Italian Club of Tampa Step Into The Limelight | 2022 Palo Longo Award Gala | Tampa, FL

On 11.5.22 Tampa’s very own Italian Club of  Tampa hosted the 2022 Palo Longo Award Gala to celebrate and award two members of the Italian Club the Paolo Longo award.  The Palo Longo Award highlights an individual’s commitment to spend their lives perpetuating Italian traditions and heritage and helping pass down those traditions for future generations.  The 2022 Palo Longo Award recipients Gilda Capitano and Jamie Granell.  These two individuals have made many contributions that benefit the community while also living by the Club’s mission set by past generations and will continue to pass down these values for many generations to come. Congratulations to both Gilda Capitano And Jamine Granell.

Lead Photographer | Steven McCarthy 
Associate Photographer | Jackie Pizio 

Caterer | Olympia Catering
Chairs | Gabro Events
Cigars| Long Ash Cigars
Coffee | Café ala Carte
Event Planner | Mark Stanish Jr.
Florist | Jennies Flowers
Live Plants | PLANTZ
Lighting & Band | Deleon Entertainment 
Linen & Décor | Outside the Box Rentals 
Venue | Italian Club of Tampa

Kathleen + Jonathan Step Into The Limelight | NOVA 535 | St. Petersburg, FL

Kathleen and Jonathan are the definition of FUN. ✨ These two, along with their friends and family, were a dream to work with. 

These two met back in 2017 at Wildflowers Too bar up in New Jersey, where they both live. Their wedding was a destination wedding for their friends and family, so everyone wholeheartedly celebrated the night with smiles on their faces, a ton of jokes and laughter, and SO. MUCH. DANCING!🕺🏼 We have never seen two guests use a shirt tie as a limbo stick, but we have now and everyone loved it.

Kathleen and Jonathan had so many sweet details integrated into their wedding, from Jonathan’s sister being their officiant, vows said in private, a bridesmaid rap, a cheesecake bar instead of a traditional wedding cake, and a private last dance.

We are so happy for these newlyweds and we wish them so many years of happiness! 💖

Lead Photographer | Tara Zimmerman
Associate Photographer | Gabe Caldwell

Bridesmaid Dresses | David’s Bridal
Caterer | Olympia Catering
Ceremony Site | NOVA 535
DJ | NOVA 535
Hair Stylist | Art by Izzy Hair & Makeup
Invitations | Shutterfly
Make-up Artist | Art by Izzy Hair & Makeup
Reception Venue | NOVA 535
Videographer | Palm Film Production
Wedding Gown | Bridal Suite Boutique 

Sophia + Anthony Step Into The Limelight | Museum of Fine Arts St. Pete | St. Petersburg, FL

Sophia & Anthony’s ♥️ story…

How/when did you meet each other: We met each other at work (oops haha). It was both our first jobs out of college and Anthony noticed Sophia right away. 

How did he propose: Our first vacation together was in Chicago. About 2 years later, we back to Chicago to visit my sister who is living there at the time. I thought it was just a quick weekend to see her, but little did I know he had flown in my parents AND his family, and surprised me on the rooftop of a glamorous hotel downtown. I was soo shocked! We spent the rest of the weekend celebrating all together. It was the best day of my life (so far ;) ). 

What do you love about each other: Sophia loves how fun-loving and ambitious Anthony is. He is the hardest worker I have ever met. He is the positive one out of the two of us and always brings the sunshine. 

Anthony loves Sophia's brain most of all; she is intelligent and quick-witted and always keeps him on his toes.

Interests/hobbies you enjoy doing together: We can have fun doing just about anything as long as we're together! But we are big restaurant-goers and love meeting friends for drinks. Concerts are a common occurrence for us too. We have been traveling a ton recently, but also love a quiet night at home with our puppy watching a movie. We are BIG football fans! 

Sophia & Anthony’s was classy, elegant and so much fun! We loved being able to witness Sophia & Anthony surrounded by their families, so beautiful to see families celebrating together nowadays… we loved that they chose Museum of Fine Arts St. Pete, it showcased so much culture and class, the entire day felt timeless.

We wish Sophia & Anthony many many more magical days together ✨

Lead Photographer | Dafne Spencer
Associate Photographer | Tara Zimmerman

Bridesmaid Dresses | Bella Bridesmaids 
Cake | Sweet Divas Cakery
Caterer | Olympia Catering 
Ceremony Site | Museum of Fine Arts St. Pete 
DJ | Our DJ Rocks 
Event Planner | Nancy Cotto Events
Florist | Flora Fine Flowers 
Hair Stylist | Lili's Weddings 
Invitations | Jerry and Julep 
Make-up Artist | Sugared Salon 
Reception Venue | Museum of Fine Arts St. Pete
Strings | Strings Attached 
Videographer | HoneyBee Memory 
Wedding Gown | The White Magnolia

Erika + Wynn Step Into The Limelight | Museum of Fine Arts | St. Petersburg, FL

A story of an office romance…..

