Wedding

Modern Multi-Cultural Indian Wedding | Safety Harbor Resort & Spa and The Rialto

Tampa Bay Best Local Wedding Venue 2021

Varuni and Matthew's culturally inspired Tampa Bay wedding featured a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony followed by a modern black and white reception.

“We are both into mid-century modern vibes with a touch of industrial and glam. I wanted the design of both events to feel super modern yet romantic,” Varuni explained. “For the Hindu ceremony, I wanted all white with touches of blush and white floral. It was regal but very romantic. For the civil ceremony and reception, we wanted modern, clean, romantic and cool black and white decor with white floral, mostly to enhance the beautiful features of the venue's white arched ceilings and modern concrete floors.”

MORE: MODERN TAMPA BAY WEDDINGS

The Los Angeles, California couple married in the bride's hometown of Tampa, and the city in which they first met back in 2008. Finding a location to accommodate their Hindu ceremony, while placing a priority on the location of the Mandap and plenty of space for dancing, the couple selected Safety Harbor Resort & Spa .

“It felt like we were going back home to the place it all began to start this new chapter,” the bride shared. “Jenna at Safety Harbor was such a dream to work with, especially while planning from afar. From coordination of guest arrivals to setting floor plans, bringing in the cultural elements of a Hindu wedding ceremony: food, drums, the horse for my groom, she was along for the ride and so supportive and fun to work with. I'd do it all again just because of her.”

To capture all of the cultural elements and details that told the story of their wedding day, the couple hired Tampa Bay wedding photographer Grind & Press Photography.

“I wanted non-traditional photography coverage, more focused on the storytelling and candid moments of the experience versus posed portraits,” Varuni explained. Grind & Press Photography nailed it! I love, love, love Ashley's work: from the emotional storytelling and sweet moments only she can capture, to the way she supports her clients and sticks to timelines, yet also goes with the flow. The photos are one of my favorite things from our entire wedding because they highlight only the very best moments from it all, and I've loved being able to look back at them over and over and over again.”

MORE: GRIND & PRESS PHOTOGRAPHY WEDDINGS

Planning her wedding from across the country, Varuni searched for a wedding partner who could execute her design ideas and implement them in to the multiple day wedding celebration.

“I knew exactly what I wanted in our wedding experience, but since we planned from Los Angeles, I wanted someone who could be a partner for me on the ground locally. Also, we wanted someone who's used to handling the families of the bride and groom and the vendors and who could keep everything on track and understood our style and what was most important to us throughout,” the bride explained.  “Amy of Glitz Events just got it. From day one she knew exactly what we were looking for. She had the same priorities in planning as we did, and she could problem solve. She made our wedding experience fun, positive, organized and everything in between. She told me, ‘If anything goes wrong, you won't even know about it,' and she stuck to her word. It was so great, and she is so good at what she does.”

To please their guests' palettes the couple hired Tampa Bay wedding catering company Good Food Catering to create a custom menu for their multi-cultural reception.

“I interviewed many caterers throughout our planning, and I ultimately chose Good Food Catering because they had a great relationship with my planner and our venue,” the bride explained. Amy [of Good Food] was so incredibly collaborative in making sure we loved the menu, and when we tasted it, everything blew us away. The service, collaboration and tailored experience was exactly what we were looking for. They were soup to nuts, so we essentially had to worry about very little.”

Looking back, the bride shared that her most cherished memory was the gratifying feeling of seeing the entire weekend come together.

“I think our first look at the decor and venue once it all came together was memorable. You plan for months and months and to be able to see it all come to life was the best. Also, being in the moment during the ceremony and reception was so special and celebrating the best day of your life with your husband and families with good food and music to dance to!” the bride reminisced.

Traditional Hindu Indian Wedding Bridal Portrait with Henna and Wedding Rings | Tampa Bay Wedding Photographer Grind and Press Photography

Traditional Hindu Indian Wedding Bridal Portrait with Henna Jewelry | Tampa Bay Wedding Photographer Grind and Press Photography

Traditional Hindu Indian Wedding Bride Getting Ready Portrait in peach and Silver Saree | Tampa Wedding Photographer Grind and Press Photography

Traditional Hindu Indian Wedding Bride Getting Ready Portrait in peach and Silver Saree and Jewelry | Tampa Wedding Photographer Grind and Press Photography

Traditional Hindu Wedding Ceremony Portrait | Tampa Wedding Photographer Grind and Press Photography

Traditional Hindu Wedding Ceremony Portrait | Tampa Wedding Photographer Grind and Press Photography | Venue Safety Harbor Resort and Spa

