Hannah+ Jared


Hannah + Jared's wedding introduced me to one of my new favorite wedding venues in the Tampa Bay area, The Orlo. It's a beautiful three story historic building, built in 1896, and has been beautifully restored while maintaining the architectural details that make it so captivating. The grounds are small but pretty, with several large old oak trees for shade. And I have to tell you, The Orlo has one of the BEST getting ready areas of any venue I've ever worked in.The prep space is a detail that is often not given the attention it deserves, and yet such a big portion of the wedding day's activities and photos happen there. The prep space at The Orlo has plenty of space and and natural light, and is decorated tastefully and with elegance. There is even a large bathroom with a clawfoot tub and ornate mirrors. There are so many opportunities to turn the space into something even more whimsical and romantic than it already is; such as the grand staircase that is the focal point of the entrance, and which many couples choose to decorate with candles, greenery, and florals. Hannah and Jared's wedding was an intimate one, with a smaller than average number of guests and a dinner party style reception (no band or dance floor). The Orlo also has a large room that can accommodate up to 295 people, which is not pictured in this blog.


This was also my first time photographing a wedding at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in downtown Tampa, and it did not disappoint. There is just something so dramatic and beautiful about the grand sanctuary filled with intricate stained glass, the long center aisle, and the ability to photograph from the balcony.

One of the sweetest moments of Hannah + Jared's wedding day was when her parents surprised her by bringing her dog, who had been unwell, to see his mommy and daddy during the reception. The look on Hannah's face was heart melting when she saw her sweet pup, and he got to get in some face licks and cuddles before the newlyweds headed back inside to celebrate with their friends and family.


Hannah and Jared's wedding was a wonderful example of a smaller wedding that doesn't compromise on luxury and elegance. There were so many fun touches, such as a gourmet coffee cart by Cafe Ala Carte, and a S'mores bar where guests could make their own S'mores and roast them over an open fire outdoors. Many couples are currently facing a dwindling guest list due to COVID concerns or mitigation efforts, and I hope this wedding can be an inspiration, illustrating that less guests doesn't mean less fun or less memorable.


Ceremony Venue: Sacred Heart Catholic Church / Venue: The Orlo / Planner: Piper Marie Events / Cake: Hands On Sweets / Caterer: Puff N Stuff / Pet Care: Fairy Tale Petcare / Video: Lucky Lemon Films / Photography: Tara Tomlinson Photography

The Orlo, a historic wedding venue in Tampa, FL which is a gray two story house
The Orlo, a historic wedding venue in Tampa, FL with a large tree in the yard
Layout of wedding invitation and stationary for The Orlo in Tampa, FL
Hand drawn map of Tampa, FL for a wedding at The Orlo
Wedding dress hanging in the window with pink curtains at the Orlo , a wedding venue in Tampa, FLorida
Bride in a silk robe looking at her wedding dress
Bride in a silk robe reaching for her wedding dress
Bride in a silk robe sitting on a clawfoot bathtub in the mirror
close up of bride's face in black and white
Bride sitting on a love seat in peach silk robe and looking out the window
Bride sitting on a love seat in peach silk robe and looking out the window
a mother buttoning a bride's BHLDN wedding dress
Bride standing in front of a mirror at the Orlo in Tampa
bride looking in the mirror in the bathroom of the Orlo in tampa
Bride in wedding dress with bouquet sitting on  chair in front of the window at The Orlo
Close up of the bride's hands showing her engagement ring
bride looking out the window holding onto a pink curtain
Bride in BHLDN wedding dress standing in the window
Suit jacket hanging on a hanger that says the groom
groom looking in the mirror at Le Meridien Hotel in Tampa as he gets dressed
Groom's wedding shoes sitting on a table
Groom fixing his tie at Le Meridien hotel in Tampa
The back of the groom looking out the window
Groom sitting in chair in hotel room in tampa
groom sitting on hotel bed putting on shoes
Groom buttoning suit jacket
Groom and groomsmen waiting in hotel lobby
Front of Sacred Heart Church in Tampa, FL
Interior of Sacred Heart Church in Tampa showing the stained glass
Father walking bride down the aisle at Sacred Heart Church in Tampa
Groom seeing his bride for the first time as she walks down the aisle
bride and groom exchanging rings at the altar at sacred heart church
bride and groom walking down the aisle during the recessional at sacred heart church
the bride and groom walking down the aisle at their wedding photographed from above
Family portrait at a wedding at Sacred Heart Church in Tampa
Bride and groom posing with foreheads touching in the entrance of sacred heart church in Tampa
bride and groom looking at the camera and smiling
bride and groom standing in sacred heart church and kissing
bride and groom walking down the stairs at sacred heart church
bride and groom standing in front of arched doorway on the steps of sacred heart church in downtown tampa
sweetheart table in front of fireplace at the orlo in tampa
bridal bouquet and stairway lined with candles and greenery at the Orlo in tampa
wedding cake in the window at the orlo
a view of tables decorated with candles and greenery
custom wedding cookies decorated with a Florida design
custom wedding cookies decorated with a Florida design
Bride and groom standing in front of the stairs at the Orlo and smiling for the camera
close up of bride and groom smiling in front of the Orlo in tampa
groom hugging bride in the front yard of the oral wedding venue
brise and groom kissing in front of the Orlo at their wedding
bride and groom walking hand in hand
bride and groom kissing in front of a window with sunlight shining thorugh
bride and groom touching foreheads in front of window with pink curtain at the orlo
bride and groom looking out the window together
groom hugging bride from the back near the window at the orlo
bride looking out the window while holding bouquet and wearing a BHLDN gown
bride sitting in chair holding bouquet and looking out the window
bride sitting in chair holding bouquet and looking out the window
Groom sitting in chair wearing a black suit
Groom looking our the window and clasping his hands together showing his wedding band
bride and groom holding hands and walking down the stairs being surprised and emotional
bride greeting her dog at her wedding
dog licking the face of a bride
bride and groom walking their dog
stores table at a wedding at the Orlo in tampa
chocolate and marshmallows for smokers at a wedding
wedding and engagement rings sitting on top of a smores
bride and groom sitting at the sweetheart table and laughing at their wedding
bride and groom sitting at the sweetheart table and laughing at their wedding
view through an open door of wedding decor
bride and groom sitting on the stairs with candles and greenery at the Orlo in tampa
bride and groom dancing
bride and groom dancing at the orlo
bride and groom's first dance
bride and groom cutting their wedding cake
bride and groom feeding each other wedding cake
bride and groom serving themselves food at the buffet
group photo with dog at a wedding at the Orlo in tampa
men and women talking and hugging indoors at the Orlo  in tampa
wedding guests smiling and talking
wedding guests enjoying the fire and talking
watercolor art of a bride sitting near the window