Throughout the month of June, the region of Tampa Bay celebrates equality and inclusivity with our world-famous Pride parades, and on June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage.
To celebrate this equality milestone, wedding planner Stephany Perry Events designed a whimiscal wedding inspiration shoot that showcased the iconic red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet rainbow pattern and transformed it into a chic and modern wedding aesthetic.
“The theme of this shoot was ‘modern pride.' The photographer brought up the idea of planning a styled shoot celebrating the LGBTQ+ community using the rainbow as our palette. As proud allies, we wanted anyone who came across the photos to understand how important inclusivity is,” Stephany explained. “Nothing says LGBTQ+ Pride more than rainbows, and we wanted to find a creative way to showcase all the colors. We added touches of black and white to bring in a modern feel to the organic florals. Going with a rainbow palette also allowed all the vendors to truly showcase their range of talent. Using nontraditional and bright colors to execute a cohesive design was important to me, and each vendor delivered beautiful and inspired work.”
To create a fresh take on the beloved Pride rainbow, the wedding planner and designer looked for tasteful ways to incorporate the vibrancy of the color palette without losing the elegance of the moment.
“I found a rainbow ombré flower arrangement while looking through Pinterest, and although our floral designs were nothing like that centerpiece, it really spoke to me,” Stephany revealed. “I based all the ombré effects and color blocking elements from that inspiration.”
To enhance the extravagance, a lush floral wall and custom neon sign complemented the newly renovated South Tampa wedding venue Hotel Alba, while the ombré florals popped against the modern décor of the venue.
“Hotel Alba was the perfect backdrop for our modern theme with both indoor and outdoor spaces. I loved the white walls outside as they made the perfect backdrop to complement the white and black undertones to all the rainbow florals and décor,” Stephany beamed. “Their gallery walls outside of the ballroom were also perfect and contained so many beautiful pieces of art that also incorporated a lot of the rainbow colors.”
From the technicolor wedding bands to the rainbow-inspired dessert table and customized craft cocktails, every element of this inspiration shoot was centered around the vendors' passions for celebrating the freedom that ‘love is love.'
“That rainbow floral runner on the tablescape was my absolute favorite. The florist did an amazing job bringing that idea to life. The style was truly unique with not making it to the fine art scale but being far from traditional floral design,” the wedding planner praised. “The fact that we were able to include so many inclusive vendors, including vendors that are a part of the LGBTQ+ community [was also important]. That's what this shoot was really about, celebrating all love with those who believe this in their core.”
How would you describe your theme?
Modern pride. The photographer brought up the idea of planning a styled shoot celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and using the rainbow would be our palette. As proud allies, we wanted anyone who came across the photos to understand how important inclusivity is.
What were your colors?
Nothing says LGBTQ+ Pride more than rainbows, and we wanted to find a creative way to showcase all the colors. We added touches of black and white to bring in a modern feel to the organic florals. Going with a rainbow palette also allowed all the vendors to truly showcase their range of talent. Using nontraditional and bright colors to still execute a cohesive design was important to me, and each vendor delivered beautiful and inspired work.
What was your inspiration for this shoot?
I found a rainbow ombre flower arrangement while looking through Pinterest, and although our floral designs were nothing like that centerpiece, it really spoke to me. I based all the ombre effects and color blocking elements from that Inspiration.
What were your favorite elements of this shoot?
The rainbow floral runner on the tablescape was my absolute favorite. The florist really did an amazing job bringing that idea to life. The style was truly unique with not making it to the fine art scale but being far from traditional floral design.
In a very close second, it's not a visual element but the fact that we were able to include so many inclusive vendors, including vendors that are a part of the LGBTQ+ community. That's what this shoot was really about, celebrating all love with those that believe this in their core.
How did the venue fit within your theme?
Hotel Alba was the perfect backdrop for our modern theme with both indoor and outdoor spaces. I loved the white walls outside as they made the perfect backdrop to compliment the white and black undertones to all the rainbow florals and decor. Their gallery walls outside of the ballroom were also perfect and contained so many beautiful pieces of art that also incorporated a lot of the rainbow colors.
Estimated cost of this inspiration shoot for 150 guests: Venue: $4,000-$8,000 | Photography: $3,000-$4,500 | Videography: $1,500-$3,000 | Flowers: $5,000-$8,000 | Invitations: $400-$600 | Table Top rentals: $500-$800 | Flower Wall & Neon Sign: $500-$600 | Ghost Chair Rentals: $1,100-$1,600 | Linen Rentals: $500-$800 | Bride’s Attire: $1,250-$2,000 | Cake and Desserts: $650-$900 | Champagne Wall Rental: $350-$500 | Cotton Candy Cart: $395-$700 | Balloon Garland: $150-$400
Venue: Hotel Alba Tampa *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Venue
Photographer: Elizabeth Dugan Creative
Planner and Designer: Stephany Perry Events *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Florals: Blooming Flower Boutique & Art
Champagne Wall, Neon Sign: Posy Exchange
Custom Cocktails and Bar: Native Cocktail Events
Cotton Candy: Sky Candy
Dessert Table and Cake: Daisy Delights
Rainbow Macarons: Bakes by the Bay TPA
Stationery: Paper Majik Designs & Events
Hair and Makeup: Style Hair and Makeup
Dresses: The White Closet Bridal Co.
Adoptable Pups: Furry Ventures Pet Care
Charcuterie: Adored Boards
Jewelry: Westshore Diamond
Rentals: Gabro Event Services
Couple: @lifeoftaylo
Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.
*Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pros are highly respected by our local wedding community and have been personally vetted by our editor.
