Emily and Anthony are such a sweet couple, and we couldn’t be happier that they chose us to document their special day! Emily was one prepared bride. She had the wedding timeline planned out perfectly. When I arrived at the venue, her hair and makeup were already done, and we were able to jump right into getting ready shots of the bridal party and her getting her dress on. It may seem like you should wait to do your hair and makeup so that your photographer can capture that part of the morning, but most brides don’t really want photos of themselves without makeup completely. Having that done beforehand lets us get started with touch-up shots and gorgeous portraits of the bride with her bridal party. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to start the day on schedule in order to keep the rest of the day on track!
The first look with Emily’s dad was so emotional, even I almost cried! They held the ceremony at the beautiful Harborside Chapel. Harborside Chapel is a gorgeous church located in a quiet nook of Safety Harbor. It is a modern, pure white building surrounded by palm trees and green grass. The aisle was lined with romantic floral arrangements that made for the most stunning photos. Anthony didn’t see Emily in her dress until she walked down the aisle. You could see so much love for her in his eyes; it was a beautiful moment. They were surrounded by their closest family and friends as they said “I do” forever.
After the ceremony, we headed to The Orlo for the reception. Emily loves the old, historic architectural style of The Orlo. It is a classic reception venue in the downtown Tampa area, and it was perfect for Emily and Anthony’s reception. Emily really wanted bridal party portraits in front of this venue because of its unique look. It was so fun to explore the property and take these gorgeous shots of the bride, groom, and their closest friends. One of the highlights of the Orlo is the historic ballroom, which has been in the house since 1922. After the newlyweds’ precious first dance, this incredible dance floor came alive, and the guests danced the night away!
