Wedding

Gold and Red Downtown Tampa Wedding | Tampa Firefighter’s Museum

Downtown Tampa Wedding | Tampa Firefighter's Museum Wedding

When they initially chose their downtown Tampa wedding venue, Amanda and Shawn didn't realize how reminiscent the space would truly become.

“The most important part of my wedding was the reception venue. My uncle, Renald Cruz, was a retired Tampa firefighter and he generously helped us to get the Tampa Firefighter's Museum. Sadly, some months before the wedding, my uncle unexpectedly passed away,” the bride shared. “The hallway at the Firefighter's Museum is inlaid with inscribed bricks, and my uncle's happened to arrive the day before our wedding! Having our reception at that museum really made it feel like he was there with us.”

The St. Pete couple's blush, gold, ivory and dark red Tampa wedding focused on architectural and geometrical elements.

“I started out wanting an art nouveau theme, which turned into art deco and eventually into modern geometrical!” Amanda explained. “It was definitely a process and hard to decide on one concept when there is so much beautiful inspiration around you.”

The pair incorporated their personalities into their big day with their choice of wedding favors.

“Shawn and I are craft beer lovers, so we thanked our guests by gifting them home brewed beers that we bottled ourselves. I also designed the labels. They were a hit!” the bride gushed.

To keep their day stress-free, Amanda and Shawn hired Tampa wedding planner Oh So Classy Events.

“I knew that during my wedding day I did not want to have to worry about anything, and I definitely did not want to be setting up for the event the morning or evening before. When looking for a coordinator, I felt that I needed a team who I could trust to make decisions without me and fix anything that didn't look right,” the bride explained. “The process went very smoothly and if there were any issues on my day, I have yet to hear about them. I am so grateful for the Oh So Classy Events team!”

When it came to choosing a Tampa wedding photographer, the pair focused on finding someone who made them feel comfortable.

“I have never posed for pictures before, so I needed a someone who would make me feel at ease,” Amanda shared. “I pretty much knew Kera [of Kera Photography] would be my photographer as soon as I met her. Instead of showing off her albums and techniques to me, as other photographers I interviewed had done, she asked about my vision for my wedding day and explained what she could do for me to make those memories last forever.”

MORE: KERA PHOTOGRAPHY WEDDINGS

After much consideration, Amanda and Shawn decided to hire a Tampa wedding cinematographer so that they could watch their wedding day unfold.

“I went back and forth for a long time about whether to hire a cinematographer, especially because the quotes I was getting were so out of our budget, but I'm so glad I did,” the bride explained. “The style of the video was a huge factor for me. I wanted a fluid, beautiful, video that didn't feel forced or cheesy. I found the perfect team; Brittany and Leo [of Rad Red Creative] are such characters and they made me laugh all day long.”

MORE: RAD RED CREATIVE WEDDINGS

Looking back, one of the bride's most memorable moments occurred during the reception with her grandfather.

“I remember standing next to my grandfather, whose memory is going, during my husband's dance with his mother. My hand was on his shoulder, and he laid his hand on mine and told me that this was a night he was going to remember forever,” Amanda reminisced.

Why did you hire a wedding cinematographer?
I went back and forth for a long time about whether to hire a cinematographer, especially because the quotes I was getting were so out of our budget, but I'm so glad I did, and I found the perfect team. The style of the video was a huge factor for me. I wanted a fluid, beautiful, video that didn't feel forced or cheesy. And I wanted something longer than three minutes that didn't cost an arm and a leg.

Contact Rad Red Creative

I am so happy I found Rad Red Creative! I had initially reached out to them, but they were already booked. I was so upset because I had absolutely fallen in love with their style. One day, I was googling companies when I received an email from Rad Red that their bride had canceled, and they were available! Brittany and Leo are such characters and they made me laugh all day long.

Caricature Drawing Pink, Yellow and Red Wedding Invitation and Suite

Pink High Heel Peep Toed Wedding Shoes with Heart

Sweetheart Ball Gown Wedding Dress

Getting Ready on Wedding Day: Bridesmaids in Matching Robes Drinking Champagne

How Did We Get So Lucky Wedding Card Sign

Red, White and Pink Wedding Bouquet with Sequined Bridesmaids Dresses | Tampa Wedding Photographer Kera Photography

Red, White and Pink Wedding Bouquet | Tampa Wedding Photographer Kera Photography

Bride and Groom First Look on Wedding Day | Tampa Wedding Photographer Kera Photography

Bride and Groom First Look on Wedding Day | Tampa Wedding Photographer Kera Photography

The Proposal:
My husband, Shawn, is from Philadelphia. Since I had never been to Philly, we decided we should visit for the Independence Day holiday. On the second day we were there, we visited the Philadelphia Museum of Art, also know as the famous “Rocky steps.” Shawn suggested that he would run up first, and when he was at the top he would film me coming up.

