AiVy and Kyle’s Ybor City wedding was an elegant evening that combined a monochromatic palette of classic black and white hues accented with pops of muted green and crimson. The couple exchanged vows in a historic venue against a mosaic of tile and brick, before dining and dancing the night away with their favorite guests in a chic candlelit reception.

“We wanted our wedding to feel modern and romantic, but we also wanted it to align with the fall season and have a bit of a moody vibe. It was all about creating an elegant yet warm atmosphere while staying fun and true to us,” the bride shared. “Our favorite color is green and we wanted it mixed with some neutral and fall colors.”

The Chicago couple turned to Marry Me Tampa Bay while planning their 187-guest October destiantion celebration. The real wedding photos and candid advice from local couples, along with the organized lists of specific vendors and services, were a valuable resource.

“I used Marry Me Tampa Bay for inspiration by reading about other couples’ wedding planning stories,” AiVy revealed. “The wedding day advice page was also really helpful; It’s a great resource for anyone planning a wedding for the first time. I love a list, and many of the pages (like dog-friendly venues in Tampa) were so straightforward and helpful in our search. It was also a great way to see examples of all the photos and videos from photography vendors to find styles that we liked.”

The bride and groom sought an inclusive wedding venue that offered ‘one-stop-shop’ ammenities to suit their wedding vision and traveling guests.

“We were looking for a wedding venue that would be a good option for the unpredictable Florida weather. This proved to be very important because our wedding was right after both Hurricane Helene and Milton hit the Tampa area. Style-wise, we wanted a venue that was modern and industrial. Our main priorities were location, in-house catering, lodging on-site or nearby, and capacity.  We wanted a venue that would help give an experience to our family and friends looking to explore Tampa. We toured several venues and when we walked into Hotel Haya, we just knew it fit our vibe. Hotel Haya is just so charming,” AiVy swooned. “We loved the different areas of the hotel like the cafe, restaurant, pool, the Roosevelt room. We thought the main ballroom was so beautiful with the windows and brick wall. Both Meghan and Logan were incredibly communicative and helpful throughout the entire process. All the staff members during our time there were amazing! Oh and the food was to die for. I wish I could go back to Hotel Haya as a wedding guest to have the food again because I was way too distracted and nervous to eat that day.”

The creative planning team at Wilder Mind Events helped translate the couple’s vision into a beautiful and sentimental wedding day experience.

“We wanted a team who was creative, friendly, and detail-oriented. We needed more than just a wedding coordinator — we needed someone who could help bring together some of the ideas we already had and turn them into a cohesive, aesthetically beautiful celebration. It was important to us to have a team who could both organize and elevate our vision while making the process fun and stress-free,” the bride explained. “We hired Wilder Mind Events because they seemed detailed, creative, and fun. Delaney and Demi were the most incredible people to work with. Their attention to detail and organization made everything run so smoothly, and all their efforts truly made our wedding feel like the perfect day. Delaney is incredibly creative, and when I was unsure about some details, she absolutely nailed it with her amazing ideas. It felt like she really captured our vibe as a couple and created the atmosphere we wanted. They both really put us at ease, which allowed us to fully enjoy every moment without worrying about the logistics. It also spoke volumes that every vendor we worked with always sang their praises. We booked the partial planning package, and it was so worth it!”

“The color palette centered around a rich, deep red, symbolizing prosperity, joy, and good fortune. Surrounding that bold hue with lush greens, soft neutrals, warm beiges, and classic ivories created a balanced and timeless look. I especially loved how consistent and cohesive the design felt, blending tradition and modernity seamlessly,,” Delaney Driver, owner and lead event planner at Wilder Mind Events gushed. “From the sleek tableware and contemporary table numbers to the refined floral arrangements, every element added a modern edge without losing sight of what mattered most to them.

Black linear chairs and white columns added a modern flair to the ceremony and reception space, while rose-colored glassware and romantic candelight injected a touch of softness. The pair further personalized their wedding to reflect their hometown, their cultures, and their favorite pasttimes.

