Featured Venues / Downtown Tampa
Are you wanting to get married in the Downtown Tampa area?
Downtown Tampa is an awesome place to get married! It gives you that urban city vibe with a modern twist or historically inspired. There are tons of great venues to choose from and our hope is to help you narrow down the google results and pick the spot that’s best for you and your fiancé's big day. Most of all, these venues have the Rad Red Creative seal of approval - would definitely shoot at again and again!
Whether you are searching for a trendy/historic look or a glamorous/modern classic look - downtown Tampa has options for you to choose from! In this blog post we are going to go through some of our favorite spots and give some highlights from each. We will specifically be talking about venues non-hotel related, our hotel options will be coming up in another post.
Armature Works
Holy exposed bricks and original wood floors! One of Tampa’s newest event spaces is a totally gem! This place might not technically be in the downtown area, but its right outside in Tampa Heights and has an amazing view of the city skyline and the river. Hands down one of our favorite venues to shoot and work with! The behind the scenes crew is stellar and there are lots of amazing places for photos. This venue can host small or HUGE weddings! With some part of it holding over 500 people for a plate dinner!!
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Raddest pro: TONS of photo locations and options. From the outside Riverwalk and Skyline view to the red brick in the front and back of the venue to the adorable urban and unique inside full of murals, a killer bar and couches.
Photographers Note: Armature Works couples need to be prepared for a little audience during portraits. You see, this venue doubles as a market with food stalls, restaurants and hangout areas for the Riverwalk so on the weekend it’s hoppin’! I mean I did said it was amazing right??!! Most people are super polite and we don’t recommend not choosing the location because of this. We just would rather you be prepared especially if you want photos inside during business hours.
The Rialto
Behind the beautiful blue doors is a historic theater that has been renovated to make all your wedding dreams come true! It has insanely high ceilings and lots of white walls and neutral spaces to allow for any theme or color palette. There are countless ways to setup a ceremony and reception in this venue. This venue holds lots of people so it can be used for big weddings or sectioned off and used for an intimate wedding.
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RADDEST pro: The amazing arch that goes all the way to the ceiling! Such an amazing focal point for a Ceremony or a Reception.
Photographers Note: Be sure to set the proper time for portraits because you do have to venture out a little to get a variety of spots. Especially if any part of the venue is being flipped during cocktail hour!
CAVU
CAVU is a modernized historic building that was originally an auto showroom back in 1921. It has polished concrete floors, high ceilings with exposed rafters and the original brick. This venue is right in the prime of Tampa’s infamous “Yellow Brick Row” just down the street from the heart of Downtown Tampa. The venue has a standing capacity of 250! But just perfect for a smaller wedding.
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Raddest Pro: The super hip vibe it has and the indoor/outdoor elements to mix it up!
Photographer Note: When choosing where onsite you want the ceremony, make sure you pay close attention to the sunset. Where the sun is facing during the ceremony will help a ton for photos!
CL Space
Formally the Hip Room, the CL Space is where historic charm meets urban vibes. Right above the Hall on Franklin this adorable little spot has exposed brick and metal beams for a perfect downtown feel. This is for small or medium sized weddings and the room might have to be flipped during cocktail hour, so you will want to take a tour and make sure it’s the right spot for you.
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RADDEST pro: It’s hard the choose! We are in love with the exposed brick walls and also the view of the city out of the venue at night. Since it’s on the 2nd floor you can see right out into Downtown at the Riverwalk.
Photographer Note: If you have to flip the main room during cocktail hour, we would recommend doing family, wedding party and couple portraits somewhere outside because it can get a little crowded. For an urban style you can take portraits on the street areas and murals or you can take a short walk to the park nearby.
Tampa River Center
Looking for the skyline to be the backdrop where you say your vows? This might be it! Back down the river towards the main downtown area is one Tampa’s newest venues! Beautiful modern architecture makes this spot unlike the ones before. The exposed beams have a new age look as apposed to historic and it’s about as close to the river as you can get! This venue can hold up to 200 people seated inside and has multiple spots for ceremony and cocktail hour.
