Wedding

Nature Inspired Eco-Friendly Ybor City Wedding | CL Space

Wedding Paper Divas Free Samples Coupon

Ybor City Wedding | CL Space Wedding

Rayna and Jon's Ybor City wedding showcased Tampa's history and culture.

“We had a lot of out-of-town guests. Jon's family is from St. Louis, and we wanted them to experience true ‘local Tampa,” the bride shared. “Trolleys, Ybor City, local craft brews, BBQ and local non-profits were all a huge part of our wedding.”

Being eco-conscuious and giving back to the local community was a priority for the Tampa bride and groom, who run a non-profit called Four Letter Word, which implements sustainable sustenance farming efforts and provides entrepreneurial training to nonprofits, schools and ministries overseas.

“Our overall theme was to be eco-friendly and be able to give back in any way we could,” Rayna explained. “We had our ceremony at a homeless ministry that feeds over 300 people in the Ybor City area every week. It was the first wedding they had in their chapel and it was a great experience to walk through those doors receiving so much love from our family, friends, and community.”

MORE: ECO-FRIENDLY WEDDINGS

Many of the Tampa Bay wedding vendors the couple chose also had ties to the non-profit community.

“We asked a few of our vendors if they participate in any philanthropic giving and were astonished to find out more than we already knew,” the bride beamed. “We are so blessed to be surrounded by such great people, not only on our wedding day, but every day in our community.”

Rayna and Jon searched for a historic Ybor City wedding venue that allowed the couple to bring in their own wedding vendors.

“We wanted a venue with a sense of giving back and that could accommodate our eco-friendly, sustainable, and ‘give back' theme,” the bride explained. “We knew about Creative Loafing's publication and were really excited to hear about how they rent their venue, the CL Space. They did a great job at helping us plan, having staff available and letting us run with the ideas that we had.”

Looking back, one of the couple's most memorable moments occurred just after their wedding ceremony.

“Our wedding fell on a week where it was very wet in the Bay Area; there had been a tropical storm just days prior. The weather didn't seem to want to let up and there was storms all around through our ceremony,” the bride shared. “As soon as it was over, there was a hole in the sky that opened up. The lighting was amazing and our pictures came out perfect.”

Eco Friendly Earth Tone Wedding Invitation Suite from Forever Fiances

Bridal Wedding Band and Princess Cut Engagement Ring Portrait on Wood Round Slab

Glitter T-Strap Wedding Shoe Sandal with Blush Bow

Paper Flower Handmade Wedding Bouquet

Allure Bridal Cap Sleeve and Lace Soft Tulle Champagne Wedding Gown with Belt Sash

Wedding Day Getting Ready Details | Taking Pictures of the Bride's Makeup

Bridesmaids Helping Put Wedding Dress on Bride

Bridal Party Praying With Bride Before Wedding Reception

Bridal Wedding Portrait in Ivory Allure Cap Sleeve Tulle and Lace Wedding Dress with Eco Friendly Paper Flower Wedding Bouquet and Cathedral Veil

Unplugged Wedding Ceremony Sign

Eco Friendly Paper Toss Wedding Ceremony Exit Idea

How would you describe your theme?
Our overall theme was to be eco-friendly and be able to give back in any way we could. All decor was inspired by nature and made locally or by artisans. We are very involved in a number of churches, serve on the Board of Directors for Tampa Christian Fellowship, and are affiliated with many nonprofit organizations both locally and internationally. In 2014, we started a non-profit called Four Letter Word that implements sustainable sustenance farming efforts and provides entrepreneurial training to non-profits, schools, and ministries overseas.

What were your colors?
Our wedding was full of muted earth tones – all colors were inspired by nature.

