Dana and Anthony are married! They celebrated their 8th anniversary by becoming husband and wife, and I couldn’t be more honored that I was asked to document their gorgeous destination wedding here in Tampa, FL. Their wedding was a fusion of Filipino and Chinese traditions that were a true joy to witness. The entire day felt like a massive celebration and after 8 years together, it definitely was! Congratulations again Dana and Anthony!! 

Their Love Story 

You might recognize Dana and Anthony from their beautiful Arabia Mountain engagement session! Take a look and learn more about their love story there. Dana and Anthony met in college through mutual friends, and soon realized they had more in common than a friendship. Their relationship always felt very natural and evolved organically. With that kind of foundation, they’re going to truly have a beautiful marriage together! 

St. Paul’s Catholic Church Wedding Ceremony 

When Dana lived in Tampa, she attended St. Paul’s Catholic Church. It made sense for her and Patrick to return here for their big day because it was so meaningful to her! The entire ceremony was absolutely beautiful. They incorporated some special Filipino traditions, like lighting of candles, her veil, their communion and prayer songs. Ceremonies are always special when they include nods to a couples’ culture like that. 

Higgins Hall Wedding Day 

My favorite part of Dana and Anthony;’s wedding day had to be their Higgins Hall wedding reception. Their reception was a fun party but also infused with so many meaningful traditions. Dana and Anthony were married on January 22nd, which was their anniversary but also the Chinese Lunar New Year. Because of that, they planned for a traditional Lion Dance where money is placed in red envelopes and fed to the dragon for prosperity and good luck. It was incredible! Dana and Anthony also wore traditional wedding outfits for part of the night before changing into a more relaxed outfit. 

The other special moment was that Anthony surprised Dana with a special dance! She loves BTS and usually makes fun of him for not being a great dancer. But, he pulled out all the stops for her during this special moment. She loved it and was in tears after his performance! It was a lot of fun and definitely had people talking when Dana and Anthony made the rounds to visit their guests. 

Congratulations, Dana and Anthony! Your Tampa, FL wedding day was an absolute blast and I loved learning all about new traditions from both of you. I wish you a lifetime of happiness together!! 

Tampa, FL Wedding Vendors 

Photographer: Ruth Terrero Photography
Planner: Hello, Your Story Events
Florist: Jennie’s Florist
Ceremony Venue: St. Paul’s Catholic Church
Reception Venue: Higgins Hall
Beauty: Beauty Marked FL
Bridal Shop: Bridals by Aimee
Wedding Gown Designer: Justin Alexander
Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie
Men’s Attire: Generation Tux
Event Rentals: Tampa Events
DJ: Spinfamous Entertainment

I love getting to capture these special moments so that you can remember your wedding day for the rest of your life! For me, your wedding day is so much more than just a day.

You deserve a wedding photographer who is invested in you and capturing every moment! Reach out and let’s connect to book your wedding day here in Florida (or around the world)!