Have your special day on beautiful Tampa Bay
Holds ceremonies and receptions
AWARD WINNER (3X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Tampa Bay Watch is a waterfront wedding venue located in Tierra Verde, FL. Nestled along the shoreline of Cunningham Key, this non-profit works to preserve and restore the estuary of the Tampa Bay through scientific and educational programs. The venue is conveniently situated near the entrance to Fort De Soto Park and 11 minutes south of St. Petersburg. Featuring a spacious ballroom and a breathtaking outdoor ceremony site, this community center is a picturesque spot to host your special occasion.
Weddings at Tampa Bay Watch are held out on the lawns, where the sparkling waves of the Key will paint a stunning backdrop. A dock can be used for taking photos with your wedding party. Receptions are hosted in the second floor banquet hall, a light and airy space that features floor-to-ceiling windows. This ballroom is designed with a neutral palette and chic aesthetic that will complement nuptials of all styles. The pièce de résistance is the 1,900-square-foot wraparound verandah. On this covered terrace, you and your guests can sip cocktails, sample hors d’oeuvres, and take in the sunset views.
Rental of Tampa Bay Watch includes tables and chairs that you can set up for your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. The venue also comes with a storage room and a prep kitchen that your chosen caterer is welcome to use. In addition, you will have access to our education center where you can have your hair and makeup done ahead of the festivities or take a moment to yourself on your big day. Celebrate your wedding at this lush event center surrounded by the natural beauty of Tampa Bay.
33+ years in business
Speaks English
Small team (2-10 members)
Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Covered Outdoors Space
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Settings
Beach
Waterfront
Park
Trees
Venue Service Offerings
Destination Weddings
Rentals & Equipment
Service Staff
Awards and Affiliations
Any questions?
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.070 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help
you make those big decisions with ease.
Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
Tampa Bay Watch is a stunning waterfront venue with gorgeous sunset views, flexible indoor/outdoor spaces, and many included amenities. The staff and coordinators are responsive, helpful, and make planning smooth. Guests praised the value, private setting, and the venue’s nonprofit conservation mission, highly recommending it.Review photos
Showing slide number 1 out of 9
Jackie F
Highlighted review.
5.0
4/28/2026
This venue was perfect! We wanted one location for both ceremony and reception where we could be on the water because we had a lot of out of town guests that we didn't want to hav...
e them navigate to two different locations. Shana, from TBW, helped with ensuring we had all the knowledge of available resources and amenities and worked flawlessly with our wedding planners. This venue is more beautiful than we could have imagined and our sunset photographs on the dock are some of our favorites of the evening. A bonus, TBW is a non-profit organization that focuses on bay conservation efforts. We know all the money spent toward renting the venue is going to an amazing cause and we could not be happier with our decision to use the Tierra Verde location venue for our wedding ceremony and reception.
Response from Tampa Bay Watch on 04/29/2026
Thank you so much for your kind words! It truly means the world to us that you chose Tampa...
Bay Watch for your special day. We’re so glad the waterfront setting and convenience of having both your ceremony and reception in one place made things easier and more enjoyable for you and your guests.
It was an absolute pleasure working with you and your planning team—I’m thrilled to hear everything came together seamlessly! And those sunset moments on the dock really are something special… I’m so happy they became some of your favorite memories.
Madison S
5.0
1/12/2026
I could not say more AMAZING things about the Tampa Bay Watch! We were able to execute our vision and bring it completely to life. Shanna was absolutely amazing and we could not be...
more happy or grateful for her and her assistance through the process. We hosted our ceremony on the lawn, with the stunning water view in the background. We used the community room for the reception, and the wrap around porch for cocktail hour and DJ/ dancing. Our guests still text us about how beautiful our venue was, and we were treated to the best sunset we have ever seen. From the second we stepped onto the site we knew it was the perfect place to get married. We have stunning photos and even more amazing memories. The venue provided everything we needed and more. Booking and coordinating was a breeze, and I could not have asked for a better venue or better experience. We HIGHLY recommend the Tampa Bay Watch!
