Five Tampa Bay Date Ideas
Whether you just met someone new, or you're married and you aren’t “dating” anymore (which doesn’t mean you shouldn’t date your fiancé or spouse!) this is the read for you. Justin and I love to go out at least a few times per month on date nights! Read below for some of our absolute favorites. If you don’t live in Tampa: no excuses! You could easily steal some of these date ideas by Googling “cooking classes” or “dine in theatre” near you! Enjoy!
1) Bok Tower Gardens
Bok Tower is just a short drive away from Tampa in Lake Wales, FL! This place is not only where Justin captures a lot of his engagement sessions- but it’s the first place he realized he loved me- so it’s doubly special! :) Bok tower is a gorgeous, expansive garden that you could spend the entire afternoon at. Long walks through the flowers, lunch at the sweet café, and feeding the Koi fish are some of our favorite things to do there! We often bring a blanket and lay out near the clock tower while listening to the chimes and looking out over the rolling hills (Yes, hills! It does NOT feel like Florida!). Bok tower is one place you definitely have to go with your hunny.
2) Dinner and a movie at Cinebistro
My bridal shop job used to be nestled right in Hyde Park Village and Justin spent quite a few hours there flirting before he asked me out :) Cinebistro is super cool because not only is the location adorable, but you can do a dinner/movie combo! You’ll want to pick your seats prior to arrival because the specious, spread out seating is limited- but the smaller theaters are worth it! This place is 21 and up so no noisy kids, and you can have a glass of wine while you watch. You also get huge comfy chairs and the menu is actually delicious! I also always suggest getting there early to walk around Hyde Park, grab a coffee, or do some shopping. You could stay for hours!
3) Fort De Soto
Another engagement session favorite of ours :) We really do take our couples to our favorite places! Whenever we go to Fort De Soto we try to make it a weekday a few hours before sunset. We aren’t huge 100 degree weather people, so our favorite times to go are November through March funny enough! We like to bring a blanket and some snacks and find a cozy spot under the trees to watch the sunset- it’s not to be missed! Our secret spot: Park at the North beach and when you get down to the sand, turn left. Walk for a few minutes and you’ll be rewarded with a cluster of trees you can cozy up under to get some shade and privacy!
4) Cooking classes at Sur La Table
Another Hyde Park gem! Sur La Table offers cooking classes every week that are worth every penny. Not only do you get a lesson from a local chef, but you also get to eat the delicious food after all your hard work! They also give you the recipes so after you learn to cook it, you can execute at home. Pro tip: Bring your own bottle of wine! They will open it for ya and you can enjoy a glass while you slave away in the kitchen ;)
5) Walking or Bike Riding on Bayshore Boulevard
You simply can’t go wrong with this Tampa date classic. Bayshore is definitely a favorite road of ours in Tampa because the huge sidewalk allows for biking and jogging alike all while gazing at beautiful downtown Tampa over the water! If we are biking, we love to ride down to the park at the end and get a cup of ice cream while strolling around. If we walk, we actually like to mix it up and peek through the beautiful side streets along Bayshore and pretend house shop :) There are so many historic homes and it’s super cool to see how they’ve been updated over the years!
There you have it! We hope these five favorite dates of ours will have you feeling inspired to try something new and fun with your partner. If you need more date inspiration, check out our top five Rainy Day Dates here!
Top 10 Wedding Day Hairstyles
The wedding planning question every bride faces: How should I do my hair?!
There endless options available when it comes to wedding hair- from your wedding hair accessories, to your color... and every person you ask seems to have a different opinion. It’s why we’re coming at you today with ten of our all time favorite wedding day hairstyles – and WHY they’re our favorites! Scroll on to get some wedding day hairstyle inspiration.
1. For the bride who wants CLASSIC
When it comes to wedding hairstyles, you can NEVER go wrong with a classic bun. I love that Katie chose this hairstyle for her medium length dirty blonde hair, because having a lot of timeless elements in her wedding was important to her. I don’t think there’s any style more classic than this! She also loved that her wedding gown had an open back, and knew if she left her hair down that detail might be less pronounced.
2. For the bride who wants to SHOW THE GOWN
Sheena has one of my all time FAVORITE wedding hairstyles for a gal who wants to show off her wedding gown. The beauty of pulling your hair off to the side is that you still show the back of your dress, but you get all the perks of keeping your hair long and curly. This hairstyle works for a dress weather it’s strapless, long sleeved, or strappy. Even if your hair blocks one side of the gown, you see all the intricate details on the other! I also love the way she pinned her long bangs to the side to keep the top of her hair sleek and classic.
3. For the bride who wants to be MODEST
Beautiful Renee knew just what she wanted for her wedding day hairstyle! She worried a little that her wedding gown was a bit too open in the neckline, so having her medium length curls cascade around her shoulders added a little more coverage to her dress. She also knew her wedding hairpiece, a greenery crown, would be better complimented with more visible hair- so it was a win win!
4. For the bride who wants to showcase SHORT HAIR
With her chic signature bob, Jess knew she didn’t have a ton of options when it came to her wedding day hairstyle. I love that she added a twist and spring of florals by her ear to give the illusion of more fullness while still maintaining her sleek look! I think this was the perfect way to glam up her classic style.
5. For the bride who wants to HIGHLIGHT THE VEIL
Alison’s wedding hair was the ideal look for her! By choosing to put some fullness at the crown of her head, she was able to really accentuate her hair vine and simple veil. Added bonus- by only putting some loose curls in the front of her style, you also got to admire the strappy back of her wedding gown!
