Meaghan and Matt
J.C. Newman Cigar Co.
“I’ve always loved vintage decor, so I wanted my wedding aesthetic to feel timeless, and J C. Newman Cigar Co. was the perfect venue to bring that vision to life. We chose white and green florals throughout and champagne-colored bridesmaid dresses to complete the timeless look.” -The Bride
FEATURING
Meaghan and Matt’s timeless Ybor City wedding was a celebration of elegance and charm, featuring a neutral color palette, abundant white florals and lush greenery, all perfectly accented by the sophisticated touch of custom cigars.
“I’ve always loved vintage decor, so I wanted my wedding aesthetic to feel timeless, and J.C. Newman Cigar Co. was the perfect venue to bring that vision to life,” the bride beamed. “We chose white and green florals throughout and champagne-colored bridesmaid dresses to complete the timeless look.”
The Tampa bride and groom celebrated their February nuptials in the city they both call home, embracing the rich cultural heritage and charm of historic Ybor City. Seeking a wedding venue with a variety of indoor and outdoor event spaces, Meaghan and Matt relied on Marry Me Tampa Bay to help them discover the perfect location.
“We used Marry Me Tampa Bay for our initial wedding venue search,” the bride revealed. “We both grew up and live in Tampa, so having a hometown wedding was an easy decision. We didn’t want a destination wedding.”
The couple chose J.C. Newman Cigar Co., the only remaining operating cigar factory in the United States, as the venue for their 197-guest affair. This iconic Tampa location offered a captivating blend of industrial charm and timeless elegance, serving as a distinctive backdrop with its rich history and cultural significance that perfectly aligned with the couple’s vision. The bride and groom exchanged vows beneath a covered patio at Cigar Worker’s Park adorned with warm wood accents and romantic string lights. While guests enjoyed cocktails on the factory’s first floor, the outdoor patio was seamlessly transformed into an elegant al fresco dining area for the seated reception, creating an atmosphere of relaxed sophistication.
To bring their vision to life, Meaghan and Matt left the logistics to the planner experts at B. Eventful.
“I didn’t have a planner initially, but I knew I’d need guidance as the big day approached. Ashley Johnson of B. Eventful was perfect. Her patience and experience were exactly what we needed! With all the stress of wedding planning, we wanted someone to handle the last-minute details, coordinate everything, and help us truly enjoy our wedding day, ,” the bride explained. “Ashley played an instrumental role. She helped us finalize layouts, design, and the overall flow of the day, while guiding us toward trusted vendors to bring everything together seamlessly. It was important to us to create the right mood and ensure everyone had a great time, without going over the top. From the music and string lights outside to uplighting, flip-flops for dancing, and champagne upon arrival at the ceremony, every detail was thoughtfully planned.”
“Our design was inspired by a blend of romance, timeless elegance, and historical charm. We focused on incorporating candles and lush greenery to cultivate a serene and romantic atmosphere. Meaghan and I did a 3-hour virtual design planning session where we worked on the wedding’s design, layouts, and day-of flow. From there, I directed her to recommended vendors to help her bring her vision to life,” Ashley added. “What I loved most about this wedding was the creative use of the spaces. I deeply appreciate the rich history and aesthetics of J.C. Newman, and we thoroughly enjoy collaborating with their talented team. We had the unique opportunity to be the first to transform the outdoor ceremony area into a stunning dinner setting. Dining under the stars was absolutely beautiful, and then transitioning indoors created a fresh vibe that perfectly complemented the lively atmosphere of the celebration.”
Who could get married in a historic cigar factory and not incorporate its unique charm into the celebration? The couple chose to honor the venue’s heritage with personal and stylish touches while also making their wedding uniquely their own.
“Since our venue is an operating cigar factory, actually, the only remaining one in the U.S., we knew we wanted to incorporate cigars into the wedding in subtle but meaningful ways,” the bride revealed. “We had custom cigar bands, personalized matchbooks, and even my bridal purse was crafted from a cigar box!”
The couple added even more personality through thoughtful, customized details.
“Our his-and-her drinks were nods to our families’ favorite cocktails,” the bride explained. “And for the late-night meal, we created the ‘McElroys,’a playful riff on McDonald’s, giving our guests a fun and delicious way to end the night!”
Looking back, the bride cherished countless moments from her special day, but two stood out as absolute favorites.
“The whole event was so memorable!” the bride reminisced. “I especially loved the dinner portion of the evening. It was such a joy to hear the heartfelt speeches and spend quality time with our guests. And the CO2 guns during the dance reception took the party to a whole new level and made the celebration truly unforgettable!”
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Where did you host your bachelorette party ?
Key West. I always knew I wanted to go, and I love how laid back it is there and I’ve never not had a good time!
Where did you spend your honeymoon ?
We plan to go to Costa Rica! We both have never been, and it would check all the boxes on what we’d want in a honeymoon.
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
We wanted a venue that allowed for indoor and outdoor experiences, plus a lot of character. loved the Tampa history associated with the venue, and that it allowed us to do each portion of the event in the same location without feeling like you’re in the same place the entire time. We did the ceremony in the outdoor patio space, cocktail hour on the first-floor museum area of the building, flipped the ceremony space for dining, and then danced on the second floor.
The Proposal:
We snowmobiled to the top of a mountain in Montana where Matt surprised me with a proposal!
What was your wedding day hair and makeup inspiration?
I wanted full glam but still a timeless look.
Femme Akoi Beauty Studio was highly recommended, and I had a great experience during my hair/makeup trial.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
I’ve always loved vintage decor, so I wanted my wedding aesthetic to feel timeless, and J.C. Newman Cigar Co. was the perfect venue to bring that vision to life.
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
I didn’t have a planner initially, but I knew I’d need guidance as the big day approached. Ashley Johnson of B. Eventful was perfect. Her patience and experience were exactly what we needed! With all the stress of wedding planning, we wanted someone to handle the last-minute details, coordinate everything, and help us truly enjoy our wedding day.
Ashley played an instrumental role. She helped us finalize layouts, design, and the overall flow of the day, while guiding us toward trusted vendors to bring everything together seamlessly. It was important to us to create the right mood and ensure everyone had a great time, without going over the top. From the music and string lights outside to uplighting, flip-flops for dancing, and champagne upon arrival at the ceremony, every detail was thoughtfully planned.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Our DJ outdid himself as well as the amazing food. We still have friends who talk about how great our wedding was and had a lot to do with our DJ and live musicians!
