Elegant Industrial City Wedding (and a Carnival)

Bride & Groom standing in front of brick building for the city wedding

I have been WAITING to share this wedding with you! Kaitlyn & Max hired me through Breezin’ Weddings, a planning company in Tampa. When Kate & Max decided on an industrial, city wedding on a rooftop halfway around the world, they never expected a whole carnival to be dropped on top of them.

The couple flew in to Tampa all the way from Germany to be with Kate’s family over Thanksgiving. In one weekend they booked their venue, tasted cakes, found Kate’s wedding dress, and of course met me, their coordinator, for the first time. Less than one year later their wedding was better than they could have ever planned.

Rooftop City Wedding

bride & groom standing on city rooftop wedding ceremony

Bride & Groom holding hands crossing an old brick street in front of historic city building

Every wedding planning moment was a family affair with parents (and more) tagging along. Watching Kate & Max desire their family’s input and whisper in each other’s ears to make their final decision together – it was easy to see what makes them an amazing couple.

Kate is soft-spoken and elegant. Max is incredibly kind and can make any moment a good time. Together they are two wildly thoughtful people with an excitement for life. It was no surprise when they designed a timeless white and green city wedding. The draping eucalyptus above their heads and cross stitch ring carrier added a softness to the industrial city backdrop. Not a detail out of place.

light green eucalyptus tied to side of chair lining a wedding ceremony aisle

Taken for a (Carnival) Ride

Pulling up to the venue, there was a WHOLE CARNIVAL dropped right into the parking lot of the venue. I knew this and planned for it. I scheduled extra time for guests to walk from the alternative parking lot to the rooftop ceremony and there was 20 “missing” minutes from the timeline. Those 10-20 missing minutes are the second most important moments I include in every timeline.

The ceremony ended, the family photos were done, Kate, Max, their photographer, and I were slowly heading towards their reception space while their friends and family continued enjoying the rooftop hor d’oeuvres & cocktails. But to get there, we had to walk in the same direction as the carnival. I asked if they wanted to take a few minutes to themselves and ride the Ferris wheel. They did that sweet whisper decision making thing they do, turned to me and said “do we have time?”

bride and groom standing in front of a ticket booth at a city carnival after their wedding

Multi-colored ferris wheel at a city carnival

Brick Theater Reception

Kate & Max added dashes of creativity throughout their city wedding. Scattered on every table were bottles of hot sauces guests were able to take home with them, adding color to their classic greenery. The exposed brick of the Theater brought a modern feel to their timeless look. And their fruity cupcakes of lemon, lavender, and raspberry offered guests a light after dinner treat.

The music had barely begun when guests swarmed the baskets of flipflops and LED foam sticks. They wasted no time getting the party started! I think this is the most electric, party-focused group of people I’ve ever experienced. The drinks flowing, the lights flashing, and conga line had guests on their feet the entire night!

three pillar candle centerpiece surrounded by greenery and bottles of hot sauce

exposed brick wedding venue space full of tables with white tablecloths and green linen napkins

Kate & Max’s guests partied so hard, no one wanted to leave at the end of the night. They almost didn’t get to have their private last dance because it took so long to get their guests outside. When I left an hour and a half later, wedding guests were still on the sidewalk talking about where to go next.

My number one tip to every couple for loving their wedding day is: embrace the spontaneous! Accepting and enjoying the unexpected flow is what makes your day uniquely yours. And will likely create one of your favorite wedding memories.