Victoria and Justus
“I’ve always had a love for blue and white floral pottery, also known as ‘chinoiserie,’ so I wanted our wedding decor to reflect that timeless charm. The rich blues and crisp whites were the perfect contrast against The Whitehurst Gallery’s regal white backdrop. Light blue bridesmaids’ dresses and subtle details added a fresh, spring-like touch, while gold accents provided the perfect balance of elegance and warmth.” -The Bride
FEATURING
Victoria and Justus’ elegant Tarpon Springs wedding was a timeless celebration filled with meaningful details and personal touches. Set at the stunning Whitehurst Gallery, their chinoiserie-inspired design showcased rich blue and white florals with gold accents, creating a classic yet fresh spring atmosphere. Guests enjoyed unique details such as a taco and churro bar, Jones sodas for a playful toast, and a signature sunset cocktail during golden hour. From Victoria’s arrival in a vintage car to the heartfelt private vows and family toasts, every moment reflected the couple’s love story in an intimate and unforgettable way.
“Our wedding day, March 15, holds special significance, as it marks the culmination of our beautiful journey that began three years earlier on the very same date. Two years later, Justus proposed, making that day an unforgettable chapter in our story,” the bride revealed. “We first met at the University of Florida and now call Gainesville, FL, our home. While I grew up in the Tampa Bay area, Justus has also come to love this charming place where we’ve shared countless memories together, making it all the more meaningful to return here and celebrate our wedding with 70 of our closest family and friends.”
The Bach Parties and Honeymoon
“My bridesmaids hosted an unforgettable bachelorette weekend in 30A, where we stayed in Seaside for a fun girls’ getaway. Meanwhile, Justus spent the day skeet shooting and grilling a steak dinner with his groomsmen in North Florida.
Justus surprised me with the honeymoon of my dreams—a meticulously planned Viking River Cruise along the Rhine River. We explored the beautiful landscapes of the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland. It was, without a doubt, one of the most unforgettable and magical weeks of our lives.”
The Proposal
“Justus orchestrated a truly intimate proposal, just the two of us, and then surprised me with a small, heartfelt engagement party to follow, surrounded by our closest family. It was the perfect moment; he made it so memorable.”
Most Memorable Moments
“Some of the most memorable moments of our wedding day were the intimate first look between Justus and me, sharing our private vows, and taking a quiet moment to pray together before the ceremony. We were also deeply moved by the heartfelt speeches and toasts from my dad, the maid of honor, and the best man—each one filled with love, emotion, and humor. These moments truly made our day even more unforgettable.”
The Venue
The Whitehurst Gallery
“We were looking for a venue that was both unique and intimate, somewhere that would reflect our personal style and create a meaningful atmosphere for our closest family and friends. It was important to us to find a place that felt personal, with a sense of warmth and character that would make our celebration truly unforgettable.
From the moment we saw it, we fell in love with the Whitehurst Gallery’s charm, clean aesthetic, and first-class service. We can’t recommend The Whitehurst Gallery enough. It was an absolutely remarkable experience. Griffeth and his team were the epitome of professionalism—always helpful, accommodating, and attentive to every detail.”
Researching Wedding Vendors
“Marry Me Tampa Bay was invaluable in guiding our research and sparking inspirational ideas. Through their recommendations, we discovered The Whitehurst Gallery, which proved to be the perfect setting for our perfect day.”
The Details
“Given the intimate nature of the gathering, surrounded by our closest family and friends, it was essential to us that everyone truly enjoyed the experience. We wanted the atmosphere to be warm and memorable, allowing everyone to connect and celebrate together.
One of the unique highlights of our wedding was the sunset hour, where our guests could savor the breathtaking sunset views from the rotunda of The Whitehurst Gallery, all while enjoying our signature sunset cocktail. Other memorable touches included my arrival down the aisle in a vintage car with my dad, the taco bar, and a selection of ‘Jones’-themed signature beverages for our toast.
We had so much fun incorporating our personalities into the little details, such as having Shaker & Peel create a Taco Bar with our favorite tacos, since our first date was at a Mexican restaurant. Instead of a traditional dessert bar, Shaker & Peel made a Churro Bar with various coordinating dips. My husband and I enjoy visiting different microbreweries, so we thought it would be fun to provide a coffee porter called Jonesing for Java from Mad Anthony’s Brewery in Fort Wayne, IN (my hometown), and Jones sodas for our toast instead of a traditional champagne toast to celebrate us becoming Mr. and Mrs. Jones.”
The Hair and Makeup
Femme Akoi Beauty Studio
“My wedding beauty inspiration was a classic, timeless look—elegant and simple, yet refined. I wanted to feel like myself, but elevated in a way that would always feel sophisticated and never dated.
Femme Akoi Beauty Studio came highly recommended, with glowing reviews on Marry Me Tampa Bay, and was strongly endorsed by our talented photographer.”
The Design
“I’ve always had a love for blue and white floral pottery, also known as ‘chinoiserie,’ so it was clear from the beginning that I wanted our wedding decor to reflect that timeless charm. The rich blues and crisp whites were the perfect contrast against The Whitehurst Gallery’s regal white backdrop.
Light blue bridesmaids’ dresses and subtle details added a fresh, spring-like touch, while gold accents provided the perfect balance of elegance and warmth.”
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Justus and I were truly amazed by the exceptional service of all our vendors. On our wedding day, everyone came together to create a celebration that was beyond special.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Enjoy each moment along the way. Rather than letting the process feel overwhelming, try to create memories that you’ll cherish forever. It’s about enjoying the little things and making it all as meaningful as the big day itself.
