About Tampa
Located along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Tampa is a major business center with plenty of warm beaches, diverse culture, and attractions to keep the entire family entertained. Known for its rich cultural diversity, Tampa is home to the historic Ybor City neighborhood that was developed by Cuban and Spanish cigar factory workers at the turn of the 20th century. Now the area serves as a diverse and unique nightlife and dining experience for those visiting the city, offering an array of food, museums, and authentic experiences.
With its diverse culture, unique dining experiences, and vast array of attractions, Tampa is a popular and fantastic choice for hosting all kinds of events. But with its many excellent wedding venues and top quality wedding vendors, it's an even better spot to host a wedding. In fact, with venue options that can accommodate any size event and theme, and beautiful architecture throughout the city, Tampa Florida might be the perfect place to host yours’.
Wedding Vendor Options in Tampa, FL
There are many Tampa-based companies that specialize in wedding-specific event services, including catering, decor, and transportation, allowing guests to better enjoy the event with less hassle. Consider working with a few of these vendors for a more enjoyable and less stressful wedding experience.
- Decorators
A professional Tampa decorator can help turn any venue into a themed party worthy of remembrance. From an elegant wedding to a birthday bash, decorators can bring your wedding vision to life.
- Caterers
Great food is a key element to any successful wedding party. Fortunately, food and catering options throughout Tampa are sure to delight, keeping the good times rolling throughout the duration of your event.
- Florists
A professional florist can provide stunning floral arrangements in a variety of colors and sizes, to add a little more life to your event space. And, Tampa is full of them.
- Transportation Services
Not having to worry about navigating an unknown city and dealing with the traffic can make for a more stress-free experience. Luckily, Tampa is no stranger to black car services like limousines and party buses - they can help you get all your wedding guests around town safely and in style.
- Videographers
Giving people a way to relive the moments shared with loved ones and friends is what Tampa videographers do best. Hire one to capture and immortalize all the best memories and moments of your Tampa wedding event.
Event Planning Companies in Tampa, Florida
- Savvy Events & Entertainment
This full-service planning company covers everything from venue selection, and wedding management to transportation and entertainment. They also specialize in themed events - providing their own entertainment and decor to pull it off. With over two decades of event management experience, they’re one of Tampa’s most recognized event planning companies.
- Unique Weddings & Events
Award-winning event planners at Unique Weddings & Events offer clients the chance to express themselves through any event. With over a decade of experience building personal events for their clients, Unique Weddings & Events, is well-known in the city of Tampa for their creativity and attention to detail. They’re available for consultations, venue referrals, event design and decor planning, and more.
- Oh So Classy Events & Design
As an award-winning, certified, full-service planner and design company, Oh So Classy Events & Design have the knowledge and experience to handle any event big or small. True to their name, Oh So Classy specializes in bespoke full service wedding planning and event design and is sure to create an elegant and timeless event that delights.
Pros and Cons of Having a Wedding in Tampa, FL
Pros:
- Beach city
Tampa is known for its sunsets, boardwalk and beautiful beaches. The perfect spot to host a wedding.
- Cultural diversity
From the architecture to the food, finding something unique and authentic is an easy task in Tampa. The mix of people and history come together to create a true one-of-a-kind experience.
- Active nightlife
As a popular tourist location, Tampa is full of active nightlife to keep the party going after the sun goes down, providing entertainment 24/7.
- Local festivals
Annual festivals and other local events are a regular occurrence within the city and surrounding areas. The annual pirates festival, for example, allows visitors to dress in costume and parade downtown with thousands of others, making for a fun-filled day dressed as a sea-faring buccaneer!
Cons:
- High humidity
The weight of the high humidity is a year-long struggle that may be uncomfortable for some. With all of the city's outdoor attractions, the humidity can make it difficult for some to stay outside for too long.
- Limited public transportation
Getting around downtown can be a difficult task, the public transportation offered by the city is little to none making owning or renting a vehicle a near necessity.
- Crowds
The cost of having so many attractions and beautiful beaches is the tourists, places can easily become overcrowded and unpleasant during peak seasons.
- Allergies
With its year-round warm weather and high humidity levels, certain plants and other allergy irritants can cause those sensitive to have a year-round battle.
Famous Wedding Locations in Tampa
With so many unique and amazing attractions, Tampa can entertain your entire wedding party.
- Busch Gardens
For the thrill-seekers, Tampa is also home to one of the state’s most well-known theme parks, Busch Gardens. This African-themed amusement park, houses exotic animals and thrill rides for those who prefer an action-packed and adrenaline-fueled experience.
- Adventure Island
This outdoor water theme park sits on 30 acres of beautiful terrain, and is a fun family-friendly way to spend the warm days making memories and enjoying the beautiful Tampa weather.
- Big Cat Rescue
Big Cat Rescue, one of the world's most influential sanctuaries for exotic cats, offers guided and educational tours, allowing visitors to get the chance to see these exotic animals up close and personal. And to learn about their natural environments as well as about the animals themselves.
- Ybor City Museum & State Park
This Tampa museum, housed in the historic Ferlita Bakery, traces the rich cultural history of the cigar-making industry in Ybor City (a historic neighborhood just northeast of downtown Tampa, Florida). With tranquil gardens nearby, the museum offers visitors the chance to learn about the neighborhood’s roots as well as take in the beauty of the surrounding gardens. It’s great for photo ops too!