Ally and Cristian
Private Residence
“I wanted our wedding to be as elegant and timeless as possible. My great-grandmother’s record player, which has been a cherished piece in our home, sparked the inspiration for a vintage theme. We held a father’s daughter backyard wedding, and much of the decor consisted of family heirlooms and sentimental pieces we’ve collected over the years. To bring the theme to life, we showcased our mothers’ gowns and other wedding day attire in the foyer as guests entered. Our color palette featured black, ivory, and deep burgundy, with touches of greenery and gold. We loved how these colors felt both elegant and simple, especially for a winter wedding.” -The Bride
FEATURING
Ally and Cristian’s Thonotosassa wedding exuded timeless elegance, featuring a monochromatic palette of white florals, lush greenery, and sophisticated formal attire, all complemented by meaningful vintage family heirlooms.
“I wanted our wedding to be as elegant and timeless as possible. My great-grandmother’s record player, which has been a cherished piece in our home, sparked the inspiration for a vintage theme. We held a father’s daughter backyard wedding, and much of the decor consisted of family heirlooms and sentimental pieces we’ve collected over the years. To bring the theme to life, we showcased our mothers’ gowns and other wedding day attire in the foyer as guests entered,” the bride beamed. “Our color palette featured black, ivory, and deep burgundy, with touches of greenery and gold. We loved how these colors felt both elegant and simple, especially for a winter wedding. I’ve always wanted my bridesmaids to wear white alongside me, and it perfectly complemented our theme. Our guests followed a black-tie dress code, all in black.”
The Tampa bride and groom’s ceremony held deep personal significance, taking place at the historic Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where they exchanged vows in front of 195 of their closest family and friends.
“The most important element of our wedding was having a traditional Catholic mass,” the bride revealed. “Sacred Heart was a big dream of ours not just because of its beauty but because Cristian’s parents were married in that same church almost 40 years before.”
The pair entrusted J&S Media to document every moment of their February celebration. They looked for experienced professionals who could provide both photography and videography services.
“We first discovered J&S Media through a family friend who had used them, and we were immediately impressed by their beautiful and stunning gallery,” Ally gushed. “From the very beginning, working with J&S was so easy and efficient. They asked all the right questions leading up to both our engagement shoot and, of course, the wedding day, fully understanding the theme we had envisioned. They were absolute lifesavers on the day of the wedding! Whether it was a small wardrobe mishap or another minor issue, their team always stepped in and took care of whatever was needed.”
After the ceremony, the wedding party and guests made their way to the bride’s parents’ Tuscan-style estate for the cocktail hour and reception. Upon entering the grand foyer, they were met with an elegant display of family heirlooms, one of the many thoughtful touches Ally and Cristian included.
“Our personalities were deeply woven into our wedding. We wanted the night to be a true reflection of how close, loving, and welcoming our families are, and inviting our guests into our home was the perfect way to show that. Incorporating memorabilia and photos throughout the venue was another fun way to showcase our personalities. The family heirlooms were especially meaningful to us, from our mothers’ wedding wardrobes on display to the accessories and vintage furniture pieces that have been in our families for generations,” the bride shared. “In addition to the family heirlooms, we personalized our wedding in so many other ways. From hosting the reception at my family home to incorporating all the small DIY details, we were able to make everything exactly how we envisioned it. The restaurant that catered the wedding is actually my family’s favorite from our hometown of Youngstown, Ohio, which was such a fun way to share something personal with our guests. Since we love espresso martinis, we had a champagne fountain specifically turned into an espresso martini fountain for cocktail hour. We also named both the espresso martini fountain and the gelato cart after late family members, adding another layer of personal significance. Every detail was thoughtfully crafted to honor the love stories that came before us.”
The reception unfolded under a stunning clear tent on the estate’s lawn, with long tables elegantly dressed in crisp white linens and black napkins. Wooden Chiavari chairs lined the tables, which were adorned with lush greenery and white florals. Romantic chandeliers and floating candles in glass cylinders created an intimate, enchanting atmosphere for the evening.
“Our vendors and décor really made the wedding stand out,” Ally beamed. “From the special pieces on display to the wedding party dressed in ivory while our guests wore black, to the gelato and coffee cart and the millefoglie cake—there were so many small details and contributions from local vendors that made our day special.”
Of all the memories created on their wedding day, the experienced-based ones were the most unforgettable.
“One of the most memorable moments was decorating our wedding cake. We chose an Italian millefoglie cake and had the joy of decorating it with fruit and powdered sugar while our guests gathered around, chanting ‘Che La Luna.’ We also opened the gelato cart and had the fun of serving some of our guests ourselves,” the bride reminisced. “Another unforgettable moment was La Hora Loca—our flower girl, who is our daughter, along with both of our mothers and myself, all did a dress change together and made a grand entrance, parading in with the dancers.
The Proposal:
Our proposal took place during a ski trip. We were in my hometown visiting family for the holidays and we got to celebrate with an engagement dinner party later that evening.
What did you look for in a wedding photo and video team?
We were looking for a team that was experienced and capable of bringing our theme to life. We wanted someone that offered both photo and video and for a reasonable price.
We first discovered J&S Media through a family friend who had used them, and we were immediately impressed by their beautiful and stunning gallery. From the very beginning, working with J&S was so easy and efficient. They asked all the right questions leading up to both our engagement shoot and, of course, the wedding day, fully understanding the theme we had envisioned. They were absolute lifesavers on the day of the wedding! Whether it was a small wardrobe mishap or another minor issue, their team always stepped in and took care of whatever was needed.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
I wanted our wedding to be as elegant and timeless as possible. My great-grandmother’s record player, which has been a cherished piece in our home, sparked the inspiration for a vintage theme. We held a father’s daughter backyard wedding, and much of the decor consisted of family heirlooms and sentimental pieces we’ve collected over the years. To bring the theme to life, we showcased our mothers’ gowns and other wedding day attire in the foyer as guests entered.
What were your colors?
Our color palette featured black, ivory, and deep burgundy, with touches of greenery and gold. We loved how these colors felt both elegant and simple, especially for a winter wedding. I’ve always wanted my bridesmaids to wear white alongside me, and it perfectly complemented our theme. Our guests followed a black-tie dress code, all in black.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
We were so happy with each and every one of our vendors and can honestly say they all went above and beyond! However, it’s not easy turning a home into a functional venue for nearly 200 people, so I’d definitely have to give some extra credit to Vangie from Vangie’s Events and Distinctions. She truly thought of everything and made for a seamless event!