Response from Tampa Bay Watch on 04/29/2026
Thank you so much for this incredibly kind review! We are absolutely thrilled to hear that...
your vision came to life exactly as you imagined. It means so much to us that you felt supported throughout the entire process—it was truly a pleasure working with you!
Hearing that your guests are still talking about the venue and that you have such beautiful photos and memories is the greatest compliment we could receive. Thank you for trusting Tampa Bay Watch with such an important day—we’re so honored to have been part of it.
Wishing you both a lifetime of love and happiness!
Any questions?
Alexander D
5.0
12/17/2025
We are so happy we chose Tampa Bay Watch for our wedding. Nothing compares to natural Florida beauty that Tampa Bay Watch offers. It is far better than having a venue on a public b...
each as it is private and on the water. I highly recommend Tampa Bay Watch!
Response from Tampa Bay Watch on 04/29/2026
It means the world to us to hear how much you loved the venue and your experience. Thank y...
ou again for trusting us with such an important day—we’re so happy to have been a part of your celebration!
Wishing you both a lifetime of love and happiness!
Crystal S
5.0
9/09/2025
The most amazing choice for our wedding venue! Huge open spaces, chairs and tables provided, and the money spent to rent the space goes 100% to wildlife conservation ❤️ Shanna was ...
so knowledgeable, professional, had recommendations on vendors, and was ready to make our day the greatest day of our lives. The view was everything, and our wedding was PERFECT thanks to this gorgeous site! THANK YOU for everything!
Lauren R
5.0
5/19/2025
Amazing space that was a blank canvas on the water for my vision. Affordable with great staff that communicated so well! Highly recommend!
Ashlee P
5.0
3/13/2025
If you're looking for a gorgeous water view for your ceremony, cocktail hr and reception.. that has a perfect angle of the sunset AND includes all the tables and chairs you would n...
eed, you found it! Shanna, their Rental Coordinator is awesome. She is knowledgeable, responsive and prioritizes your experience over everything else. As a planner, I'm always looking for functional, flexible venues with a great flow and TBW was fantastic. Can't wait to be back!
Kaycee N
5.0
12/19/2024
Everything from start to finish with Tampa Bay Watch was eveything I could have hoped for with a wedding venue. Not only is the entire staff prompt, knowledgable, and make you feel...
at peace with the craziness of wedding planning...but the venue itself is gorgeous. I grew up in the area and always dreamed of getting married at Tampa Bay Watch. My dreams came true! The venue, the grounds, the views all make you feel like you're on a tropical island in the Carribbean instead of in Pinellas County. I could not reccomend them enough!
Response from Tampa Bay Watch on 12/19/2024
Hi Kaycee
Thanks for the kind words. We're glad your day was extra special
Thank you for ...
helping us Restore the Bay Every Day. Your rental fees go back into our education and restoration projects to keep Tampa Bay beautiful for generations to come
Nikki W
5.0
12/11/2024
We cannot say enough amazing things about this venue. It felt like a tucked away gem that allowed for such an intimate and private ceremony and reception. Jon was incredibly respon...
sive, had amazing recommendations for vendors, and made sure that everything went incredibly smoothly the entire process. The value of this place was incredible (on the lower end of many that we saw) and we could not have imagined any other place to have our wedding. Cannot recommend enough!!!
Response from Tampa Bay Watch on 12/19/2024
Thank you for the lovely review.
We were so glad to be part of your big day.
Thank you f...
or helping us Restore the Bay Every Day!
Your rental fees go back to our education and restoration efforts to help keep Tampa Bay beautiful for generations to come.
Shawn L
5.0
11/21/2024
We had a great experience with Tampa Bay Watch for a November wedding (despite the earlier hurricanes). The setting was beautiful and Jon, the coordinator, was responsive and very...
helpful with suggestions for the wedding. It was also nice to be able to move from the lawn for the ceremony, to the deck for cocktails, and then inside for dinner. And we liked the idea of giving our money to a non-profit, rather than a for-profit venue.
Response from Tampa Bay Watch on 12/19/2024
Thank you for the nice review.
