There’s something inherently captivating about morning celebrations—where love blooms alongside the day’s first light. As a Tampa Florida Wedding Photographer, witnessing the unfolding of such moments, especially during Jake and Julia Kuczynski’s brunch wedding at Red Mesa Events in downtown Saint Petersburg, felt particularly magical. The early June sunlight that poured through the windows of the La Florida Ballroom created an atmosphere that perfectly complemented the couple’s joyful, intimate celebration.
The Beauty of Brunch Weddings
Brunch weddings carry a distinctive charm—with their slightly unorthodox timing, they create an atmosphere of relaxed elegance that invites guests to connect in ways that evening celebrations sometimes miss. As I documented Jake and Julia’s special day on June 3, 2023, I found myself drawn to the authentic interactions and candid moments that flourished in this morning celebration.
The Saint Pete Wedding scene has embraced daytime celebrations, and Red Mesa Events has established itself as a premier venue for couples seeking something beyond traditional evening receptions. Working alongside the talented Nilas my second shooter, we focused on capturing the emotional narrative of the day through an editorial, documentary approach.
A Morning of Preparations
Julia’s day began early—4:00 AM to be precise—with the talented team from Just Beauty arriving at her AirBnB to start hair and makeup. Meanwhile, Jake prepared at the nearby AC Hotel, just minutes from their first look location. This early start set the stage for their mid-morning ceremony and afternoon celebration.
By 8:00 AM, I arrived at Julia’s getting ready location to capture those precious detail shots—her invitation suite, jewelry, and other meaningful items that would become part of their visual story. The organic, candid approach I take to wedding photography means these quiet moments become just as significant as the grand ones.
First Looks and Tender Moments
One of the day’s most touching moments came at 9:00 AM when Julia shared a first look with her father at the AirBnB—a heartfelt interaction that perfectly captured their bond. Shortly after, we headed to North Straub Park for Julia and Jake’s own first look beneath the magnificent banyan trees.
There’s something particularly special about first look photography—that moment when time seems suspended as two people see each other as bride and groom for the first time. For Jake and Julia, this quiet exchange beneath nature’s cathedral set the emotional tone for the entire celebration that followed.
A Morning Ceremony at Red Mesa Events
By 11:00 AM, guests had gathered in the La Florida Ballroom at Red Mesa Events for the ceremony. The space, transformed by Baug Haus’s vibrant wildflower arrangements, reflected the couple’s colorful personalities and joyful spirit. Julia and Jake exchanged vows in a ceremony officiated by their friend Jim Knepper—adding another layer of personal connection to the proceedings.
As a Florida Wedding Photographer with experience documenting celebrations across Tampa Bay and beyond, I’ve seen countless ceremonies, yet each one teaches me something new about love and commitment. Jake and Julia’s ceremony—intimate, heartfelt, and punctuated with laughter—beautifully reflected their relationship.
Brunch Celebration and Thoughtful Details
Following the ceremony, the ballroom underwent a swift transformation for the reception while guests enjoyed cocktail hour in the Cantinita. The couple joined their guests during this time—a choice that reflected their desire to savor every moment of their celebration.
When guests returned to the ballroom at 12:30 PM, they were greeted by tables adorned with ivory linens, lilac napkins, and copper chargers—elegant details coordinated by the talented team at Wilder Mind Events. The lifestyle, documentary approach I bring to wedding photography meant capturing not just these carefully planned elements but also the spontaneous moments of joy that unfolded around them.
Red Mesa’s culinary team presented a beautiful brunch buffet that delighted guests, while a small cake from Publix, complemented by Red Mesa’s desserts, satisfied sweet cravings. Throughout the reception, DJ Dylan from Graingertainment kept the energy high with perfectly selected tunes.
Dancing in the Daylight
Perhaps one of the most charming aspects of Jake and Julia’s celebration was watching their first dance unfold in natural daylight. As a documentary wedding photographer, I find that daytime receptions often yield images with a distinct quality—there’s a clarity and authenticity that comes through in the photographs.
The father-daughter and mother-son dances that followed were equally moving, with each scheduled song thoughtfully shortened to capture the essence of the moment without drawing it out. These considerations—along with many others throughout the day—spoke to Jake and Julia’s intentional approach to their celebration.
