Straz Center Wedding –Downtown Tampa Wedding Venue:
Lynn and Anthony met during a pre-St. Patrick's day celebration at Dubliner's in South Tampa and discovered they both have a penchant for giving back to their communities.
“Anthony said he would be returning to Tampa that following Tuesday to start training for his new job with the American Cancer Society. I also worked in the non-profit industry and knew this must be good guy,” Lynn explained.
Just a few days later, the pair went on their first official date to the Capital Grille, which was the start to their long-distance relationship.
Within a few months Anthony relocated to Tampa, after living in West Palm Beach, and by the following fall the couple were engaged.
“He proposed at The Capital Grille of course, the venue that started it all,” the bride reminisced. “Who would have thought that two years later the guys sitting at Anthony’s table that St. Patty’s Day weekend would be the groomsmen in our wedding?”
Downtown Tampa Straz Center Wedding
The Clearwater couple hosted a black, white and gold downtown Tampa wedding.
“We were going for an overall feeling of sophistication and elegance. Simple, yet stunning, with the focus being on the smaller details,” the bride explained.
The bride wanted a unique Tampa wedding venue and chose the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.
“I wanted to give our guests an experience,” Lynn said. “At the Straz Center we were able to have our wedding ceremony and cocktail reception outside along the water, and it was a picturesque scene for all of our wedding party photos.”
The Straz Center also provided a unique getting ready experience for Lynn's bridal party.
“My bridesmaids and I got to get ready in the actors' dressing room with the big lights and mirrors which made for some super cute getting ready pictures. We also liked being able to go into the main theater for pictures and have different locations of the Straz Center serve as backdrops for the ceremony and our wedding photos,” the bride shared. “I have a beautiful photo of my wedding gown hanging in the theatre; it was gorgeous and very dramatic. I couldn't have had that taken anywhere else.”
As a former wedding planner who knew how to please her wedding guests, Lynn focused on the the food, drink and entertainment.
“We wanted our guests to eat, drink and be merry,” the bride said. “Rick [Senior Catering Events Manager of the Straz Center] and the head chef rolled out the red carpet for us. As a result we were able to give our guests several choices for their entrées, which added to the level of sophistication and overall tone of what to expect for the evening. The food was delicious and the service was excellent.”
The different locations of the Straz Center served as backdrops for the ceremony and our wedding photos. I have a beautiful photo of my wedding gown hanging in the theatre it was gorgeous and very dramatic. I couldn't have had that taken anywhere else. – The Bride
I wanted to give our guests an experience. At the Straz Center we were able to have our wedding ceremony and cocktail reception outside along the water, and it was a picturesque scene for all of our wedding party photos. – The Bride
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay Brides?
Don't tackle all of the details yourself. Delegate. Your vision is only as good as the vendors you hire. Make sure you partner with vendors you trust that truly understand the look and feel that you are trying to achieve on your wedding day.
If you have it in your budget to hire a wedding planner, I would recommend it. Handing the details to a trained professional to oversee and execute will make the day less stressful and more enjoyable for all involved.
Tampa Wedding Venue: Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Tampa Wedding Photographer: Kimberly Photography
Tampa Wedding Vidoegrapher: Life’s Highlights
Tampa Wedding Florist: Flowers by Design
Tampa Wedding Officiant: Elena Jones
Tampa Wedding Chiavari Chair Rentals: First Class Rentals
Tampa Wedding Linen Rentals: All Event Rental
Tampa Wedding Cake: Cakes by Lola
Tampa Wedding DJ: Grant Hemond & Associates – Ben
Tampa Wedding Violinist: Amanda Gerttula
Tampa Wedding Hair & Makeup: The Michele Renee Hair & Makeup Artist Group & Christie McDonie
