Food & Wine Weddings

Nadia and Shay - A Rustic Chic Wedding at the Historic Tampa Armature Building

Nadia and Shay's wedding was the very first at Tampa's newest (and hottest) venue, Armature Works.  The couple envisioned rustic glamour on Tampa's Hillsborough River with lush greenery, good food, and plenty of dancing for their big day!  They fell in love with the charm of the brick walls, exposed industrial ceiling, and view of the city skyline.  But with a couple this gorgeous, who’s looking at the buildings, anyway?!

The couple posed for sunset photos on the Hillsborough River following their waterfront ceremony.

The couple posed for sunset photos on the Hillsborough River following their waterfront ceremony.

A classic pocket style invitation suite in coordinating colors featured gold accents and script calligraphy.

A classic pocket style invitation suite in coordinating colors featured gold accents and script calligraphy.

The bride wore a stunning bead embellished, lace and tule mermaid style gown.

The bride wore a stunning bead embellished, lace and tule mermaid style gown.

Personalized, reusable Starbucks cups made for a fun and eco friendly gift!

Personalized, reusable Starbucks cups made for a fun and eco friendly gift!

The bride carried a bouquet made of ivory roses, lisianthus, garden roses, stock, and greenery.

The bride carried a bouquet made of ivory roses, lisianthus, garden roses, stock, and greenery.

The groom's passion for high end sneakers inspired a surprise for him later on in the wedding.

The groom's passion for high end sneakers inspired a surprise for him later on in the wedding.

As a professional model, the bride was seriously working her bridal portraits! Yowza!!!

As a professional model, the bride was seriously working her bridal portraits! Yowza!!!

Natural wood chairs adored the rooftop ceremony space to compliment the natural florals and greenery accents.

Natural wood chairs adored the rooftop ceremony space to compliment the natural florals and greenery accents.

Opulent gold details gave a hint to the chic decor found in the reception.

Opulent gold details gave a hint to the chic decor found in the reception.

The couple exchanged vows overlooking the Hillsborough River and city skyline.

The couple exchanged vows overlooking the Hillsborough River and city skyline.

A Tampa sunset on the river provided the perfect backdrop for romantic photos.

A Tampa sunset on the river provided the perfect backdrop for romantic photos.

Organic and loose floral with lots of greenery were perched atop tables accented with gold details and lots of romantic candlelight.

Organic and loose floral with lots of greenery were perched atop tables accented with gold details and lots of romantic candlelight.

Alternating tables boasted mirrored pedestals with gold mercury urns of coordinating flora and gold framed table numbers.

Alternating tables boasted mirrored pedestals with gold mercury urns of coordinating flora and gold framed table numbers.

Arrangements of hanging amaranthus, ruscus, eucalyptus, hydrangea, stock, and roses towered over tables on opulent gold pillars.

Arrangements of hanging amaranthus, ruscus, eucalyptus, hydrangea, stock, and roses towered over tables on opulent gold pillars.

Tables were set with coordinating script menu cards tucked into napkins atop gold chargers, with sprigs of greenery at each place setting.

Tables were set with coordinating script menu cards tucked into napkins atop gold chargers, with sprigs of greenery at each place setting.

A stunning four tiered cake with gold and sugar flower details was surrounded by more flowers and greenery.

A stunning four tiered cake with gold and sugar flower details was surrounded by more flowers and greenery.

A special groom's cake modeled after a favorite real life pair of Jordans belonging to the groom.

A special groom's cake modeled after a favorite real life pair of Jordans belonging to the groom.

A heartfelt speech made by the Maid of Honor.

A heartfelt speech made by the Maid of Honor.

A live band made sure this party lasted all night!

A live band made sure this party lasted all night!

Friends and family gathered on the dance floor to celebrate the couple!

Friends and family gathered on the dance floor to celebrate the couple!

Great food, great music, and great friends… What more can you ask for at a wedding?!

Great food, great music, and great friends… What more can you ask for at a wedding?!

Armature Works provided the perfect balance of industrial chic and historic charm!

Armature Works provided the perfect balance of industrial chic and historic charm!

