Sam and EJ’s beautiful wedding day at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay was one for the ADP books! The two first met years ago through a mutual friend, hanging out in south Tampa. The two hit it off immediately and the rest is history. Ej proposal to Sam 2 1/2 years later; he had planned a beautiful date night at Ulele and EJ proposed along the riverside. Sam is very bubbly, sweet, and caring, as evidence in her dedication to the students she teaches. EJ is silly, outgoing, and had nothing but adoration for Sam. The two compliment each other perfectly and are an absolute delight to be around. Since the engagement, the two have been planning their elegant, modern weddings with a collaboration from FH Weddings and Events in Tampa, as well as Sam’s aunt and grandmother’s New York event planning company- Party Artistry. Their vision was to create a wedding grandiose and glamorous. For starters, their wedding ceremony featured an extravagant, 14×11 foot Chuppah (Jewish wedding canopy) drenched in orchids, delphinium, cherry blossom branches, amaranths, and greenery. They wanted the room to feel clean and airy, so using white florals was essential in creating this look. Candlelight was also used to add an intimate ambiance to the room. During their ceremony, EJ participated in the traditional “breaking in the glass”- in Jewish traditions that symbolizes fragility of life, the fact that whatever we see before us as whole can be broken at any moment. It calls our attention for the need to care for one another; for just as glass can be shattered with a single blow, so the grace of a marriage bond can be shattered with a single act of infidelity or repeated acts of emotional irresponsibility.
Their Tampa wedding reception was even more grand and featured a modern mix of centerpieces and decor. The 9 foot tall centerpieces and smaller, vased florals featured Hawaiian and Phalaenopsis orchids, calla lilies, peonies, roses. They were arranged in grouping to give that modern touch. Their dance floor featured a custom printed monogram on vinyl which was only highlighted by their amazing, wedding band/DJ. The reception started as an intimate, soft lit affair and transitioned to a swank party with fuchsia uplighting. Midway through the reception, the ceremony site was flipped into the “Cha-Cha lounge” for guests to relax and snack on pizza bites and chocolates, while grabbing drinks at the extended, square bar. It is safe to say the entire reception was a party; guests immediately joined the dance floor before dinner and continued to dance the night away until their sparkler exit at the end of the night.
The bride and her dad did a first look..it was very emotional.
The bride and groom also did a first look, allowing them extra time to party- while also getting out some pre-ceremony jitters.
The ballroom was transformed into an elegant, glamorous room for an all-out party!
Sam’s dad wrote and performed a song for his little girl!
No Jewish wedding is complete without the hora! Hold on tight, EJ!
It was such an amazing wedding day and we are so honored to be a part of Sam and EJ’s special memories. They are truly the sweetest, most genuine couple and we had the best time celebrating with them. We wish them nothing but a lifetime of love and happiness and can’t wait to follow their new journey of marriage.
Pre-register to view Sam and EJ’s wedding gallery when it goes live HERE. User name: SamEJ Password: 50662GroomsLastName
Special thanks to all of the amazing and talented vendors who helped in making Sam and EJ’s wedding so beautiful:
Tampa Wedding Venue: Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay | New York/ New Jersey Event Planner: Party Artistry | Tampa Wedding Coordinator: RSBP Events | Tampa Wedding Florist/Decor/furniture/linens/uplighting/dance floor/draping: FH Weddings | Tampa Hair and Makeup: Nyoka Heath and Sally Bakalyar / Chanel | Tampa Rentals for white chiavari chairs: Signature Event Rentals | Tampa DJ: Scotty B– Eklectic Entertainment | Tampa Wedding Dress: CC’s Bridal | Tampa Judge: Honorable Frances Perone | Tampa Videographer: Lucid Productions | Tampa String Band: Nova Era | Tampa Bakery: Housewife Bakery | Tampa Wedding Photographer: Andi Diamond Photography
Fabulous!