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.
TRENDSETTING - An Eco-Chic Styled Shoot
In a setting as beautiful as an outdoor venue in Florida, you don't have to look hard for inspiration. Natural greens from area foliage and silvery-blues found in local airplants were the perfect colors for this stylized shoot, which also incorporated a pop of bright Florida orange. We set out to create a wedding concept that incorporated sustainable and environmentally-friendly elements. You CAN have an eco-conscious wedding and have it still be beautiful!
Megan and Miles - A Midsummer Night's Dream Wedding
Meghan and Miles described their wedding vision as "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and wanted to make sure their garden wedding was filled with whimsical details and plenty of handmade accents. After exchanging sacred vows during a Catholic mass, guests rode the Tampa Water Taxi to the Davis Island Garden Club, where they partook in a bountiful cocktail hour held on the waterfront veranda. Guests signed Jenga game pieces as a guestbook. Canopy lighting suspended from tree to tree gently lit the sprawling communal dining table below. Gold candlesticks and vases filled with an abundance of coral roses and peonies were strewn down moss table runners. Tying in the garden theme, guests' names were scribed on cut wood discs displayed on a bed of moss. Place settings were composed of sophisticated gold-rimmed china, glassware, and an individual pink rose resting on each napkin. A three-tier cake of buttercream frosting was embellished with a few flowers for a classic look. Music filled the air and a shoe valet display was a wonderful spot for guests to kick off their heels for a night of dancing and merriment! Meghan and Miles couldn’t have dreamt of a better way to start their new journey as husband and wife.