Colorful Spring Downtown Tampa Wedding | Claire & Dylan

Spring in Downtown Tampa is nothing short of magical, and Claire & Dylan's colorful spring downtown Tampa wedding was the perfect celebration of love and a pop of color! As a wedding planner, I loved how this wedding ceremony took place at the historic Hotel Le Méridien, where the couple exchanged vows in an intimate outdoor ceremony surrounded by family and friends in the heart of Tampa, FL.  If you're dreaming of a whimsical wedding ceremony filled with bold spring hues and city charm, this celebration is sure to inspire.

Even the jewelry had special meaning - the pearls were borrowed from Claire's Grandma Sandy, and the ring was made up of the diamonds and gold of Dylan’s great-grandmother's ring.

Beyond being an incredible couple, Claire and Dylan are both deeply dedicated to serving others in their everyday lives. Claire is a compassionate special education teacher, pouring her heart into shaping the lives of her students with patience and kindness. Dylan serves as an Air Force mechanic, ensuring that every aircraft he works on is safe. Their shared dedication to helping others is a something they have in common.

Colorful Spring Downtown Tampa Wedding Ceremony on the Steps of the Historic Hotel Le Méridien

For the ceremony location- originally a federal courthouse, this beautifully restored hotel boasts grand columns, intricate stonework, and towering windows that create a stunning backdrop for a romantic ceremony. Its unique architecture in the heart of Tampa makes it not only a beautiful spot but central to various restaurants and hotels downtown. The hotel itself provides flexibility to accommodate both small and large wedding parties making it a great choice for any couple, as well as a space for guests to stay!

From the cowboy hat to the addition of the space shuttle pin at the base of Claire's bouquet, every detail reflected their fun-loving personalities, and Dylan's role as an Airforce mechanic.

Their ceremony was filled with genuine love and heartfelt moments, as their family and friends cheered around them. There were moments when they couldn’t help but giggle, completely wrapped up in the excitement of the day. It was the kind of love that felt effortless—pure, undeniable, and absolutely meant to be.

"Marykate is such an angel! She was listening to every little detail, answering every question (even the more crazier questions included). My husband basically told me that he just wanted me happy with what we did for our wedding which then in turn made lots of emails, texts, and phone calls happen between Marykate and I. She is really the bride’s best friend". ~Claire, Bride

Downtown Tampa Wedding highlighted by the Tampa Theatre

Beyond the hotel’s elegance, Downtown Tampa provided the perfect setting for unforgettable wedding portraits. Just a short stroll away, the iconic Tampa Theatre—with its vintage marquee and ornate Mediterranean Revival façade—offered a picture-perfect moment for the couple. The mix of historic charm and vibrant city life made every snapshot feel cinematic.

When Claire began planning her wedding, she opted for full-service planning, allowing us to dive deep into venue research as our top priority. With a March wedding in mind the following year, we toured multiple locations to find the perfect backdrop for her and Dylan’s big day. However, plans took an unexpected turn when Dylan received news of an unexpected deployment, meaning the wedding needed to be moved up to Spring of that year, only a few short months away!

With limited time, we quickly pivoted to help ensure Claire and Dylan still had an incredible ceremony (shoutout to Claire's Mom who was absolutely incredible in the planning process!). Despite the shift in timeline, everything fell into place beautifully, allowing them to celebrate their love surrounded by family and friends at the stunning Hotel Le Méridien in Downtown Tampa.

✨Tips from the Bride: "Have a backup plan! Rain or shine! We experienced quite the hiccup in my case due to Dylan being in the military and with new orders we had to switch from the original plan to our actual wedding day".

One of our favorite details from Claire’s wedding day was her choice of footwear—the cutest white sneakers tucked beneath her gorgeous wedding dress! Not only did they add a fun and playful touch to her bridal look, but they also ensured she could stay in total comfort. From walking around downtown Tampa to heading off to the reception she proved that style and comfort can go hand in hand—and we absolutely loved it!

Wedding Reception at the Columbia in Ybor

Despite the unexpected shift in plans, Claire and Dylan’s wedding day was nothing short of magical. Surrounded by their closest family and friends, it was clear that nothing—not even a shortened timeline—could take away from the love they shared.

The Incredible Vendor Team ✨

Ceremony Venue: Le Méridien Tampa

Wedding Planner: Events by Marykate

Photography: Pine & Forge

Floral: Steph Rose Boutique