We are slowly recovering from the hurricanes, but we are gl...
ad the damages did not hinder your day in any way. Thank you for helping us maintain and restore Tampa Bay for future generations.
Colleen H
5.0
8/31/2024
Choosing Tampa Bay Watch as our venue was the first major decision we made in our wedding planning and we have no regrets! First, working with Jon was a dream, he was so supportive...
and professional. He's seen all the weddings, knows all the vendors, and has a ton of knowledge to share. TBW provided us with a recommended vendor list which informed how we picked the rest of our vendors and we couldn't have been happier with all of those too.
Second the LOCATION and venue, wow! So beautiful, all the benefits of getting married on the water, but with the lawn, you don't have to worry about sand and dust everywhere. There is ample open, but covered space, so you don't have to worry about bad weather, because they will show you a ton of alternative set ups for if it rains/storms. Your guests will love the balcony for the sunset, cocktail hour, views of the pier and bay. There is an educational room off to the side where the wedding party can get ready and Palm the turtle and other critters hang out to keep you all company :)
Inside, the neutral tones are beautiful. You can decorate a lot, or keep it simple. There's so much flexibility there and Jon and our planners, Simple Weddings, gave us a ton of great advice. The main room works well for 60-80 guests and a dance floor.
In case you can't already tell, we HIGHLY recommend TBW. It is an amazing location with a wonderful group of ppl working there. And we also learned some about their organization and all the work they're doing to keep Tampa Bay clean and flourishing too!
Response from Tampa Bay Watch on 12/19/2024
Thank you for the lovely review. We are so glad to be part of your special day.
Thank you...
for helping us restore the bay every day. Your rental fees go back into our education programs and restoration efforts to help promote a better bay for future generations to come.
Jenn B
5.0
6/21/2024
This wedding venue was everything we’d hoped for. We loved that everything goes to ocean conservation which is very important to us, and that they have a rule of no single-use plas...
tics at the venue. We wanted waterfront sunset views without sand, and this was absolutely perfect. What really impressed me was they didn’t change their price at all when I first was looking at a 2021 wedding, and when we finally got to have a wedding in 2024. The location was so gorgeous that we didn’t need any florals to beautify the venue. We didn’t add a wedding arch or ceremony florals - just let the bay speak for itself. Jon was great to work with and explained everything, and the best part was they let us choose our own vendors and bring our own alcohol which helped keep costs down immensely. (Taco Bus catering and Costco alcohol return policy guys!) We opted to not get ready in the science classroom, but it provided so much staging space for the bridal party to change once we arrived. We opted to have our reception on the main lawn, which meant we had to rent tables, a dance floor and lights - but it was so worth it. We had our wedding on May 18th and were worried about bugs - but they weren’t even an issue! The patio is a perfect place to have a cocktail hour, and we had tables setup in their indoor reception space so people could get some AC if they wanted. We were so happy with the venue, and they were very easy to work with. Thank you Jon and Tampa Bay Watch!
Kirstyn T
5.0
4/04/2024
We cannot recommend Tampa Bay watch highly enough for your wedding. The moment we saw the venue and met the incredibly friendly and helpful site coordinator, Jon, we could not imag...
ine getting married anywhere else. The waterfront ceremony site is gorgeous, but the covered deck and indoor reception Space are also amazing. Highly highly recommend you consider this venue.
Krystal D
5.0
4/02/2024
We absolutely LOVED this venue for other wedding! Beautiful sunset as the backdrop. Jon was amazing in guiding us through the process. We loved that our money went to furthering th...
e actual research and facility too!
Response from Tampa Bay Watch on 04/02/2024
Thank you for your kind words.ank yu
Kim C
5.0
12/04/2023
Tampa Bay Watch was absolutely a dream venue! Location, staff, communication, and the organization's incredible dedication to keeping the Tampa Bay estuary pristine will just knock...
your socks off! But the most breathtaking part of all is the view of the Bay. We couldn't recommend TBW enough!