Erika and Wynn met at work in December of 2015. They sat only a couple of desks away from each other on the sales floor and started out as friends taking water breaks together. They then exchanged phone numbers after a friend's Christmas party. They became quick friends once they realized how much they had in common. They started taking lunch breaks together and then began spending time together outside of work with our mutual friends, our relationship grew from there. They have been inseparable ever since. 

Erika and Wynn both knew early on that each other was “the one.” They could never get enough of each other and just had so much fun being together. They bring each other so much happiness and adventure. Even after four years they still get butterflies when they see each other.

Wynn got style ideas for the engagement ring from Erika and then created a custom designed engagement ring with his family jeweler in Milford, Ohio. He even sent it back two times to add more diamonds. Erika was stunned the first time she saw the ring and loves it, it is perfect.  Wynn proposed in Vinoy Park by the water in the same spot where they had one of their first and most memorable dates. They got a drink beforehand then walked down to the water where he popped the question. Afterwards, Wynn had Erika's mom, brother and brother's girlfriend waiting at Red Mesa Cantina to surprise her for lunch. Erika's dad was not in town but Wynn had already spoken with him prior to the proposal to ask for his blessing.

They just love to be together, it doesn't matter what they're doing, they make it fun. They love traveling and adventuring to new places, together they've been to about a dozen states with plans to go to Europe this year for their honeymoon. They also enjoy going to the gym together, spending weekends in Dunedin and St. Petersburg, spending time with family, going to see favorite bands and  spending nights at home cooking. They also love just being home, their favorite Friday nights are spent watching Netflix and making a homemade (even the dough) pizza.

They chose Downtown St. Petersburg because it is where they had some of their first dates and really got to know each other.  They love the city and it's also where they got engaged. They chose a specific pre-ceremony playlist of all of their favorite songs -they bonded in the beginning of their relationship over their mutual love of the same music. Their recessional song was an instrumental from one of their favorite bands. Erika and Wynn put together a table of photos showcasing their parents’ and grandparents’ wedding photos. Their ceremony was special and unique because they read their own vows to each other.  

Erika + Wynn planned a ceremony that incorporated some very special traditions and a reception that was one big, fun party for all of their family and friends. Erika, Wynn and their guests certainly felt like this was "the best wedding ever!”

Lead Photographers | Rebecca Zoumberos + Michael Zoumberos

Bridesmaid Dresses | Azazie
Cake | Sweet Divas Chocolates
Caterer | Olympia Catering 
Ceremony Site | Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg
DJ | InPulse Entertainment
Event Planner | Nancy Cotto Events
Florist | The Bride's Bouquet
Getting Ready Location | The Vinoy® Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club
Hair Stylist | Destiny & Light Hair and Makeup Group
Invitations | Zazzle
Make-up Artist | Destiny & Light Hair and Makeup Group
Reception Venue | Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg
Videographer | Trinity Wedding Cinema
Wedding Gown | Kenneth Winston

Kristen + Steven Step Into The Limelight | MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS ST. PETERSBURG | ST. PETERSBURG, FL

Steven and Kristen met in October of 2017. Kristen was volunteering at a charity golf tournament at Innisbrook and Steven was playing in the tournament.They spent the evening talking at the after party and the rest is history! Kristen loves how Steven always has the ability to make her laugh and how he is always up for an adventure. Steven loves how Kristen is so comfortable to be around.They love traveling, hiking, trying new restaurants, cooking, skiing, and just spending time together.

Steven proposed during a planned a trip for Kristen’s 40th Birthday at Glacier National Park.They were on their 6th mile, hiking near Iceberg Lake and enjoying the beautiful scenery when Steven asked Kristen to marry him. Kristen was so shocked and happy, and the view made it even more majestic and so special.

Kristen and Steven chose to get married at the Museum of Fine Arts in downtown St Petersburg, Florida because they wanted to get married where they fell in love. St Petersburg hosted many of their first dates and it was important to Kristen and Steven to share their love and city with their family and friends.

Congratulations Kristen and Steven!

Lead Photographer | Stephanie Duffany
Associate Photographer | Audrey Clifford

Bridesmaid Dresses | Vince Camuto
Cake | Cakes by Carolyn
Caterer | Olympia Catering & Events
Ceremony Site | Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg
DJ | Inpulse Entertainment | DJ Curtis
Florist | Bruce Wayne Florals
Hair Stylist | studio b | Walter Bowen
Invitations | Minted
Reception Venue | Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg
Wedding Gown | Kleinfeld Bridal | Anne Barge