Located on Old Tampa Bay, Yuli and Patric’s Rusty Pelican wedding in Tampa, Florida was the perfect waterside venue. My sweethearts envisioned a wedding day filled with their closest family and friends overlooking Old Tampa Bay.
You may remember Yuli and Patrick from their darling Mead Botanical Garden engagement. My sweethearts actually met by chance at a local Starbucks when ordering their daily drink. Locking eyes at the barista station, Patrick struck up a conversation with Yuli that led to asking for her number. A first date turned into many dates, followed by a romance that soon ensued. After that it was long before the pair became an item!
Yuli quickly fell in love with Patrick’s patience, which helped in building a strong foundation for their love to grow. Patrick knew that Yuli was the one, as he described in his toast to his wife at their wedding, when she was willing in a heartbeat to move down south with him for his career. Patrick also reminisced in his speech to his darling about a conversation he had with a fellow colleague… every day when his colleague came to work, he was by far always the most positive and happy person in the office. Patrick asked him one day where his positivity came from and he explained, “there are a few things in life that matter and day to day trivial things are not one of them. Your children, your health, and finding the love of your life who will be with you through the good and bad times are what matter. In turn, I am not weighed down, because I focus my time and love on these three things.”
Patrick explained to his loved ones that this discussion really stuck with him throughout his life. He realized that he had found ‘the one’ who would be there with him through the good and bad. Yuli’s willingness to leave her friends and family in Tampa to move down south to be with him was because she believed in him. She believed and trusted that Patrick was her future, and Patrick knew Yuli was his.
Not long after moving, Patrick proposed to Yuli during a sweet walk in the park with their pup. Yuli of course said, “yes” and the wedding planning began!
Our day started off at the hotel with Yuli getting ready with her mom and best friend. After a few darling pictures of putting on the dress and bridal portraits, we headed over to the Rusty Pelican to meet up with our dapper groom Patrick and his groomsmen.
Grabbing a few pre-shots before the ceremony began of the groomsmen helped with providing more time for newlywed portraits later on during their formal portrait hour. Taking place overlooking Old Tampa Bay, Yuli and Patrick tied the knot as they said their vows to one another. The most magical moment though of the ceremony was right when Yuli began to walk down the aisle. Up until Yuli, the sky was cloudy and overcast, but immediately as she stepped foot out of her limo onto the aisle, the clouds parted ways and rays of sunshine beamed down on her. There was a collective “awwwww” from guests at the remarkable sunshine that came out for my bride as she walked to her groom.
With “I’dos” said my couple, their family, and their wedding party headed over to a shady spot in front of the venue for formal portraits. Newlywed portraits underneath the building created for a captivating look as the ocean current rushed up behind the two. Before heading inside for their reception, we also grabbed a few shots on top of a rocky ledge overlooking the water.
Toasts, dining, and dances soon ensured before our night ended with a sweet goodbye. Wishing the newly Mr. and Mrs. Watson a beautiful and amazing future together!
Venue: Rusty Pelican Restaurant Tampa
Cake: Let Them Eat Cake by Chef Jason
DJ: Bart the DJ
