Heather and Jonathan's Ybor City wedding was designed to reflect their individual personalities and the unique bond they share. Their romantic celebration, marked by an unforgettable party, truly embodied the bride and groom's bold and passionate love story.
“Our wedding was planned to focus on our personalities and relationship. It showcases our love for one another and the fun we have brought into each other's lives. The theme was romantic and the party of a lifetime,” the bride beamed. “Our colors were bold and romantic: hunter green, gold, and white.”
With 95 guests attending their September wedding, Heather and Jonathan sought a venue that embodied their affection for Tampa's rich Cuban culture. They were captivated by Hotel Haya, whose one-of-a-kind architecture, boutique atmosphere, and impressively responsive staff provided the perfect setting for their special celebration.
“The wedding venue was very important to us, and we wanted a place that would be memorable for our guests and also incorporate the love of Tampa and Cuban culture,” Heather explained. “Hotel Haya speaks for itself when we were looking at venues. Its unique design and boutique feel outweighed any other venue we toured. The staff was very responsive, which was extremely important during the planning process.”
Heather hired The Olive Tree Weddings to make the wedding day flow smoothly after meeting the owner, Amanda. The planner's organizational skills, responsiveness, and readiness to brainstorm ideas greatly impressed Heather, making her instrumental in bringing their fall wedding vision to life with impeccable execution.
“Amanda, the owner of The Olive Tree Weddings, is a lot like myself which is why we connected so well. I knew instantly she was very organized, responsive, and available to bounce ideas off whenever I needed her,” the bride beamed. “She is truly the main reason this wedding happened. Most of my wedding vendors were recommended by my planner. We are both extremely busy and relied on her tremendously in that area. We told her what our vision was, and she executed it flawlessly. Hotel Haya and The Olive Tree were the true stars of the entire wedding.”
The couple exchanged vows in the captivating Mariposa event space, situated outside of the Valencia Ballroom. Kate Ryan Event Rentals supplied sophisticated acrylic ghost chairs that enhanced the ambiance, while an asymmetric white floral arch added a touch of elegance against the historic, exposed brickwork of the original Ybor building.
The sense of enchantment extended into the reception, with striking modern centerpieces and accents of gold décor harmonizing with the couple's chosen color palette. The night's energy reached new heights when La Hora Loca took to the dance floor, bringing a burst of vibrancy and excitement to the celebration.
As Heather thought back on her favorite moment of the wedding, the official announcement of her and Jonathan's marriage brought back the sweetest memories.
“The first time my husband saw me come down the aisle, his reaction meant so much to me. The most memorable moment of our wedding was the moment we placed our rings on each other's fingers and announced as husband and wife,” the bride reminisced.
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
Due to my pregnancy, my bachelorette party was very low-key. We went to Siesta Key because the beaches are beautiful, and it was far enough away to feel like a vacation but close enough to drive.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We chose to wait for our honeymoon due to the fact that I am pregnant. We plan on Hawaii or Fiji; somewhere we can just relax and enjoy each other.
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
The wedding venue was very important to us, and we wanted a place that would be memorable for our guests and also incorporate the love of Tampa and Cuban culture.
Hotel Haya speaks for itself when we were looking at venues. Its unique design and boutique feel outweighed any other venue we toured. The staff was very responsive, which was extremely important during the planning process.
How did the rentals add to the ambiance?
The ghost chairs were rented from Kate Ryan Event Rentals. They changed the entire look of the room.
The Proposal:
The proposal was a long time coming, five years to be exact. Jonathan proposed on his birthday at Courtside Grille.
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
Amanda, the owner of The Olive Tree Weddings, is a lot like myself which is why we connected so well. I knew instantly she was very organized, responsive, and available to bounce ideas off whenever I needed her.
She is truly the main reason this wedding happened. Most of my wedding vendors were recommended by my planner. We are both extremely busy and relied on her tremendously in that area. We told her what our vision was, and she executed it flawlessly. Hotel Haya and The Olive Tree were the true stars of the entire wedding. On the day of, leave everything in your amazing wedding planner's hands and enjoy every moment because it is truly one of the most incredible days of your life.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Our wedding was planned to focus on our personalities and relationship. It showcases the love we have for one another and the fun we have brought into each other's lives. The theme was romantic and the party of a lifetime.
What were your colors?
Our colors were bold and romantic: hunter green, gold, and white.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
All of my vendors were beyond incredible, but Hotel Haya and The Olive Tree Weddings were the true stars of the entire wedding.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Plan your wedding how you want. I understand this is difficult when family members are paying for the wedding, but if you are able to voice as much as you can, that it is your day.
We choose to pay for the entire wedding ourselves, which is something we would not change if given the option. This ensured our day would be exactly what we wanted with only the people we truly wanted there.
On the day of, leave everything in your amazing wedding planner's hands and enjoy every moment because it is truly one of the most incredible days of your life.
