Story
Stephanie and Josh have known each other for a long time at work. The first words Josh said to Stephanie were, "Do you like Coke Zero?" And she said, "I like Diet Coke." And then he narrowed his eyes and put his headphones on.
Fast forward some years, and the two found themselves single and depressed, like Wolverine picking fights in a bar after Stryker injected his body with adamantium. The cruel weight of reality and metal alloy! All these feelings! Since they had literally nothing else to do, they decided to meet at an Italian restaurant where a lady stands in the corner playing a keyboard and singing Billy Joel dirges. At the table, they high-fived the high five of the lonely, and then proceeded to inexplicably tell each other their deepest secrets over fried calamari and wine. It was fairly clear, then, that they would not be apart. To mix metaphors, the Sorting Hat had put them in the same house and there was nothing anyone could do.
Since that time, Steph has introduced Josh to bathroom humor, narrating your life in song, and the importance of having a well-stocked costume base. Josh has introduced Steph to American-made small batch products, home improvement jobs done at a higher quality than, "Just slap some tape on it," and an enthralling five-year-old child who keeps their life void of sleep and full of joy.
Tidbits
Who made the first move? How?
Josh really cemented things when, while helping Stephanie write a scene in a story late one night, he told her about the co-worker at a Nebraska Runza who unfortunately got too close to the braised meat oil. She knew she couldn't let this kind of inspiration go.
What's your favorite activity together?
Riding our 1990 golf cart around Dunedin and making everyone jealous. Wondering why people still do the dollop and spoon-smear plating on Chopped. 2005 called; it wants its presentation back. Looking through catalogs of aspirational older-male fashions. Reconsidering having a cat.
Where are you going for your honeymoon?
Greece!
What's the best meal you have eaten together?
For our anniversary one year, we got a 7-course tasting meal at a great local gem. We didn't understand that one 7-course tasting menu was really enough for two people, which is why when we ordered two, they looked at us and said, "No one has ever done this before," with terrified eyes. We ate the whole thing.
What's the most memorable trip you have taken together?
We've had some great trips. But our most memorable might be the $200 Groupon cruise to the Bahamas, where someone came on the intercom every 20 minutes to try and sell us Troll Beads. Every bead has a story, every story has a bead.
Schedule
Monday, September 4, 2017
Wedding Ceremony and Reception
5:30 PM to 12:00 AM
Arrive at 5:30 p.m., grab a drink in the lobby and make your way into the theater. Reception with tacos and dancing immediately to follow throughout the lobby and theater. After 10 p.m., we will have karaoke for the true believers.
Black tie encouraged. See the FAQ for more details and suggestions.
To Be Announced
Welcome Dinner
We'll have a casual dinner for the wedding party and out-of-town guests at Steph and Josh's house Sunday evening, Sept. 3. 5 p.m. You will receive an invite with an address via Facebook.
Casual
Travel
Courtyard by Marriott Tampa Downtown
Group rate is $139 a night if you book by Aug. 9. The hotel is a few blocks from the Tampa Theatre, so it's walkable, but an on-demand shuttle service is available for trips within two miles of the hotel. Mention our wedding when you call.
The Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk
Group rate is $115 a night if you book by Aug. 9. It is less than a 10-minute walk from the Barrymore to the Tampa Theatre. Mention our wedding when you call.
Holiday Inn Express Clearwater North/Dunedin
Although the wedding is in Tampa, we live in Dunedin, 30-45 minutes away depending on traffic. The rehearsal/welcome dinner for out of town guests will be at our house. If you're coming in from out of town, you might want to consider staying in Dunedin, or splitting your stay between Dunedin and Tampa. The Dunedin hotel is blocks from the water, walking distance to our house and a half-dozen craft breweries, plus restaurants, a bike trail and more. We have a limited number of rooms reserved here at a group rate of $125 per night, subject to change with availability. Book by Aug. 4 to get the rate. Call the hotel desk (not the main Holiday Inn switchboard) and mention our wedding.
Q & A
You got questions? We got answers.
Tell me about the venue!
The Tampa Theatre is a magnificent, historic 1926 movie palace, still a fully functional movie theater today. (That's why the wedding is on a Monday -- the long holiday was the closest we could get to a weekend night when the theater didn't have an event.) It is one of the most beautiful, ornate places in Tampa Bay, in our opinion. Find out more about the history of the theater:
Where should I park?
The Tampa Theatre does not have parking. There is metered public street parking and public lots available all over downtown Tampa. Carpool if you can!
What should I wear?
Now is your first chance since prom to go all out! Gowns, tuxes, dinner jackets, anything that sparkles. We'd love to match the glamour of the historic 1926 movie theater. And really, when would you get to dress up like this otherwise?
Ladies, feel free to wear something elegant or extravagant:
Think of that dress you'd love to wear, if only you had the right event. Consider your options from a service like or a similar website, such as these:
Gentleman, here's a handy guide to the more rigid black tie dress code:
That said, get creative. You can rent from Men's Wearhouse or Jos. A. Bank, of course, but these online rental sites offer far more options in styles, cuts and yes, even colors:
Will food be served?
We'll have a taco bar courtesy of the Taco Bus, a Tampa institution that has been featured on Food Network, the Travel Channel and the Cooking Channel. Visit .
Can I bring a date?
Yes!
Are kids welcome?
Yes!
Are the ceremony and reception locations wheelchair accessible?
Tampa Theatre is ADA-compliant, but note that some areas outside the lobby and main auditorium are not handicapped accessible. There are restrooms on every floor. Lighting is dim and stairs can be steep!
I am coming from out of town. Where should I stay?
See our hotel options for group rates, and feel free to ask either of us for other recommendations. As mentioned above, one thing to keep in mind is that the wedding is in Tampa, while we live 20 miles away in Dunedin. if you're looking to hang with us beforehand, Dunedin is a great town! If you want to walk to and from the wedding, stay in downtown Tampa. You could even consider changing hotels, depending on the day.
Is the wedding indoors or outdoors?
It's all inside.
Will last names be changing after the wedding?
No.
Will there be dancing?
So much dancing. But you don't have to if it's not your thing.
Is it okay to take pictures with our phones and cameras during the wedding?
We not only don't mind, we encourage it. Use #tacosandtuxedos.
Do I need cash?
The bar is open, but tip your bartenders! And we will be doing a dollar dance in memory of Josh's parents with all proceeds going to PFLAG, so if you'd like to participate, bring some dollars.
Is there a gifts registry?
Please see links below.
Who took these awesome pictures of you?
Thank you to our friend Eve Edelheit () for the fun photo shoot.
Who is your wedding photographer?
Thank you to Carrie Pratt at Simply Blue Studios ().
About the invitations.
Thank you to Brittany Volk () for designing the invitations and Steve Madden for illustrating them.
About the dress.
Thank you to bridesmaid and professional costume/dance wear/evening wear designer Summer Gray (), who is designing the bride's dress, as well as the dresses of the women and girls in the bridal party.
Wedding Party
Summer Gray
Bridesmaid/dress designer
Amanda Willhite
Bridesmaid
Emily Nipps
Bridesmaid
Fred Gehrling
Groomsman
Ryan Honeyman
Groomsman
Ellen Clarke
Groomswoman
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