Shanea & Mark | A Fat Beet Farm Wedding in Tampa, Florida

Some weddings feel like they were made for the couple — like the venue, the vibe, and the vision all aligned perfectly from day one. Shanea and Mark's wedding at Fat Beet Farm in Tampa was exactly that. From the moment I arrived I knew this day was going to be something special.

Fat Beet Farm is one of those Tampa wedding venues that genuinely surprises you. It's a working farm — complete with goats, garden beds bursting with marigolds and cabbage, and a red barn glowing in the distance — but it photographs beautifully for a wedding. The outdoor ceremony space sits beneath a canopy of sprawling live oaks draped with Spanish moss, and the indoor reception hall has that warm, modern-farmhouse feel. String lights. Polished concrete floors. Cross-back wood chairs and long farm tables. It's the kind of place that doesn't need a lot — because it already has everything.

The Dress That Stopped Everyone in Their Tracks

I have photographed a lot of wedding gowns. Lace, beaded, classic white, ivory, blush — you name it. But Shanea's gown from Truly Forever Bridal in Tampa was genuinely one of the most unique and breathtaking I've ever had the privilege of photographing and it’s exactly how she described it to me when she was telling me it would be a total surprise for Mark! A soft tulle ball gown with bold black floral lace appliqué sweeping from bodice to cathedral train, it was romantic and edgy and completely, unapologetically her.

The moment she stepped into that outdoor ceremony space against the backdrop of palms and live oaks, the entire room held its breath. The black detail photographed beautifully in the golden Florida light — and honestly, it made for some of the most dramatic, stunning portraits.

A Ceremony Full of Feeling

Shanea and Mark exchanged vows outdoors under a rustic wooden arch draped with white fabric and adorned with a lush floral swag — pink roses, blue hydrangea, baby's breath, and eucalyptus, all provided by the talented team at Fat Beet Farm. Their officiant Nan from Ceremonies by Nan kept the ceremony intimate and personal, and you could feel the love in that space even from behind my lens.

Their guests were showered with flower petals down the aisle — and then bubble cannons made the recessional one of those moments I'll talk about for years. The couple disappeared into a cloud of iridescent bubbles with the biggest smiles on their faces, and the golden late-afternoon Florida light hit every single one. That frame basically made itself.

The Photo They Had to Have — And We Delivered

"We have to get this shot." For Shanea and Mark, it was the goats.

Fat Beet Farm has a goat pen, and as soon as we wandered over for portraits, one incredibly photogenic goat pressed right up against the fence and stared directly into my lens like he knew exactly what he was doing. The three of them — bride, groom, and goat — all grinning at the camera. The bouquet in hand. The black floral gown. It is, without question, one of my favorite wedding portraits of the year.

That's the thing about farm weddings. The unexpected moments — the animals, the garden light, the spontaneous bubble chaos — those are the moments that make the photos feel real. We spent time in the working garden with rows of vegetables and marigolds, and that gown against the greenery? Absolutely iconic.

The Party That Matched the Heart of the Day

The reception inside Fat Beet Farm's event space was warm, personal, and full of joy from the very first toast. String lights blanketed the ceiling overhead, blue uplighting gave the room a soft romantic glow, and the farm tables and cross-back chairs brought that cozy, gathered-around-the-dinner-table feeling that made guests feel right at home. The sweetheart table was dressed with a lace runner, soft blue and blush florals, and flickering candles — and yes, those personalized date cookies were waiting at every seat. The toasts were heartfelt, the first dance was everything under those twinkly lights, and by the time the bouquet toss happened the energy in that room was pure happiness. Shanea and Mark didn't just throw a wedding — they threw a party that felt exactly like them.
Shanea and Mark, thank you for letting me be part of your day. Watching you two laugh through bubbles, sneak away for portraits in the garden rows, and steal quiet moments on those wooden chairs while your guests celebrated in the barn behind you — it was a privilege to witness and an honor to capture.

If you're dreaming of a Tampa wedding with personality, heart, and a setting that feels anything but ordinary, Fat Beet Farm should be at the very top of your list.

Creative Partners

A beautiful wedding takes a village of talented people. Huge congratulations and gratitude to the entire team who made Shanea and Mark's day possible:

Venue, Catering, Bar & Florals: Fat Beet Farm
Coordinator: Erika O'Brien Events
Videographer: AV Stat Media
DJ:  Grant Hemond
Officiant: Ceremonies by Nan
Hair & Makeup: Michele Renee The Studio
Wedding Dress: Truly Forever Bridal Tampa