Wedding at Epicurean Hotel
October Wedding at the Epicurean Hotel in South Tampa
After having 2 wedding cancelled scheduled for the Epicurean Hotel, I was excited to finally shoot a wedding at this South Tampa chique, classy, & artsy Epicurean Hotel. It was full of a lot of substance & emotion merging together Alexa Gardner & Jeff Holm in a Christ-centered ceremony. They did a couple of things you do not normally see in weddings. The bride and groom said words to the other’s parents showing their grattitude. Also during the ceremony the bridesmaids & groomsmen circled in a football like huddle and prayed while a worship song was playing. We did the first look on the 4th floor roof bar shot with a drone as well as a ground level camera. The ceremony took place in the Grand Cru Ballrooom. The reception underneath a tent outside in the 2nd floor outdoor terrace which made a nice intimate atmosphere on this October evening.
Alexa & Jeff were brought together by America’s great pastime, Baseball. In 2012 Jeff was in Lakeland for his 2nd spring training with the Detroit Tigers, and Alexa was working for the Tigers doing on field promotions. Alexa was dragged to Henly field in Lakeland to watch their alma matter, Florida Southern College. Sitting in their normal spot on the first base line, from across the field Alexa spotting her favorite FSC Moccasin, Colin (who was the best man during the wedding). Colin introduced Jeff & Alexa, they shook hands, said “nice to meet you” and that was it. However their paths would cross again.
After only a few weeks and a brave first kiss in the Tiger’s dormitory parking lot, Alexa and Jeff were crazy about each other. There was a gravity between them that neither of them had felt in another person. They spent a Spring Training together full of nights on the town, discreet wink’s exchanged on the ball field and days hanging out at the little pink house on Miami St. After a month of blissful puppy love, Jeff’s spring training journey soon ended and he was headed off to play for the west michigan Whitecaps in Grand Rapids, MI. Needless to say, it wasn’t long before Alexa started racking up air miles. 4 years, 3 baseball seasons, 3 citites, 2 new jobs and a beautiful little girl later, Jeff and Alexa’s love story is filled with adventure. Jeff stoled her heart, and she stole his name.
