Wedding Venues in Tampa | 10 of the Best Places to Tie the Knot
If you’re currently on the hunt for wedding venues in Tampa, and finding it difficult to create a shortlist: relax, I’ve done the hard work for you!
Tampa is home to some of the most beautiful and unique wedding venues in Florida. And if you’re thinking the only type of space this vibrant part of the Sunshine State could offer is on the beach, you’d be mistaken. Tampa is a stunningly diverse city, with a wealth of unique wedding venues of all types. From aquariums and museums, to hotels and grand estates; You will not lack options for elegant places to tie the knot in this effortlessly romantic city. Trust me, I’m a wedding photographer who’s lived in Tampa since 2001!
Today, I’m going to share my top 10 favorite wedding venues in Tampa, and in the process, hopefully help you narrow down your search. Or simply inspire you to choose this part of Florida for your wedding day!
Top 10 Wedding Venues in Tampa
If you’re a couple dreaming of an outdoor ceremony and reception, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you might as well stop your search for Tampa wedding venues now, because you’re going to fall for this place! Using their lush 18 acres as your backdrop, you’ll be able to create a wonderfully chic celebration in any one, or more, of their picture-perfect locations. As a blank space venue, the Mill Pond Estate welcomes creativity, and encourages its marrying couples to leave their mark.
There is a variety of different outdoor spaces for both the ceremony and reception, each benefiting a different size wedding. Be it a large celebration out in The Grand Meadow under cavernous tents, a mid size event at The Lily Pond, a tranquil, picturesque spot suitable for up to 150 seated, or a more intimate affair for up to 50 in The Flower Garden surrounded by flower beds and greenhouses, you'll find the perfect choice for you.
For pricing info, please visit the Mill Pond Estate services page.
Built in 1926, The Tampa Theatre is a dream wedding venue for any couple. Its iconic façade, stage, and detailing make it one of the most unique spaces to tie the knot in Florida. Exchanging vows underneath this venue's sky full of twinkling stars, and having your name up in lights on their historic Franklin Street marquee is the stuff of movie dreams!
As you and your guests enter this majestic venue, you’ll be instantly transported into a time gone past. Your loved ones will marvel at the classic Mediterranean courtyard, complete with gothic statues and romantic lighting. From there you’ll glide into the main auditorium, a luxurious, and ornate room styled to look like a French Palace, complete with a red carpet and towering spires.
This is one of the larger Tampa wedding venues, with a capacity of up to 300. For pricing information, please visit The Tampa Theatre weddings page.
To view an example of a full wedding I shot at this unique Tampa venue, visit my blog here.
The Tampa Museum of Art is one of the more modern wedding spaces in the city, and benefits from being one of the few waterfront venues. Perched on the edge of the Hillsborough River, this unique property offers numerous possibilities for ceremony and reception locations, all of which embrace the venue's wonderful surroundings. My favorite has to be the scenic, covered terrace, an outdoor area with space for up to 400 seated guests and expansive views over the city skyline. This is an iconic location to stage your vows.
Receptions often take place in the glass walled atrium, an open, contemporary space that offers that indoor/outdoor kind of vibe. This venue also offers a large terrace perfect for cocktail hour, or for after dinner catch-ups out in the warm evening air.
To learn more about pricing for this gorgeous venue, please visit the Tampa Museum of Art website.
Sal y Mar is one of the newest wedding venues in Tampa, and comfortably one of the most stylish. Its effortlessly chic rooftop space benefits from stunning 360 degree views over the city, with plenty of cozy spots to enjoy it from. It is the dream location for couples who love to feel the busy city all around them, but want to escape and enjoy the views from afar on their special day.
With 5,250 total square feet of celebration space, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to places to stage your big day, both inside and out. The largest of these is the Skyline ballroom, which benefits from incredible views via the floor to ceiling windows and contemporary décor. Once you and your loved ones finish partying for the night, you’ll be able to choose from over 200 sumptuous rooms right below this Tampa wedding venue. The ideal way to extend the big day experience, and allow your guests to benefit fully from the hotel’s exclusive features, such as the rooftop infinity pool, multiple chic bars and wonderful Mexican inspired cuisine.
For details on pricing, please visit the Sal y Mar events page.
No list of Tampa wedding venues would be complete without the Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club, a timeless Floridian event space, with a distinctly grand and elegant feel. It offers 5 different places to host your activities, the largest of which is the Grand Ballroom at over 3,500 square feet and with 11 foot high ceilings.
This impressive room creates the perfect backdrop for a classically styled reception, and the ideal place to enjoy the manicured lawns of the golf course. Ceremonies can take place in a range of spaces. The most popular choice, however, is the outdoor pavilion, as it offers protection from the elements, while still allowing guests to enjoy the stunning views all around them.
If you and your wedding party wish to stay on-site, there are also 25 boutique hotel rooms available. To inquire about member, and non-member pricing, please visit the Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club weddings page.
As a wedding photographer, I am continually looking for dramatic backdrops for my Tampa couples, be it a breathtaking view, expansive space or beautiful natural surroundings. At the Tampa River Center, they tick all those boxes! And then some! This waterfront event space offers an enchanting spot to tie the knot right by the river, while also offering couples a magnificent setting to host their reception.
