Wedding

Timeless White and Gold South Tampa Bay | Westshore Yacht Club

Best Tampa Bay Wedding Photographers

Morgan and Erick's intimate South Tampa wedding combined elegant gold elements with neutral flora and greenery set against the beautiful backdrop of Tampa Bay. Their 18 guests encircled the Tampa couple as they exchanged vows around a grand staircase before enjoying the sunset and dinner at a long luxurious feasting table set with crisp white and ivory décor.

“Our wedding was elegant and timeless. The theme was brought to life by my mom, with the help of our lovely vendors,” Morgan beamed. “Our colors were white, ivory, black, gold, and champagne.”

After originally planning a destination wedding in Greece, the pair decided to host an intimate fall celebration close to home with only a handful of family members present due to the pandemic. Having a beautiful and safe backdrop for their event was of top priority, along with delicious cuisine!

“We wanted something elegant, discreet, and beautiful. The Westshore Yacht Club is the best-kept secret of South Tampa. We had the whole Bay Club to ourselves so it felt safe and private. Amy was absolutely amazing and very helpful throughout planning. Also, the food and service were great and a must when choosing the location.”

Morgan attributes spending quality time with her new husband and with their small guest list as the most unique aspect of their intimate celebration.

“Our wedding was small and private. A lot of the time, brides are so busy greeting everyone they don't even get to enjoy being with their family or even eat for that matter. I loved that ours was small because I got to be with my family and spend all my time with my husband,” the bride recalled. “We still got to share the moment with our friends and extended family through the live stream and recording, which gave us the best of both worlds. We are so thankful to our family for making our wedding a dream.”

Looking back on the wedding day, the bride shared some of her favorite moments.

“Being with all of our family was irreplaceable. There were so many memorable moments: creating this wedding with my mom, my dad walking me down the aisle, our first dance as husband and wife, and seeing Preston and Senetta dancing all night, being surrounded by so much love and positivity was unforgettable,” Morgan reminisced.

Tampa Bay Waterfront Wedding Venue Westshore Yacht Club
Bride in White Personalized Robe and Bridesmaids in Black Robe
Tampa Bay Bride Getting Wedding Hair and Makeup Done, Loose Waves with Rhinestone Clip
Florida Bride with Bridesmaids Helping Button Up Rhinestone Embellished Illusion Long Sleeve Wedding Dress
Florida Bride in Glamorous Full Skirt Train and Full Length Lace Veil

The Proposal:
Erick proposed at his friend Christian's wedding in Mexico. He was super nervous. He took me on a walk by the ocean, and it was just me and him. It was perfect, he always knows how to make me feel special.

Modern Acrylic with Black Font Welcome Wedding Signage, White Roses and Greenery Arrangements
Elegant Timeless Wedding Ceremony Decor, Arch with White Linen Draping, Greenery Garland with White Roses on Top of Staircase | Tampa Bay Wedding Venue Westshore Yacht Club
Timeless Elegant White and Gold Dining Chairs
Elegant and Timeless Wedding Decor, White Roses, Greenery, Hanging Amaranthus
Classic Elegant Bride in Ballgown Wedding Dress with Long Sleeve Embellished Illusion Bodice Walking with Father Down the Wedding Ceremony
Elegant Timeless Bride Wearing Long Sleeve Rhinestone Crystal Embellished Illusion High Neck Wedding Dress Bodice Exchanging Wedding Vows with Groom

What elements of your wedding were the most important?
Our vows and commitment to each other and our covenant with God were the most important. Having both our immediate families at our wedding was an enormous blessing; we are extremely grateful and thankful that God allowed us to have that moment altogether.

Having our son Preston be the ring bearer and his cousin Senetta be the flower girl was the cutest thing; they knocked it out of the park. RV Brown's readings were amazing. RV and his wife Frances are family to us; they are really amazing people. My brother, Joe, was Erick's best man and Erick's sister, Ericka, was my maid of honor. That really meant a lot to us because they are both a huge part of our lives and are always there for us.

Timeless Elegant Bride and Groom Walking Down Staircase at Tampa Bay Wedding Venue Westshore Yacht Club
Timeless Elegant Bride and Groom Outside Tampa Bay Wedding Venue Westshore Yacht Club

What did you look for in a wedding venue?
We chose the Westshore Yacht Club as our venue because I did not want a beach wedding, but rather an elegant and discreet location to tie the knot, and it was perfect.

