Jenna and Max's waterfront South Tampa wedding combined a warm fall palette of terracotta, gold, and dusty rose, along with nods to the city's history and the bride's Cuban heritage. The couple exchanged vows during a traditional Catholic ceremony before dining and dancing amidst a lush garden landscape along renowned Bayshore Boulevard.
“I never had a ‘dream wedding' in mind, as many little girls do growing up, so when it came to our theme/design inspiration, I wanted to convey all the love that would be felt in the room. I wanted to create a classy ambiance that was elegant, inviting, and intimate in the same breath. Romance is probably the best word for it,” the bride detailed. “Max and I are old souls and loved the idea of a vintage lounge (think Sinatra and soft lighting), and we really wanted to capture that aesthetic with a modern touch.
The Tampa natives sought a picturesque wedding venue that showcased the charm and beauty of the city while comfortably accommodating their large guest count. Jenna fell in love with the Tampa Garden Club long before her own engagement when touring venues for her sister's wedding, and given Max's Sarasota roots, the waterfront venue was the perfect fit for both the couple's vision.
“We loved the idea of being close to the water in a central part of Tampa. We also were looking for a space that could be intimate but also accommodate 200 invited guests. The Tampa Garden Club was a perfect fit for us with regard to the location on Bayshore Boulevard. We gravitated toward it for the beautiful views of the water from the back porch (perfect for photos), the reception hall was a blank canvas that we could make our own, and the garden area was perfect for a November cocktail outside. We also loved the rich history that the venue has as a staple landmark in the community,” the bride gushed. “The event coordinator, Bridget, is spectacular. She was a breeze to communicate with throughout planning, especially for the day of the wedding details. We could tell that Bridget was passionate about the venue as she was very knowledgeable about the space along with variations of the potential setups. We can't recommend it enough!”
The bride and groom injected personal elements throughout their celebration, ensuring the cuisine, music, and décor were reflections of their relationship, personalities, and culture. Along with delicious menu offerings and lively music, guests posed for keepsake photos courtesy of The Gala Photobooth.
“My heritage is Cuban, so we incorporated a cigar roller, various Tampa-themed appetizers (including an egg roll filled with Cuban sandwich ingredients that were dressed up to look like a lit cigar), as well as getting married in Ybor City,” the bride detailed. “Max is obsessed with live music and went on a mission to find a band that could transform the reception into a concert. We both went to Florida State, and our band performed the FSU war chant.”
After experiencing the creative work of J&S Media‘s photography and cinematography team at a friend's wedding, Jenna knew the importance of hiring a skilled team to artfully capture their celebration on both film and video. Their personalized approach resulted in photos that felt distinct to the couple, along with a sentimental video that captured the spectrum of beauty and emotions from the entire day.
“We looked for a team who could offer both photo/video services first and foremost. In addition to the popular cinematic video style, I was also looking for someone who could create a traditional documentary-style video that captured speeches, first looks, and all the big moments without interruption. J&S Media was very open-minded and willing to bundle all of these services for an amazing price. Their ability to think outside the box with the documentary-style video was what ultimately made them the best choice for us!” Jenna raved. “Their service was unbelievable. Outside of our requested photo ideas, J&S has a great sense of poses, actions, and candid photos that really made our wedding photos feel uniquely us. They were patient and fun, and we truly enjoyed spending our big day with them!”
Looking back, Jenna recalled so many memorable moments, including special dances during the reception, along with sentimental words shared by friends and family.
“Our first dance was choreographed and took lots of practice! The band played Mr. Brightside by The Killers while all of our college friends and family belted lyrics at the top of their lungs,” Jenna reminisced. “We also enjoyed amazing speeches by our Best Man, Maid/Matron of Honor, my stepfather, and a beautiful blessing by my mom. Our last dance was in private with the band playing for just us, while everyone grabbed a personal pizza on the way out!”
What were your wedding hair and makeup inspiration?
I wanted more ‘natural glam' makeup and a romantic, curled updo hairstyle to showcase my dress.
Femme Akoi Beauty Studio was absolutely amazing! Lana completed my trial and day-of services; she understood exactly what I wanted based on inspirational pictures and asked for my input the entire time. I also had 13 girls (myself included) who needed hair and makeup services on the day of the wedding. They did a great job scheduling everyone within our allotted prep time, and all of my ladies looked stunning!
