Alyssa and Lukas’ downtown Tampa wedding paired vintage elements with classic details that together complemented their historic venue and minimalist personalities.
“We’re both really simplistic when it comes to decor. We knew we wanted something a little vintage but also timeless,” the bride explained. “The groomsmen wore navy blue suits, and the bridesmaids wore a dusty rose color. The decor was made up of a lot of greenery, gold accents, and light pink colored flowers. Those colors against the exposed brick and wood in the venue space really looked so polished and classy.”
MORE: VINTAGE WEDDING INSPIRATION
The Seminole Heights bride turned to Marry Me Tampa Bay to look for her vendors and to budget plan for her big day.
“We found our photographer on Marry Me Tampa Bay!” Alyssa recalled. “We started out with no knowledge of vendors in the area, and it helped us really compare pricing. We used it to help gauge average costs for wedding vendors.”
Knowing their wedding images would last long after the day was over, the couple prioritized photography as the most important decision for their wedding. When they found Luxe Light Images on Marry Me Tampa Bay and met with Christina in person, they knew it was a perfect fit.
“This was probably the most important vendor decision we made because when the day is over, you’re only left with the memories and the photos. We needed our photos to be perfect,” the bride shared. “We wanted someone who had the experience and the vision to be able to capture our day and also to capture great candids! Christina of Luxe Light was so accommodating! She asked us what our style was and really let us know that she felt honored to be a part of our day. We didn’t feel any pressure to sign a contract right then and there, she sent us the details over email and gave us time to read through everything. Most importantly, the photos were better than I ever imagined they could be! I look through all of them (there are 1,000!) probably once a week and I feel like I am back re-living that day!”
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With her 75 guests traveling from all over the U.S., Alyssa wanted everyone to have a blast on the dance floor so she turned to Tampa wedding DJ, Grant Hemond & Associates.
“Our families are scattered in various states, so it was a bit of a reunion as well,” the bride explained. “Grant Hemond‘s customer service was great, and they worked with me to get an idea for the types of music that we did and did not want to have played. The DJ let me send over my own playlists, and he incorporated that into his music, mixing different songs together. He did a great job!”
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To complement the minimalist, natural style of their event, the bride relied on Femme Akoi Beauty Studio to help her get wedding day ready.
“I really wanted something classic but a little bohemian as well. I really like braids and natural-looking makeup, so I sought out someone that could do both!” the bride expressed. “A colleague of mine had used Femme Akoi for her wedding, and she looked fabulous. I went for a trial and showed them some photos of hair and makeup styles that I liked, and they nailed it the first go around.”
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For a truly sweet ending to their special day, the couple wanted a cake that tasted as delicious as it looked.
“We both appreciate good food and dessert. We just wanted to make sure the cake tasted great! When we went to The Artistic Whisk for our tasting, we were blown away by all of the options and how great they all tasted,” Alyssa beamed. “The cake was both delicious and beautiful. At most weddings, I feel like there is typically a lot of cake leftover, not the case for us!”
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Looking back, one of the most memorable moments of the day was the couple’s first dance.
“We danced to Etta James’ At Last, and in the end, Luke picked me up and twirled me in the air so fast. Everyone was shocked and out of their seats. It was incredible!” the bride reminisced.
What were your hair and makeup inspiration?
I really wanted something classic but a little bohemian as well. I really like braids and natural-looking makeup, so I sought out someone that could do both!
A colleague of mine had used Femme Akoi Beauty Studio for her wedding, and she looked fabulous. I went for a trial and showed them some photos of hair and makeup styles that I liked, and they nailed it the first go around.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
We’re both really simplistic when it comes to decor. We knew we wanted something a little vintage but also timeless.
What were your colors?
The groomsmen wore navy blue suits, and the bridesmaids wore a dusty rose color. The decor was made up of a lot of greenery, gold accents, and light pink colored flowers. Those colors against the exposed brick and wood in the venue space really looked so polished and classy.
The Proposal:
I had been traveling a lot for work, and we had been spending our weekends doing home/yard improvement projects. We hadn’t gotten a day to relax in a while. One day, Luke insisted that we take a break and go find a nice place to go walk around, enjoy the weather, and then go to dinner. I didn’t think too much of it. We were walking on the boardwalk at Eureka Springs Park, and he just stopped me and got down on one knee. It was just the two of us in a relatively private area, and it was just perfect!
What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
This was probably the most important vendor decision we made because when the day is over, you’re only left with the memories and the photos. We needed our photos to be perfect.
We wanted someone that had the experience and the vision to be able to capture our day – and also to capture great candids! First, she was so accommodating! Christina of Luxe Light Images met us at a coffee shop and brought her portfolio for us to review. She asked us what our style was and really let us know that she felt honored to be a part of our day. We didn’t feel any pressure to sign a contract right then and there either; she sent us the details over email and gave us time to read through everything. Most importantly, the photos were better than I ever imagined they could be! I look through all of them (there are 1,000!) probably once a week and I feel like I am back re-living that day!
What did you look for in a wedding bakery?
We both appreciate good food and dessert. We just wanted to make sure the cake tasted great!
When we went to The Artistic Whisk for our tasting, we were blown away by all of the options and how great they all tasted. The cake was both delicious and beautiful. At most weddings, I feel like there is typically a lot of cake leftover – not the case for us!
What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
Someone that could keep the party going and play great music that would keep people on the dance floor!
They are pretty well known, and I had actually been to another wedding that Grant Hemond & Associates had been the DJ for in the past. Their customer service was great, and they worked with me to get an idea for the types of music that we did and did not want to have played. The DJ let me send over my own playlists and he incorporated that into his music, mixing different songs together. He did a great job!
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Enjoy the planning process and don’t get stressed. Make sure you are making choices based on the kind of day you want to have; it’s about you two. In the end, everything falls together just how it’s supposed to.
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Armature Works
Photographer: Luxe Light Images *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Planner: Trudy Riley
Florist: Apple Blossoms Floral Designs
Caterer: Puff N’ Stuff
Cake: The Artistic Whisk *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
DJ: Grant Hemond & Associates *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Officiant: Danielle Sweet
Invitations: Minted
Bridesmaid Dress Shop: David’s Bridal
Hair & Makeup: Femme Akoi Beauty Studio *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