Green Eco Friendly Wedding Ceremony Venue Sign Amazing Ministries Tampa Florida

Bride Walking Down The Aisle Wedding Portrait | Ybor City Wedding Ceremony Venue Amazing Ministries Tampa

Groom's Reaction to Seeing Bride Walk Down Aisle During Wedding Ceremony

Church Wedding Ceremony at Ybor City Venue Amazing Love Ministries

Bride and Groom Wedding Ceremony Portrait at Amazing Love Ministries Ybor City

Bride and Groom Processional Kiss Wedding Ceremony Portrait at Amazing Love Ministries Ybor City

Eco Friendly Toss Wedding Portrait at Ybor City Wedding Ceremony Venue Amazing Love Ministries

Bride and Groom Wedding Portrait in front of White Church with Stained Glass | Ybor City Wedding Church Venue Amazing Love Ministries

Bridal Party Wedding Portrait with Tulle Bridesmaids Skirts from Studio46Boutique in Tampa Florida and Allure Cap Sleeve Tulle and Lace Wedding Gown | Ybor City Wedding

Ybor City Square Tampa Bride and Groom Wedding Portrait

The Proposal:
We got engaged on our one-year anniversary, June 13, at a local intimate restaurant in Sarasota. I was caught completely off-guard. We were so excited to take a walk on the beach and call our friends and family.

Historic Tampa Bride and Groom Wedding Portrait in Black Tuxedo and Allure Cap Sleeve Tulle and Lace Wedding Gown | Ybor City Trolley Car

Outdoor Bridal Wedding Portrait in Lace and Tulle Wedding Dress with Paper Flower Wedding Bouquet | Historic Ybor City Tampa Wedding cshow

Wooden Wedding Welcome Sign

What did you look for in a wedding venue?
We needed a venue that would allow us to bring in our own vendors and reflected the true personality of Historic Tampa. We wanted a venue with a sense of giving back and that could accommodate our eco-friendly, sustainable, and “give back” theme.

We knew about Creative Loafing's publication and were really excited to hear about how they rent their venue, the CL Space. They do a wonderful job at keeping Tampa Bay connected. They did a great job at helping us plan, having staff available and letting us run with the ideas that we had.

Paper Flower Wedding Ceremony Arch | Green Earth Friendly Wedding Décor Ideas | Eco-Conscious Wedding Decor | Historic Tampa Ybor City Wedding Venue CL Space

Wooden Wedding Seating Chart Sign | Green Earth Friendly Wedding Décor Ideas | Eco-Conscious Wedding Decor

Bride and Groom Wedding Reception Entrance | Historic Tampa Ybor City Wedding Venue CL Space

What did you look for in a wedding rentals company?
We found an amazing company with fun and caring employees and to us “giving back” could be serving your community well. Having a great attitude and knowledge about your job can make all the difference to someone planning a wedding/event.

When I came across Rent All City, their staff was so nice. They answered all of my questions and even sent us a coupon for our future rentals. They did a great job in coaching us with what tables and linens we needed. I would definitely recommend them.

Eco-friendly Earth Wedding Reception Décor with Manzanita Branches, Pinecones and Wood Rounds with Paper Flowers in Glass Vase and Vintage Tampa Postcard Centerpieces

Round Naked Wedding Cake with Fresh Berries and Pink Roses with “Love You More” Cake Topper | Historic Tampa Ybor City Wedding Venue CL Space

Tampa Bay Bride and Groom First Dance/Kiss Wedding Portrait

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay Brides?
Don't conform to the ways of the world. Be yourself!

Buy second-hand, and check out local Facebook groups.

Get to know your vendors.

The day goes by really fast so pause, even if it is only for a brief moment.

If you do happen to lose your car keys on your wedding night, it is not the end of the world. They will show up, even if it is two weeks later.

Ceremony Venue: Amazing Love Ministries
Reception Venue:
CL Space 
Photographer: Savannah Lauren Photography
Planner: From Yes to I Do
Florist: Blooms and Branches (Manzanita branches), small paper flowers were handmade from old recycled bibles and hymn books
Caterer: Holy Hog BBQ
Tables/Chairs/Linen Rentals: Rent All City 
Pipe & Drape/Uplighting Rentals:
Bay Stage Live
Cake: Publix
DJ: Will Jackson
Ceremony Violinist:
 2Tone Events
Officiant: Sixto and Susan Ward of Tampa Christian Fellowship
Invitations: Forever Fiancés
Transportation: Jolley Trolley
Dress Shop and Designer: CC’s Boutique – Allure
Bridesmaid Dress Shop and Designer: Space46 Boutique
Hair: Sally Bakalyar
Makeup: 
Maribel Giusto