The Proposal:
I'm impossible to surprise, so Max conjured up a fake work trip to Savannah, GA, and told me he had gotten a last-minute invite for the both of us to go, all expenses paid. The only caveat was a work-related dinner on Friday, which turned out to be the proposal in Forsyth Park!
“We looked for a team who could offer both photo/video services first and foremost. In addition to the popular cinematic video style, I was also looking for someone who could create a traditional documentary-style video that captured speeches, first looks, and all the big moments without interruption. J&S Media was very open-minded and willing to bundle all of these services for an amazing price. Their ability to think outside the box with the documentary-style video was what ultimately made them the best choice for us! Their service was unbelievable. Outside of our requested photo ideas, J&S has a great sense of poses, actions, and candid photos that really made our wedding photos feel uniquely us. They were patient and fun, and we truly enjoyed spending our big day with them!”
-The Bride
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
Nashville. I love listening to live music and bar hopping on Broadway!
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We spent our honeymoon in Cabo San Lucas at the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Resort. We wanted to go somewhere where we could sink our toes in the sand, relax with a fruity cocktail, and be pampered in a world-class spa while exploring a part of the world that we had not been to before without too long of a flight. Bonus points for a top 100 golf course!
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
We loved the idea of being close to the water in a central part of Tampa. We also were looking for a space that could be intimate but also accommodate 200 invited guests.
The Tampa Garden Club was a perfect fit for us with regard to the location on Bayshore Boulevard. We gravitated toward it for the beautiful views of the water from the back porch (perfect for photos), the reception hall was a blank canvas that we could make our own, and the garden area was perfect for a November cocktail outside. We also loved the rich history that the venue has as a staple landmark in the community. It was fun to learn that my mom had attended weddings at the club when she was our age!
The event coordinator, Bridget, is spectacular. She was a breeze to communicate with throughout planning, especially for the day of the wedding details. We could tell that Bridget was passionate about the venue as she was very knowledgeable about the space along with variations of the potential setups. We can't recommend it enough!
What did you look for in a wedding photography and videography team?
We looked for a team who could offer both photo/video services first and foremost. In addition to the popular cinematic video style, I was also looking for someone who could create a traditional documentary-style video that captured speeches, first looks, and all the big moments without interruption.
J&S Media was very open-minded and willing to bundle all of these services for an amazing price. Their ability to think outside the box with the documentary-style video was what ultimately made them the best choice for us! Their service was unbelievable. Outside of our requested photo ideas, J&S has a great sense of poses, actions, and candid photos that really made our wedding photos feel uniquely us. They were patient and fun, and we truly enjoyed spending our big day with them! They did a great job giving the groomsmen a chance to pitch fun photo ideas, which always helps as it's hard to keep the boys locked in all day!
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
I never had a ‘dream wedding' in mind, as many little girls do growing up, so when it came to our theme/design inspiration, I wanted to convey all the love that would be felt in the room. I wanted to create a classy ambiance that was elegant, inviting, and intimate in the same breath. Romance is probably the best word for it. Max and I are old souls and loved the idea of a vintage lounge (think Sinatra and soft lighting), and we really wanted to capture that aesthetic with a modern touch.
What were your colors?
I chose our colors when researching bridesmaid dresses. I fell in love with the terracotta dresses, and it just felt right for a fall wedding. I incorporated blush, ivory, and gold as classic wedding tones throughout.
How did the photo booth add to the atmosphere of your wedding?
Dating back to my brother's wedding, we have always loved a good photo booth! It's an entertaining activity, and we loved the idea of all the silly photos, funny mixes of various friends/family in pics together, and ultimately, a book for people to leave a photo with a few words for us to look back on.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
All of our vendors truly exceeded our expectations! Specifically, our florist. When I first met with the owner, I had no idea what I wanted in a floral theme, but I knew what colors I wanted! Seeing my bouquet and the floral arrangements was so special. I felt like I was in a secret garden surrounded by such beautiful and vibrant arrangements!
I could tell that everyone loved the music. The band did a great job curating the music to our personal tastes, and we felt like we were at a concert the whole night with their energy!
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
You don't have to look too far to find the perfect location for your wedding! Tampa is full of beautiful venues, top-notch vendors, and is a destination in its own right!
Planning can be stressful, but the juice is worth the squeeze.
Grooms, your bride-to-be is always right, and don't pretend like you care about the color of the linens.
Once you get to the big day, don't sweat the small stuff. Smile, enjoy, and take in every moment; it goes so fast!