The Westshore Yacht Club is the best-kept secret of South Tampa. We had the whole Bay Club to ourselves so it felt safe and private. Amy was absolutely amazing and very helpful throughout planning. Also, the food and service were great and a must when choosing the location.

Timeless Elegant Bride and Groom Outside Tampa Bay Wedding Venue Westshore Yacht Club
Timeless Elegant Bride and Groom Holding Wedding Dress Train | Tampa Bay Wedding Venue Westshore Yacht Club
Timeless Elegant Groom Looking at Bride in Full Skirt Wedding Dress Crystal Rhinestone Embellished Illusion Long Sleeve Bodice and Full Length Veil on Dock of Tampa Bay Wedding Venue Westshore Yacht Club
Creative Wedding Photo of Groom Holding Bride with Wedding Veil Blowing in Wind

Where did you host your bachelorette party?
I did not have a bachelorette party due to COVID, but I do intend to have one eventually, maybe at The Ritz Carlton Sarasota Resort and Spa. I love staying there, and they have great spa services. We are currently expecting, so it will be a little while!

Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Due to COVID and not wanting to be far from our son right now, we went out to Clearwater Beach for about five days, and it was lovely having some downtime and just relaxing together. We plan to travel once it's safe again.

Sunset Tampa Bay Wedding Venue Westshore Yacht Club

How did you incorporate your personalities into the wedding?
Erick and I are both old school when it comes to many things, but aren't afraid to choose what we like and go with it. For instance, we both chose My Girl by The Temptations to be my entrance song, which was played beautifully on the harp. That's our song. When you hear that song you just feel good, and we both knew we needed a fun one so I wouldn't be ugly crying during my entrance. We had Motown and oldies songs playing at our reception too; it was really fun for everyone.

Timeless Elegant Wedding Reception Decor, Long Feasting Table, Acrylic Chairs, White Roses and Greenery Garland, Candlesticks, Gold Chargers | Tampa Bay Wedding Venue Westshore Yacht Club
Timeless Elegant Wedding Reception Decor, Gold Candlesticks, White Roses and Greenery Garland

How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
I would describe our wedding theme as elegant and timeless. It was brought to life by my mom, with the help of our lovely vendors.

What were your colors?
White, ivory, black, gold, and champagne. 

Timeless Elegant Wedding Reception Decor, Gold Charger and Classic White China Dinner Setting, White and Gold Place Card, Champagne Linen Napkin
Elegant Three Tier White Wedding Cake with Gold Foil Specks, Ivory Roses, Cake Pops, Cannoli Desserts
Timeless Elegant Wedding Reception Decor, Gold Candlesticks, White Roses and Greenery Garland

Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Our florist went above and beyond. They made the floral unforgettable. My bridal shop got my wedding dress shipped from Milla Nova in Paris, France in two weeks, they really went above and beyond to make sure I got it in time.

My mom was basically my wedding planner; she exceeded my expectations but she usually exceeds everyone's expectations, she's amazing! Also, my seamstress did all my dress alterations in two weeks; she did amazing and is truly a master of her craft.

Timeless Elegant Bride Wearing Full Skirt Ballgown Wedding Dress First Dance with Groom | Tampa Bay Wedding Venue Westshore Yacht Club
Black and White Timeless Elegant Bride and Groom Sparkler Exit | Tampa Bay Westshore Yacht Club

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Don't be afraid to have a small wedding; remember the day is about you and your love. Enjoy the moment with those who care about you the most.

Ceremony and Reception Venue andCaterer: Westshore Yacht Club *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Venue
Photographer: Regina as the Photographer
Videographer: Shutter Speed Studios
Florist: Jennie's Flowers
Pipe and Drape: On the Move Productions
Cake: Alevri & Co.
DJ: Allon Sams
Harpist: John McColley
Officiant: RV Brown
Invitations: Mospens Studio
Transportation: Ambassador Group of North America DBA Ambassador Limousine
Dress Shop and Designer: Alessa's Bridal, Milla Nova – Milla by Lorenzo Rossi Paris
Shoe Designer: Vera Wang
Bridesmaid Dress Shop and Designer: Show Me Your MuMu
Hair extensions: Amy from The Wexford House
Hair Styling: Destiny and Light
Makeup: Sabrina Colon “Beauty By Brina”
Lash Extensions: Abby Kieffer at LashFanatic
Seamstress and Clothing Designer: Marilyn Bertch
Rehearsal Dinner: Trattoria Pasquale

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.

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.