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.

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 can’t 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 Tampa’s 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 couldn’t be in a better location for a downtown property. Just outside our door is Tampa’s 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 Tampa’s Cuban & Italian Heritage. It is a small community which has kept it’s 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