William M
5.0
10/14/2023
Jon Ziegler, our site coordinator at Tampa Bay Watch, and the venue itself were absolutely exceptional! Jon was not only incredibly caring but also an absolute delight to collabora...
te with. He generously allowed us, along with our coordinator, Christine Ferkile of Enchanted Weddings and Events, to visit the venue multiple times for measurements, photos, and rehearsals to ensure our vision for the big day was realized. He consistently made time for us, going the extra mile whenever we reached out.
The venue itself was breathtaking. From dolphins frolicking in the bay, which our guests were able to enjoy, to a mesmerizing sunset backdrop during our fire dancers' performance, it truly marked the most beautiful day of our lives. All 150 of our guests raved about it, deeming it the best and most enjoyable wedding they had ever attended. We can't express our gratitude enough to Jon and Tampa Bay Watch. Our wedding photos were so stunning that they went viral on Facebook, garnering over 9.5K likes and hundreds of comments. Without a doubt, we wholeheartedly recommend Jon and Tampa Bay Watch to anyone seeking to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Tampa Bay on their special day.
anonymous u
5.0
6/07/2023
TBW was not our initial venue. After losing our venue 4 months before the wedding, we were able to schedule with TBW. It was truly a blessing in disguise because this venue is abso...
lutely AMAZING. Everything from the staff, the space, the balcony, the ceremony area etc was beautiful. There were even some dolphins out front before our wedding that the videographer captured. It was so dreamy. If I could go back, I would have my wedding there again without any hesitation.
Daniel M
5.0
5/03/2023
We could not be happier with our choice to have our wedding at Tampa Bay Watch. We fell in love with the venue as soon as we saw it, and it is what ultimately sold us on getting ma...
rried in the St. Pete area. Jon gave us a heck of a tour and helped us envision what our big day might look like based on past weddings that had been held there. The vendors we brought in had everything they needed to work with to set-up and run things smoothly. The large lawn area backing up against the water, with the sunset… *chef’s kiss*. This is the perfect venue for a mostly outdoor wedding in the area.
Cassidy M
5.0
4/06/2023
There is too much I can say about Jon and Tampa Bay Watch. First of all, the venue was GORGEOUS! I was extremely worried about the wind during the rehearsal, but I felt like a prin...
cess blowing in the wind day of. Jon was absolutely awesome in the process and answered any and all of the questions we had in the process. The sunset showed out for us that night and the weather was beautiful for March! The natural beauty at TBW is definitely worth it and I ready to go back as a guest!
Rachel A
5.0
3/02/2023
Tampa Bay Watch perfectly blends Florida's natural beauty with the amenities you expect in a standard wedding venue. Guests enjoyed the serene view of the water, the presence of na...
tive birds soaring above, and of course not having having the sandy mess of being on the beach! The venue is situated perfectly for sunset photos. Seriously ours look like they could be in magazines! The reception area is quite large for a non-profit building, has great air conditioning, and a space for catering to work (though no cooking capacity).
Due to it being an environmental non-profit, there are a few rules that are stricter than other venues like not being able to use confetti, plastic eatery, bird seed, or sprinkle flower petals (real or fake). But most vendors are able to accommodate accordingly. I highly recommend this venue!!!
Rebecca H
5.0
11/02/2022
This venue is absolutely gorgeous! We could not have been happier with the venue, or with Jon the community room/event coordinator. Jon was incredibly helpful every step of the way...
and provide a lot of great ideas/insights. Believe me you, your guests will be blown away by the venue!
Jessica R
5.0
10/26/2022
We loved this venue because we wanted waterfront, but without getting hit in the head with a beachball. It's a bit more secluded than the public beach and the views are spectacular...
. It also had an indoor reception area (much appreciated in the florida heat) We could even arrive/depart to the venue by boat! (Our guests still talk about that) Jon, the venue coordinator, sealed the deal for us though! His email communication was top notch the entire time and he answered all of our questions on the tour/there after. He even took the time during rehearsal and the wedding day to check on my dad multiple times who had an unexpected infection that affected his walking. We also liked that would bring in outside vendors, but the list Jon provided us was also fantastic!
