Jenna and Robert’s whimsical inspired waterfront South Tampa wedding featured a neutral and soft color palette.

“I love the romantic colors of blush, champagne and ivory, which reflected my ivory lace dress with champagne underlay, the bridesmaids matte sequin champagne dresses, our table settings, and flowers,” Jenna shared. “The men dressed in navy suits to compliment our colors and add to the nautical yacht club setting.”

The Tampa natives knew that the Bay area would be the perfect location for their nuptials and finding the perfect waterfront wedding venue in a familiar yacht club setting proved to be easier than one would expect.

“I wanted something elegant and timeless with a rustic, chic flair as the entire wedding was outdoors. We actually live in the Westshore Yacht Club, so to us, it was not just a venue, it is our home,” the bride explained. “We spend most of our weekends by the pool, watching sunsets over the marina, having dinner and drinks at the club and practicing yoga at the gym.  Ever since we met, I could picture myself walking down the aisle of the pool deck overlooking the yacht’s in the marina and seeing my husband looking back at me. We hold so many valuable memories here. We wanted to share this with our closest friends and family.”

MORE: WESTSHORE YACHT CLUB WEDDINGS

Wanting to keep her wedding day beauty look natural yet glamorous, the bride opted for rosy pink lips and full and show-stopping hair with loose curls created by Tampa Bay wedding hair and makeup team Michele Renee the Studio.

“Michele Renee The Studio killed it!” Jenna gushed. “Not only for me, but the entire bridal party, my mother and flower girls looked fabulous! Michele truly is a hair and makeup goddess! She was also so fun and comforting to work with in the midst of some of the craziness before the wedding.”

MORE: MICHELE RENEE THE STUDIO WEDDINGS

We love when couples opt to have an “unplugged” ceremony, which is exactly what Jenna and Robert did. Leaving the photography to the experts, they hired Tampa wedding photographer Lifelong Photography Studios to capture the intimate moments and details of the day.

“I wanted to be able to look back on our photos and have them tell a story. I liked Lifelong Photography Studio‘s style of photography being light and airy. When I met with the owner, Buffy, we instantly clicked, and I hired her on the spot,” Jenna shared. “She had a great personality that made us feel comfortable in front of the camera.  She also went to great lengths with us, holding it together on Rob’s sailboat during hurricane force winds for the engagement shoot!”

MORE: LIFELONG PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO WEDDINGS

Looking back on their most memorable moments of the evening, the bride shared that the groom surprised her with an unexpected tradition honoring her Jewish heritage.

“One of our most memorable moments of the evening was the impromptu chair dance, a Jewish tradition called the ‘Hora,’ which wasn’t in the original plans. Midway through the evening, Rob grabs my hand on the dance floor, where two large leather chairs awaited us, surrounded by all of his strongest friends. Next thing I knew we were hoisted up in the air holding on together, smiling, laughing and watching our guests sing and dance beneath us. It was a blast for everyone involved, but held special meaning to myself, and especially my Jewish family,” the bride reminisced.

What was your wedding hair and makeup inspiration?
I knew I wanted to keep a natural look, yet look amazing! I wanted big, full hair and rosy pink lips.

Michele Renee The Studio killed it. Not only for me, but the entire bridal party, my mother and flower girls looked fabulous! Michele truly is a hair and makeup goddess! She was also so fun and comforting to work with in the midst of some of the craziness before the wedding.

The Proposal:
Anyone who knows Rob and I knows that we are always traveling and exploring the world together. Rob brought me to Park City, where he had the ring (which took him months to design and perfect), in his pocket, ready to propose on top of the slopes, recalling our very first trip together on the slopes of Lake Tahoe. Unfortunately, my level of skiing wasn’t up to par, as I became frustrated, so he reluctantly decided to wait. He didn’t wait long. The weekend after we returned, he surprised me in the backyard of our own home with a pop-up, romantic, candlelit, Italian dinner scene he recreated from our very first Valentine’s Day, (“Guido’s Restaurant” he names it). He dropped down on one knee and asked me to marry him.  Of course there was no one there but us, but he was able to capture the entire evening on his GoPro that he tied to the tree. I guess it’s true what they say: home is where the heart is!

What did you look for in a wedding venue?
We actually live in the Westshore Yacht Club, so to us, it was not just a venue, it is our home.  We spend most our weekends by the pool, watching sunsets over the marina, having dinner and drinks at the club and practicing yoga at the gym.  Ever since we met, I could picture myself walking down the aisle of the pool deck overlooking the yachts in the marina and seeing my husband looking back at me. We hold so many valuable memories here. We wanted to share this with our closest friends and family.

What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
I wanted to be able to look back on our photos and have them tell a story.

I liked Lifelong Photography Studio’s style of photography being light and airy. When I met with the owner, Buffy, we instantly clicked, and I hired her on the spot. She had a great personality that made us feel comfortable in front of the camera.  She also went to great lengths with us, holding it together on Rob’s sailboat during hurricane force winds for the engagement shoot!

How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration? 
A whimsical and romantic inspired affair with rustic elements in a familiar yacht club setting: our backyard. I wanted something elegant and timeless with a rustic, chic flair as the entire wedding was outdoors.

What were your colors?
Blush, champagne, ivory and navy. I love the romantic colors of blush, champagne and ivory, which reflected my ivory lace dress with champagne underlay, the bridesmaids matte sequin champagne dresses, our table settings, and flowers. The men dressed in navy suits to compliment our colors and add to the nautical yacht club setting.

What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
I wanted a DJ who would bring the energy and get everyone on the dance floor! I also wanted our name in lights for everyone to see displayed on the dance floor. We hired Grant Hemond & Associates. because of their reputable name within the industry. Michael Planas was our DJ, and he did an exceptional job!

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
With so many vendors to choose from, decisions to make and details to refine, start planning early and hire a wedding planner to help. Keeping organized, making to-do lists and achieving small tasks daily are the keys to successful planning so it doesn’t become too overwhelming for yourself or your fiancé.

Ceremony/Reception Venue and Caterer: Westshore Yacht Club *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Venue
Photographer: Lifelong Photography Studios *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Videographer: Trinity Wedding Cinema
Planner: Blue Skies Wedding and Events
Florist: Iza’s Flowers
Rentals: Connie Duglin
Cake: Le Cheesecake
DJ: Grant Hemond & Associates *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Officiant: Sensational Ceremonies
Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas
Dress Designer: Morilee Madeline Gardner
Bridesmaid Dress Designer: Bill Levkoff
Hair & Makeup: Michele Renee The Studio *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Live Band: Bella Musica
Photo Booth: LuxBoothz
Men’s Wear: Perry Ellis
Men’s Ties and Accessories: The Tie Bar
Bridesmaids gifts: Kendra Scott