Originally the Federal Courthouse, Le Méridien Tampa is on the National Register Of Historic Places and has been in existence since 1905. Renovated in 2014, it has since become known as an engaging destination for beautiful, traditional weddings, featuring a century-old ballroom.
In Tampa, Florida, there are many exceptional locales where a wedding day becomes even more memorable, thanks to the region’s historic buildings and its specific sense of place on Tampa Bay, near the Gulf. Here are some of our favorite options to consider for saying “I Do.”
Straz Center for the Performing Arts
The Straz Center for the Performing Arts is located downtown on a nine-acre site along the east bank of the Hillsborough River. As the second largest performing arts complex in the Southeastern United States, the Straz Center has also become a favorite Tampa wedding locale among brides and grooms-to-be because of its location and amenities. Tampa couples can now exchange their vows on the same stage where famous singers, comedians and plays have been performed. The Straz Center already provides a significant auditorium with high ceilings and theater-style seating for the wedding ceremony, so the experience can be as theatrical or as intimate as the couple wants.
Brides have the convenience of keeping the entire wedding day at one location, as cocktail hour begins alongside Hillsborough River, the ceremony takes place on stage in front of the curtain, and the reception occurs behind the stage curtain.
Yacht StarShip
As America’s first three-diamond dining yachts which can be used for at-sea weddings, the Yacht StarShip fleet has become very popular for nuptials, receptions or rehearsal dinners for up to 600 guests. The Yacht Starship fleet is the only system of its kind in the south. Should you wish, the captain is also able to perform the ceremony and couples can also choose from personalized plated, buffet or cocktail-style receptions as well as DJs or live entertainment. StarShip packages include dedicated wedding coordinators and complimentary VIP cruise tours.
The Florida Aquarium
This locale is emerging as a popular wedding destination, in part because Tampa itself is on the Gulf Coast, and those who live there are very familiar with the sea. So, the bride and groom can exchange vows in front of not only family and friends, but over 2,000 coral reef fish and other sea life in the aquarium’s 500,000-gallon, floor-to-ceiling tank. Guests can also have penguin encounters and mingle with adorable black-and-white attendees. The Florida Aquarium has both indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception options, and can accommodate up to 300 people.
The Vault
Located in Tampa’s Downtown Arts District, The Vault is a historic, neo-classical building constructed in 1923 as The Exchange National Bank. Now it is repurposed, and combines elegant architecture with a contemporary feel. The Vault’s restored interior space is highlighted by 35-foot tall ceilings with intricate medallion ornamentation and a second floor mezzanine that overlooks the open gallery. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of Tampa’s skyline. The Vault provides for a unique wedding, with a maximum capacity of 200. What makes this locale so interesting is that the ceremony can take place in an old-fashioned, walk-in money vault. The mezzanine level and glass room can be used for a bridal lounge, and the pocket park next door is available for cocktails before or after the wedding.