Amber M
5.0
3/28/2022
This was the perfect venue for us. Felt like we were on our own private island. The fluidity of the outdoor and indoor spaces was perfect and we had the most epic sunset. Reasonabl...
y priced and love that our money supports an amazing non-profit. Jon, the event coordinator, was kind and communicative. We cannot wait to see the video and pictures with this place as the backdrop!
Kathleen G
5.0
1/24/2022
Had our wedding here in October 2021. Wedding venue is stunning. Could not have asked for a more beautiful, natural, elegant Florida setting. The venue is right on the gulf and req...
uires very little dressing up. Sunsets are breath taking there. John the venue director was fantastic, he was very informative and worked with us on all of our requests!We were able to even bring buses in to transport all of our guests to and from the tradewinds hotel. Thankyou so much!
Courtney B
5.0
1/22/2022
We knew we wanted to have our wedding at Tampa Bay Watch! First and foremost, they are a non-for-profit, where the wedding venue proceeds goes towards protecting Florida's estuarie...
s. Being born and raised in Florida, this was a huge deal and factor in our decision. Additionally, it doesn't hurt that the venue is on the water so there are spectacular views from the lawn, balcony, and just wherever you have your ceremony, reception, and dancing!
We were also super happy that the venue encourages and enforces having an environmentally friendly wedding -- for example, no single use plastics (which would be horrible to have straws, cups, silverware, etc. finding its way into the water). This also aligned exactly how we wanted to have our wedding and made it easier since our vendors were literally not allowed to bring plastic. :-)
Lastly, the cherry on the top was the venue manager Jon. He was attentive, friendly, and a great resource for ensuring our vision would work at the venue! Definitely reach out because he made the experience SO MUCH BETTER! We will definitely miss his banter and fun personality! Also, TBW tends to have a wedding walk every year, hosting vendors that have serviced the venue. This was extremely helpful since we got some great vendors from the walk.
If you are thinking of having your wedding at TBW, seriously stop thinking and book now -- they get filled up quite fast! :-)
Katie C
5.0
6/14/2021
I could not recommend the Tampa Bay Watch more as a wedding venue!! All of our guests were raving about how beautiful it was. The community room floor and paint was just redone and...
I believe we were the first to have a wedding there after! It was so lovely, such a beautiful backdrop. The wrap around deck is great for all of the vendors. Jon the community room coordinator was so amazing and so helpful!
Sarah R
5.0
4/30/2021
We fell in love with this venue at first sight! Our wedding was on the lawn, we had cocktail hour on the wrap around deck, and our reception was indoors. Jon (manager of TBW) was a...
mazing and worked well with all of our vendors to ensure everything ran smoothly. We thoroughly enjoyed the entire venue and each space was utilized to its full potential. Thank you for everything!
Sara R
5.0
2/18/2021
My new husband and I were engaged in Sept 2018 and pretty much right away started shopping for venues. We knew we wanted a beach wedding, and although TBW is not ON the beach, we p...
retty much fell in love with the space right after our visit. Our original date was 10/15/20...most venues didn't book that far in advance but Jon worked with us...and then of course we fell victim to postponement, so Jon easily booked our new date of 2/11/21. He answered all my millions of questions and is a great tour guide when you visit. He's super friendly and keeps everything safe covid wise. Thank you Jon for helping make our wedding special at your beautiful venue.
Catherine C
5.0
6/12/2020
This was the very first venue we toured, and we absolutely fell in love! It was WAY over our budget, but we thought we could make up the cost difference in other areas (which ende...
d up being incredibly difficult to pull-off, and really did not happen). We were looking for a space that didn’t lock us into any catering or bar vendors, but also provided tables and chairs so we did not have to also rent those. We both love to dance and happen to be sweaty people, so we also wanted somewhere inside with AC, but were hoping for some outdoor space as well. TBW checked all of those boxes! They have white chairs you can use outside for the ceremony, a variety of tables and wooden chairs to use in the reception space, even ivory table linens you can use. The venue has a lawn and is on the water, there is a covered veranda on the second story (where the reception space is), and the only thing between you and the sunset are some keys! We felt it was the perfect mix between things being provided and DIY, plus those views cannot be beat. OH- and Tampa Bay Watch is a non-profit dedicated to the protection and restoration of Tampa Bay! We are super excited to host our sequel ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception here in December.
