Emerald Bliss at The Italian Club

Valerie and David
October 30, 2020

A sense of determination was key for Valerie and David in planning their wedding during Covid 19. In the months leading up to their fall celebration, they questioned whether they could safely host an event for all the people they had invited.

Photos by Head Over Heels Photography

Thankfully, their venue, The Italian Club, had utilized the spring and summer months to renovate and establish a set of guidelines for future events. Their facility liaison, Mark, played a key role. During one of our site visits, he clearly spelled out the club's safety policies.

These measures helped the couple feel more confident and happy with their decision to move forward with the reception there.

As the couple's design and coordinating team, we made sure all of their provided items were placed according to their wishes. This included signage, table numbers, assorted desserts, favors, etc.

Valerie and David chose an Emerald Green and Black color palette with a touch of gold. Valerie provided many personalized items including a "key" bottle opener which which placed on each guest setting. 

                       

                                

In Disney fashion, a Cinderella pumpkin card cage was part of the gift table.

 

 

Since Wright's Gourmet House was their favorite source for tasty sweets, they ordered an assortment of items that we displayed on the bride's collection of gold dessert stands.

 A welcome sign started out at the front entrance lobby, and then was moved to the hallway into the third floor reception.

Our five-branch gold candlelabras were utilized as centerpieces for each guest table. Since The Italian Club did not allow open flames, Valerie purchased battery operated taper candles.

We utilized mostly black for all display tables including the sweet heart table with our gold Mr. and Mrs. sign at the front. 

The wedding party got ready in separate locations. 

     

                      

Valerie and David limited their fresh flowers to only her bouquet and boutonnaires from Bloomingdays Floral Shop 

The ceremony was held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Downtown Tampa.

                   

Because of the generous time between the end of the ceremony and the start of the main reception, Valerie, David and their attendants joined the photographers and videographers for many lovely backdrops in the Downtown Tampa and Ybor City areas. 

        

 

When guests arrived at The Italian Club in the heart of Ybor City, they were invited to social hour in the Cantina. The main reception was held in the 3rd floor Ballroom. 

       

                              Hand-Passed Appetizers were offered to guests in                                              the Cantina.

                                           

Italian Brushetta

 

Demi Glace Meatballs

Deep Fried Mac and Cheese Bites

Guests made their way to the main reception. Here are some more pictures of the evening. 

Valerie used some of the transitional time to change into a more comfortable party gown for the reception.

Valerie's bouquet was placed on the front of the sweetheart table after introductions. 

     

Our buffet featured some distancing features such as clear roll top chafing dishes. All food items were served by our staff. 

The couple chose two pastas (Baked Ziti and Parma Rosa Penne) along with Parmesean Chicken and Carved Roast Baron of Beef for their entrees. Side dishes included Italian Green Beans, Garlicky Mashed Potatoes and a displayed garden salad.

During a "mock" farewell before photographers departed, guests threw red rose petals at the couple in front the club.

Congratulations to Valerie and David!

 

Unconventional Wedding at Nova 535

 Olga and Justin

 

Olga and Justin's celebration was refreshingly non-traditional, as far as wedding standards go. From us not meeting the bride and groom until the day before their wedding, to live Karaoke for everyone during social hour, everything went as the couple planned. Of course, this was "pre-Covid."

They hired us from "afar" a little less than two months before their date. Located in the Boston area, they were friends with a former client who recommended us. Justin's family lived in the St. Petersburg area so holding the wedding here was a comfortable decision.

At the time they secured our services for catering, planning, and coordination, the only vendors they had hired was the venue, Nova 535, and a family friend as the photographer. We assisted by getting quotes and contracts secured by some of our favorite wedding pros. One of our top vendors was Delite Entertainment. DJ Bill is their skilled karaoke talent.

Justin took the lead in all of the planning aspects as Olga was a busy with her medical studies and duties. He took all of Olga's ideas and sent me pictures of things they both liked, including a special napkin fold that looked like a rose with green leaves. They chose a variety of colors mixed with sage green, their primary shade.

I set up a sample table at our Design Studio featuring as many of their ideas as possible. They loved the idea of fresh tulips in a variety of colors. We looked to Christine at Bloomingdays Florist for assistance on this. Even though they were out of season, the owner, Christina, managed to find a nice selection of them. Our staff placed them in our glass cylinders for the reception tables. 

Since it was a late August wedding, Justin and Olga were set on holding the ceremony indoors. This meant that the main floor was initially set for the nuptials. Guests would go to the mezzanine for social hour while the super efficient Nova staff reset the main room for the reception. Our staff had centerpieces and other table components ready to be placed. 

All family and bridal party photos were taken an hour before the ceremony so the entire social hour could be dedicated to the Karaoke shenanegans. After introductions and first dance, we opened our dinner stations which included the bride's recipe for traditional Russian Potato Salad, and the couple's favorite, Make Your Own Fajita Station. 

The rest of the evening was relaxed and festive. Besides a wedding cake, the couple ordered other miniature desserts from Chantilly Cakes.

Thank you, Olga and Justin for entrusting your destination wedding with us! Enjoy some memorable photos from their wedding day.

  

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We loved the way our white spandex chair covers fit the in-house chairs at Nova! Our garden arbor was utilized as the backdrop.

Married by one of their friends, a bit of humor was welcomed during the ceremony.

Karaoke Social Hour!

Gazpacho Shooters and Mini Empanadas Hand-Passed During Social Hour

Ceremony transformed into Main Reception!

Fajita Station with freshly sauteed chicken.

 

Russian Potato Salad and Marinated Mediterranean Vegetables