Wedding

Tropical, Hawaiian Inspired Dunedin Wedding | Beso Del Sol

Natalie and Samuel's waterfront Dunedin wedding featured a soft blue and white color palette with accents of gold, touches of greenery, and whimsical tropical elements in the form of pineapples, palm leaves, and cultural dance.

“Our inspiration was coastal glam/tropical. We love the water and tropical vibes (palm leaves and pineapples) but we also like formal elements (hence the tuxes, blue dresses, and gold accents). We also love Hawaii which matches everything above and is why I surprised the groom by learning and performing a Tahitian O’tea dance at the wedding. We didn’t want the wedding to be a luau with only Hawaiian elements or just beachy like Florida, so we combined everything to make it tropical glam,” the bride detailed. “Our colors were blue like the ocean, green for tropical leaves, and gold accents.”

The Tampa couple eloped in South Florida during COVID and wanted to celebrate with their 75 closest friends and family with a waterfront reception on their first anniversary. They sought a flexible venue with beautiful views that they could customize to suit their wedding style, and after seeing Beso Del Sol‘s features on Marry Me Tampa Bay, Natalie knew it would be the perfect backdrop for their March celebration.

“I wanted the ability to choose my own caterer and vendors and to customize everything. The water backdrop and tropical vibes created a beautiful environment,” the bride beamed. “Marry Me Tampa Bay was the reason I chose Beso Del Sol because they made the venue come alive through the publication. The beach view was pivotal, and the service was great.”

Coming from a foodie family, Natalie prioritized delicious cuisine for their wedding reception and was thrilled with the attentive service and delectable meal they experienced with Amici's Catered Cuisine.

“I looked for good reviews. My family is Italian so I wanted to have a caterer that could deliver that cuisine well. Amici's Catered Cuisine‘s service was absolutely phenomenal,” the bride raved. “The caterers that worked at my wedding felt like family.

As a seasoned dancer, the bride focused on the first dance and other wedding entertainment. In addition to preparing for her dance with her husband, Natalie also surprised him with a traditional Tahitian dance in honor of their mutual love of Hawaii.

“All the professional dancers plus our choreographed dances made the wedding fun for guests!” Natalie gushed. “We live in Florida, but we also like the island of Hawaii. I had a belly dancer and a hula dancer perform.”

In addition to the memorable dances, the bride will forever treasure the moment she and Samuel saw each other for the first time and were both surprisingly overcome with emotion.

“The fact that we cried at the vow renewal is something I'll never forget. I was not expecting to cry, but as soon as Sam saw me, he cried, causing me to cry,” the bride reminisced. “Also, surprising him with my Tahitian dance was very memorable.”

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Bride with Bridesmaids in Dusty Blue Floor Length Dresses Wedding Portraits
Bride and Groom Florida Wedding Portrait

The Proposal:
We had a private intimate proposal. Sam drove me to a bridge so we could take a walk on the waterfront. He asked our dog for permission in the car by whispering to him. He asked me as the sun set with no one around.

Bride Walking Down the Ceremony Aisle Wedding Portrait
Intimate Indoor Wedding Ceremony Bride and Groom Exchange Vows Portrait | Dunedin Wedding Venue Beso Del Sol
Bride and Groom Exchanging Vows Intimate Portrait
Bride and Groom First Kiss Wedding Portrait
Bride and Groom Waterfront Wedding Portrait at Sunset | Tampa Bay Wedding Venue Beso Del Sol

What did you look for in a wedding venue?

I wanted the ability to choose my own caterer and vendors and to customize everything. The water backdrop and tropical vibes created a beautiful environment.

Marry Me Tampa Bay was the reason I chose Beso Del Sol because they made the venue come alive through the publication. The beach view was pivotal, and the service was great.

Bride and Groom Waterfront Wedding Portrait at Sunset | Tampa Bay Wedding Venue Beso Del Sol
Tropical Wedding Cake Cutting Details with Gold Flatware and Monstera Leaves
White Chairs and White Linen Table with Gray Napkins and Runner | Monstera Leaf and Tropical Wedding Reception Tablescape

How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Our inspiration was coastal glam/tropical. We love the water and tropical vibes (palm leaves and pineapples) but we also like formal elements (hence the tuxes, blue dresses, and gold accents). We also love Hawaii which matches everything above and is why I surprised the groom by learning and performing a Tahitian O’tea dance at the wedding. We didn’t want the wedding to be a luau with only Hawaiian elements or just beachy like Florida so we combined everything to make it tropical glam. We live in Florida, but we also like the island of Hawaii.

What were your colors?
Blue like the ocean, green for tropical leaves, and gold accents. 

White Chairs and White Linen Table with Gray Napkins and Runner | Monstera Leaf and Tropical Wedding Reception Tablescape
White Chairs and White Linen Table with Gray Napkins and Runner | Monstera Leaf and Tropical Pineapple Centerpiece

What did you look for in a wedding catering company?

I looked for good reviews. My family is Italian so I wanted to have a caterer that could deliver that cuisine well.

Amici's Catered Cuisine‘s service was absolutely phenomenal. The caterers that worked at my wedding felt like family.

Bride and Groom First Dance Wedding Portrait

Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Miami because that is our favorite vacation spot to relax.

Where did you host your bachelorette party?
Tampa because it was still during Covid and I didn’t want my bridesmaids to have to travel far or spend a lot of money. We took a party bus over to st Pete for one of the nights and went to a speakeasy as well as lots of dancing.

Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
My photographer always exceeds my expectations. He made me look beautiful in all of my photos and was calming to work with on such a stressful day.

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Pick what’s important to you and spend money on that. You do not have to go all out in every area. At the end of the day, you won’t regret the little things that you did not add in because you will remember the big things that were important to you.

Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.

Vendor Credits

 

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