THIRD TIME IS THE CHARM.

Truer words have never been spoken and #FinallyHanley could not be a more appropriate hashtag. Rachael & Mark are married guys! THEY DID IT!

Where to begin?! Armature Works was their third venue….their original wedding date was October 28th but back in August (yes 2 months out) I got a panicked call from Rachel while I was visiting with family in Oregon. Their venue the 1930 Grande Room in Ybor left town apparently. They filed bankruptcy and disappeared, and the family learned of this over the news. They never got in touch with anyone affiliated with the venue and never received any of their funds back. Bananas. So I will take a moment to say that because of this incident and also hurricane Irma I have learned about WEDDING INSURANCE. It’s a real thing, and its real affordable. GET IT. 

OK anyway, luckily everyone pulled together and we were determined to make a new wedding plan. Arrangements were made with the amazing Hip Room and we were back on track! That is until by an unfortunate turn of events forced the Hip Room to close due to some technicalities with code that they are absolutely on top of remedying. So there we all were again. This time a week out, with no venue. Can you even believe it!?

Thankfully Matt and everyone at the Hip Room went INCREDIBLY above and beyond to make sure this wedding happened and that it was flawless. After rescuing countless cancelled couples from Armature the Hip Room was repaid a favor, they were available as the back up. PHEW! Again, applause to Matt, he really came through! He was there alllll day making sure all of the guests were directed to the correct spaces and helping out all of the vendors. Thank you!

So now to this amazing day! With all of the changes we were still able to secure the Fancy Free Nursery as our location for their First Look. I just knew it would be the perfect fit for their aesthetic and that it would offer us guaranteed opportunities to make awesome portraits. Bonus, it was also a warm refuge on the sunny but chilly day. And boy did it deliver! After getting ready at the downtown Hilton, which was perfectly decorated in saturated magenta, we headed over for the big moment. Mark looked incredible in his oxblood tux and he was adorably excited to FINALLY see his bride! It was so sweet when they could finally hold each other and know that they were in the midst of their perfect wedding day.

From there we rocked out some portraits! I could die for her bridesmaids velvet dresses! And did you spy former bride Alexa in there!? LOVE her short hair! We had the best time before heading over to Rooftop 220 for their ceremony. It was probably the fastest ceremony ever but it was packed with vivid joy! Because we did the first look the new Mr. & Mrs. were actually able to hang out with their guests fro a while after their family formals. Then on our way over to the Armature Theater we took advantage of the yummy sunset light around the unfinished building. I really love how raw and industrial everything turn out!

The warm brick space was such a perfect backdrop for this fun group and their cool geode decor. They danced the night away and closed out the night with the cutest glow stick exit, complete with a MacGyver fashioned lasso! 

Huge congratulations to this resilient couple! They are #FinallyHanley

Venue(s): Downtown Tampa Hilton, The Hip Room, Rooftop 220, Armature Works Theatre, and Fancy Free Nursery

Florals: Royal Events and Services

Beauty: Salon Island Estates & Lindsay Travis

Entertainment: DJ James of Grant Emond and Associates

Cake: Elise’s Pieces

Catering: Island Way Grill (shoutout to them, it was super delicious and they fed us on time!)