Regal and Romantic Traditional Hindu Indian Wedding Ceremony with Gold Uplighting and Blush Pink Draping Behind the Mandap | Tampa Bay Wedding Venue Safety Harbor Resort and Spa | Planner Glitz Events

What did you look for in an Indian wedding ceremony venue?
A space to prioritize the mandap where the ceremony is held, also open to all of the music and dancing and food that is so crucial for Indian cultural weddings. Jenna at Safety Harbor Resort & Spa was such a dream to work with, especially while planning from afar. From coordination of guest arrivals to setting floor plans and bringing in the cultural elements of a Hindu wedding ceremony: food, drums, the horse for my groom, she was along for the ride, so supportive and fun to work with. I'd do it all again just because of her.

Regal and Romantic Traditional Hindu Indian Wedding Reception Bride and Groom Portrait with Gold Uplighting and Blush Pink Draping Behind the Mandap | Tampa Bay Wedding Venue Safety Harbor Resort and Spa | Planner Glitz Events | Photographer Grind and Press Photography

Regal and Romantic Traditional Hindu Indian Wedding Ceremony Bride and Groom Portrait with Gold Uplighting and Blush Pink Draping Behind the Mandap | Tampa Bay Wedding Venue Safety Harbor Resort and Spa | Planner Glitz Events | Photographer Grind and Press Photography

Traditional Hindu Indian Wedding Ceremony and Reception Decor with Pink Floating Roses

Regal and Romantic Traditional Hindu Indian Wedding Ceremony Bride Portrait with Gold Uplighting and Blush Pink Draping Behind the Mandap | Tampa Bay Wedding Venue Safety Harbor Resort and Spa | Planner Glitz Events | Photographer Grind and Press Photography

Regal and Romantic Traditional Hindu Indian Wedding Ceremony Bride and Groom First Kiss Portrait with Gold Uplighting and Blush Pink Draping Behind the Mandap | Tampa Bay Wedding Venue Safety Harbor Resort and Spa | Planner Glitz Events | Photographer Grind and Press Photography

What did you look for in a wedding planner?
I knew exactly what I wanted in our wedding experience, but since we planned from Los Angeles, I wanted someone who could be a partner for me on the ground locally. Also, we wanted someone who's used to handling the families of the bride and groom and the vendors and who could keep everything on track and understood our style and what was most important to us throughout.

Amy of Glitz Event just got it. From day one she knew exactly what we were looking for; she had the same priorities in planning as we did, and she could problem solve. I would absolutely work with her again. She made our wedding experience fun, positive, organized and everything in between. She told me, ‘If anything goes wrong, you won't even know about it,' and she stuck to her word. It was so great, and she is so good at what she does.

Modern Indian Wedding Bridal Accessories with Blush Pink Open Toed Shoes, and Strapless Mermaid Wedding Dress

Modern Indian Wedding First Look Bride and Groom Portrait | Tampa Wedding Photographer Grind and Press Photography

Modern Indian Wedding First Look Bride and Groom Portrait, Bride In Strapless Wedding Dress Groom in Black Tux With White Rose Boutonniere | Tampa Wedding Photographer Grind and Press Photography

Outdoor Industrial Modern Indian Wedding Party Portrait, Bridesmaids in Mismatched Black Floor Length Dresses, Groom in Black Tuxedo with White Boutonniere, Bride in Strapless Mermaid Wedding Dress with White Bouquet | Tampa Bay Wedding Photographer Grind and Press Photography

Modern Indian Wedding Bridal Party Portrait, Bridesmaids and Flower Girls in Mismatched Floor Length Black Dresses, Bride in Strapless Mermaid Wedding Dress, with White Rose Bouquet | Tampa Wedding Photographer Grind and Press Photography

Modern Indian Wedding Bride and Groom Portrait, Bride in Strapless Wedding Dress, Groom in Black Tuxedo with White Rose Boutonniere and White Rose Bouquet | Tampa Wedding Photographer Grind and Press Photography

The Proposal:
Matthew proposed in May in Malibu, California at El Matador Beach. We drove out to Malibu on a Friday afternoon after work during sunset. I thought we were just going to a nice dinner, but instead, he pulled off to the side of the road into the beach entry. It was a short hike down to a cliff where we sat and talked as the sun went down. As we were getting up to leave for our dinner reservation, I turned back and Matthew was down on one knee, eight years from when we met and started dating.

