Samantha and Matthew's waterfront Tampa wedding exhibited an elegant vibe, with greenery and soft colors adorning their church ceremony and seaside reception at The Rusty Pelican.
“Our colors were blush, ivory, and gold with a lot of greenery,” the bride beamed. “We wanted the room to have a romantic, elegant feel and the wedding to be classy but fun, just like us.”
The South Tampa couple chose this area for their 157-guest nuptials since Tampa is where their love story began, and it showcased the perfect winter weather to their northern guests.
“We chose Tampa because this city has been so good to us, and we plan on raising our family here. We both came down to Tampa in 2010, at 18 years old to attend the University of Tampa and not only did we fall in love with each other, but we also fell in love with the city and community around it,” the bride shared.
MORE: TAMPA WEDDING INSPIRATION
Samantha used the internet and local recommendations as a resource for planning her waterfront wedding and turned to Marry Me Tampa Bay to search and vet her vendors.
“The Instagram page was extremely helpful. Whenever I needed advice on a vendor I would go to Marry Me Tampa Bay first,” the bride revealed.
Although the bride wanted to do most of the planning herself, she needed assistance with day-of logistics and chose Tampa wedding planner Special Moments Event Planning.
“Sam decided to move forward with Tammy of Special Moments because of her familiarity with the event space and local vendors. Tammy did an amazing job, and we really enjoyed working with her!” the groom raved. “No bride should ever have to worry about what goes on in the background on her wedding day!”
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“Sam's grandmother is an interior decorator, and it was important to have her be apart of the floral process. She was looking for someone who would listen to her and her grandmother’s needs and also be willing to do a trial of the centerpieces, which is exactly what Amanda from Gabro Event Services did. Amanda (from Gabro Event Services), and her team are extremely talented and affordable. Amanda truly did a beautiful job with making Sam and her Grandmother’s vision come to life. She took everything into consideration and made sure their needs were top of mind the day of. Sam couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful ballroom.”
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Adding to the elegance of her wedding day, Samantha chose a strapless mermaid midnight blue Hayley Paige design that accentuated her bridesmaids' figures.
“For the bridesmaid's dresses, it was important for my girls to feel beautiful. It was important to me that they felt like royalty on my wedding day because they have been there for me through so much and deserved every bit of pampering,” the bride gushed. “The women at Bella Bridesmaids were really helpful and flexible with our schedules. It was also easy for girls who were out-of-state. They made the process stress-free which is what every bride needs.”
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The couple revealed in the special moments throughout the day, and little did they know at the time, it was one of the last weddings their guests would attend for several months.
“Our first kiss and first dance were the most memorable parts. Aside from that, the speeches from Sam's mother, Maid of Honors, and Best Man were all equally as funny and sincere. We loved partying on the dance floor with all our friends and family once all the traditions were over,” the groom reminisced. “It was the last wedding our friends and family went to before the shutdown, and it was the last time in 2020 where we could be all together with no worries or face masks.”
The Proposal:
Sam wanted to take Christmas pictures at Oystercatchers on the dock that extends into the bay. We had two of our friends join us to be the photographer, and one secretly was a videographer. Once we arrived at the end of the dock to take the pictures I suddenly got on one knee. The GM of Hyatt instantaneously brought us over a bottle of champagne to pop. All of our friends were quietly around the corner on Oystercatchers patio ready to celebrate including her best friend who flew in from New York.
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
Sam wanted to do most of the planning herself but wanted someone to assist when needed such as recommendations for the invitations, guidance with vendors, and of course day of coordination. No bride should ever have to worry about what goes on in the background on her wedding day!
Sam decided to move forward with Tammy of Special Moments Event Planning because of her familiarity with the event space and local vendors. Tammy did an amazing job, and we really enjoyed working with her!
What was your bridesmaid dress inspiration?
For the bridesmaid's dresses, it was important for my girls to feel beautiful. The midnight blue color complemented them all very well, and the strapless mermaid style allowed them to show off their figures. It was important to me that they felt like royalty on my wedding day because they have been there for me through so much and deserved every bit of pampering.
The women at Bella Bridesmaids were really helpful and flexible with our schedules. It was also easy for the girls who were out-of-state. They made the process stress-free which is what every bride needs.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
St Barth's. We chose that location because we heard it is a quiet, exclusive, and isolated paradise. It exceeded even our wildest wishes. Also, if you want to go out and have some fun then Nikki Beach is the perfect day spot along with several restaurants that turn into fun nightlife. We are already planning to go back for our anniversary.
What did you look for in a wedding florist and rental company?
Sam's grandmother is an interior decorator, and it was important to have her be apart of the floral process. She was looking for someone who would listen to her and her grandmother’s needs and also be willing to do a trial of the centerpieces, which is exactly what Amanda from Gabro Event Services did.
Amanda and her team are extremely talented and affordable. Amanda truly did a beautiful job with making Sam and her Grandmother’s vision come to life. She took everything into consideration and made sure their needs were top of mind the day of. Sam couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful ballroom.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Romantic. We wanted the room to have a romantic, elegant feel.
What were your colors?
Our colors were blush, ivory, and gold with greenery.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Nothing beats a Tampa Bay sunset so a late afternoon reception is perfect to catch the beautiful scenery on the water. Have fun and don't sweat the small things!
Ceremony Venue: Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Reception Venue: The Rusty Pelican
Photographer: Cornelia Z Photography
Videographer: Movie Magic Productions
Planner: Special Moments Event Planning *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Florist and Candelabras and Charger Plates: Gabro Event Services *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Ceiling Drapery: Arlene Floral Designs
Cake: Elise's Pieces
DJ: DJ Cory Barron and Co.
Officiant: Father George at Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Invitations: Minted
Transportation: L3 Limos
Dress: Hayley Paige
Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids – Hayley Paige *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Hair: Hush Studio Salon
Makeup: Sugared Salon
Photobooth: Southern Event Rentals
Icecream: Coldstone Creamery
Champagne wall/ Candle wall: Rebecca Rentals
Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.
*Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pros are highly respected by our local wedding community and have been personally vetted by our editor.
