Channeling a timeless city vibe with a modern twist, this downtown Tampa wedding inspiration shoot brought elegant wedding elements to the heart of downtown. Lush greenery, soft romantic tones, and sleek fashion choices created a wedding-day aesthetic that felt both fresh and rooted in tradition.

“The theme for this shoot was a classic downtown wedding with modern touches. Traditional ivory and blush meet fun olive and coral—very much like the venue itself, which feels like it’s sitting in a park right in the heart of downtown Tampa,” Courtney Owens, Complex Director of Catering & Events at Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Downtown Convention Center, shared. “I wanted colors that complemented the venue—its green logo, lush plants, and lawn out front. Olive was my main green, with blush and coral as accents, since peach was the Pantone color of the year. The space is light and bright, so ivory was the perfect foundation. Once I chose green, I saw how well blush and coral paired with it.”

Lifelong Photography Studio captured the details and stunning outdoor portraits, highlighting the thoughtful design with a lens that felt both editorial and intimate. Their images reflected the clean color palette and crisp downtown setting, balancing light, movement, and modern elegance, while Behind the Vows added motion to the day with their behind-the-scenes videos.

“From the ceremony setup to the candlelit reception tables, every photo told the story of a classic wedding day with a modern soul,” Courtney shared.

As the bride stepped into her gown, the setting’s elegance was elevated even further. Designed for the modern romantic, the dress from Truly Forever Bridal brought a sleek sophistication with its close-fitting silhouette, paired with relaxed hair and makeup style by Michele Renee The Studio and a traditional veil—a fashion-forward look that pays homage to timeless bridal beauty. The ultra-modern gown was chosen to reflect the downtown vibe of the location, blending beautifully with the soft, classic elements around it.

“The wedding dress was everything,” Courtney raved. “The hair and makeup were modern, fresh, and classic all at once. The soft, face-framing curls and romantic tones tied the whole look together effortlessly. Her hair was worn down to keep the look fresh, and the veil brought in a classic bridal element. We chose a whitewash ivory to continue the traditional theme, with subtle green accents in the glassware for a vintage twist.”

The design artists at Iza’s Flowers teamed up with A Chair Affair to elevate every table setting and seating moment. The rental companies’ curated selection of chairs, chargers, and glassware brought personality and polish, tying together the modern and classic design notes of the shoot. Touches of green in the glassware added a vintage-inspired twist that echoed the romantic individual stemmed roses.

“I loved the centerpieces, candles are always a favorite, but they are difficult to do outside because of wind and difficult to do inside because of fire code. The centerpieces are a perfect solution to utilizing candles safely indoors and bring an elegant twinkle to the reception. I saw Iza’s Flowers post these centerpieces and fell in love instantly!” Courtney beamed. “The rental pieces from A Chair Affair complemented the color palette so beautifully and gave the entire shoot a cohesive, refined look.”

How were modern trends and classic elements combined in this shoot?
The wedding dress was everything. The hair and makeup were modern, fresh, and classic all at once. The soft, face-framing curls and romantic tones tied the whole look together effortlessly. Her hair was worn down to keep the look fresh, and the veil brought in a classic bridal element. We chose a whitewash ivory to continue the traditional theme, with subtle green accents in the glassware for a vintage twist.