all of the qualities we were looking for in a wedding planner. She was the perfect fit! Nikki was also great with giving us recommendations for vendors, which was a huge help. The service was unbelievable! I can’t say enough great things about Nikki and her team. They went above and beyond every step of the way, and our wedding day was flawless thanks to all of their hard work and dedication.
How would you describe your theme?
Classic elegance. It fit well with our personalities and was exactly how we wanted to celebrate our special day.
What were your colors?
Black and white with gold accents. We chose these colors because they are classic and elegant. We thought they would work well in the venue, which is so beautiful already, so we wanted something to complement rather than compete with it.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Enjoy every minute! Everyone says it flies by, and they are 100% right! I truly believe that the bride sets the tone for the day, so if you are relaxed and having the best time, then everyone else will follow.
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Oxford Exchange
Photographer: K&K Photography
Planner: Nicholle Leonard Designs
Florist: Bay Bouquet
Caterer: Oxford Exchange
Rentals: Oxford Exchange
Cake: Publix
Desserts: Mini Doughnut Factory
DJ: Fast Break Entertainment
Officiant: Rick Duffy
Invitations: White Sands Studio
Transportation: Network Limousine
Dress: Malindy Elene Bridal
Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid
Hair & Makeup: Rachel Reumann