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Raddest Pro: The large windows open up all the way along the back deck so you can have an indoor/outdoor reception while gazing at the stars and the skyline! Truly amazing!
Photographer Note: The Julian B Lane park right next to the center and the art installations make for some really cool spots to take portraits! No need to travel far for this one - everything can be done really close!
Oxford Exchange
Right across the street from the University of Tampa is one of Tampa’s first community inspired places. Oxford Exchange. This modern daydream is just picturesque inside! Perfect location for the modern Bride! With lots of options for Ceremony and Reception areas and a guest count of up to 200!
Getting Ready Area - 👍 for getting your dress on / 👎 for hair and makeup
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Raddest Pro: All the RAD spots inside for photos! From the shops to the white brick walls.
Photographer Note: Because its open during the day, photos can’t start until 5:45pm on the day of your wedding, so if your getting married during daylight savings you have daylight still but if not remember it will be dark before starting photos at the venue.
Straz Center
Are you and your fiancé big theater buffs? Well the Straz Center for Performing Arts might be the way to go! Not only do they have indoor options but they also have amazing outdoor options right along the Riverwalk! They can host weddings up to 180 people.
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Raddest Pro: Being right on the Riverwalk is such a huge pro! The Riverwalk is the a part of the soul that is Downtown Tampa so to be so close to it is awesome for your guests. Especially if they are coming from out of town.
Photographer Note: You can actually have photos taken on the big stage! Make sure and ask about it when you inquire.
Tampa Museum of Art
Love art? Looking for a modern style venue? Consider the Tampa Museum of Art! Their outdoor terrace can hold up to 400 people seated and has an awesome view of the University of Tampa, the skyline and the river.
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Raddest Pro: You can allow your guests to view all the art on the 2nd floor during your wedding! How fun? Might call for less decor!
Photographer Note: Just across the street at the University of Tampa is a great spot to get more greenery for photos if you like a mixture! Also, the modern architecture of the museum will allow for some super create portraits!
The Vault
Smack dap in the heart of Tampa’s downtown area is a renovated bank turned wedding venue! Yes, I totally just said bank!! Including the amazing walk-in vault. It’s neo-classic architecture is super unique and special making is a perfect spot for an elegant wedding. This 6000 square ft space has 35 ft ceilings and can host a seated dinner for up to 200 and standing room for 300! They also have an adjacent park area for outdoor use and a 2nd floor mezzanine that overlooks the main area. The floor to ceiling windows make for such an awesome reception feel.
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Raddest Pro: The amazing and architecture! This venue is truly one of a kind and if you are looking to host an elegant and modern wedding, it’s a must to tour!
Photographer Note: All the textures around the outside of the building make for great backdrops for photos. From the marble wall to the giant columns you will have some RAD photos. Also, you have the downtown area at your disposal, including the showstopping Tampa Theater sign.
Tampa Theater
Yes, you CAN get married in the Tampa Theater! This theater is truly one of a kind, I mean who wouldn’t want their name in lights - literally! This 1,238 seat theater could be a spectacular place to have your wedding ceremony. One thing to note is that this still is a working theater so the time frame you can rent are super limited. Be sure to hit them up ASAP if you are interested.
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Raddest Pro: The fact that it is a historic theater that’s almost 100 years old!
Photographer Note: It is dark inside except for the stage lighting so make sure you have a photographer that is skilled in handling this lighting scenario.
The Florida Aquarium
Every thought about getting married under the sea?? No scuba certification required! The Florida Aquarium is a great location for those sea life lovers! They have multiple locations for both ceremony and reception and can accommodate up to 200 guests. Their popular Coral Reef room makes a backdrop like no other for ceremony. Your photos might even get photo bombed by a shark!
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Raddest Pro: You can get photos taken with penguins!!! AHH! Not much is cooler than that!
Photographer Note: Make sure you hire a photo/video team that can handle the lighting in an indoor ceremony location like the aquarium!
We hope this article leads you down a path to find the right venue for you!! If you found it helpful be sure to share with your friends and pin away!
