Christine & Evan — Elegant Affairs by Design

Sacred Heart Catholic Church and The Vault

Tampa, Florida

The couple decided on our Luxury Collection- Full Planning Package. They picked this package because the ceremony and reception were in different places, and the couple wanted to leave nothing up to chance. Our full planning package involves four main phases. Phase 1- together with the couple, we dive deep into the budget and discuss where they want to allocate their funds. We do this by asking them what is most important to them on their wedding day. For some couples it’s the florals while other couples say it’s the entertainment. Phase 2 is where we reach out to vendors to check for availability and obtain proposals. We go through each vendor’s contract to make sure the couple is getting exactly what they are asking for. In Phase 3, we hone in on an overall design. We collaborate to create a color palette, mood and design board, and floral ideas. At this point, we reach out to florist vendors because we can provide a vision of the couple’s wants and needs for their wedding day. In Phase 4, we really look at logistics. This includes the timeline, floor plans, and overall layout for each location.

Having a planner in charge of each aspect promises that the day will run smoothly from location to location. Each location has a different coordinator and having the planner be the one point of contact makes it easy for everyone. The coordinators have someone they can call to ask questions or get clarification, while the couple can rest easy knowing their planner can deal with all of the logistics and questions. In conjunction with the communication factor is generating a thorough timeline for wedding days where there are multiple locations. We create notes within our timelines letting vendors and coordinators know who the responsible party is for getting each aspect done throughout the day. Thus leading to a wedding day that is clear and concise.

Built in 1919 as the iconic Exchange National Bank, The Vault has found a second life as a stunning and elegant venue in the heart of downtown Tampa. It has 35 foot ceilings, floor to ceiling windows that overlook the Tampa skyline, and an actual historic walk-in vault. It truly is the perfect mixture of historical and contemporary. Our couple incorporated this mixture by having a fairly neutral color palette- champagne with touches of black and white, while also incorporating a Gatsby theme. There were pearl swags on the back of the chiavari chairs, black and white magazines at each table telling the couple’s story, and even their dogs dressed up in their tuxes to join the reception!