Maddie and Ryan
“Our wedding theme was elegant, black-tie, and timeless. We were drawn to the simplicity and sophistication of a monochrome palette. The goal was to create a chic, classy atmosphere that felt very modern. We chose a black and white color scheme because it’s timeless and elegant.” -The Bride
FEATURING
Maddie and Ryan’s monochromatic downtown Tampa wedding combined classic tones of black and white with minimalist decor and timeless flora for a chic and sophisticated atmosphere. The bride and groom exchanged vows in a renovated historic ballroom before dining and dancing the night away surrounded by family and friends.
“Our theme reflected our personal style—clean, refined, and elegant. We loved the idea of something clean and classic that would never go out of style, and something we could look back on years from now and still love. It also set the tone for a black-tie, more formal vibe, which felt special and elevated without being over-the-top. The contrast of black and white is so simple, but so striking,” the bride explained. “We wanted the day to feel really true to who we are, classic and a bit formal, but still personal and meaningful. The black-and-white, black-tie vibe matched our style perfectly: clean, timeless, and a little bit glam. We made sure every part of the day told a bit of our story and the love not only Ryan and I share, but the love from all of our family and friends as well. We also kept the ceremony meaningful but simple, focusing on the emotions and the people around us. We wanted people to feel like they were part of something special, not just a formal event.”
The Proposal
“The proposal happened at our housewarming party. Ryan and I had just bought our first house together, and we had all of our close family and friends over to help celebrate this milestone. Ryan had secretly been planning the proposal with my best friend and my mom the whole time. While I was giving a house tour, my family was setting up the scene in our backyard. They laid a path of sunflowers (my favorite flower) leading to one big vase of sunflowers, where Ryan got down on one knee.”
The Planning
“We were looking for a wedding planner who really understood our vision, but who could also guide us through the process without making it feel overwhelming. Since we had a clear idea of the style we wanted, we wanted a planner who could help bring that to life while keeping everything organized and stress-free. It was also really important to find someone we could trust and connect with on a personal level. We wanted to feel like we were in good hands, with someone who cared about the details as much as we did. At the end of the day, we were looking for someone who could help us stay grounded, make the big decisions easier, and create a day that truly felt like us.
We chose The Olive Tree Weddings because from the very first phone conversation, Amanda just got us. Her style was effortlessly cool, elevated, and modern, which is exactly what we were looking for. We could tell right away that Amanda was organized, professional, and totally on top of everything, but also fun, creative, and easy to talk to. We knew we could trust her to take our vision and bring it to life down to the smallest details. Their service was truly next-level. They handled everything with total calm, and made the planning process feel way less overwhelming. We honestly couldn’t imagine the day without them! Amanda was a huge part of what made it all come together so seamlessly!”
The Honeymoon and Bach Party
“Our honeymoon was to Thailand and Bali. We specifically chose these places because we wanted a true adventure of a lifetime as a new married couple! We wanted to do something a little crazy and out of the ordinary to be able to look back on as we get older.
I had my bachelorette party in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico! We stayed at an amazing Airbnb about a block from the beach. I wanted the tropical vibe and loved the theme ‘Last Toast on the Coast.’ It gave a good mix of relaxation beach vibes, and fun nightlife.”
The Hair and Makeup
Femme Akoi Beauty Studio
“The inspiration for my hair and makeup was natural glam. I specifically hired Femme Akoi Beauty Studio because they specialize in that natural glam style.
From the trial to the wedding day, their service was amazing. They were professional, on time, and such a calming presence in the getting-ready space—which honestly makes a huge difference on a high-energy day.
The Experience
“What made our wedding truly unique was the energy. You could literally feel the love in the air. From the moment the day started, there was this incredible sense of connection, not just between the two of us, but between our families and friends. It felt like everyone showed up with full hearts and the best intentions, and that created a vibe that was just unmatched. Our families came together so naturally. It didn’t feel like two sides; it felt like one big celebration. The vibe was spot on from start to finish. There wasn’t a single dull moment. Whether it was during the ceremony, cocktails, dinner, or on the dance floor, there was this constant feeling of joy and presence that made the entire day feel electric.
We wrote our own vows, had a special unity candle, and our officiant (who is a very close friend and grandma-like figure to me) not only included religion but also included a personal touch that made our ceremony stand out.
The whole weekend was unforgettable. What stands out to me the most is the dancing at the reception. This was one of the most upbeat, lively, and energetic nights that I have experienced. Not a single table was occupied the entire night. The dance floor was so packed that guests were dancing all around it. As a bride, I was most excited for the dancing aspect, and my guests did not disappoint! Late-night snacks were a must!”
The Design
“Our wedding theme was elegant, black-tie, and timeless. We were drawn to the simplicity and sophistication of a monochrome palette. The goal was to create a chic, classy atmosphere that felt very modern. We chose this theme because it reflects our personal style—clean, refined, and elegant.
We chose a black and white color scheme because it’s timeless and elegant. We loved the idea of something clean and classic that would never go out of style, and something we could look back on years from now and still love. It also set the tone for a black-tie, more formal vibe, which felt special and elevated without being over-the-top. The contrast of black and white is so simple, but so striking.
The most important elements of the wedding was the overall atmosphere, the people, and the little details that made it feel personal. We really cared about creating a space that felt warm and inviting. The black-and-white theme and formal/black-tie dress code set the tone, but it was the energy in the room from our closest friends and family all together that mattered most.”
The Venue
“When looking for a venue, the most important thing was making sure that it would hold our guest count of 200+. We also knew that about 80% of our guests would be travelling, so we needed hotel accommodations to be nearby.
We specifically chose Hotel Flor because it is a one-stop shop. The hotel perfectly captured the classy, modern, and stylish vibe we were aiming for. The aesthetic worked beautifully with our black-and-white, black-tie theme, and the space just had this effortless charm that we instantly loved. On top of that, the location was super convenient for our guests, being that 80% were from out of town, it was so nice that our guests did not have to worry about transportation.”
The Entertainment
Events Done Right
“We were looking for a wedding DJ who could read the room, keep the energy up, and make the night feel like a true celebration. We wanted the music to set the tone for the whole night and that is exactly what DJ Ed at Events Done Right did.
We hired Events Done Right because they had great reviews, an amazing reputation, and when we talked to them, they totally understood the vibe we were going for. They listened to every request that we had. Their service was seamless, and they kept the party going all night without a single dull moment. Everyone was on the dance floor, and we got so many compliments!”
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations and how?
Every vendor was absolutely amazing. If I had to give a couple of shout-outs, it would be to Paisley Sunshine, Amanda Fye Designs, and The Olive Tree Weddings. Every single one of these vendors communicated efficiently and in a timely manner. They all had my best interests at heart and were the core of making sure the wedding day went as smoothly as possible.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Have fun. It sounds cliché, but it is so important. This is easier said than done, but don’t stress over every little detail. No one remembers if a flower was out of place, but they do remember the energy, the laughs, and the love in the room.
One of the best things we did was have a casual welcome party the night before with all the guests who were already in town. It gave us a chance to say hi, catch up, and really connect with people before the wedding day. That way, once the reception rolled around, we didn’t feel like we had to make the rounds; we could just relax and be in the moment. Total game-changer!
Also, Tampa Bay has so many incredible vendors. Find the ones who get your vibe and trust them to bring it to life. Once your team is in place, let go a little and enjoy every second because it goes by so fast!!