Once he made it to the top, I began my journey up. Since I was looking down the whole time, making sure not trip, I was unaware that he was at the top asking a stranger to film him proposing. As I reached the top, he got down on one knee, fumbled around in his backpack and pulled out a beautiful ring. He asked me to marry him, and of course I said yes! We both then burst into tears and hugged and kissed, while onlookers cheered our moment.

Bride and Groom Outdoor Wedding Portrait | Tampa Wedding Photographer Kera Photography

Bride and Groom Wedding Portrait with Veil | Tampa Wedding Photographer Kera Photography

What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
Above all, I wanted to be comfortable with my photographer. I have never posed for pictures before and am not usually very comfortable in front of the camera, so I needed a someone who would make me feel at ease.

Contact Banner Kera Photography

I pretty much knew Kera [of Kera Photography] would be my photographer as soon as I met her. We met at a local coffee shop, she bought me a coffee and we had a pleasant conversation. Instead of showing off her albums and techniques to me, as other photographers I interviewed had done, she asked about my vision for my wedding day and explained what she could do for me to make those memories last forever.

Tampa Wedding Ceremony Venue Hyde Park Presbyterian Church

Tampa Wedding Ceremony Venue Hyde Park Presbyterian Church | | Tampa Wedding Photographer Kera Photography

Bride and Groom Wedding Portrait at Tampa Wedding Ceremony Venue Hyde Park Presbyterian Church | | Tampa Wedding Photographer Kera Photography

Bride and Groom Wedding Portrait at Tampa Wedding Ceremony Venue Hyde Park Presbyterian Church | | Tampa Wedding Photographer Kera Photography

Why did you hire a wedding planner?
I knew that during my wedding day I did not want to have to worry about anything, and I definitely did not want to be setting up for the event the morning or evening before. I felt that I should enjoy my day and not have to stress, especially because it was stressful enough just planning the whole thing! When looking for a coordinator, I searched specifically for a team with good taste. I had a vision for my wedding, but I am no event planner, so I felt that I needed a team who I could trust to make decisions without me and fix anything that didn't look right.

Contact Oh So Classy Events

I reached out to Sasha at Oh So Classy Events very early in my engagement. After realizing I was nowhere near ready to get involved with a coordinator just yet, I told her so and promised to reconnect later. After some months, I did reconnect, and she was very gracious. The process went very smoothly and if there were any issues on my day, I have yet to hear about them. I am so grateful for Sasha and her team!

Wedding Mad Libs | Fun Wedding Ideas

Pink and Red Wedding Centerpiece with Gold Glitter Table Number and Candles

How would you describe your theme?
My theme was ever changing. I knew I wanted some glam and I love gold, so it had to be incorporated somehow. I also really love architectural and geometrical elements. I started out wanting an art nouveau theme, which turned into art deco and eventually into modern geometrical! It was definitely a process and hard to decide on one concept when there is so much beautiful inspiration around you.

What were your colors?
I knew I wanted gold, and lots of it. From there I just had to find complementary colors. I loved the look of pink and gold together, so at first my colors were blush, gold and ivory. After some time, I decided I needed some depth and added dark reds to the mixture. I thought the colors would be beautiful for a fall wedding.

White and Gold Square Wedding Cake and Cupcakes with LOVE Cake Topper | Tampa Wedding Cake Decorator Olympia Catering

Bride and Groom First Dance on Wedding Day | Tampa Wedding Photographer Kera Photography

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay Brides?
As long as your friends and family are there and you have great food, drinks and music, you will have a wonderful day.

Ceremony Venue: Hyde Park Presbyterian Church
Reception Venue: Tampa Firefighter's Museum
Photographer: Kera Photography *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Videographer: Rad Red Creative *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Planner: Oh So Classy Events
Florist: 2Birds Events
Caterer: Affordable Catering
Cake: Alessi Bakery *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
DJ: Grant Hemond and Associates – Jason Tally *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Officiant: Pastor Mike McDowell
Dress: CC's Bridal
Bridesmaid Dresses: Dillards – Guess
Hair: Salon at Victorian Village
Makeup: Jackie Riley Makeup
Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse
Guest Lodging: Hilton Downtown Tampa *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Venue




Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pros

Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pros are highly respected by our local wedding community and have been personally vetted by our editor.