Nina and Mike
Le Méridien Tampa
“Mike and I like clean and simple aesthetics. We wanted our wedding to feel elegant and not require much assistance to make the venue sophisticated. Le Méridien Tampa is the perfect balance between chic and classy without being overwhelming.
We incorporated our personalities by adding pops of color and personal pictures of us throughout our years together. Our colors were dusty blue and gold. Blue is one of our favorite colors, and I wanted to pick a blue that would still be a part of the winter palette.”
-The Bride
FEATURING
Nina and Mike’s elegant, downtown Tampa wedding at Le Méridien Tampa celebrated their love in the city’s historic former federal courthouse. During their December celebration, the bride and groom exchanged vows on the grand front steps before celebrating with 86 of their nearest and dearest at an elegant indoor reception. Dusty blue, white, and gold details paired with lush blue-and-white floral arrangements, tall statement centerpieces, crisp white linens, and gold accents created a sophisticated setting that beautifully complemented the venue’s historic architecture for their Florida wedding celebration.
“I wanted to make sure Mike and I had time to ourselves the day of, so we opted to have private vows and private first looks away from the crowd,” the bride reminisced. “We also made sure our dog, Max, who just turned 13 that month, was part of our wedding with his photos and presence at photo time!”
The Proposal
“Mike proposed on February 23 at the Lincoln Park Conservatory in Chicago. He had the photographer hidden in the garden, and it was near closing time. He proposed, and I cried.”
Researching Wedding Vendors
“I utilized the blog articles from Marry Me Tampa Bay to get ideas on what venues to look at in the area, as well as inspiration on how I would want to decorate or type of venue I would want.”
The Venue
Le Méridien Tampa
“We both live in Tampa and we wanted a city that we knew would be easy for our guests to travel to. The majority of our guests live in the South Florida area or are local to the Tampa area. I wanted to make sure that guests were comfortable in terms of where to go and how to get there.
We wanted a place big enough to hold at least 75 people, even though it ended up being more, and a place that had rentals included. We didn’t want to negotiate with multiple vendors, and Le Méridien Tampa provided rentals for chairs, linens, utensils, and more!
We loved the timeless and classic look Le Méridien has. It was a one-stop shop, and that was what we were looking for. It has a great chef that cooked everything in-house and we didn’t have to go hunting for good linens, chairs, etc. Heather DiGiulio, the coordinator of the hotel, was beyond fantastic and worked with us just as much as our wedding coordinator.”
The Planning
Blue Skies Weddings and Events
“I was very clueless about what to look for or what to even ask for, but I am glad we stumbled upon Blue Skies Weddings and Events. They provided step-by-step lists and what-to-dos that I found incredibly helpful. I tend to forget or leave things last minute, and their checklists kept me on track and on time!
Blue Skies worked with me on my budget, and I felt that I got far more than what I expected! They checked in on us often, provided a checklist and budget trackers, and reached out to other vendors for us when things got too busy. On the day of the wedding, they were calm and remained a steadfast source of reassurance on a very busy day.”
The Bach Party & Honeymoon
“I went to San Diego for the first couple of days of my bach party, and then the remaining time was in Temecula, California, to have a relaxing time by the pool and hop around to different vineyards with my close friends. I wanted a no-frills and relaxing time without a big crowd.
We went to Spain and Italy for our honeymoon. Mike loves castles, historical churches, and monuments. Spain and Italy have all of those and more!”
Hair and Makeup Inspiration
Adore Bridal
“I wanted a look that was elegant and elevated to match the venue. Adore Bridal went above and beyond my expectations. They were on time and professional, and they felt like friends getting ready with us.
They also had a content creator filming the get-ready portion, so seeing the final results posted was amazing. I didn’t even consider hiring a content creator to capture the day’s highlights, since I opted not to hire a videographer. It was well worth the money!”
The Design
“Mike and I like clean and simple aesthetics. We wanted our wedding to feel elegant and not require much assistance to make the venue sophisticated. Le Méridien Tampa is the perfect balance between chic and classy without being overwhelming. Our colors were dusty blue and gold. Blue is one of our favorite colors, and I wanted to pick a blue that would still be a part of the winter palette.
We incorporated our personalities by adding pops of color and personal pictures of us throughout our years together. We also made sure our dog, Max, who just turned 13 that month, was part of our wedding with his photos and presence at photo time!”
From The Venue
“Nina and Mike were one of the most wonderful couples I have had the pleasure of hosting. From the first conversation to the site tour, wedding tasting, and wedding weekend, every interaction with them was fun, and they were always so excited, which makes me even more joyous to plan with them and see their special day all come together. Both were equally involved in every step of the planning process, had quick responses, and made planning so easy.
Their wedding guests were also so very fun; I couldn’t have asked for a nicer group of guests! Their wedding was hosted in December, featuring whimsical light blues, whites, and silver accents, along with warm golden glow uplights that complemented the historical room beautifully. The couple was excited to incorporate a touch of Christmas in the space, so we set up a Christmas tree near the dance floor and another one in the back of the ballroom with decor that matched their theme. This was complimentary, and guests loved posing with both. They also chose two fun signature cocktails, ‘Moscow Mule’ and ‘Old Fashioned,’ that tied in with the Florida wedding and the hotel’s historical background. All in all, it was truly such a beautiful wedding for a beautiful couple.”
—Heather DiGiulio, Le Méridien Tampa
Most Memorable Moment
“Dancing the night away with friends and family. We don’t get to see extended family very often, so seeing Mike’s side from South Florida and my side from Korea and Canada drink, dance, and be merry was one of the highlights of the night.”
The DJ
Grant Hemond & Associates
“I let my husband take the reins on finding the DJ he preferred. We had two calls with DJs from Grant Hemond & Associates, and we hit it off with DJ James King. With his extensive experience in the music industry and his familiarity with the kind of music we enjoy, it was a no-brainer to go with him.
DJ James did a great job keeping the energy high and playing plenty of throwback songs. He also did a wonderful job making sure our do-not-play list was honored. I definitely recommend Grant Hemond & Associates.”
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Iza’s Flowers exceeded my expectations by bringing to life what I envisioned. I didn’t convey very well what I pictured for my wedding day, but Iza’s creativity went above and beyond. Everyone raved about the floral arrangements.
What advice would you give to other Tampa couples?
This is your big day, so don’t let other people’s opinions influence what you want to do on your big day!
