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.
Katie and Greg - A Barista's Brunch Wedding
Who doesn't love brunch?! Katy & Greg’s wedding is full of amazing coffee-themed details in honor of their morning nuptials and Greg's former life as a barista! Guests were greeted with a coffee station with assorted vintage mugs and gourmet coffees to sip on before the ceremony. Katy and Greg exchanged vows in front of the white gazebo and instead of a unity candle, they had a plaque with a little lock that was engraved with their names and wedding date. They placed the lock on the plaque and locked it together - such a great unity ceremony alternative. It was a gorgeous day for photos and an outdoor reception set at one enormous communal table under the sprawling oak trees. The table was dressed with coffee sack runners and hedge box centerpieces along with candles nestled in coffee bean vessels. Guests enjoyed a mimosa and bloody mary bar, yogurt station and donuts as everyone played corn hole and jenga on the lawn. Their favor was different flavors of coffee beans for their guests to put in favor bags that said "Katy & Greg the perfect blend”. They ate brunch family style and after mingling with friends and family, and having some to die for cupcakes (how cute are the mini donut topped cupcakes?!), and then the newlyweds departed through a tunnel of eco-friendly confetti and on to a boat for their grand exit.
Love their special His and Hers mugs!
The groom wore a boutonniere of mini succulents and blue thistle
The couple's pocket-style invitation featured preppy navy, grey, and white with pops of bright green
Guests selected their choice of vintage coffee mugs for a cup of coffee before the ceremony
A vintage windowpane made for a lovely program display
Pictures of special family members who were not present were displayed at the ceremony
The bride and groom secured an engraved lock onto a keepsake display as a unique unity ceremony
Bridesmaids wore mismatched navy cocktail dresses
The bride's bouquet featured hydrangea, roses, renunculus, peonies, & tulips in shades of ivory, peach, and citron
Guests enjoyed a Bloody Mary Bar and a Mimosa Bar during the brunch reception
The spread included gourmet donuts among an assortment of breakfast favorites
Guests dined at one large table that snaked across the lawn under the tress
Hedgeboxes filled with assorted flowers like renunculus, blue thistle, and waxflower were accented with citrus
The couple ceremoniously cut a small cake before serving assorted gourmet cupcakes for dessert
Guests took home bags of specialty coffee beans as favors from the bride and groom
The happy couple took a moment to enjoy their waterfront views
Vendors who made this day amazing include:
Venue: Davis Islands Garden Club
Photographer: Carrie Wildes Photography
Floral Design: Belle Fleur
Entertainment: DJ Cory, Grant Hemond & Associates
Catering: Good Food Catering
Event Rentals: Coast to Coast Event Rentals
Specialty Furniture Rentals: WISH Vintage Rentals
Linens: Connie Duglin Linen
Cupcakes: Sugardarlings Cupcakes
Donuts: SoHo Donut Company
Hair & Makeup: Destiny & Light Hair & Makeup
Videography: Randall Productions
Transportation: Suncoach Transport
Send-off: Tampa Water Taxi
Accommodations: Tampa Marriott Waterside
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!
Why A Wedding Planner Is A Necessity - NOT A Luxury
I often work hard to dispel the myth that a wedding planner is a luxury meant for only a few brides, so allow me to finally put to rest this long-standing debate... You're about to get married, and you're spending a considerable amount of money doing so, as well as investing a considerable amount of energy, time, thought, creativity, and personal touches into all of your decisions and details. Your wedding day is a BIG DEAL! So why are you setting sail without your survival pack and compass?