Modern Indian Wedding Bride and Groom Portrait, Bride in Strapless Mermaid Wedding Dress, Groom in Black Tuxedo with White Rose Boutonniere | Tampa Wedding Photographer Grind and Press Photography

Outdoor Downtown Tampa Modern Indian Wedding Bride and Groom Portrait, Bride in Strapless Mermaid Wedding Dress, Groom in Black Tuxedo with White Rose Boutonniere | Wedding Photographer Grind and Press Photography

What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
I wanted non-traditional photography coverage, more focused on the storytelling and candid moments of the experience versus posed portraits. I don't feel very comfortable posing for photos, so I wanted to be able to do our thing while having it all captured.

I want to learn more about Grind & Press Photography.

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Grind & Press Photography nailed it! I love, love, love Ashley's work: from the emotional storytelling and sweet moments only she can capture, to the way she supports her clients and sticks to timelines, yet also goes with the flow. The photos are one of my favorite things from our entire wedding because they highlight only the very best moments from it all, and I've loved being able to look back at them over and over and over again.

Modern Indian Wedding Bride and Groom Portrait, Bride in Strapless Wedding Dress, Groom in Black Tuxedo with White Rose Boutonniere and White Rose Bouquet | Tampa Wedding Photographer Grind and Press Photography

Modern Black and White Indian Wedding Reception with Black Linens, Clear Plastic Oval Back and Black Chiavari Chairs, and Tall Greenery Centerpieces and Black and White Geometric Dancefloor | Tampa Bay Historic Wedding Venue The Rialto Theater | Planner Glitz Events

Modern Black and White Indian Wedding Reception with Black Linens, Clear Plastic Oval Back and Black Chiavari Chairs, and Tall Greenery Centerpieces and Black and White Geometric Dancefloor | Tampa Bay Historic Wedding Venue The Rialto Theater | Planner Glitz Events

How would you describe your theme?
We are both into mid-century modern vibes with a touch of industrial and glam. I wanted the design of both events to feel super modern, yet romantic. For the Hindu ceremony, I wanted all white with touches of blush and white floral. It was regal but very romantic. For the civil ceremony and reception, we just wanted modern, clean, romantic and cool – black and white decor with white floral, mostly to enhance the beautiful features of the venue's white arched ceilings and modern concrete floors.

What were your colors?
For the Hindu ceremony I wanted a modern feel, but romantic, so white and gold with blush everything and warm, dim lighting. For the civil ceremony and reception, we wanted super modern and clean, so black and white everything with touches of white floral and greenery to soften it all and tie it together.

Modern Black and White Indian Wedding Reception with Black Linens, and Tall Greenery Centerpieces in Clear Vases with Pillar Candles | Tampa Bay Historic Wedding Venue The Rialto Theater | Planner Glitz Events

What did you look for in a wedding catering company?
Because our wedding brought our cultures together, I wanted to make sure that everyone got the best of both worlds.  For the reception, I basically asked for a medley of our favorite foods with a fresh, local and seasonal take: truffle mac & cheese (my favorite), chili dusted grouper (a Florida special), brussels sprouts and sweet potato butternut squash mash (fall inspired). It was a huge hit and our guests went back for seconds!

I interviewed many caterers throughout our planning, and I ultimately chose Good Food Catering because they had a great relationship with my planner and our venue. Amy [of Good Food] was so incredibly collaborative in making sure we loved the menu, and when we tasted it, everything blew us away. The service, collaboration and tailored experience was exactly what we were looking for. They were soup to nuts, so we essentially had to worry about very little.

Modern Industrial Black and White Indian Wedding Reception Table Decor with Tall Greenery Centerpiece and Cupcakes in Boxes Wedding Favors, Printed White on Black Welcome Note | Tampa Wedding Planner Glitz Events

Wedding Band, Engagement Ring on Black and White Linen

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Before you get started, sit down and make a list of priority must haves and never lose sight of that. It's so important to know exactly what you want, and what you don't want, so you don't get pulled in a million directions. Work with people you know and trust, so that it turns out to be the best day ever. Make time to take it all in; everyone's right, it really does fly by. Also, GET A PLANNER! Do not take it all on, it's not worth it.

Hindu Wedding Ceremony Venue: Safety Harbor Resort & Spa
Civil Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Rialto Tampa
Photographer: Grind & Press Photography *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Planner: Glitz Events – Amy Kladis
Florist: Florist Fire
Caterer: India's Grill Kennedy
Caterer: Good Food Catering
Bar: UDream Events
Cake: Cake by Groom's mother & Cupcakes by Sprinkles
DJ: DMC Vybz
Invitations: Designed by the bride, created by Selbie Creative
Transportation: First Class Limousine
Hair: Macy Smit
Makeup: Alex Fernandez
Lighting: Tampa Lights
Civil Portrait Location: Fancy Free Nursery