Skoti and Michael’s South Tampa wedding featured a clean design and a classic black and white color palette of with accents of greenery.

“I am all about simple and elegant, from colors to decor, so I went primarily with greenery with a touch of white blooms throughout,” Skoti explained. “We also made the decision to do black tie. Staying with the theme of black, I chose black long dresses for my bridesmaids.

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The bride and groom searched for a Tampa wedding venue that reminded them of their city life and researched local venues and wedding pros on Marry Me Tampa Bay.

“Living in NYC for six years, we both wanted to find a venue that had a bit of the ‘city’ incorporated (i.e., brick walls, cozy atmosphere, etc.),” the bride shared. “I used Marry Me Tampa Bay when I was looking for venues. It was very helpful! I also used it to research specific vendors.”

Searching for a Tampa wedding photographer who had a fun personality and experience at their venue, the couple gravitated toward Ailyn La Torre Photography.

“I looked at what felt like hundreds of blog posts of weddings at our venue. When I looked through Ailyn’s album (of Ailyn La Torre Photography), I noticed that many of her weddings were posts I had seen before and loved. It was also clear to me that she was very natural and loved light, which was important to me!” Skoti gushed. “Ailyn was such a pleasure to work with on our wedding day. She was energetic, fun, and knew exactly what she was doing. She made us feel comfortable and at ease the entire day. We cannot say enough good things about her and her team!”

Wanting to keep the party going and their guests on their feet during their reception, the couple hired Tampa wedding entertainment group, the Matt Winter Band.

“After watching a few of Matt Winter Band‘s demos online, it was immediately clear that they were the life of the party!” the bride beamed. “We really enjoyed their music and song selection. They honestly exceeded our expectations at the wedding. We had so many friends and family members tell us how great the band was!”

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Looking back on their wedding day, one of the most memorable moments between the bride and groom was reflecting on the night together.

“During the cocktail hour, Michael and I snuck upstairs to look down at everyone in the beautiful atrium and take in all of our friends and family celebrating. It was a great way to pause for a few minutes as a newly wedded couple,” the bride reminisced.

What was your wedding beauty inspiration?
I am all about simple. I wanted a classic, natural look with both my hair and makeup.

I had a great experience with the trial at Femme Akoi. On the day of, they did an excellent job with my ask to keep my makeup natural and hair in a classic updo. They also did a great job with timing (we had 11 people in total) and finished right on time.

The Proposal:
A few days after moving into a lower Manhattan apartment together, on a Friday evening walk through SoHo, Michael proposed on a small cobblestone street. He had an entire “staycation” in Brooklyn planned – everything from hotel, to brunch, to dinner. It was a special weekend!

What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
We wanted someone fun and natural. It was also important to have someone who had shot at our venue before.

I looked at what felt like hundreds of blog posts of weddings at our venue. When I looked through Ailyn’s album of Ailyn La Torre Photography, I noticed that many of her weddings were posts I had seen before and loved. It was also clear to me that she was very natural and loved light, which was important to me! Ailyn was such a pleasure to work with on our wedding day. She was energetic, fun, and knew exactly what she was doing. She made us feel comfortable and at ease the entire day. She’s also extremely responsive and accommodating. We cannot say enough good things about her and her team!

What were your colors?
I am all about simple and elegant, from colors to decor, so I went primarily with greenery with a touch of white blooms throughout. We also made the decision to do black-tie. Staying with the theme of black, I chose black long dresses for my bridesmaids.

How did you incorporate you and your spouse’s personalities into the wedding?
Living in NYC for six years, we both wanted to find a venue that had a bit of the “city” incorporated (i.e., brick walls, cozy atmosphere, etc.). It was also important to keep the decor and vibe simple yet classic, which is why we went with a minimalist look with flowers and decor and black-tie for the attire.

What did you look for in a wedding band?
We wanted a band that could keep the party going and get everyone on their feet!

After watching a few of Matt Winter Band’s demos online, it was immediately clear that they were the life of the party! We really enjoyed their music and song selection. They honestly exceeded our expectations at the wedding. We had so many friends and family members tell us how great the band was. They were also very responsive and easy to work with leading up to our big day.

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Stay organized! Google Sheets was our best friend during the planning process. It helped us stay on top of our to-dos, guest list, thank you notes, etc. Also, perhaps most important is to do what feels right to you. Don’t feel pressured about something just because it is considered a wedding tradition; it’s ok to go outside of the box!

Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Oxford Exchange
Photographer: Ailyn La Torre Photography
Planner: One Fine Day
Florist: La Vie en Rose
Desserts: Chocolate Pi
Band: Matt Winter Band *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Officiant: Sensational Ceremonies
Invitations: Bella Figura
Transportation: Jolley Trolley
Dress Shop and Designer: Kleinfeld Bridal, Hayley Paige
Bridesmaid Dress Shop and Designer: Kenneth Winston
Hair & Makeup: Femme Akoi *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro