| A Taste of Tampa |
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| Wednesday, 12 August 2009 09:11 | |||
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What fun! We just wrapped up our latest Bridal Show is past week, and I've been so excited to share the pictures. This past show was a tremendous success, with over 200 guests present! We ended up booking 11 weddings that evening - all thanks to the amazing decor, food, and wedding professionals present! If you missed it, here's the scoop... If you have had the pleasure of enjoying any of Tampa's historic restaurants, buildings & businesses, you know that there is evidence of Cuban, Spanish & Latin influences (among others). We decided to use this as our inspiration for the theme of the event, bringing in bold colored linens, exotic florals, eclectic food, and entertainment to match. The night would offer a "Taste of Tampa". Our venue was the TECO Plaza Atrium in downtown Tampa, with beautiful espresso & terra cotta colored tile floors and towering potted palms.  As guests entered they were led past a Spanish-style fountain to an hors d'oeuvre room, which featured a double buffet of signature appetizers like Cuban-sandwich Empenadas, Bacon-wrapped Platains, Grilled Vegetables, Cheese & Olives, and much more. In the middle of these two tables was a beautiful arrangement of vases of varying height filled with colored water and floating candles, topped with giant red rose pomanders dripping with crystals - to die for! And we lined the walls of the hors d'oeuvres room with hightop tables draped with textured Cabernet-colored fabric, tied martini style with gold satin sashes and flanked with glossy black Chiavari chairs. Centerpieces on these tables featured groupings of glassware brimming with florals and candles.   After noshing on finger foods for a bit, guests were ushered into the main Atrium to enjoy more delicious food and mingling with vendors. In the center of the Atrium we clustered large round tables and small cocktail tables surrounded by gold Chiavari chairs. We covered the large tables in firey-colored crinkle taffetta linens and topped them with tall dark wood pillars balancing tropical centerpieces of palm leaves, lush orchids, roses, snapdragons and other exotic blooms. The smaller cocktail tables were covered with multicolored jewel-tone sheer overlays, and to compliment the "Taste of Tampa" we featured smaller tropical arrangements spilling out of... cigar boxes! We received so many compliments!     Guests enjoyed incredible menu offerings from Catering by the Family, such as Cuban Roast Pork, a Paella Station, Chicken Espanola stuffed with Chorizo, Ham & Onions, and various other specialties, while sipping on Tropical Fruit Mojitos and Red & White Sangria. Some of the vendors present helped to echo the theme, such as DJ George Rubio from JAM Entertainment spinning Cuban & Latin beats, and the Spanish Guitarist from Breezin Entertainment, as well as the Cigar Roller from Rodriguez & Menendez Cigar Co. We also featured wedding professionals like Photographers, Venues, Florists, and Stationers (check out this table full of beautiful work from Jennifer Hutchison Design Co.)    And of course, no evening is complete without a sampling of cupcakes paired with fillings like Dulce de Leche and Banana Creme, or dipping an assortment of fruits & sweet treats into a flowing Chocolate Fountain!! I must admit I couldn't help myself! It was such a success and I'm so grateful for all of the wonderful people who helped make it happen. (Special thanks to Arlene's Floral Design, Connie Duglin Linen, and PKS Rentals!) If you're interested in being present at the next show, please don't hesitate to contact me! Until then... 
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