Winsor Event Studio's Blog Musings
When Jennifer and Casey met while out on the town with friends, it truly was love at first sight. At the end of the evening, like a scene from a movie, their first kiss through the taxi door was as electric as their first kiss as husband and wife at their waterfront nuptials! The couple exchanged vows in front of 150 of their closest friends and family at the Davis Islands Garden Club near downtown Tampa.
Dana and Al are jet-setting professionals that have traveled the world, and have the enormous group of friends and family to show for it! They wanted a unique and memorable wedding that their guests would never forget, and what better way to showcase their new roots in Tampa than a garden wedding overlooking the iconic Bayshore Boulevard, the bay, and downtown? They paired their classic, elegant style with a little Latin flair and the result was a stunning Fall event fit for the fun and discerning palates alike!
For this stylized shoot, we wanted to highlight the history of a new venue with an old beginning (a former life as a cigar factory, indicative of the Ybor district of Tampa also known as the "Cigar City"). Our model wore a wedding gown with dramatic ruffles down the back, creating a Flamenco flair. We accented her hair with a Spanish-style rhinestone comb, and styled her makeup with bold red lips and gold-leaf eyeshadow to compliment the event's color palette of moss and gold. To set the tone for our Ybor Cigar Loft shoot, we created old world style invitations set in wooden cigar box 'envelopes'. The table names featured vintage cigar box labels in ornate gold frames. Our escort card display (which doubled as favors) featured mini bottles of whiskey with guests' names written on paper tags. For the cocktail area, we draped tables with tufted champagne linens layered over iridescent moss linens, with cigar boxes of gold mercury glass votives suspended from the ceiling beams as if floating above the tables. The fondant cake featured sugar buttons, a brushed gold fondant ribbon, and a sprig of hydrangea on top. The natural bridal bouquet consisted of ornamental cabbage, seeded eucalyptus, waxflower, palm frawns, and loops of gold wire, which complimented the natural table arrangements aside more gold mercury glass votives and stacked cigar boxes filled with moss and candles. We also uplit the brick walls with amber lighting for extra drama, and created a Cigar Lounge area as well. The result was a gorgeous representation of a historic cigar-themed event.
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.
The whisper of the ocean, the salty air, the sugary sand between your toes - that's exactly how bride Chelsea and groom Arian envisioned for their destination wedding. The St. Lion’s Club on Treasure Island offered a secluded beach perfect for an intimate ceremony and reception. A lightly draped bamboo arch created a stunning backdrop for their unity paint ceremony. Amidst the wind and the waves, bridesmaids’ turquoise chiffon gowns flowed as the sun set. Guests enjoyed waterfront cocktails before dining al fresco. The décor and florals embodied the bohemian vision, with bouquets of assorted succulents, ivory roses, pastel blue hydrangeas, thistles and seeded eucalyptus. Mason jars and lanterns served as centerpieces to give a natural element to the tables. The tower of cupcakes was complete with to-go boxes, encouraging guests to enjoy cake for breakfast!
