Mary and Andrew
“Our wedding theme was loosely centered around the idea of ‘a party where we happen to get married.’ With our planner, we developed a vision inspired by keywords like bourbon, leather, and southern gothic. Our colors were rich black and jewel tones, complemented by luxurious textures like leather and velvet, perfectly capturing the dark and moody atmosphere we envisioned.” -The Bride
Mary and Andrews’ moody Tampa Heights wedding featured a romantic ceremony on the historic Tampa Theatre stage and a sophisticated cocktail reception adorned with jewel tones, velvet textures, and dramatic crystal chandeliers.
“Our wedding theme was loosely centered around the idea of ‘a party where we happen to get married.’ Above all, our focus was on creating a great party. Working with Staci Mandikas of UNIQUE Weddings + Events, we developed a vision inspired by keywords like bourbon, leather, and southern gothic,” the bride detailed. “Staci played a pivotal role in helping us refine our vision into a cohesive palette of colors and textures. Our colors were rich black and jewel tones, complemented by luxurious textures like leather and velvet, perfectly capturing the dark and moody atmosphere we envisioned.”
The local bride and groom hosted their November nuptuals in Tampa because it is the city where they met, built their life together, and holds deep personal significance as the backdrop to their love story. To bring their vision to life, Mary and Andrew selected wedding planner and designer Staci Mandikas from UNIQUE Weddings + Events, whose creative approach and expertise brought their non-traditional wedding dreams to fruition.
“We were really looking for someone we could connect with on a personal level. Finding a planner we ‘vibed with’ was key to feeling at ease during the long and sometimes stressful wedding planning process. From the start, we knew UNIQUE Weddings + Events was the perfect fit to bring our vision to life,” the bride gushed. “Their creativity, out-of-the-box thinking, and openness to planning a non-traditional wedding set them apart. While many weddings include extended speeches, choreographed dinners with sweetheart tables, and pauses in the party, we wanted a cohesive, exciting experience that never felt dull, and Staci delivered exactly that! UNIQUE Weddings was impeccable! Everything we loved about Staci during the planning process carried over seamlessly to the wedding day. She acted as our advocate and voice with vendors, ensuring that the wishes of both the bride and groom were honored every step of the way.”
“This couple wanted moody, jewel-tone sophistication. When designing a cocktail reception, you don’t have a large number of opportunities to combine design elements. The lack of place settings can really become a design detriment. You lose the opportunity to highlight chargers, stationery, glassware, etc. So, with keeping this in mind, we made sure to make every design decision extremely intentional,” the wedding planner added. “We combined rich colors with textural velvet, satin, and crinkle taffeta, and shiny brass with etched glass. We also contrasted modern black acrylic with warm, rustic wood. The florals had so much visual texture and were accented with twigs, turkey feathers, and dark-colored fruit to create interest. And, to truly create a romantic sophistication, we, of course, had to drop a cluster of crystal chandeliers over the dance floor to elevate the industrial space.
The Tampa couple infused their personalities into every detail of their wedding, from hosting their ceremony on a historic theater stage with champagne and popcorn to curating an unforgettable night of vibrant music and nonstop dancing. They even incorporated their slogan, ‘An Evening with Mary & Andrew,’ which was proudly displayed on the theater marquee on their wedding day.
“Our personalities, individually and as a couple, were woven into every aspect of the wedding,” the bride beamed. “As an archaeologist, I have a deep love of history and historic places, while Andrew’s career in live music and entertainment is a core part of who he is. Choosing a ceremony venue that is a working historic theater perfectly blended these two passions. For the groom, the band was a crucial part of the celebration. During our search, we discovered the NoFilter band and immediately connected with their vibe. After seeing them perform a second time, it helped solidify our decision. We knew they could deliver a sophisticated, sexy, rock-and-roll show that would keep the dance floor alive all night.”
To enhance the moody decor and elevate their cocktail-style reception, Mary and Andrew seamlessly blended the venue’s existing offerings with carefully curated pieces from Kate Ryan Event Rentals and Over The Top Rental Linens. The sophisticated atmosphere was brought to life with gold étagères, bar-back shelving, and navy Lennox chairs from Kate Ryan, paired with a luxurious palette of linens in rich black, bold red, and shimmering gold tones from Over the Top, adding an elegant and refined touch to the overall design.
“While the venue offers traditional reception tables and chairs, a cocktail-style reception calls for more dynamic and engaging table and seating arrangements,” Staci explained. “We combined various-sized tables and wooden seating provided by the venue with carefully selected rentals, including black acrylic barstools, velvet lounge furniture, brass end tables, and wooden benches.”
Mary and Andrew prioritized creating an unforgettable experience for their guests while also ensuring that their wedding day was beautifully and authentically documented.
“The guest experience was the most important element of our wedding,” the bride stated. “It was essential to our vision to provide great food and free-flowing drinks, so we made sure to request additional bartenders for the cocktail hour and reception, ensuring no guest had to wait in long lines for a drink.”
Declaring their love in a historic venue were core moments of the wedding day that created unforgettable memories for Mary and Andrew.
“Standing on the stage to say our vows was truly incredible. Knowing our wedding is now a small part of the theater’s rich history and looking out from the stage to see everyone we love in the audience was absolutely magical. As cliché as it sounds, hosting a party where nearly 200 guests danced the night away without interruption is something we’ll cherish and talk about for the rest of our lives,” the bride reminisced.















