Larry and Stephanie's Wedding in Tampa, Florida

The story of our wedding

Our wedding occurred in Tampa, Florida on an uncharacteristically gloomy and very cold November day. The wedding party got ready at Tampa’s Le Meridien Hotel, a century-old Historic Tampa Courthouse that was transformed into a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel. Stephanie and Larry took beautiful photos with their respective wedding parties at the hotel, but their first look took place later at their wedding venue, the Tampa Museum of Art. The Museum is located on Tampa’s Hillsborough River, nestled in the middle of Tampa’s Riverwalk. Stephanie and Larry’s first look was private to the two of them, and took place on a second-story outdoor balcony at the Museum. The river background and modern architecture fit the elegant, modern style of their wedding perfectly. Following the first look, the entire bridal party took photos in the park neighboring the Museum. Stephanie and Larry’s ceremony began at 5:30 PM, as night fell and the sky turned darker. The ceremony was located on the covered terrace of the Tampa Museum of Art, the background of which was the river and the historic University of Tampa. They walked down the aisle to an acoustic guitar version of “I Prayed For You” by Matt Snell and met under a beautifully arranged floral arbor. Stephanie and Larry wrote and spoke their own vows, and exchanged tearful “I do’s” as their family and friends looked on. The cocktail hour was supposed to take place outside, but it was so cold that most guests found themselves inside. Those who stayed outside had an acoustic guitar live music experience, while those inside were able to relax to the DJ. Following cocktail hour, the bridal party made their entrance to the inside atrium of the Museum. Stephanie and Larry followed by entering down the grand staircase that separated the dinner tables from the dance floor, bar, bistro tables, and photo booth. They had their first dance and parents dances, a buffet dinner, and kept the dance floor alive all night with a lively DJ and foam glow sticks. They exited the night with a glow wand exit, before taking their last photos in the park, with the illuminated Museum in the background. Despite the weather, it was a beautiful and magical day that we will never forget!