ALLISON G
4.0
6/06/2020
Our wedding could not have turned out more beautiful at Tampa Bay Watch. If you are looking for an affordable water front wedding venue, look no further. Despite all of the extra ...
stress from planning a wedding in such uncertain times, we were able to work with the team at Tampa Bay Watch and all of our vendors to have a safe and beautiful wedding. We were one of the first to have a wedding in what will now be "the new normal" and although it is in no way ideal, I am here to tell future couples that it is possible and can still turn out just as beautiful.
Just a thought for future brides with weddings at this venue: originally Tampa Bay Watch offered a separate room from the reception hall for brides to wait prior to the start of the ceremony. After the outbreak of covid-19 Tampa Bay Watch informed us we could no longer use this space as they did not want an additional room to clean. We were told we could wait inside the reception hall however, on the day of the bride and bridesmaids had to cram and wait in the bathroom as the reception hall was still undergoing set up until the start of the ceremony.
Despite this hiccup, the wedding and reception went perfectly (even the weather) and the views at sunset were breathtaking.
Julie M
5.0
4/03/2020
So happy we chose this to be our wedding venue! Loved the location and that your money is going to such a worthy organization. The venue staff were excellent, and loved being able ...
to choose all of our own vendors.
Sarah A
5.0
2/05/2020
The venue was perfect for us. We were trying to do a no frills, low waste wedding that looked and felt like us. Due to the beauty of the venue we barely had to decorate, just some ...
plants in boxes. We really loved the fact that the deposit for the venue went to their education programs as well.
I could not recommend Tampa Bay Water more, it was a fantastic, low stress day.
Cheryl R
5.0
1/22/2020
Awesome venue/ awesome service
Maggie L
5.0
12/17/2019
We got married here November 16 & we couldn’t be more happy! The venue is gorgeous & Jon is AMAZING! He was so helpful every step of the way!
Susan T
5.0
12/08/2019
Tampa Bay Watch was the perfect venue for my October 2019 wedding. I loved the fact that we had the entire place to ourselves and we could do the ceremony outside by the water and ...
the reception inside. The porch is beautiful for watching the sunset and sipping a cocktail. Many of my guests had never heard of the venue or the organization and thought it was a gem. The venue fee is a little steep but it goes to a great cause and the staff is super helpful throughout the process. I was thrilled to have my wedding at a great place while helping an organization committed to helping the environment. Win win! I recommend asking Jamie from the staff to help with coordinating services and/or flowers. She was great!
David H
5.0
12/07/2019
Best place ever to get married! The location is remarkable: surrounded by nature, quiet, serene with only the shore birds and the fish and occasional dolphin. The vista is stunning...
and we were married as the sun was setting over the Gulf of Mexico. Jon helped at every opportunity and was exceptionally friendly and helpful. Plus, we got to support an excellent non profit doing good environmental work in our community. We had a blast at our wedding and Tampa Bay Watch made it possible.
Kate F
5.0
11/04/2019
Intimate venue with amazing staff! We live out-of-state and so were a bit anxious about how we’d arrange our daughter’s October 2019 wedding. Tampa Bay Watch was even better than i...
ts photos. Jon (site coordinator) helped me to locate some local vendors familiar with TBW which made planning a snap. We used lawn, balcony, community room, upstairs covered porch — all were in beautiful shape. The on-site furnishings also made planning easier. The views were stunning and as a final bonus, I feel really good about my rental fee going to support the educational and conservation mission of TBW. Win-win-win all the way around
Erin H
5.0
6/02/2019
We loved to be on the water and Tampa Bay Watch was the perfect venue for our wedding day. It is beautiful, elegant, while still low key. We received a million compliments about th...
is venue. The sunset was perfect, there were even dolphins. Jon was very helpful leading up to and the day of our wedding. I highly recommend this venue.
