The Tampa wedding of Dr. Rashida Jones and Mr. Ryan De Souza was nothing short of exceptional. The pair tied the knot in a chic and lavish ceremony and reception at CAVU Tampa on Sunday, March 14, 2020, PI Day. Rashida shares all the details of their story below.
Our story began in Washington, D.C., on a warm July night in 2015. We bonded over our shared love of music festivals, travel, fitness, and our home state of Florida while bowling in Georgetown. Our relationship blossomed over the years, dancing to some of our favorite artists at legendary D.C. venues like 9:30 Club, Echostage, and U Street Music Hall; traveling to new and familiar locations; earning obscene amounts of splat points at OrangeTheory Fitness; and spending quality time with family in Tallahassee, Tampa, and Lehigh Acres.
As we matured in our walk together, we knew God was calling us to a lifetime of commitment to each other. Ryan quickly became an expert in shopping for engagement rings, sweating the details until he found the perfect dazzling emerald-cut diamond. On August 5, 2018, we got engaged in the picturesque Canadian Rockies, where Ryan proposed near the summit of Whistlers Peak in Jasper, Alberta.
Like most, when I was a little girl I dreamed of wearing the most extravagant princess-style ball gown on my wedding day. However, when my 29-year-old self began trying on wedding gowns, I completely fell in love with more form-fitting, mermaid gowns complete with a long dramatic train and veil. I said yes to the dress over the course of a weekend after visiting four local salons in Tampa with my family. Funny story, after visiting the third salon on Saturday, I felt that I had found a gown I liked but wasn’t totally in love with. During my last appointment, the bridal consultant asked me to show her a picture of the gown I sort of loved and simply replied “I can beat that” as she pulled a Martina Liana gown from the rack and placed it into the fitting room for me to try. She was definitely right! After trying on this single gown, I said yes to the dress! After multiple visits to Suit Supply and exploring options, Ryan selected a beautiful midnight blue tuxedo, capping off his dapper, tailored look with a black bow tie and suede Magnanni loafers.
We wanted to incorporate cultural elements in our wedding so we “jumped the broom” to signify our new lives together! Since our wedding fell on Pi-Day, we served our guests mini pies in observance of this math holiday.
Special thanks to Victoria King Co-Owner & Principal Planner at Royal Events & Services for sharing Rashida and Ryan’s wedding with our readers!!
Vendor Collaboration
Wedding Dress: Martina Liana || Wedding Dress Salon: Malindy Elene || Bridesmaids Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Tampa ||
Hair & Makeup: Bride’s Hair: Janique Hobbs: @hairbyjanique and Amber Mimz loc adornments aka Hair
Sprinkles || Bridal Party Hair: Carmen Mcleod || Bridal Party Makeup: Nicki McPherson @nickimacbrides || Groom’s hair: Loc’s of Wisdom: @locsofwisdom2013 @locsofwisdom2_llc || Shoes: Bride: Jimmy Choo | Groom: Magnanni || Ceremony and Reception Venue: CAVU Tampa || Photography: Joshua Dwain || Videography: Suzanne Delawar Studios || Wedding Planner & Event Designer: Jessica Campbell Events | Florist: Royal Events and Services || Cake: Alessi Bakery || Stationery: My Favorite Things || Groom’s Attire: Suitsupply || Groomsmen Attire: The Black Tux || String Quartet: Julie Paradies || DJ: Bradmasterj Musiq || Rentals: Over The Top Rentals (linens) || Kate Ryan Event Rentals || Elite Events and Rentals
