Wedding

Silver Winter Glam Ballroom Wedding | Hilton Tampa Downtown

 

Florida Signature Bridal Affair Tampa Wedding Show | July 2018

Courtney and Bobby's downtown Tampa wedding centered around a “winter glam” theme with their nuptials being celebrated in the midst of the holiday season. With a silver, champagne and white color palette, the bride and groom set the tone for an elegant and romantic filled day.

“Our wedding was in December, about a week before Christmas. I love the holiday season, as it is such a joyous and romantic time of year,” the bride shared. “I wanted to subtly incorporate holiday décor into our special day without making it look like a Christmas party, rather than a wedding.”

MORE: DOWNTOWN TAMPA WEDDINGS

It was important for the couple, to find a downtown Tampa wedding venue in close proximity to their church that could fit their 250+ guest list.

“Upon my first visit to the Hilton Tampa Downtown, I absolutely fell in love with the chandeliers in the ballroom! The inside of the hotel has also been recently renovated, so it is very nice and modern,” Courtney gushed. “We loved that the Hilton could keep our guests downtown for the day, especially since we break between our ceremony and reception due to Sacred Heart having unusual times available. This allowed guests to hangout and explore downtown Tampa between events. We also found that the price per person package for food/drink, as well as the block room rates, were more affordable than at other venues. All of this in combination with our ceremony also being located downtown made it easy to choose the Hilton.”

MORE: HILTON DOWNTOWN TAMPA WEDDINGS

The bride was an avid Marry Me Tampa Bay reader, utilizing our Pinterest page for floral and decor inspiration.

“Marry Me Tampa Bay was definitely a part of my wedding venue and vendor research. The most helpful to me was the real wedding blog posts! I read through a ton of them!” Courtney shared.

Complementing the dazzling champagne bridesmaids gowns from Bella Bridesmaids, the couple searched for a Tampa wedding decor rental company that could provide linens and decor that were just as stylish as their bridal party.

“I went to Kate Ryan Linens & Rentals only in search of linens and found so much more!” the bride beamed. “They had a wide variety of high quality, intricate linens and worked with me to create table designs that included the exact color palette I pictured! Kristin, the owner, was so helpful! I am truly grateful for her and her service! She made renting linens, napkins, chargers, chairs so convenient and budget-friendly, compared to our other quotes!”

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Looking back on their wedding day, the bride couldn't have imagined it any better.

“It was honestly the most perfect day. The most memorable part was walking down the aisle towards Bobby and seeing his face. I was nervous, but so excited to finally marry my best friend and love of my life!” Courtney reminisced.

Elegant Traditional Gold Foil Wedding Invitation

Elegant Gold and Silver Printed Wedding Invitation Suite

Martina Liana Illusion Lace Princess Cut Wedding Dress on Hanger with Champagne Gold Illusion Lace Amsale Bridesmaids Dresses from Tampa Bay Dress Shop Bella Bridesmaids

Interior Bridal Party Getting Ready Portrait in Matching Silver Silk Robes with Pink Socks

Interior Bride Getting Ready Portrait in Illusion Lace Strap Martina Liana Dress

Downtown Tampa Wedding Ceremony Venue Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Outdoor Church Steps Bridal Portrait in Trumpet Martina Liana Dress with Long Veil

Downtown Tampa Wedding Ceremony Venue Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Wedding Ceremony Portrait, Bride in Lace Martina Liana Dress, Father of the Bride in Black Suit with White Floral Boutonniere, with White Rose Bouquet with Blush Pink Ribbon | Tampa Bay Venue Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Wedding Ceremony Portrait in Downtown Tampa Wedding Venue Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Wedding Ceremony Portrait Bride in Trumpet Princess Neckline Tatiana Martina Dress, Groom in Black Suit with White Floral Boutonniere, with White Florals with Greenery | Downtown Tampa Wedding Venue Sacred Heart Catholic Church

The Proposal:
Bobby and I are high school sweethearts, so after eight years of dating, I knew a proposal was on its way, and I thought I would see it coming. However, he pulled off the surprise of a lifetime on January 22 with the help of my sister and mother! That weekend was my grandmother’s 80th birthday, so my family devised a plan and told me we were going to dinner at Bern’s after we took some professional family pictures on Bayshore Boulevard. As Bobby and I walked up, my sister was waiting with my brother-in-law and the photographer. She said the rest of my family was running late, which is nothing unusual for them! I suspected nothing!

