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The
Wedding Planner
Michelle Wilcox, Catering Manager at the Tampa Marriott Waterside
Hotel & Marina
Are you planning the
resort or hotel wedding of your dreams...and looking for a planner
who can help you make those dreams come true? In this monthly
column, we interview Marriott wedding planners; each planner has
passed the Marriott
International Wedding Certification Program.
This month, we interview
Michelle Wilcox, Catering Manager at the Tampa Marriott Waterside
Hotel and Marina in Tampa, Florida for her tips on weddings at
this elegant property. Michelle also gives us her special
tips on planning a wedding reception.
What
aspects of your property are most attractive to brides?
Brides consistently remark how beautiful the main lobby and ballroom
space is. When you step inside our front door it opens up to a
three-story grand foyer with open windows and our signature palm
trees lining the atrium. As you survey the hotel from an open-air
bridge on our second floor, you have a mesmerizing view of the
lobby and our new Marina.
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Wedding
Photos!
Click
here for a photo gallery featuring real weddings at
the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina plus photos
of sites available for your wedding at the hotel.
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Our Ballrooms have
been created with classic designs and simple elegance. The Grand
Ballroom holds both small and large weddings featuring striking
high ceilings, classic wood fixtures and breathtaking crystal
chandlers. Our Florida Ballroom has its own private corner of
the hotel. It features Italian marble accents and rod iron chandlers
and wall sconces giving it a Mediterranean feel. The window overlooks
the downtown skyline creating an open feeling you cant experience
in a typical ballroom.
What are the most popular wedding venues
at the property, both for large and small weddings?
Both our ballrooms as I described above are in great demand. They
both have spacious, open foyers full of windows overlooking the
water.
Plus,
the hotel embraces Marinas and Parks on three sides. The demand
frequently is for outdoor options. We have a popular outside patio
brides love to use for the cocktail receptions, weather permitting.
We just expanded our ceremony options to include the Waterfront
Marina next door for ceremonies of 175 or less.
What local elements (food, music, decorations,
etc.) can a bride add to her wedding to give it a regional atmosphere?
Our local elements are Cuban Inspired and Florida Favorites. Most
frequently, couples explore these elements at the rehearsal dinners
more than the wedding day itself. We do outdoor receptions with
a Cuban Flair Buffets. Key lime pie is always a favorite and we
have one that has won awards.
We also are known for our Strawberries and have a local celebration
every year. So, the number one addition to almost every wedding
are Chocolate-dipped Strawberries in a Tuxedo Style design.
Of Course, Fresh Seafood is another Florida favorite! We offer
many ways to add this to any menu.
The most popular musical addition is a Calypso Band during the
cocktail party or for the Rehearsal Dinner. Latin bands have also
been popular when one or both of the couples are of Hispanic Heritage.
Probably the one thing I see added is a Cigar Roller. With Tampas
Cuban heritage, frequently the couple has a cigar roller making
personalized cigars for guests to enjoy after dinner with cordials.
For brides planning a weekend wedding,
what nearby attractions or on property activities are of special
interest for their guests?
On property, we have some great features brides love. The most
popular for brides is our spa. Many of them check in a day or
two early and enjoy a day of pampering. Grooms love the sports
bar, Champions, for the men to gather and catch the latest game
scores. Parents love the restaurants, especially for the morning
after breakfast get-togethers.
Locally we couldnt be in a better location for a downtown
property. Just outside our door is Tampas new trolley station.
For a small fee, guests can ride on a classic looking trolley
to Channelside at Garrison SeaPort, which is a waterfront promenade
where the Carnival & Holland America cruise ships depart and
features an upscale entertainment complex. It features an upscale
bowling alley, numerous restaurants, dancing clubs, movie theaters
and shops. It also is the dock for an upscale dinner cruise and
is very popular for Friday night rehearsal dinners.
The next stop for the downtown trolley is a famous local attraction
Ybor (EE-Bor) City. This is a Century old Tampa neighborhood celebrating
Tampas Cuban & Italian Heritage. It is a small community
which has kept its authentic flavor but has also undergone
a rebirth by adding fantastic dinning options, shops, movies,
live comedy shows, nightclubs and museums.
These are just a small the example of nearby attractions Tampa
offers and we are pleased to be right is the center of them. Tampa
is a Vacation Utopia with a wide range of attractions for out
of town guests to enjoy. Near by attractions include: numerous
golf courses, Busch Gardens, Florida Aquarium, Tampa Bay Performing
Arts Center, Museum of Science and Industry, St. Pete Times forum
(for sporting events and concerts), Adventure Island Water Park,
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Football, NY Yankees Spring Training, and
International Plaza Mall for upscale shopping. Added activities
less than an hours drive include St. Pete & Clearwater Beaches,
Devil Ray Baseball and Orlando Theme parks.
To plan a Marriott
wedding, call the Marriott of your choice and ask to consult with
the hotel's wedding event planner. For more information on Marriott
Hotels, Resorts, and Suites, call 1-800-228-9290 or see www.marriott.com.
Photo courtesy
Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina
Untitled Document
Marriott
Weddings Read more interviews with Marriott wedding planners, check out
wedding photo galleries, and read the tips of wedding planners .
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