Amanda G
5.0
3/14/2019
To the bride who wants beach/romance feels, privacy, and breathtaking scenery. This is your place!!! I just had my wedding ceremony and reception here in March 2019. Our wedding wa...
s nothing short of magical. Special thanks to Jon he is the one who helped make my day flow perfectly. He is always there to help you with anything you need. All of my guests couldn't stop talking about this hidden gem called Tampa Bay Watch. Trust me you'll want to check this place out! I searched 20 plus venues all up and down the beach and this is by far the most beautiful location you'll be able to find. I can't wait to return and have more special memories here in the future.
Response from Tampa Bay Watch on 03/14/2019
Thanks Amanda for the kind words! Also, thank you for hosting a plastic free event. We a...
ppreciate you helping make Tampa Bay a better place!
Haley B
5.0
1/30/2019
If you are looking for a private, elegant, beautiful waterfront wedding- look no further than Tampa Bay Watch. We were initially drawn to this place due to the organization's conse...
rvation and environmental mission- it feels great to support their cause while also getting hitched! We were met with so much more than an environmental space: Jon, the Bay View room coordinator (AKA Wedding Guru) showed us incredible professionalism, quick communication and knew what to ask us without us knowing what kind of things we ought to be thinking about. Jon knows this venue inside and out, due to the number of weddings he has witnessed here. He was SO helpful to all our vendors, our photographer, and even my maid of honor and father as he helped us time when to begin walking down the aisle.
Our expectations were exceeded. There are so many small details that, when looking back, were flawless, seamless. Even if there were small hiccups during the day, they were handled smoothly due to Jon's professionalism and his excellent communication with my family and wedding party. There were likely many more details that he handled that we may never know of! (Thanks Jon!!!!)
Another reason Tampa Bay Watch makes for a great wedding venue is the way the building and land is angled for sunsets. We had a 4:30 PM ceremony start time (January wedding). As soon as ceremony ended, our photographer was ogling over the incredible lighting she was able to work with for our photos and portraits.
Many family members and friends approached me later and told me a dolphin was jumping in the background, during our ceremony as we were saying our vows...magical!
Brittany T
5.0
10/20/2018
If you’re looking for a gorgeous view and a memorable wedding location and top notch communication from the vendor. Stop looking. Jon was AMAZING! This venue is amazing. We just w...
rapped up my daughter’s wedding and I was just thrilled to bits with this place. The views are breathtaking but that’s not all! Tables, chairs, linens, ceremony chairs, all included!! Takes pressure off deliveries and pickups. And don’t get me started on our point man Jon. He’s flexible and helpful and responsive. He made us feel like the most important clients he had. Just put the search button on hold, you’ve found the place to say “I do”.
Response from Tampa Bay Watch on 10/21/2018
Thank you Carissa for the kind words. Also, thanks to you, you're helping build a better ...
Tampa Bay! Your rentals go back into our restoration projects and education programs.
Adam D
5.0
3/07/2018
This venue was perfect. There's no competing with the view. Our guests loved the venue as much as we did. Sunset is beautiful - feels like the wedding stops for just a minute to ta...
ke it all in. John was on site during the wedding and reception and couldn't be more helpful. Great job by him for helping with everything.
Eddie T
5.0
2/15/2018
Tampa Bay Watch is absolutely a hidden gem. Jon and his team do a tremendous job accommodating the special day. Throughout the process, they were available for site visits with ven...
dors, communication and helpful insights. The grounds are beyond spectacular. We are so glad we got to say I do at this special place!
Audra W
5.0
11/17/2017
PERFECT! I knew the minute we did a site visit I wanted to get married here. Not only is it gorgeous, it's also a non-profit so it's even better! The coordinator/manager Jon was...
very accommodating to our needs. He let us come take engagement pictures at the venue, and show it to our parents after we had booked it on a completely different day. They also have sealife that they are rehabbing that people can see and take pictures with which is awesome. The dock was a great place for our first look, and the scenery is breath taking. They let you bring in your own alcohol, and own decorations. I cannot see enough how much I love this place and have told everyone i know about it.
