Downtown Tampa Wedding | The Straz Center
After James proposed to Alexis in Key West, they immediately started planning their downtown Tampa wedding. Having lived in area for five years, the couple felt is was important to be married in the city that they will be starting a family and making memories in.
The pair hosted their waterfront Tampa wedding ceremony at the The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, because it was a venue they could visit with their children and reminisce about their big day.
“We love that The Straz Center is a landmark in Tampa and a place that people frequent,” the bride shared. “Shortly after our wedding, one of our daughters took a field trip to see a play there. This was instant reassurance that we had made the best decision for our venue!”
With multiple event spaces within the venue, Alexis and James held an outdoor, waterfront wedding ceremony, riverfront cocktail hour and a ballroom-style reception in Maestro's Restaurant.
“We loved all of the different areas that were available for our event. This allowed us to hold our ceremony, cocktail hour and reception at one venue, but with a change of scenery within,” the bride explained. “The staff at the Straz Center was so accommodating; they really went out of their way to make us feel like a priority.”
Desserts were center stage at the wedding reception with a cake, dessert bar and coffee cart by Cafe Ala Carte.
“James and I love espresso and hiring Cafe Ala Carte was a special way to personalize our day even more,” Alexis shared.
The most important part of the day was incorporating Alexis and James' five children into the wedding.
“From the children having the VIP treatment with hair and makeup, to them being a part of the ceremony and our first dance, it truly was a special day for all of us!” the bride gushed.
What wedding vendors really blew you away?
Lasting Luxe handled hair and make up for our party of 13 ladies with complete perfection and made sure everyone felt good about how they looked!
What was your favorite part of holding your wedding at the Straz Center?
The staff at the Straz Center was so accommodating. They really went out of their way to make us feel like a priority throughout the planning process, and the day of our event they made sure that we were happy.
The food and service at the Straz Center was fantastic! James and I really like food; we wanted not only good food, but good presentation as well.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay Brides?
Hire a wedding planner; they are the professional and you most likely have never done this before. A wedding may sound like an easy thing to plan, but there is no way my day would have turned out perfect without my wedding planner!
Venue: Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Photographer: Eva Photo Studio
Planner: UNIQUE Weddings and Events *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Florist: Events in Bloom
Caterer: Maestro's Restaurant (Straz Center)
Linens: Linens by the Sea, Custom Linen Rentals& Connie Duglin Linen
Rentals: MMD Events, FH Weddings & Signature Event Rentals
Cake: A Piece of Cake
Dessert Table: Hands on Sweets
Coffee Cart: Cafe Ala Carte
Band: Phase5
Ceremony Music: Alafia Strings
Officiant: Sensational Ceremonies
Transportation: L3 Limo
Hair & Makeup: Lasting Luxe
Tuxedo Rental: Men's Wearhouse
