How to Do a Tampa Beach Wedding the Trendy Way

If you’re planning a Tampa beach wedding and are looking for ideas that are modern and trendy, we’re here to help. While we love beach weddings, it’s no secret that they can sometimes be a bit...predictable, for lack of a better word. We don’t have anything against anchors, sand or starfish (we promise!), but we also know that it’s possible to pull off a stunning beach wedding without having every last detail adorned in seashells.

From the best venues to the coolest details, here's what you need to pull off a trendy Tampa beach wedding.

The Venues:

The Resort at Longboat Key Club

With 12 different event spaces on the property, this location has something for pretty much everyone and is one of the largest Sarasota wedding venues you can find. The Resort at Longboat Key Club offers a gorgeous oceanfront location for beach ceremonies if you want to get married overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, or you can choose a spot along the resort’s marina for something a bit more secluded. If you’d also like to host your rehearsal dinner on-site, any of the resort’s eight restaurants will do the trick! Located about 60 miles south of Tampa, this venue is an easy one-hour drive from downtown. During downtime, you and your guests can relax at Longboat Key Club’s spa, hit the tennis courts, or tee off at the resort’s two golf courses.

Learn more about The Resort at Longboat Key Club »

Zota Beach Resort

This contemporary hotel opened in June 2017, making it one of the newest Tampa wedding venues. The Zota Beach Resort in Longboat Key has a prime location along the Gulf of Mexico, with over 2,500 square feet of event space. A private area on the beach accommodates up to 150 guests for your ceremony or wedding reception. We personally want to check out the resort’s swanky restaurant, Viento Kitchen + Bar, an open-air, lounge-style eatery that serves up Caribbean and Mediterranean dishes. Wedding packages at Zota Beach Resort include catering by the in-house chefs. Last but not least, can we talk about this pool? Gorgeous!

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Isla Del Sol Yacht & Country Club

The crown jewel of this Tampa beach wedding venue is its charming gazebo that overlooks Boca Ciega Bay in St. Pete. This private beach location creates an intimate setting for your vows and is the ultimate backdrop for waterfront wedding portraits. Isla Del Sol Yacht & Country Club is one of the best all-inclusive St. Pete wedding venues, with event coordination, rentals, catering, bartending, and more all included with the rental cost. Golfers can enjoy a round at the country club’s 18-hole course — a relaxing way to spend the first part of your wedding day before heading to the altar!

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Opal Sands Resort

If you’re looking for a beach wedding venue that’s a bit more unique, check out the Opal Sands Resort in Clearwater. This Tampa Bay venue is ideal for couples who want the feel of a beach wedding without actually getting married on the beach. A spacious lawn, which can accommodate up to 250 guests, overlooks the pristine blue Gulf waters and provides a more upscale, cocktail party vibe for your Florida beach wedding — without the sand. During your free time at the resort, you’re still just steps away from relaxing and soaking up the sun at one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida. There’s also the resort's Clearwater Beach Spa, where you can indulge in some shameless pre-wedding pampering.

Learn more about Opal Sands Resort »

Bay Preserve at Osprey

While beaches are definitely the most popular option when it comes to Tampa wedding venues, we get that they're not everyone's cup of tea. understand that they aren’t for everyone. The Bay Preserve at Osprey is a gorgeous compromise for anyone who likes the idea of getting married by the water but wants to step outside the box of typical weddings at Florida beaches. This private waterfront property has an elegant 1930s mansion overlooking Little Sarasota Bay. We love the “Old Florida” atmosphere of the venue, which has five unique event spaces and is decorated with romantic string lights that hang from the Spanish moss-covered trees (it looks like something straight out of a dream). Two major perks: Bay Preserve at Osprey only hosts one wedding per weekend, and you can coordinate your ceremony arrival or reception send-off by boat! Sign us up.

Learn more about Bay Preserve at Osprey »

The Details:

Invitations

You've seen greenery in centerpieces and tablescapes, but wedding stationery with greenery motifs is also a huge trend right now. This modern tropical look is perfect if you want your beach wedding style to feel updated, chic and a bit boho. 

Bridesmaid Dresses

Stay on-trend by veering away from matchy-matchy bridesmaid dresses, which tend to feel more formal and classic. Instead, let your 'maids choose mix-and-match styles in coordinating colors. Light blush, pale blue, and neutral ivory tones will make sense with the relaxed theme of a beach venue. Keep the fabrics light and the silhouettes flowy for maximum comfort in the Florida sunshine. 

Signage

You can't have a trendy Tampa beach wedding without signage. Geometric vessels and pampas grass add extra flair to a wooden hand-lettered sign while still keeping with the effortless vibes of a beach wedding. 

Ceremony Backdrop

One of the latest and greatest trends for beach weddings is macramé details. This bohemian, 1970s-inspired accent is perfectly suited to the relaxed atmosphere of an oceanfront venue and looks beachy cool on its own or with a few statement-making flowers.

Centerpieces

Beach weddings are the perfect opportunity to incorporate unexpected pieces into your decor. Just take this golden pineapple as an example! Since the tone of a beach wedding tends to be more casual, you have the freedom to use an assortment of items to create an eclectic feel. Incorporate a bright color palette, fun patterns, and cheerful flowers to complete the look.

Wedding Favors

It's all about the presentation! We're obsessed with these adorable flamingo wedding favor bags and think they would make a fun addition to any Tampa beach wedding.

Cake

Now for the most important detail: dessert! If you're looking for a classic beach wedding cake, buttercream styles decorated with greenery are a trendy and chic choice. But we love the idea of getting ultra-creative with your cake, too! Consider drip cakes, cakes with fresh fruit, and even mini pineapple toppers! Keep in mind that the Florida heat could affect the icing and appearance of the cake, but your wedding cake baker should know exactly how to handle it.