Christina and Jonathan's downtown Tampa wedding embodied their easy-going personalities and love for wine. Covered in an elegant slate blue and cranberry-colored theme, the picturesque wedding ceremony captured the bride and groom's vision to a T.
“We tried to maintain a light theme of wines because of our proposal story. This meant our guests signed bottles of wine in lieu of a guestbook, escort cards were placed in wine corks, and the entrees included wine reductions,” the bride explained. “The favors included mini bottles of Wedding Day Chardonnay, First Kiss Cabernet, and Marry Me Moscato.”
The couple chose historic downtown Tampa hotel Le Meridien for their accommodations because of its ambiance and architecture.
“Le Meridien was our official wedding hotel, location for the wedding party to get ready, and unofficial location for an afterparty,” the bride shared. “We loved the feel of being in a historic courthouse, which had all of the luxurious modern touches that were perfect for photo opportunities.”
While searching for the perfect Tampa wedding photographer, Christina and Jonathan looked for someone who could not only capture beautiful portraits but also share the story of their day.
“Marc of Marc Edwards Photographs was able to creatively use any light to capture so many genuine moments. He helped us feel natural in all of our engagement and wedding day photos, and his work definitely exceeded our expectations!” Christina gushed. “Being from out of town, Marc was very accommodating with his time and our limited scheduled. Upon first meeting him in person, we were pleased with how easy he was to speak and interact with.”
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While planning her destination Tampa wedding, Christina stumbled upon Marry Me Tampa Bay for exactly the advice and inspiration she was looking for.
“We used wedding spotlights on Marry Me Tampa Bay for inspiration photos and to help with getting an idea of what vendors were out there. A spotlight on Marry Me Tampa Bay partially influenced our decision to proceed with our photographer Marc Edwards,” the bride shared.
Even from Washington D.C., Christina and Jonathan found the perfect DJ who even took the time to help the groom arrange a sweet video surprise to his bride-to-be.
“Grant Hemond & Associates was amazing. James did an excellent job and was extremely flexible with our last-minute requests, such as adding on lighting and a GOBO and was also very discreet in arranging a video surprise that Jonathan had arranged for during our reception,” Christina beamed.
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Looking back on the joy and celebration from their wedding day, the couple reminisced about their intimate time together during their wedding portraits.
“The most memorable moments were those where we spent alone time together (credit to Marc!). We were able to escape for a stroll along the Hillsborough River and later for some fresh air in the Morsani Theatre,” the bride shared. “They were perfect opportunities for us to enjoy each other’s company and take in all of the events of the day.”
The Proposal:
Jonathan took me to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. for dinner. He ordered a special bottle of wine which was uniquely engraved with dates on it. I read aloud the inscriptions down the bottle which included the date we first met, the date of our first kiss, the date of our first anniversary, and the “date I said yes.” Jonathan then got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.
What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
We wanted a photographer who could capture not only beautiful photos but our story.
I want to learn more about Marc Edwards Photographs.
We found Marc Edwards Photographs through thorough research on wedding photographers in Tampa. Being from out of town, Marc was very accommodating with his time and our limited scheduled. Upon first meeting him in person, we were pleased with how easy he was to speak and interact with. Marc was exceptionally easy to work with and was able to creatively use any light to capture so many genuine moments. He helped us feel natural in all of our engagement and wedding day photos, and his work definitely exceeded our expectations!
How would you describe your theme?
We tried to maintain a light theme of wines because of our proposal story. The guests signed bottles of wine in lieu of a guestbook, the escort cards were placed in wine corks, the entrees included wine reductions, and the wedding favors included mini bottles of a Wedding Day Chardonnay, a First Kiss Cabernet, and a Marry Me Moscato.
What were your colors?
Slate blue with cranberry and silver accents. The color blue is calm like water and also represented our loyalty and faithfulness to one another. The silver accents reminded us of elegance, and the cranberry accents tied in with our wine theme.
How did you incorporate you and your spouse's personalities into the wedding?
We are both light-hearted and easy going. We wanted the wedding to be as accommodating to our guests as possible and kept everything simple but elegant.
What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
Grant Hemond & Associates was great; we were actually referred to them by our wedding planner.
I want to learn more about DJ/Lighting services from Grant Hemond & Associates.
James, in particular, did an excellent job and was honestly more proactive with getting our music selection than we were with getting our songs to him. He was extremely flexible with our last minute requests, such as adding on lighting and a GOBO, and was also very discreet in arranging a video surprise that Jonathan had arranged for during our reception.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
If you're planning on having an outdoor ceremony, make sure to also have a Plan B that you love in case of inclement weather. It didn't rain on our wedding day, but it was horribly humid with a 90% chance of rain. We definitely didn't want to risk it and moved everything indoors. The ceremony was beautiful, all the same!
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Straz Center
Photographer: Marc Edwards Photographs *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Videographer: Current Films
Planner: Winsor Event Studios
Florist: Arlene Floral Designer
Caterer: Maestro’s
Cake: Goldie’s Goodies
DJ: Grant Hemond & Associates – James King *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Officiant: Jonathan Locklear
Invitations: Minted
Transportation: SunCoast Limousines
Dress: Hayley Paige
Bridesmaid Dress Shop and Designer: Lulu’s
Hair & Makeup: Lili’s Weddings
Harpist: Victoria Garcia
Getting Ready Hotel: Le Meridien Tampa
