ybor

Kristin and Wil - A 'Harvest in Havana' Wedding on Bayshore Boulevard

Kristin and Wil wanted their Tampa wedding to reflect their unique story and personalities while also embracing the season and the area's rich history.  Every element of their wedding was intentional and special.  And much like the hidden mickeys at Disney World, this wedding had lots of little hidden personal touches filled with special meaning, including 'Player 1' and 'Player 2' toasting flutes in honor of the groom's love of vintage video games and a bumble bee bouquet brooch from the bride's late grandmother.  Scroll and get ready to swoon!!  

The couple posed for photos at their waterfront venue, overlooking famed Bayshore Boulevard.

The couple posed for photos at their waterfront venue, overlooking famed Bayshore Boulevard.

Tampa's rich Cuban heritage and 'Cigar City' moniker, inspired details like the cigar box motif invitations and woven straw hand fans.

Tampa's rich Cuban heritage and 'Cigar City' moniker, inspired details like the cigar box motif invitations and woven straw hand fans.

The bride's lace ballgown was fit for a Disney princess (perfect for a fanatic bride who maintains annual passholder status at the theme parks and knows the characters from all the movies!) and her hairstyle embodied the iconic braids from the Tangl…

The bride's lace ballgown was fit for a Disney princess (perfect for a fanatic bride who maintains annual passholder status at the theme parks and knows the characters from all the movies!) and her hairstyle embodied the iconic braids from the Tangled and Frozen heroines.

The bridal party's silk robes featured colorful florals with both tropical and autumnal vibes.

The bridal party's silk robes featured colorful florals with both tropical and autumnal vibes.

'The Princess Bride' accessorized her gown with a gold dinosaur necklace that had actually belonged to the groom when he was a young child.

'The Princess Bride' accessorized her gown with a gold dinosaur necklace that had actually belonged to the groom when he was a young child.

The groom sported rich red details that fell in theme with this Cuban inspired affair, and even snuck in some nerdy video game references on his tie clip and cuff "Links".

The groom sported rich red details that fell in theme with this Cuban inspired affair, and even snuck in some nerdy video game references on his tie clip and cuff "Links".

The couple got ready at the historic Floridan Palace hotel where they shared an intimate first look.

The couple got ready at the historic Floridan Palace hotel where they shared an intimate first look.

Choosing to have a first look is a great way to get rid of pre-ceremony jitters together, and creates an opportunity for super cute photos!

Choosing to have a first look is a great way to get rid of pre-ceremony jitters together, and creates an opportunity for super cute photos!

The groom looks suave in his grey three piece suit with red accessories, and of course shades for that Florida sun.

The groom looks suave in his grey three piece suit with red accessories, and of course shades for that Florida sun.

A yellow chrysanthemum boutonniere provides a harvest touch to the groom's look for this October wedding.

A yellow chrysanthemum boutonniere provides a harvest touch to the groom's look for this October wedding.

Bright florals in shades of orange, red, and yellow looked right at home against brick backdrops iconic to Tampa.

Bright florals in shades of orange, red, and yellow looked right at home against brick backdrops iconic to Tampa.

The couple made their way to the venue on an open air trolley traveling through Downtown Tampa.

The couple made their way to the venue on an open air trolley traveling through Downtown Tampa.

And of course stopped for amazing pictures along the way!

And of course stopped for amazing pictures along the way!

Bridesmaids wore dresses in bright fall shades which accented the colors found throughout the wedding.

Bridesmaids wore dresses in bright fall shades which accented the colors found throughout the wedding.

The bride truly looked like a princess in her lace ballgown with keyhole illusion lace detailing on the back.

The bride truly looked like a princess in her lace ballgown with keyhole illusion lace detailing on the back.

The Tampa Garden Club's lush garden space created the perfect ceremony backdrop as the two exchanged vows led by a close friend from the groom's residency program.

The Tampa Garden Club's lush garden space created the perfect ceremony backdrop as the two exchanged vows led by a close friend from the groom's residency program.

It wouldn't be a 'Cigar City' wedding without a shade station complete with fedoras!

It wouldn't be a 'Cigar City' wedding without a shade station complete with fedoras!

Colorful flora combined Fall colors with bright hues, resulting in arrangements that reflected the season as well as surprise tropical elements.

Colorful flora combined Fall colors with bright hues, resulting in arrangements that reflected the season as well as surprise tropical elements.

Bright florals and vintage style cigar boxes lined the aisle.

Bright florals and vintage style cigar boxes lined the aisle.

The fairy tale couple share a kiss as they are received by guests, after saying "I do"!

The fairy tale couple share a kiss as they are received by guests, after saying "I do"!