The 2,880 sq. ft. Tampa River Center is one of the larger wedding venues on our list, and it feels even bigger, thanks to its statement floor-to-ceiling windows, that celebrate its Florida setting, while showcasing their fabulous outdoor terrace. This is the ideal spot for cocktail hour or drinks while watching the sun go down. The capacity of this venue is up to 300 seated, with plenty of room to host a dance floor or any other kind of entertainment you would like to have. When I first shot at this stunning venue, I was in complete awe at the beauty and elegance of this space, as well as the variety it offered for my couples. Located in the heart of Downtown Tampa, the photo possibilities are endless!
To find out more about this elegant riverside venue, please visit the Tampa River Center rental page.
Ever dreamed about hosting your wedding out on the open waves, aboard a luxury yacht? Well, Tampa offers its couples just that, making it one of the most unique wedding venues in Florida.
The Yacht Starship is actually a fleet of climate-controlled vessels that offer both indoor and outdoor celebration spaces. They vary in size, with the smallest being ideal for intimate weddings of up to 25, and the largest better suited for weddings of up to 300. Whichever yacht you choose, you’ll be gifting your guests the opportunity to witness your vows, while having the Downtown Tampa skyline as the backdrop. Keep an eye out for dolphins or other friendly guest appearances throughout the day and then dance the night away aboard this stunning cruise ship on the water. Make it a day you and your loved ones will never forget!
To browse their various wedding packages, please visit the Yacht Starship services page.
Ask any wedding photographer in Tampa where the most vibrant ceremony backdrop is, and they’ll probably say The Florida Aquarium. This unique aquarium view looks stunning in wedding photography, and cannot fail to wow your loved ones on your special day. The intimate celebration space (capacity up to 80) is surrounded by panoramic glass of a giant fish tank, offering ever-changing scenery for your ceremony and reception. During your ceremony, this venue can also give your first kiss that ‘wow’ moment, with the opportunity to have a perfectly timed burst of bubbles erupt from inside the tank. A wonderfully dramatic flourish for your big moment!
Alongside the actual aquarium, this Tampa wedding venue also offers various outdoor and indoor spaces. Both the rooftop and the first floor lobby can cater for up to 150 guests, but with different vibes to offer. My personal favorite would have to be the stunning rooftop terrace, as you have the opportunity to enjoy the views over the Tampa skyline with a beautiful outdoor reception.
To find out about pricing and what’s included in the various packages, visit the Florida Aquarium Weddings page.
Recently restored, this grand old hotel in downtown Tampa is now available to host your wedding in all its glory. Built back in 1926, this timeless building is ideal as a reception venue, with a substantially sized ballroom (10,000 square foot), known as the Grand Ballroom, available to couples.
If the Grand Ballroom isn’t quite the right fit for your celebration, don't worry, you have other options still located in this beautiful hotel! There is also the Mezzanine Hall at approximately 2,000 square feet, or the Crystal Dinning Room at approximately 1800 square feet, both of which offer more of an intimate feel while still boasting the same elegant detailing and stylish décor. As a wedding photographer here in Tampa, I’ve seen how some wedding venues plan their events. And let me tell you, the guys at The Floridan Palace Hotel are incredible. They’ll help you plan every little moment of your big day, as well as those orbiting celebrations around it, such as your engagement party, bachelor/bachelorette, and bridal shower. Plus, as they are a hotel, you’ll also be able to block out rooms for your guests on-site. Perfect for that moment in the night when loved ones just need to hit the hay!
Discover which celebration space at The Floridan Palace Hotel is right for you, and learn more about what they offer via the Floridan Palace venue page.
The Harborside Chapel is a newly designed church and chic extension of the 58,000 square-foot facility that is the ministry of Harborside Christian Church. It offers a timeless, romantic setting ideal for a modern exchange of vows. With its classic white pews, rich but neutral color palette, sparkling chandeliers and elegant flooring, this is easily one of the most refined ceremony spots in Tampa, while its large windows effortlessly showcase the natural Florida landscape all around.
Your bridal party will love spending their morning getting ready together and being
pampered in their opulent and spacious bridal suite, while the sophisticated grooms quarters offer the ideal location for the boys to hang out and relax before the big ceremony. Newlyweds exit the venue down a spectacular sidewalk lined with friends and family, while bells ring in celebration of their union.
Pricing information can be found for this stunning ceremony location on the Harborside Chapel website here. To view a full gallery from a wedding I shot at this lovely venue, visit my blog here!
Have you found your dream wedding venue in Tampa?
I hope this shortlist of my favorite wedding venues in Tampa was useful to you, and maybe even inspired you to pick up the phone and book one! It would be an honor to help you further, and be your Tampa wedding photographer.
There is nothing that brings me more joy than being invited to capture a couple's most special day, and I would be beyond thrilled to create memories for you that you can cherish for years to come.
My wedding collections can be customized to fit exactly what you need, and I’m available for local celebrations and destination weddings, too. Please feel free to browse my portfolio of recent weddings, and if you like what you see, get in touch via my contact page! I look forward to chatting with you!
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