6. For the bride who wants TEXTURED, NOT MESSY
Chelsea absolutely nailed her wedding day hair. She had a very elegant wedding, so her gown and hair were no different. She wanted a classic bun without feeling slicked back, and that’s exactly what she got! By curling her bangs and the top layers of her hair, she was able to pin them back to create texture that led into her timeless low updo.
7. For the bride who wants a BEACHY UPDO
Shannon knew she wanted a way to show off the lace on her wedding gown while also maintaining a relaxed look that would fit with the beach-and she got it spot on. By layering braids in her hair instead of opting for a simple bun, it truly felt like a beach wedding. I also love that she left a few free flowing curls framing her face- her hair still moved with the breeze and made for the dreamiest sunset photos!
8. For the bride who wants to show off her FLOWERCROWN
Tricia knew her wedding day look was ALL about the flower crown, so she planned half up half down hair to accentuate the beautiful roses framing her face. The look of her wedding was very english garden meets boho, and I can’t imagine a more perfect hairstyle for the occasion.
9. For the bride who wants a CHIC UPDO
Tiffany works in fashion, and her entire wedding was very chic! Her hair was no different- she wanted the focus to be on her ruffled Hayley Paige gown made from striped organza- her sleek high bun allowed the full focus to be on her style without the distraction of ton of curls or poof.
10. For the bride who wants CHIC AND DOWN
Last but not least- gorgeous Natalie. With her all white wedding and sleek crepe Oscar De La Renta gown, Natalie knew she had to keep her hair sleek and simple. Because she didn’t opt for a veil, she added a bit more teased fullness to the back of her hair and kept her bangs smooth and tucked back. This hairstyle was absolutely true to her personality and style!
There you have it- ten of our all time favorite wedding day hairstyles! I hope you found this helpful and you’re inspired now to select your own wedding day hairstyle! Pro tip- ALWAYS do a hair trial before your wedding day to make sure you really love it on yourself, and not just in a photo. Looking for more top ten wedding inspiration? Why not check our ten favorite wedding day bouquets by clicking here!
Three Engagement Session Tips
When it comes to planning an engagement session, there are a lot more moving parts than most people think! You only get these photos taken once, so you want them to be perfect. (And so do we!)
It’s why we decided to compile three of our BEST engagement session tips into this blog that will take your session from good to great! When you’re prepared and relaxed, it’ll absolutely show in the photos! (Making for an enjoyable session, and dreamy images, of course) Keep on reading to make sure you don’t miss a thing while planning your session.
1) Plan plenty of time to get ready and arrive
NOTHING stresses me out quite like running late. Can anyone else relate? If you’re waving your hands in the air right now, this tip is super important for you.Plan more time than you think you need to get ready, account for traffic, and give yourself a few extra minutes to find the location if you've never been there before! We plan our engagement sessions a little while before sunset, so starting late just typically means less overall time in your session. While we can still make magic happen in a short amount of time, we want to make the most of every moment! Plus, you don’t want to begin your session feeling stressed or frazzled because you had to rush.
2) Wear something you are totally comfortable in
The number one question we get for engagement sessions: What to wear?!We always tell our clients to stick to their personal styles, but maybe take it up a notch! We recommend simple outfits- Pastel and neutral colors often photograph best. It’s better to coordinate outfits with complimentary colors, rather than matching, to go for a mix of solids and patterns, and to make sure the color and style of your clothing will fit in well with the location we’ve picked out for your photos. Most of all, wear something you both look and feel great in, and also true to who you are. For the sake of time and ease, most engagement sessions have two outfits, but if you can’t choose, feel free to bring a few options and we will give suggestions at the shoot! Finally, and MOST importantly, good engagement photos (in our opinion) involve a lot of sitting on the ground or on potentially dirty surfaces, walking, running, twisting, hugging, etc. Don’t wear something you’re constantly having to readjust, or something you’re afraid to get a speck of dirt on!If you want more advice or inspiration, check out our pinterest page here.
3) Come prepared
Our engagement sessions range from two to three hours, so you should definitely prepare for anything you might want during that time! Some good things to remember would be a jacket, walking shoes (in between locations... ladies, don't keep your heels on the whole time!), treats (if you are bringing your dog), makeup, hairbrush, hair spray, and water. We also love encouraging couples to bring props like champagne, a guitar, bikes, or anything else that really speaks to who you are! These personal touches always take an engagement session to the next level (plus we love getting to learn even more about you as a couple and your hobbies!)
There you have it- our three best tips to keep in mind before your engagement session! If you take these things into account, you’re guaranteed to have a more fun, relaxed session (and that will definitely shine through in your images)! We can’t WAIT for the opportunity to photograph you for an engagement session and capture this sweet time for you both.
Want to get inspired for your own session? Check out Eric and Katie right here, who decided to use their session at their favorite places around the city. It was so personal and unique!
Armature Works :: Nuage Shoot
Kara + Tony
Chay + Sean
Elise + Keith
Megan + Julian
Photography: Justin DeMutiis Photography | Event Coordinator: Cindy Stonehouse | Florist: Duarte Floral Design | Videographer: Jason Mize | Musician/DJ : INPULSE Entertainment | Make Up Artist: Bella Luxe | Gown Boutique: Malindy Elene | Ceremony/Reception: Casa Marina Key West
