Bride and groom kissing in front of the American Victory Ship at night after their Florida Aquarium wedding in Tampa

Happy Halloween! I’ve been saving this wedding for today!!!

One year ago, Elizabeth and Ronnie got married at The Florida Aquarium in downtown Tampa. After the cake was cut, Elizabeth changed into a short white dress and we all walked over to the American Victory Ship for its haunted Halloween experience. There were zombies, escaped prisoners and a chainsaw, plus a lot of screaming (mostly Elizabeth) and even more laughing. They just celebrated their first anniversary, so happy anniversary, you two. This one’s for you guys!!!!

Elizabeth loves mermaids, (she has an awesome tattoo). So when it came time to choose a venue, the aquarium was an easy yes. The ocean theme ran through everything: “Two Less Fish in the Sea” invitations, a sea turtle save-the-date, a wooden fish guest book, and a hand-painted mermaid wine glass waiting at the sweetheart table. Ronnie brought his own fandom too, with lightsabers for the groomsmen, Star Wars touches on the tables and some very fun socks.

The Florida Aquarium entrance in downtown Tampa on Elizabeth and Ronnie’s wedding day

Bridal details with tiaras, necklace, garter, invitation, red and ivory rose bouquet and silver heels

Ocean-themed wedding invitation suite reading Two Less Fish in the Sea with a sea turtle save-the-date

Aquamarine pear-shaped engagement ring resting in a red rose

Wedding bands resting on the ocean-themed wedding invitation

Lace David’s Bridal wedding gown hanging beside silver bridal heels and a rose bouquet

The groomsmen wore black suits from Dillard’s with red vests and rose boutonnieres. They gathered under the giant manta ray at the aquarium entrance, and of course the lightsabers came out and there were Star Wars socks!

Groomsman pinning a red rose boutonniere on the groom, with a close-up of his red vest and pocket square

Groom and groomsmen under the giant manta ray sculpture at The Florida Aquarium entrance

Groomsmen holding lightsabers on The Florida Aquarium boardwalk

Groomsmen showing off their themed wedding socks

Elizabeth got ready the upstairs room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Channel District. My favorite moments of the morning were her mom fastening her necklace and then placing her veil. Afterward, Elizabeth and her bridesmaids rode the escalator up to the Wetlands where it was time for first look.

Bridesmaid holding up the wedding gown and the bride getting dressed with her mom and bridesmaid

Mother of the bride fastening the bride’s necklace and placing her veil

Bride riding the escalator down with her bridesmaids at The Florida Aquarium

Ronnie waited among the mangroves in the aquarium’s wetlands gallery, with an egret and a few ducks as witnesses. When Elizabeth tapped his shoulder and he turned around, his smile said everything. I love doing first look there and photos before because the light in there is always so pretty and many times after the ceremony it’s already dark outside so you have to get up there before the ceremony!

Groom waiting for the first look as the bride walks up in the aquarium’s wetlands gallery

Groom smiling at his bride during their first look among the mangroves

Bride and groom kissing after their first look at The Florida Aquarium

Of course we photographed that mermaid tattoo. A real mermaid at the aquarium deserved her moment. The bridesmaids wore deep burgundy, which looked rich against the greenery and red-and-ivory roses. They also crowned Elizabeth with their bouquets, which was one of the most joyful frames of the day. This is where getting married at an aquarium pays off. We took portraits in the coral reef tunnel and by a round porthole window, then waited for the big reef tank to cooperate. A sea turtle drifted right behind Elizabeth, and a shark cruised overhead while she and Ronnie held each other. You can’t plan moments like that. You just have to be ready when they happen.

Red and ivory rose bridal bouquet and the bride’s mermaid tattoo

Wedding party in burgundy and black among the mangroves at The Florida Aquarium

Bride with her bridesmaids in burgundy gowns

Bride and groom in a round porthole window and in front of a reef tank at The Florida Aquarium

Bride and groom embracing as a shark swims overhead at The Florida Aquarium

Bride and groom with a sea turtle swimming by in the coral reef tunnel

Elizabeth’s mom walked her down the aisle toward the giant reef window, where Ronnie was waiting. Halfway through the vows, a shark swam right behind them. Then came the first kiss, the cheers and the walk back up the aisle as husband and wife.

Groomsmen waiting at the altar and the bride walking down the aisle with her mom

Wedding ceremony in front of the giant reef window at The Florida Aquarium

Bride and groom holding hands at the altar as a shark swims behind them

Bride smiling at the groom during their Florida Aquarium wedding ceremony

Bride and groom exchanging vows in front of the aquarium window with their wedding party

Newlyweds kissing as they walk back up the aisle

Guests sipped champagne beside a shark-jaw display, and a skeleton or two joined the party. October at the aquarium comes with a little extra character. The deep red with blue accents look amazing with the dark and moody tank in the background. Their cake topped with the 2 of them and their dog was the perfect finishing touch. There was a grand entrance, a first dance as fish (and one more shark) swam past, Elizabeth danced with her mom and Ronnie danced with his mom. You can feel how loved they are by their friends and family.

Reception tables with burgundy linens, rose centerpieces and candles at The Florida Aquarium

Sweetheart table with red and ivory roses and a Mr and Mrs sign in front of the aquarium window

Shark jaw champagne display and a wooden fish puzzle guest book

Rose centerpiece, mermaid wine glass and a galaxy blue Alessi Bakery wedding cake

Bride and groom’s grand entrance and first dance in front of the reef window

Mother-daughter dance, mother-son dance and toasts at a Florida Aquarium wedding reception

Bride and groom cutting their galaxy blue wedding cake and sharing a kiss

This is the scariest part of the story!!! One of the perks of getting married at The Florida Aquarium is that the American Victory Ship, a World War II cargo ship turned museum, is docked right next door, and every October it becomes a haunted attraction. Anyone who knows me, knows I do not do haunted houses or scary things EVER!!!! But, Linda and I sacrificed and took one for the team for our clients!! Elizabeth swapped her gown for a short white dress, and we all headed aboard. Mugshots in front of a height chart, escaped prisoners, a zombie or two, a chainsaw, and Elizabeth’s scream echoing across the deck. I’ve photographed 700+ weddings, and this was a first. Thankfully we were behind them the whole time, otherwise I would have passed out!!