Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Spring

Our Wedding

2013: Alexis and Carmelo met for the first time working a summer job at Busch Gardens operating the roller coaster, Gwazi (although Carmelo heavily claims Alexis was favored and allowed to enjoy the air conditioned panel room while everyone else sweat down on platform). The two hardly talked the entire summer, Carmelo being quiet and reserved while Alexis was a bit more boisterous, although both unknowingly had a "crush" on each other. Summer ended, and they both went their separate ways. 2020: Alexis came across Carmelo's profile on the Bumble dating app. They end up matching and talking for awhile before reconnecting in person. Their first date was September 26, 2020. 2021: After simultaneously having Covid and quarantining together for several days, proving they could tolerate each other in less ideal times, Carmelo got on his knee for the first time and asked Alexis to be his girlfriend on February 14, 2021. 2024: On August 24, 2024, Carmelo met with Alexis's parents over breakfast, formally asking them for her hand in marriage. He shared his elaborate and thoughtfully planned out surprise trip to NYC (Alexis's favorite place) and proposed on October 25, 2024.

It All Started With a Roller Coaster

2025 : Revisiting where it all started

Our Story

Photo Timeline

Alexia Duarte

Hillary Hixon

Peter Miller

Bruce Wong

Wedding Party

Q + A

This hotel is physically connected to the reception venue via a walkway on the second floor.

Hilton Tampa Downtown

Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Downtown Convention Center

Hyatt Place Tampa Downtown

Le Méridien Tampa, The Courthouse

Courtyard Tampa Downtown

Hotel Flor Tampa Downtown, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

SpringHill Suites Tampa Downtown

The Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk

Hampton Inn Tampa Downtown Channel District

Tampa Marriott Water Street

Hotels

Coffee and Breakfast

*Personal favorite of the bride and groom

Shortwave Coffee

DI Coffee Bar

Buddy Brew Coffee

Samaria Cafe

Small breakfast place with coffee, bagels, and breakfast sandwiches in Hyde Park

Sesame

*Personal favorite of the bride and groom. Highly recommend reservations in advance, but if you have a wait, there's a bookstore, coffee/pastry to-go counter with lounge chairs, and a champagne bar to keep you entertained

Oxford Exchange

Casual Restaurants

*This is an outside area to walk around that has multiple food stands and biergarten

Sparkman Wharf

*A large cafeteria-type set up inside a building. Large variety of eats ranging from empanadas to sushi to steak, ice cream, coffee, and drinks. Kid friendly with an outside grass area to play.

Armature Works

*Cute area full of a diverse selection of restaurants and shops. We highly recommend Forbici.

Alexis & Carmelo

Alexis & Carmelo

A&C

Wedding Day