Jenna and Alessandro's destination Tampa Heights wedding featured classic white flowers and greenery, elegant gold accents, and a color palette of watery blue and greens befitting their historic riverfront venue.
“I'm not super creative, so had to do some Pinterest-ing and looking on blogs like Marry Me Tampa Bay. I wanted to do a soft green dress for my bridesmaids to keep it semi-neutral without doing beige. I built the rest of the design off that,” the bride revealed.
The New York pair were engaged in Tampa Bay and knew they wanted to host their nuptials in the area. They sought a local wedding planner who could help their vision come to life while planning from a distance, and they entrusted Coastal Coordinating given their experience and reputation in the industry.
“Having planned most of the wedding myself, Coastal Coordinating came in at the perfect moment when we really needed additional support. They had great reviews for a very fair price. They were game-changing on the day of,” the bride beamed. “Jess and team handled everything day of, and they even had someone who ensured I always had a glass of wine in hand and could get anything I needed.”
Since she was planning from a distance for her 250-guest March wedding, Jenna relied on online resources for inspiration and research.
“I looked at The Knot and Marry Me Tampa Bay for our photographers, hair and make up, band, and florist. We picked people who had good reviews and we reached out to people we knew who used them,” the bride shared. “I looked on Marry Me Tampa Bay for other weddings at our venue.”
Jenna prioritized photography and was thrilled to meet Dewitt For Love Photography while shooting on location in New York. Being able to experience their personalities and style during a hometown engagement shoot felt like it was truly meant to be.
“We didn't want over-saturated or too dark for the final photos, so that was how we originally narrowed it down. Once I talked to Shannon of Dewitt For Love Photography, we knew it was a perfect fit. Shannon and Brandon are pros and make the day so fun,” the bride gushed. “It was meant to be that they were able to photograph our engagement shoot in New York. They were actually here for a wedding, so we got to know them before the wedding day. They're both really fun, have their own shooting style, and produce the most beautiful photos. All of our bridal party asked where we found them because they were so impressed with them.”
Preserving their celebration through cinematography was another priority for the pair, who turned to J&S Media to document the day and create keepsake reels they would forever treasure.
“We wanted to be able to relive the special day and felt like this was the best way to guarantee it. Also, we wanted to make sure every speech was captured,” Jenna articulated. “We hired J&S Media because they offered shorter videos and speeches for a fair price. They were awesome; we love the video they created, and they worked so well with our other vendors. They also sent us a beautiful teaser before the full video.”
The little details that appeared throughout the celebration, including special decor in honor of their furbabies, and the large wedding party, added personal touches to Jenna and Alessandro's wedding day.
“My husband lined his jacket with the New York Giants logos since he's a big fan. We had a cigar bar, napkins with our dogs faces on them, and custom matches,” the bride detailed. “Having all our favorite people together in one place was most important. We had 13 bridesmaids and 13 groomsmen since our friends and family are super important to us, and we're both very outgoing.”
Looking back, sneaking away for an intimate moment alone stood out as one of their favorite memories of the evening.
“After cocktail hour and before the reception, Alessandro and I had a drink in our ceremony room, just the two of us. It was such a nice intimate moment to chill and reflect on the day so far,” Jenna reminisced.
Why did you hire a wedding videographer?
We wanted to be able to relive the special day and felt like this was the best way to guarantee it. Also, we wanted to make sure every speech was captured.
We hired J&S Media because they offered shorter videos and speeches for a fair price. They were awesome! We love the video they created, and they worked so well with our other vendors. They also sent us a beautiful teaser before the full video.
The Proposal:
We were on St. Pete Beach in October when Alessandro proposed. It was just the two of us and so romantic. My mom came after with a bottle of champagne to celebrate.
What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
We didn't want over-saturated or too dark for the final photos, so that was how we originally narrowed it down. Once I talked to Shannon of Dewitt For Love Photography, we knew it was a perfect fit. Shannon and Brandon are pros and make the day so fun
It was meant to be that they were able to photograph our engagement shoot in New York. They were actually here for a wedding, so we got to know them before the wedding day. They're both really fun, have their own shooting style, and produce the most beautiful photos. All of our bridal party asked where we found them because they were so impressed with them.
What were your wedding hair and makeup inspiration?
I wanted to look beautiful with my hair mostly down.
Femme Akoi Beauty Studio was really flexible to work with, especially for my big bridal party.
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
Having planned most of the wedding myself, Coastal Coordinating came in at the perfect moment when we really needed additional support. I planned most of the wedding but knew I wanted some day-of help.
Coastal Coordinating had great reviews for a very fair price. They were game-changing on the day of. Jess and team handled everything day-of, and they even had someone who ensured I always had a glass of wine in hand and could get anything I needed. She even helped me change my shoes right next to the dance floor.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Jamaica. We had never been and found a great all-inclusive.
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
Puerto Rico. I had never been, and it's convenient to access from the east coast as I had people coming from all over.
“The overall style was whimsical and romantic with a classic wedding feel. Golds and blushes and creams were in the flowers and all of the accent decor. The gold accents pulled it all together with the gold rim chargers and the highest centerpieces on the Harlow stands. The candlelight also made it very classic and romantic.”
-Wedding Planner and Owner Katy Turchich-Martin of Coastal Coordinating
What was your wedding cake inspiration?
The Artistic Whisk was able to send us a full cake tasting up to New York making them so easy to work with out of state.
We chose the hummingbird flavor.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
We do not have anything negative to say about any of our vendors. We feel like we truly picked all the best, despite being out of town when choosing them. Everyone in our bridal party was asking where we found Shannon and Brandon from Dewitt for Love. They kept the mood up and were there to help with anything, no matter if it was photography-related or not. Our guests and both of us were also impressed with our band.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Use our vendors!
