Winsor Event Studio's Blog Musings
We are so excited to share our Ybor City 'industrial- chic meets craft brew' styled shoot! The Ybor City State Museum was the perfect location with its white brick and cobblestones. This city landmark has been preserved from times when people would meet and play dominoes and it perfectly embodied the craft brew concept (Ybor is also known for having a big craft brew presence). Our theme also gives a nod to the growing trends for the younger brides and grooms who have an alternative style.
This couple really loves their city of Tampa; the history, the culture, & the food all inspired their wedding. We started with a palette of sangria, ruby, & saffron. We introduced the wedding style immediately by sending save-the-date postcards printed with a Tampa cigar box motif. The aisle was lined with mason jars filled with roses, orchids, & colorful croton leaves. We incorporated Tampa touches, like the ring-bearer cigar box, & the unity wine ceremony (wherein the couple each combined a varietal of red wine creating a wine blend from which they both sipped.) During the cocktail hour, the waitstaff passed trays of Tampa favorites such as mini empanadas, deviled crabs, & bacon wrapped plantains. And as a surprise to the bride & groom (both beer lovers) we offered samples of local Cigar City Brewery beers – two brews that paired well with robust cigars. And we had to offer a Cigar Bar for the gentlemen, with cigars rolled locally in Ybor city.
Jessica and Peter were married during their traditional Catholic ceremony at Christ the King Catholic Church before celebrating with 200+ of their closest friends and family at their downtown St Petersburg Vinoy reception! The overall event exuded elegance and classic details such as all white flora, silver candlesticks and lanterns, and a crisp color palette of navy and white with very soft pops of tulip pink. The event was also filled with sentimental touches, including Peter's wedding gift to Jessica - a family heirloom pearl mounted to a necklace pendant, and a touching toast shared by the father of the bride, not to mention Jessica and Peter's personalized intros for each person in their wedding party. Guests enjoyed a variety of food stations including gourmet macaroni and cheese as well as mini sliders paired with local Cigar City beers. After enjoying the wedding cake confection nearly too beautiful to eat, everyone danced under the stunning Chihuly chandelier at the Vinoy’s Grand Ballroom. Guests were sent off with hand made chocolate Gator favors with gratitude from the bride and groom; a nod to their collegiate days at the University of Florida!
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!
