Rachel and Michael's destination Ybor City wedding embodied their vision of “Floridian Chic,” with pops of orange, pink, and yellows. Drawing inspiration from local hashtags and photographs, the bride and groom curated a celebration that showcased the beauty of their surroundings while incorporating the rich cultural heritage of Ybor City.
“I wanted pops of color that felt very Florida in nature, but I also wanted to keep a timeless feel with some more basic elements. We wanted very Floridian colors. Muted soft pinks, creme, and bright pops of orange felt timeless and fun,” the bride beamed.
With the help of Marry Me Tampa Bay, the Chicago couple discovered the ideal venue for their autumn wedding.
“We found Hotel Haya on Marry Me Tampa Bay, and from there, we looked at their recommended vendors and found our DJ,” Rachel explained. “It started with Marry Me Tampa Bay and went from there!”
In search of a wedding venue that would provide a serene vacation-like experience for their 120 guests while capturing their unique style, the couple selected Hotel Haya for its chic boutique ambiance nestled in the heart of historic Ybor City. The timeless elegance of the design was effortlessly blended with the contemporary allure of vibrant colors and textures, making it the perfect fit for a destination wedding.
“When looking for a wedding venue, it was two-fold. We knew we wanted a hotel for ease of logistics for us and our guests, and style-wise, we wanted something more modern and fun. Hotel Haya had literally everything and more,” the bride gushed. “The restaurant and catering customized everything to our dietary needs, the drinks were amazing, our guests couldn’t get enough, and the rooms and decor all really matched our style. It was just a perfect fit! Simple yet decorated perfectly.”
When it came to finding the perfect photographer, the couple sought someone who could authentically capture their unique personalities and create stunning images that reflected their love story. From the first conversation, the couple knew that McNeile Photography was the perfect fit for them.
“A lot of my inspiration came from searching hashtags on Instagram like #floridawedding and #tampawedding. I wanted to use all local vendors and also infuse the culture of Ybor City into our day,” the bride articulated. “We wanted a photographer who could capture us and our personality while also being mindful that we aren’t models. Capturing who we are in the pictures was so important and vibing with that person…which we did! Arron, the owner of McNeile Photography, has a bright, organic style to his pictures that I loved, and we clicked right away. He captured us so perfectly and guided us through the photos incredibly. By the end, he was a part of our family!”
Rachel and Michael relied on the seasoned experts at Lemon Drops Weddings to help guide them through the planning process and allow them to truly enjoy the big day. The team of planners helped incorporate cohesive elements throughout the October celebration, fine tuning unique details like fresh Florida citrus accenting the tablescapes, and Spanish-style mosaic tiles that appeared on the wedding cake and guest favor cookies.
The couple infused their style and personalities into multiple aspects of the celebration, from the signature drinks to the flow of the evening. The groomsmen upheld a wedding tradition from their friend group, which involved singing a song by The Killers at every wedding.
“There were so many moments that stand out, but the best being our groomsman and good friend singing Mr. Brightside for our friends and family on the dance floor; every single person was singing,” the bride reminisced.
“We wanted a photographer who could capture us and our personalities while also being mindful that we aren’t models. Capturing who we are in the pictures was so important and vibing with that person…which we did! Arron, the owner of McNeile Photography, has a bright, organic style to his pictures that I loved, and we clicked right away. He captured us so perfectly and guided us through the photos incredibly. By the end, he was a part of our family!”
-The Bride
What was your wedding theme?
Floridian Chic. I wanted pops of color that felt very Florida in nature, but I also wanted to keep a timeless feel with some more basic elements.
What were your colors?
We wanted very Floridian colors. Muted soft pinks, creme, and bright pops of orange felt timeless and fun.
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
“When looking for a wedding venue, it was two-fold. We knew we wanted a hotel for ease of logistics for us and our guests, and style-wise, we wanted something more modern and fun.
Hotel Haya had literally everything and more. The restaurant and catering customized everything to our dietary needs, the drinks were amazing, our guests couldn’t get enough, and the rooms and decor all really matched our style. It was just a perfect fit! Simple yet decorated perfectly.
What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
A lot of my inspiration came from searching hashtags on Instagram like #floridawedding and #tampawedding. I wanted to use all local vendors and also infuse the culture of Ybor City into our day. We wanted a photographer who could capture us and our personalities while also being mindful that we aren’t models. Capturing who we are in the pictures was so important and vibing with that person…which we did!
Arron, the owner of McNeile Photography, has a bright, organic style to his pictures that I loved, and we clicked right away. He captured us so perfectly and guided us through the photos incredibly. By the end, he was a part of our family!
“When looking for a wedding venue, it was two-fold. We knew we wanted a hotel for ease of logistics for us and our guests, and style-wise, we wanted something more modern and fun. Hotel Haya had literally everything and more. The restaurant and catering customized everything to our dietary needs, the drinks were amazing, our guests couldn’t get enough, and the rooms and decor all really matched our style. It was just a perfect fit! Simple yet decorated perfectly.”
-The Bride
Which vendors exceeded your expectations?
All of our vendors exceeded our expectations; there wasn’t a single vendor who didn’t go above and beyond for us. The cake was stunning and truly represented the culture of Ybor so well. Our DJ had the dance floor packed all night. I’m still blown away by every single person who helped us!