As I looked out over the Bay, Bobby turned to me and started to tell me that we came out to Bayshore for a different reason today, not my grandmother’s birthday. As he started to tell me how he wanted me to be his partner in life, I told him to stop joking around with me! At that moment, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him with the most beautiful ring I have ever seen! I was completely stunned as the photographer began snapping pics, capturing this wonderful moment. It was then that he told me this was all a setup and that both of our families were back at his parents' house waiting to celebrate! We drove over to a lovely engagement party to wrap up an amazing night!

Outdoor Church Steps Wedding Portrait, Bride in Trumpet Martina Liana Dress with Long Veil | Downtown Tampa Ceremony Venue Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Outdoor Bridesmaid Wedding Portrait in Champagne Floral Lace Illusion Halter Blush Amsale Dress, with White Floral and Greenery Bouquet | Tampa Dress Shop Bella Bridesmaids

Outdoor Downtown Tampa Park Bridal Party Wedding Portrait, Bridesmaids in Floral Lace Illusion Halter Champagne Amsale Dresses, with White Floral and Greenery Bouquet with Champagne Ribbon, Bride in Princess Neckline Tatiana Martina Dress | Tampa Dress Shop Bella Bridesmaids

How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Winter glam. Our wedding was in December, about a week before Christmas. I love the holiday season, as it is such a joyous and romantic time of year. I wanted to subtly incorporate holiday décor into our special day without making it look like a Christmas party rather than a wedding. Sacred Heart’s altar was unexpectedly full of green Christmas trees and was a beautiful background to our nuptials. Our reception venue, the Hilton Tampa Downtown, was decorated with silver and metallic holiday décor, which went well with my theme! We also had two lit Christmas trees in the corners of our ballroom. Our wedding was also black-tie preferred, which added to the glam element!

What were your colors?
We incorporated silver, champagne, white and clear and mirrors to create an elegant and romantic setting depicting my idea of “winter glam.” Metallics, sequins and sparkles completed the neutral but glamorous color palette. Greenery was also included in the florals as a pop of color.

Downtown Tampa Park Outdoor Bridal Portrait

Downtown Tampa Park Outdoor Bridal Portrait in Princess Neckline Lace Trumpet Martina Liana Dress with Cathedral Veil, with White Rose Floral Bouquet with Champagne Ribbon

Downtown Tampa Riverwalk Outdoor Wedding Portrait, Bride in Princess Neckline Lace Trumpet Martina Liana Dress with Cathedral Veil, with White Rose Floral Bouquet with Champagne Ribbon, Groom in Black Tuxedo with Boutonniere

Bride to Be Facebook Group Leaderboard Ad

Winter Glam Hotel Ballroom Wedding Reception with Champagne Linens, Clear Chiavari Chairs, and Extra Tall Centerpieces in Geometric Glass Vases with white Floral and Greenery, and White Draping with Blush Pink Uplighting, Silver Chargers | Venue Hilton Tampa Downtown | Rentals Kate Ryan Linen Rentals

What did you look for in a wedding venue?
With a guest list of a little over 250 people, our venue search was limited to mostly hotel ballrooms.

Send me pricing and availability for the Hilton Tampa Downtown.

Book with confidence. Hilton Tampa Downtown is a trusted Marry Me Tampa Bay preferred wedding venue. Powered by ConvertKit

Upon my first visit to the Hilton Tampa Downtown, I absolutely fell in love with the chandeliers in the ballroom! The inside of the hotel has also been recently renovated, so it is very nice and modern. We loved that the Hilton could keep our guests downtown for the day, especially since we break between our ceremony and reception due to Sacred Heart having unusual times available. This allowed guests to hangout and explore downtown Tampa between events. Although the majority of our family was local, we wanted to have a convenient place for guests to stay if they chose to. We also found that the price per person package for food/drink, as well as the block room rates, were more affordable than at other venues. All of this in combination with our ceremony also being located downtown, made it easy to choose the Hilton. The staff also was adamant about allowing the bride and groom to eat dinner during the reception. Francis, our event coordinator, stood in front of our sweetheart table and made sure we got to eat undisturbed before we started to party!