A Joyful Conclusion
At 3:20 PM, guests sent the couple off with a shower of flower petals as they boarded a Jolley Trolley for their after-party at Green Bench Brewing Company. This playful exit perfectly concluded a celebration characterized by joy, authenticity, and thoughtful planning.
The Perfect Venue: Red Mesa Events
Red Mesa Events, located at 128 3rd St S in downtown St. Petersburg, has established itself as a premier wedding venue in the Tampa Bay area. With its versatile spaces—from the elegant La Florida Ballroom to the charming Cantinita—it provides the perfect backdrop for celebrations of all styles.
What makes Red Mesa particularly special is its dual offering of exceptional venue spaces and outstanding catering. As someone who has photographed numerous weddings across Florida, I’ve seen firsthand how this combination contributes to a seamless celebration experience.
The venue’s downtown location also creates wonderful opportunities for urban wedding photography, with nearby North Straub Park offering a natural setting for portraits just minutes away.
The Collaborative Vendor Team
Jake and Julia’s celebration came together beautifully thanks to a stellar team of wedding professionals:
- Planning & Coordination: Wilder Mind Events – Delaney Driver and Morgan Von Blankenburg brought the couple’s vision to life with meticulous attention to detail. Instagram: @wildermindevents
- Venue & Catering: Red Mesa Events – Leigh and Claire ensured that every aspect of the venue and dining experience exceeded expectations. Instagram: @redmesaevents
- Photography: Stills by Hernan – My approach to timeless, editorial wedding photography with a focus on organic poses and candid moments helped capture the authentic emotion of the day. Instagram: @stillsbyhernan
- Florals: Baug Haus – Jenna created vibrant wildflower arrangements that perfectly reflected the couple’s colorful personalities. Instagram: @baughausshop
- Hair & Makeup: Just Beauty – Justina Jefferson created a fresh, natural look for Julia and her bridal party. Instagram: @justbeautyhmua
- DJ: Graingertainment – DJ Dylan kept the dance floor lively throughout the reception. Instagram: @graingertainment
- Transportation: Jolley Trolley – Provided charming transportation from the reception to the after-party. Instagram: @thejolleytrolley
- Cake: Publix – Provided a beautiful small wedding cake that complemented Red Mesa’s dessert options. Instagram: @publix
The Artistry of Timeless Wedding Photography
As a Florida Wedding Photographer specializing in editorial, documentary style, I believe in creating images that tell authentic stories. Jake and Julia’s wedding reinforced my philosophy that the most powerful photographs emerge when couples feel comfortable enough to be fully present in their moments.
Whether it’s a surprise proposal, an engagement session, or a wedding celebration like this one at Red Mesa, my approach remains consistent—creating space for genuine emotions to unfold naturally before my lens.
Planning Your Red Mesa Wedding
If you’re considering Red Mesa Events for your own celebration, I’d be happy to share more insights about this fantastic venue. Having worked there multiple times, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for its versatility and the professional team that makes each event seamless.
For couples planning a brunch wedding, Jake and Julia’s celebration offers wonderful inspiration. The morning timing created a relaxed atmosphere that allowed for an after-party, giving them essentially two celebrations in one day.
Are you planning a Saint Petersburg wedding or looking for a Tampa Wedding Photographer who specializes in timeless, editorial imagery? I’d love to learn more about your vision and discuss how we might collaborate to document your story. Contact me here to start the conversation.
Final Thoughts
Jake and Julia’s brunch wedding at Red Mesa Events was a beautiful reminder that wedding celebrations don’t need to follow conventional timelines to be meaningful and joyful. By embracing a morning ceremony and afternoon reception, they created a celebration that was uniquely theirs—full of light, laughter, and authentic moments.
As I continue to document weddings across Florida and beyond, I carry the lessons from each celebration with me. Jake and Julia’s wedding reinforced my belief in the power of authenticity and the beauty that emerges when couples create a day that truly reflects who they are.
Whether you’re planning a traditional evening reception or considering a brunch celebration like Jake and Julia’s, the most important element is that your day feels true to your relationship. And when you’re ready to find a photographer who will document those authentic moments with an editorial, documentary approach, I’d be honored to be part of your story.
Hernan Sanchez is a Tampa Florida Wedding Photographer specializing in timeless, editorial documentary photography with a focus on organic poses and candid lifestyle moments. Based in Tampa Bay, Hernan serves couples throughout Florida including Saint Petersburg, Tampa, and Naples.