The Proposal:
Andrew proposed with a letter at a private scenic outlook within the Blue Ridge mountains. We were enjoying a quiet getaway and stayed true to our promise of “no phones, no laptops” as we chose to wait to share the news with our family and friends until after we had returned.



What did you look for in a wedding planner?
We were really looking for someone we could connect with on a personal level. Finding a planner we ‘vibed with’ was key to feeling at ease during the long and sometimes stressful wedding planning process. From the start, we knew UNIQUE Weddings + Events was the perfect fit to bring our vision to life. Their creativity, out-of-the-box thinking, and openness to planning a non-traditional wedding set them apart. While many weddings include extended speeches, choreographed dinners with sweetheart tables, and pauses in the party, we wanted a cohesive, exciting experience that never felt dull, and Staci delivered exactly that!
UNIQUE Weddings was impeccable! Everything we loved about Staci during the planning process carried over seamlessly to the wedding day. She acted as our advocate and voice with vendors, ensuring that the wishes of both the bride and groom were honored every step of the way.








Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We celebrated our honeymoon with 28 unforgettable days in Europe, dividing our time between Austria, Switzerland, and France. With our shared passion for travel, we had dreamed about our honeymoon long before we even began planning our wedding. Experiencing Europe during the holiday season turned out to be the perfect choice for us.
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
Washington, DC. I attended college in the city, and it served as a convenient, central location for all members of the bridal party to travel to.






How did the rentals enhance the ambiance of the event?
While the venue offers traditional reception tables and chairs, a cocktail-style reception calls for more dynamic and engaging table and seating arrangements. We combined various-sized tables and wooden seating provided by the venue with carefully selected rentals, including black acrylic barstools, velvet lounge furniture, brass end tables, and wooden benches. -Staci Mandikas of UNIQUE Weddings + Events




How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Our wedding theme was loosely centered around the idea of ‘a party where we happen to get married.’ Above all, our focus was on creating a great party. Working with Staci Mandikas of UNIQUE Weddings + Events, we developed a vision inspired by keywords like bourbon, leather, and southern gothic. Staci played a pivotal role in helping us refine our vision into a cohesive palette of colors and textures.
What were your colors?
Our colors were rich black and jewel tones, complemented by luxurious textures like leather and velvet, perfectly capturing the dark and moody atmosphere we envisioned.




Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
My photographer is not just an incredible artist but also a wonderful human being. Photoshoots with her are so enjoyable, you hardly notice the camera is there. Staci ensured everything ran seamlessly and according to plan. When we were unsure of what to do, she offered thoughtful advice and helpful suggestions. When we had a clear vision, she knew exactly how to bring it to life.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
The most valuable advice we can offer is to hire only those vendors with whom you feel a genuine personal connection. It’s about collaborating with the right people who will bring your vision to life. Secondly, though it may sound simple, it’s crucial: never forget that this is your moment and your day. Trust your instincts, welcome guidance from family, friends, and vendors, but ultimately, choose what will make you and your partner happiest, regardless of outside opinions.