Hotel Ballroom Winter Glam Wedding Reception Long Feasting Table with Champagne Satin Linen, Silver Charger, Clear Chiavari Chairs, and Small White Floral with Greenery Centerpieces and White Draping with Pink Uplighting | Venue Hilton Tampa Downtown | Rentals Kate Ryan Linen Rentals

Hotel Ballroom Winter Glam Wedding Reception Sweetheart Table with White Textured Linen, Silver Charger, Clear Chiavari Chairs, and Small White Floral with Greenery Centerpieces and White Draping with Pink Uplighting | Venue Hilton Tampa Downtown | Rentals Kate Ryan Linen Rentals

What did you look for in a wedding rental company?
When I was in search of a wedding rental company, I was looking for a company with stylish, good quality items and reasonable pricing (which was surprisingly hard to find)! I wanted to reduce my number of vendors because each one had a delivery/pickup fee, and those additional fees add up!

I Want to Learn More about Decor from Kate Ryan Event Rentals

Book with confidence. Kate Ryan Event Rentals is a trusted Marry Me Tampa Bay preferred wedding pro. Powered by ConvertKit

I went to Kate Ryan Event Rentals only in search of linens and found so much more! They had a wide variety of high quality, intricate linens and worked with me to create table designs that included the exact color palette I pictured! Kristin, the owner, was so helpful! I am truly grateful for her and her service! She made renting linens, napkins, chargers, chairs so convenient and budget-friendly, compared to our other quotes! She price matched other vendors prices for my silver chargers and clear chiavari chairs and even ordered more inventory just for my wedding.

Winter Glam Hotel Ballroom Wedding Reception with Champagne Linens, Clear Chiavari Chairs, and Extra Tall Centerpieces in Geometric Glass Vases with white Floral and Greenery, and White Draping with Blush PInk Uplighting, Silver Chargers | Venue Hilton Tampa Downtown | Rentals Kate Ryan Linen Rentals

How did you incorporate you and your spouse's personalities into the wedding?
For our wedding favors, we decided to go with something very meaningful to Bobby. His mother passed away when he was 11 years old after a long struggle with breast cancer. We wanted to honor her by making a donation in each guest’s honor to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in lieu of a traditional wedding favor. We attached a small favor card to the menu at each person’s seat.

Four Tiered Round White Patterened Wedding Cake with White Floral and Greenery Cake Topper, and Antique Silver Cake Stand

Bride and Groom First Dance Portrait, Bride in Trumpet Tatiana Martina Wedding Dress | Hotel Ballroom Venue Hilton Tampa Downtown

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Have fun with the planning and try not to stress! There are a lot of wonderful vendors in Tampa to choose from. It is important to pick and choose where you want to splurge and where you want to save. Photography and videography were most important to us because they last forever, so we tried to save money elsewhere. The key to having the day run smoothly is to hire a great day-of planner! Even my husband says that was the best money we spent.

Ceremony Venue: Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Reception Venue: Hilton Tampa Downtown *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Venue
Photographer: Justin DeMutiis Photography
Videographer: Voila Cinematic
Planner: Taylor Falcon Events
Florist: Events in Bloom
Linens, Chiavari Chairs, and Chargers Rentals: Kate Ryan Event Rentals *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Lighting and Draping: On the Move Productions
Cake: Publix Greenwise
DJ: Inpulse Entertainment
Officiant: Father Zachary Elliot at Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Stationary: M.C.Pressure
Transportation: Skyline Limo
Dress Shop and Designer: Malindy EleneMartina Liana
Bridesmaid Dress Shop and Designer: Bella Bridesmaids *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding ProAmsale
Hair: Shear Art Salon & Spa
Makeup: Ashlee Ann Hair and Makeup
LED glow sticks: Amazon




Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pros

Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pros are highly respected by our local wedding community and have been personally vetted by our editor.