“We incorporated our personalities into the wedding in a few special ways. We had a Vietnamese tea ceremony the day before our wedding, but we also wanted to include small touches of my Vietnamese culture and Kyle’s Filipino culture throughout the celebration to make it even more personal and meaningful. Our florist, Anna, added hand fans to a few of our floral arrangements, and we used some of the Vietnamese lanterns from the tea ceremony as decorations in front of our sweetheart table,” the bride detailed. “One of our favorite moments was the Filipino money dance. We were a little worried that people wouldn’t participate, but everyone got so into it — it ended up being such a fun and memorable part of the night! Also my family has a holiday tradition of getting lottery scratch-offs and scratching them off together, so we gave our guests scratch-offs as party favors in cute envelopes; it was such a personal touch that made the night feel even more special. We also had Garrett’s popcorn from Chicago, which was a huge hit! It was a nice way to share a bit of our new home with everyone, and Kyle’s family from Chicago loved getting a taste of where they grew up.”

On hand to capture all of the meaningful details and celebratory formalities were Evoke Photo and Film, who documented the event through still imagery and cinematography, forever preserving the memories for years to come.

“We really wanted a photo and video team that could capture the genuine emotions and candid moments of the day. We looked for a team with a style that balanced a modern, editorial touch with a sense of warmth and romance to match the vibe of our wedding. Beyond that, we wanted people we’d feel comfortable around — a team who had great energy and would help us feel at ease in front of the camera. We chose Evoke Photo and Film because, from our initial meeting, they exuded professionalism and experience,” AiVy beamed. “We could tell right away that we’d be in great hands. We’re not the most comfortable in front of a camera, but they knew exactly how to put us at ease and made the whole experience so much fun. Our engagement shoot really solidified our decision — it was clear they’re not only incredibly talented but also such kind and wonderful people. Their wedding day service was absolutely incredible. They were professional yet so easygoing, blending seamlessly into the day while still offering gentle guidance when we needed it. They captured every moment so perfectly, and looking back at the gorgeous photos and videos feels like reliving the day all over again. We couldn’t be happier with our decision — they truly exceeded our expectations!”

With a focus on guest experience and entertainment, the pair relied on the talented live musicians at Sweet Harmony to serenade their guests with beautiful string music for the ceremony, as well as Graingertainment to set the vibe for the evening and keep the party going.

“We wanted someone who could keep the energy up and keep our guests dancing all night long. Chris Grainger from Graingertainment was the perfect fit for us,” AiVy raved. “Chris had everyone on the dance floor from the moment they could get on until the very last song — nobody wanted the night to end! We’ve heard from many of our guests that it was the best dance floor they’ve ever seen at a wedding. He did an amazing job with the announcements and kept everything running smoothly. The mix of music he played was perfect, and he seamlessly incorporated our requested Vietnamese songs, which made it even more personal. We also added a photo booth, uplights, and light projections, which really elevated the whole experience.”

“One of my favorite moments from the day was the wedding party—they truly set the tone for the entire celebration. From the start, they brought the energy, the joy, and the kind of contagious excitement that makes a wedding unforgettable. Their introductions were full of personality and spirit, and that vibe carried straight onto the dance floor, which stayed packed all night long,” the wedding planner detailed. “There’s something magical about an electric dance floor, and this one was next level. It’s a reminder I’ll always stand by: who you invite to your wedding—and especially who you include in your wedding party—makes a difference. My favorite weddings are always the ones where the couple is surrounded by the right people. That love, support, and hype? You can’t fake it, and you absolutely feel it in the room.”

While the couple truly treasured being surrounded by their closest friends and family, it was the intimate moments between the two of them that stood out as core memories that day.

“Our favorite moments were our private vows and our first dance,” the bride reminisced. “Sharing our vows privately felt so personal and intimate — it was just the two of us, speaking from the heart. We didn’t want them recorded, but without us realizing it, Evoke Photo and Film captured some beautiful photos of that moment, which we’re so grateful for.”

The Proposal:
Kyle proposed at Piedmont Park in Atlanta, GA. We had rented an Airbnb with several of our friends for a weekend trip, so it was extra special to celebrate with our close friends right after the proposal!