Rick K
5.0
6/08/2017
The Tampa Bay Watch and Jon are literally amazing. I seriously believe this is the best wedding venue in St. Pete (even better than the resort hotels!).
The venue is completely pr...
ivate and on the water, so there's no distractions during the ceremony or reception. It has an ENORMOUS 2nd-story deck, which has a beautiful view of the sunset. Jon was right, "During sunset, everyone will be out on the deck watching it." The best part is that this organization is a key player in the community by holding field trips for local schools and actively cleaning up the bay area. Your venue payment goes to restoring and preserving the waterways, which is far more desirable than boosting a hotel's profits.
Jon is THE reason we enjoyed booking this venue so much. He is so welcoming and flexible and "has seen it all." He will go the distance to make your day special while clearly communicating the boundaries to protect the venue and the outdoor space.
I would definitely book a few extra hours to decorate, because you'll want as much time as possible with your guests to actually enjoy the space.
I would give them 6 stars if I could!
Ayn L
5.0
5/18/2017
The venue is simply perfect. Jon Ziegler was beyond helpful with every aspect of the wedding. Together, we made my daughters wedding something to remember! THANK YOU!!!!
Morgan L
5.0
3/02/2017
Tampa Bay Watch is a perfect setting for a simple, romantic wedding. It has just the right amount of nautical/coastal feel to it. You cannot beat the view. Our ceremony was at suns...
et and it was just beautiful. We loved the fact that most of the costs go towards Science education and bay restoration. Jon was super easy to work with and very helpful! I will say is it definitely is more of a diy location, being you have to set up and break down everything on your own. It wasn't bad though. I highly recommend it for your special day, I can't imagine getting married anywhere else.
Sara S
5.0
6/22/2016
This venue is amazing! Some of the best views around! My wedding guests are still talking about how great the view was. (An added bonus are the great things Tampa Bay Watch does...
to preserve the bay and marine life!) Whatever your vision is, Tampa Bay Watch is beautiful enough to bring it to life!
Also, Jon was wonderful to work with! He was always quick to respond to all of my questions and was such a great help to my family and I along the way!
Truly, a wonderful experience!
McKayla L
5.0
5/05/2016
WOW! Where do I start! We just had my daughter's wedding on Saturday, everything was perfect! Jon was amazing. always there to answer any questions we had! The venue is gorgeous an...
d very private right on the bay! Would highly recommend it to anyone!
Response from Tampa Bay Watch on 05/06/2016
Thank you for the nice review! And thank you for hosting your daughter's wedding at Tampa...
Bay Watch.
Courtney D
5.0
5/04/2016
My husband and I made the choice to use Tampa Bay Watch as our venue for our wedding, it was one of the best decisions. The staff is outstanding, especially Jon Ziegler! He was alw...
ays there to answer questions and to help where he could. He helped us with the rehearsal and made sure we had the right direction. The day of the wedding he was outstanding, he made sure everything ran smoothly! You can't beat the view of this venue! It made our wedding day everything we had hoped for!!!
Courtney and Jordan Scholl
Response from Tampa Bay Watch on 05/06/2016
Thank you for hosting your wedding here at Tampa Bay Watch. We could tell your guests wer...
e having a great time here. Thanks again and congratulations on a beautiful wedding.
Kate R
5.0
4/13/2016
I LOVED having my wedding at Tampa Bay Watch! We had the wedding on a Monday evening, and the weather was perfect! The view from the ceremony and veranda deck were stunning. Everyo...
ne loved it! I was able to bring in everything that I wanted, from nautical centerpieces to recyclable bamboo plates, and it was perfect. Being able to hand-pick my vendors allowed us to save a lot of money. Jon (the Community Room coordinator) was so helpful throughout the planning process. I would recommend this venue to any bride!
Response from Tampa Bay Watch on 05/06/2016
Thank you for the kind words. We were most impressed with your guests pitching in and sor...
ting recyclables after your evening ended. Since we are an environmental organization we truly appreciated your extra effort at hosting an Eco-Friendly wedding.
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