Guests enjoyed creative Florida-Cuban fusion cuisine, including passed 'Cuban cigars' of puff pastry filled with traditional Cuban sandwich ingredients studded with mustard and seasoning to resemble cigars in a cigar box.

Guests enjoyed creative Florida-Cuban fusion cuisine, including passed 'Cuban cigars' of puff pastry filled with traditional Cuban sandwich ingredients studded with mustard and seasoning to resemble cigars in a cigar box.

Mahogany Chiavari chairs and tropical colored linens were adorned with candle light and table numbers in gold frames, helping to marry the harvest and Havana themes!

Mahogany Chiavari chairs and tropical colored linens were adorned with candle light and table numbers in gold frames, helping to marry the harvest and Havana themes!

A Florida sunset created the perfect lighting to accent the ballroom.

A Florida sunset created the perfect lighting to accent the ballroom.

Tropical fruit was incorporated throughout the collection of cigar box centerpieces.

Tropical fruit was incorporated throughout the collection of cigar box centerpieces.

And table numbers were presented in form of dominos (a famous Tampa pastime).

And table numbers were presented in form of dominos (a famous Tampa pastime).

The coupled shared a first dance surrounded by A LOT of family and friends!

The coupled shared a first dance surrounded by A LOT of family and friends!

The cake featured flavor combos like Vanilla Key Lime, Hummingbird with Rum Pecan, and Guava Cream Cheese - topped off with a pair of adorable brass ducks in honor of the Peabody hotel in Memphis where the couple became engaged after the daily ducks…

The cake featured flavor combos like Vanilla Key Lime, Hummingbird with Rum Pecan, and Guava Cream Cheese - topped off with a pair of adorable brass ducks in honor of the Peabody hotel in Memphis where the couple became engaged after the daily ducks parade through the lobby!

During cocktail hour a cigar bar was presented for guests to celebrate and relax.

During cocktail hour a cigar bar was presented for guests to celebrate and relax.

The couple even had custom cigars made!

The couple even had custom cigars made!

You know the couple that plays air guitar together, stays together, right? Yeah, we totally agree!

You know the couple that plays air guitar together, stays together, right? Yeah, we totally agree!

A gorgeous Florida sky was the perfect backdrop for this couple who celebrated in true Tampa fashion!

A gorgeous Florida sky was the perfect backdrop for this couple who celebrated in true Tampa fashion!

The incredibly talented team who created all this magic includes:

- Venue:  Tampa Garden Club

- Photographer:  Life Long Photography Studio

- Catering:  Catering by the Family

- Rentals & Floral:  Arlene Floral Designer 

- Transportation:  Clearwater Jolley Trolley

- Hair & Makeup:  Michelle Renee the Studio

- DJ & Lighting:  MBC Entertainment

- Bridal Gown & Bridesmaids Dresses:  Alfred Angelo

- Cake:  Publix Greenwise Bakery 

- Accommodations:  Floridan Palace Hotel

- Stationary:  Lollie J Designs

- Linens:  Connie Duglin Linens

Amanda and Brian - A Celebration in Historic Ybor City

Amanda and Brian - A Celebration in Historic Ybor City

Brian and Amanda share Tampa roots (they went to the same PreK class and grew up only a quarter mile down the street from each other) so they knew they wanted to get married in the city they grew up in and loved. They began planning their nuptials for their 300 closest friends and family in historic Ybor City, known for the area's former life as a cigar capital of the US.  The bride wanted to make sure the wedding was above all else FUN, and she didn't want anything too theme-y, but rather wanted classic elements and to embrace the feel of the city.  

TRENDSETTING - An Industrial Chic Meets Craft Brew Styled Shoot

TRENDSETTING - An Industrial Chic Meets Craft Brew Styled Shoot

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.

TRENDSETTING - A Cigar City Inspired Styled Shoot

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.

Julia and Chris - A Plantains-and-Poppies Wedding

Julia and Chris - A Plantains-and-Poppies Wedding

Julia met Chris in Germany in August of 2011 where they were both serving in the military. They quickly became inseparable, and when it came time to plan their wedding, they decided on a destination wedding in the bride's hometown of Tampa. Both desired an eclectic feel for the wedding with a nod to the bride's Tampa roots as well as the couple's travels abroad. The Don Vicente in historic Ybor City was perfect.  The bride's favorite flowers are poppies, and with the groom in his dress blues for the wedding, the color scheme of poppy orange, lemoncello, and aqua blue was born.  Julia wanted their guests to really understand and feel the Tampa she grew up in. This inspired such details as a Cigar Bar, Cigar box centerpieces with collections of candlesticks and bottles and cans filled with colorful flowers, a Cuban cuisine menu, Florida orange marmalade favors, and even a tangelo mojito signature drink!