The talented team of wedding professionals who made this luxuriously epic wedding include:

- Venue:  Armature Works

- Photography:  Andi Diamond Photography

- Floral & Decor:  FH Weddings & Events

- Videography:  Randall Productions

- Entertainment:  Tom Sartori Band

- Catering:  Puff n Stuff

- Cake:  Designer Cake Art by Elise's Pieces

- Transportation:  Clearwater Jolley Trolley & Pirate Water Taxi

- Stationery:  Invitation Galleria

Christina and Jonathan - A Merlot and Rose Wine Wedding at the Straz Theatre

Christina and Jonathan - A Merlot and Rose Wine Wedding at the Straz Theatre

When Jonathan proposed to Christina, he had just finished a 28 hour day of his residency, and secretly drove to the Kennedy Center to drop off a special bottle of wine for their date that evening.  During dinner on the rooftop terrace, Jonathan ordered a bottle of wine and the server presented the special bottle.  Jonathan turned the bottle to face Christina, revealing special dates and milestones etched on the label, and then got down on one knee and popped the question.  Swoon!  The couple knew they wanted their wedding to be set in Tampa (the city where they met) and wanted to provide a unique experience that also incorporated wine elements as a nod to their engagement. 

Tutorial - How To Throw An Around The World Wine Tasting

Tutorial - How To Throw An Around The World Wine Tasting

You can probably imagine that after all of the time and energy spent planning other people's celebrations, it's sometimes hard to find the time to plan a personal event...  But recently I decided to plan a dinner party for my husband's birthday, and I wanted it to be a memorable experience for all of our friends and family, but also incorporate some of his favorite things.  As an accountant for an International company he usually travels to a different country several times a year (a bonus for someone who already loves to travel).  And anyone who knows him knows he is quite a wine snob (no offense, sweetie!)  So I decided to combine these passions into a wine tasting party that would take our guests 'AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY SIPS' - what could be more fun than that?

Jessica and Mike - Timeless Tradition in the heart of Tampa

Jessica and Mike - Timeless Tradition in the heart of Tampa

Jessica's eye for classic beauty and timeless detail, and Mike's goal of excellent music and food were perfectly merged on their wedding day.  Before exchanging sacred vows in a traditional Catholic ceremony in historic Ybor City, the bride shared an intimate first look with her Father after stepping into her stunning lace sleeved gown.  The chic black and white color scheme and formal styling first appeared in custom invitation suites, and was accented with tiny touches of pale pink and pewter, appearing in flora that popped against the formal onyx gowns and tuxedos.

Jackie and Christie - A Gourmet Garden Wedding

Jackie and Christie - A Gourmet Garden Wedding

Under the shady canopy of Great Oaks at the Tampa Garden Club, Jackie and Christie exchanged vows in front of their closest family and friends. The couple shared a love for great food and wine, and wanted a garden setting with both rustic and chic elements.  Since their top priority was guest experience, we set out to make sure their friends and family enjoyed amazing food and drinks, unique personal details, and great music for dancing!  With a color scheme of dove grey accented by cerulean blue and sage green, the wedding party sported coordinating tea-length dresses and suits.  Bouquets incorporated herbs and even ornamental kale, and the bride carried an heirloom photo of her grandmother tucked into her bouquet.  Mahogany chiavari chairs and an aisle lined with lanterns and potted herbs led to a trio of salvaged vintage doors adorned with eucalyptus branches to create a stunning backdrop for the ceremony, which concluded with a unique unity wine presentation. During the cocktail hour, a Farmer’s Market-inspired cart offered a mouthwatering array of fresh fruits and vegetables, and guests enjoyed a DIY Mimosa Station and sampling of local beers from Cigar City Brewery.  Reception tables were decorated with a collection of silver candelabras and lanterns along with more potted herbs, along with bottles of infused olive oils for guests to share during the meal, and table numbers made entirely of wine corks.  Live action food stations tempted guests with potato leek soup and artisan breads, shrimp and grits with assorted hot sauces (a nod to bride Christie's collection), and fresh made crepes filled with chicken, goat cheese, and roasted vegetables.  A tower of cupcakes topped with a small wedding cake featured clothespin doll toppers reflecting the couple’s likeness.  Before departing, a wheelbarrow filled with wheatgrass and seed packets offered guests keepsakes to plant at home and continue to “let love grow.”  At the end of the evening, firefighter bride Christie surprised her betrothed Jackie with a fire truck sendoff!