Glamorous Downtown Tampa Wedding | The Vault Wedding
Maddie and Hunter's destination downtown Tampa wedding showcased the historic and glamorous era that was “Old Tampa.”
“I love the glam that is ‘Old Tampa,' and wanted to put my own modern touch on it,” the bride explained.
To complement their wedding theme, The Atlanta couple chose historic downtown Tampa wedding venue The Vault.
“I wanted a wedding venue that was unique to Tampa, but that was also a blank canvas that I could bring my own style too,” Maddie shared. “The Vault is the perfect mix of old and new Tampa.”
To keep their wedding day on track, the pair hired Tampa wedding planner Special Moments.
“We hired a ‘day of' planner because we did not want the stress and logistics of the day to take away from anyone that was part of the wedding,” the bride explained. “Special Moments knows how to make a wedding run like a well-oiled machine, and they delivered exactly that!”
MORE: SPECIAL MOMENTS WEDDINGS
Maddie and Hunter searched for a Tampa wedding photographer with a modern twist on a traditional style.
“I wanted a wedding photographer who had the ability to convey the fun and excitement of our wedding in a classic way,” the bride shared. “Marc [of Marc Edwards Photographs] was phenomenal! He was able to capture every special and fun moment from our wedding and also brought amazing energy with his fun and outgoing personality!”
MORE: MARC EDWARDS PHOTOGRAPHS WEDDINGS
Looking back, one of the bride's most memorable moments was sharing her appreciation to her father.
“During the father/daughter dance, I was able to get a moment alone with my Dad just to talk to him and to thank him for giving me the wedding of my dreams,” Maddie reminisced.
What was your beauty inspiration?
My beauty inspiration was Gigi Hadid; I wanted big hair, bold eyes, and bright lips! I looked for a hair and makeup artist who was able to do airbrush makeup and who could accommodate all eight of my bridesmaids and multiple family members in a timely manner.
Michele Renee The Studio really understood my beauty vision and made me feel so comfortable. They provided airbrush makeup and hair styling for me, eight bridesmaids and four family members.
Why did you hire a wedding planner?
We hired a “day of” planner because we did not want the stress and logistics of the day to take away from anyone that was part of the wedding.
We chose Special Moments because of their experience. They know how to make a wedding run like a well-oiled machine, and they delivered exactly that! I would recommend them to anyone getting married in the Tampa area.
The Proposal:
I was a Weeki Wachee mermaid for four years, as was my mom, so Weeki Wachee is very near and dear to my heart. I moved to Atlanta three years ago, and the Weeki Wachee mermaids came to perform at the Georgia Aquarium for Christmas. Hunter surprised me with tickets to the show. After the mermaids performed, their show an announcer came up and asked if there were any former mermaids in the audience. They brought both me and Hunter up to the front and asked us a few questions, then they had me turn around and the mermaids were holding a sign that read, “Will You Marry Me?” and Hunter was on one knee!
What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
I wanted a wedding photographer who had the ability to convey the fun and excitement of our wedding in a classic way.
We hired Marc [of Marc Edwards Photographs] because of the beauty and elegance of his pictures, and we got so much more than that from him! His service was phenomenal. He was able to capture every special and fun moment from our wedding and also brought amazing energy with his fun and outgoing personality!
What was your menu inspiration?
We are complete foodies and wanted our food to be a highlight of the night and amazing experience for our guests. My menu inspiration was old Tampa and tapas. I wanted our guests to be able to experience a taste of Tampa through empanadas, Cuban sandwiches, deviled crab and also to be able to get whatever else their palette desired that night: sushi, steak, ahi tuna, you name it; they were going to get it at our wedding! I wanted a wedding caterer who didn't limit wedding food to chicken and steak, someone who could bring excitement and cultural flavors to a wedding menu.
I chose Good Food Catering because they don't do boring wedding food. They really made my menu inspiration a reality and delivered my unique vision of wedding food. To this day our guests still comment that we had the best wedding food they have ever tasted, and that is all thanks to Good Food Catering!
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
I wanted a wedding venue that was unique to Tampa, but that was also a blank canvas that I could bring my own style too.
We chose The Vault because it is the perfect mix of old and new Tampa. Everyone at the venue was so accommodating, and I felt comfortable putting my wedding in their hands!
How would you describe your theme?
A modern take on old Tampa. I love the glam that is old Tampa, and wanted to put my own modern touch on it.
What were your colors?
Neutral and champagne. Anyone who knows me will say that my favorite color is any shade of neutral, so I had to go with neutrals.
What did you look for in wedding entertainment?
I wanted wedding entertainment that would bring the party! I did not want there to be a dull moment in the night, so I was extremely picky in finding the perfect entertainment to make that happen.
Breezin' Entertainment was an all-in-one package and had the best reviews of any entertainment company in Tampa. We were able to get our violinist for our ceremony, sax player for cocktail hour and DJ for the reception all through Breezin'. I would recommend DJ Randy to anyone in Tampa; he really brought the party to our wedding and kept the dance floor packed the entire night!
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay Brides?
Book your ceremony venue as soon as possible; we really struggled with finding a church that we could have our wedding at since we were not a member of a church in the Tampa area. Also, really embrace all of the amazing culture and unique things that Tampa has to offer.
Ceremony Venue: First Baptist Church of Tampa
Reception Venue: The Vault *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Venue
Photographer: Marc Edwards Photographs *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Planner: Special Moments *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Florist: Amazing Blossoms
Caterer: Good Food Catering *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Rentals: Bay Event Rentals
Table & Chiavari Chair Rentals: Signature Event Rentals
Cake: Hands on Sweets
DJ: Breezin' Entertainment
Officiant: Hugh Kirby
Invitations: Shine Wedding Invitations
Dress Shop and Designer: La' Raines Bridal Boutique – (Atlanta) Lis Simon
Bridesmaid Dresses: Olga's Bridal Boutique
Hair & Makeup: Michele Renee The Studio *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