What did you look for in a wedding photo and video team?
We really wanted a photo and video team that could capture the genuine emotions and candid moments of the day. We looked for a team with a style that balanced a modern, editorial touch with a sense of warmth and romance to match the vibe of our wedding. Beyond that, we wanted people we’d feel comfortable around — a team who had great energy and would help us feel at ease in front of the camera.

We chose Evoke Photo and Film because, from our initial meeting, they exuded professionalism and experience. We could tell right away that we’d be in great hands. We’re not the most comfortable in front of a camera, but they knew exactly how to put us at ease and made the whole experience so much fun. Our engagement shoot really solidified our decision — it was clear they’re not only incredibly talented but also such kind and wonderful people. Their wedding day service was absolutely incredible. They were professional yet so easygoing, blending seamlessly into the day while still offering gentle guidance when we needed it. They captured every moment so perfectly, and looking back at the gorgeous photos and videos feels like reliving the day all over again. We couldn’t be happier with our decision — they truly exceeded our expectations!

Why did you choose to have Sweet Harmony as part of your wedding celebration?
I grew up playing violin in my middle and high school orchestras, so I’ve always had a soft spot for live string music and a lot of respect for people who play professionally. Having a violinist and cellist there added such a beautiful, romantic vibe to our ceremony and cocktail hour—exactly what we were going for.

We chose Sweet Harmony because they checked all the boxes: they were in our budget, had an amazing mix of songs to choose from, and were so easy to work with. Kasia was super responsive and helpful every step of the way. They were absolutely incredible—honestly, I wish I could throw a wedding part 2 just to experience it all again with the same vendors!

What did you look for in a wedding venue?
We were looking for a wedding venue that would be a good option for the unpredictable Florida weather. This proved to be very important because our wedding was right after both Hurricane Helene and Milton hit the Tampa area. Style-wise, we wanted a venue that was modern and industrial. Our main priorities were location, in-house catering, lodging on-site or nearby, and capacity.  We wanted a venue that would help give an experience to our family and friends looking to explore Tampa.

We toured several venues and when we walked into Hotel Haya, we just knew it fit our vibe. Hotel Haya is just so charming. We loved the different areas of the hotel like the cafe, restaurant, pool, the Roosevelt room. We thought the main ballroom was so beautiful with the windows and brick wall. Both Meghan and Logan were incredibly communicative and helpful throughout the entire process. All the staff members during our time there were amazing! Oh and the food was to die for. I wish I could go back to Hotel Haya as a wedding guest to have the food again because I was way too distracted and nervous to eat that day.

What did you look for in a wedding planner?
We wanted a team who was creative, friendly, and detail-oriented. We needed more than just a wedding coordinator — we needed someone who could help bring together some of the ideas we already had and turn them into a cohesive, aesthetically beautiful celebration. It was important to us to have a team who could both organize and elevate our vision while making the process fun and stress-free.

We hired Wilder Mind Events because they seemed detailed, creative, and fun. Delaney and Demi were the most incredible people to work with. Their attention to detail and organization made everything run so smoothly, and all their efforts truly made our wedding feel like the perfect day. Delaney is incredibly creative, and when I was unsure about some details, she absolutely nailed it with her amazing ideas. It felt like she really captured our vibe as a couple and created the atmosphere we wanted. They both really put us at ease, which allowed us to fully enjoy every moment without worrying about the logistics. It also spoke volumes that every vendor we worked with always sang their praises. We booked the partial planning package, and it was so worth it!

What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
We wanted someone who could keep the energy up and keep our guests dancing all night long.

Chris Grainger from Graingertainment was the perfect fit for us. Chris had everyone on the dance floor from the moment they could get on until the very last song — nobody wanted the night to end! We’ve heard from many of our guests that it was the best dance floor they’ve ever seen at a wedding. He did an amazing job with the announcements and kept everything running smoothly. The mix of music he played was perfect, and he seamlessly incorporated our requested Vietnamese songs, which made it even more personal. We also added a photo booth, uplights, and light projections, which really elevated the whole experience.