Straz Center
Updated
Straz Center Photos
About This Vendor
A unique & modern venue on the Hillsborough River
Located in Tampa, FL, Straz Center is an expansive property that can host weddings and other milestone occasions. With a range of indoor and outdoor event spaces to choose from, this site can host the celebration you've always dreamed of. Whether it's an indoor banquet or lavish garden party, Straz Center has you covered. Weddings at Straz Center can begin with a memorable ceremony on the venue's lawns. This outdoor setting is complete with botanical flowers, tranquil fountains, and views of the nearby riverwalk. Once you've exchanged vows, these lawns make for fabulous photo opportunities before hosting a splendid cocktail hour. This area enables you to sip on beverages, mingle with loved ones, and watch as the sun elegantly sets over the horizon. Indoor banquets and receptions can follow within the building's restaurant or hall. Both areas can be configured in many ways and have ample room for seated guests, a dance floor, and live entertainment. Alternatively, you can conduct an outdoor reception under a large marquee. Here, you can make the most of the venue's grounds as well as a cozy indoor atmosphere. During the planning of your big day at this venue, a committed wedding planner will work with you to ensure everything runs smoothly. Using your ideas as their inspiration, they can make sure that your dream celebration is flawlessly brought to life. What's more, this site's friendly events staff will assist in the complete setup and breakdown of all decorations and rental items. This allows you to relax and focus on more meaningful matters as you immerse yourself in the magic of your day.
Amenities & Details
Handicap Accessible, Indoor Event Space, Liability Insurance, Reception Area
Guest Capacity300+
Ceremony Types Venue Service OfferingsFood & Catering, Planning, Service Staff
SettingsBallroom, Beach, Waterfront, Country Club, Cruise, Historic Venue, Hotel, Loft, Museum, Park, Restaurant, Tented, Vineyard & Winery
Business AttributesPricing for Straz Center
| Option | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting Cost | Affordable |
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Straz Center Reviews
Anonymous (wedding party) 1 out of 5 Rating
Coordinators left before event over and exit for bride and groom was ruined ! Guests were told to leave !. Booked two shows around wedding and shoved guests all over to accommodate their shows. Couple had to give up many things to accomodate their shows even though wedding was booked prior to shows ! Terrible place to invest your $$$ for your wedding. AWEFUL!!!
Reviewed on 30-06-2015
Coordinators left before event over and exit for bride and groom was ruined ! Guests were told to leave !. Booked two shows around wedding and shoved guests all over to accommodate their shows. Couple had to give up many things to accomodate their shows even though wedding was booked prior to shows ! Terrible place to invest your $$$ for your wedding. AWEFUL!!!
Reviewed on 30-06-2015
Heather Iser (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 06-03-2015
LOVE the coordinators at Straz and the venue!! The first time we toured the Straz we fell in love with it. It's glamorous! From the tent by the river with chandeliers for our ceremony to the reception set up in Maestros with a wall of floor to ceiling windows overlooking downtown Tampa. I was obsessed with the lighting and layout of the event spaces. It is a great package deal from venue to catering. Then the best part, our coordinators, Jenna and Karen. I can't say enough about them. Jenna wasn't just a day of coordinator, she helped me through the entire planning process with quick responses and truly excited to be a part of our wedding. She helped execute every detail I came up with and went the extra mile without pause. I didn't have to worry at all the day of our wedding. I trusted her completely and she handled the night smoothly. She made me feel like the most important person and I know she had a hundred other people to deal with. If I could do it all over again I would choose the Straz and especially if I got to work with Jenna! \rThank you from The Iser's
Reviewed on 19-03-2015
Wedding Date 06-03-2015
LOVE the coordinators at Straz and the venue!! The first time we toured the Straz we fell in love with it. It's glamorous! From the tent by the river with chandeliers for our ceremony to the reception set up in Maestros with a wall of floor to ceiling windows overlooking downtown Tampa. I was obsessed with the lighting and layout of the event spaces. It is a great package deal from venue to catering. Then the best part, our coordinators, Jenna and Karen. I can't say enough about them. Jenna wasn't just a day of coordinator, she helped me through the entire planning process with quick responses and truly excited to be a part of our wedding. She helped execute every detail I came up with and went the extra mile without pause. I didn't have to worry at all the day of our wedding. I trusted her completely and she handled the night smoothly. She made me feel like the most important person and I know she had a hundred other people to deal with. If I could do it all over again I would choose the Straz and especially if I got to work with Jenna! \rThank you from The Iser's
Reviewed on 19-03-2015
Faith0302 (bride) 4 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 31-08-2024
The Straz is a beautiful venue, with a number spaces to mix and match for your ceremony/cocktail hour/reception. Karen did a wonderful job setting up the spaces, and the chef went above and beyond to help with our special requests. Additionally, you can use whichever vendors (other than food/alcohol) that you would like, and they don't charge random fees for cake cutting, bartenders, etc (just one single service charge.) \r\rThe caveat, though, is that their organization/communication leaves much to be desired. Nikki (the original coordinator) quit after we signed our contract, and nobody thought it would be appropriate to let us know. I finally contacted the head of the catering department, who put us in touch with the new coordinator, Karen. \r\rKaren was better at responding to our questions, but often asked us to re-schedule meetings at the last minute. We also had an issue with renovations leaving the bathrooms in Maestro's inaccessible for our wedding, and not finding out until just days before. She did respond very professionally when we explained our concerns, and at the end of the day, the wedding was everything we had hoped for. \r\rLong story short: there are a lot of positives (your guests don't have to drive all over the place all night, they do a great job of directing the rehearsal & ceremony, they make spectacular food, they make the spaces look absolutely stunning), but the nonchalant approach to communication is a drawback. \r
Reviewed on 11-09-2014
Wedding Date 31-08-2024
The Straz is a beautiful venue, with a number spaces to mix and match for your ceremony/cocktail hour/reception. Karen did a wonderful job setting up the spaces, and the chef went above and beyond to help with our special requests. Additionally, you can use whichever vendors (other than food/alcohol) that you would like, and they don't charge random fees for cake cutting, bartenders, etc (just one single service charge.) \r\rThe caveat, though, is that their organization/communication leaves much to be desired. Nikki (the original coordinator) quit after we signed our contract, and nobody thought it would be appropriate to let us know. I finally contacted the head of the catering department, who put us in touch with the new coordinator, Karen. \r\rKaren was better at responding to our questions, but often asked us to re-schedule meetings at the last minute. We also had an issue with renovations leaving the bathrooms in Maestro's inaccessible for our wedding, and not finding out until just days before. She did respond very professionally when we explained our concerns, and at the end of the day, the wedding was everything we had hoped for. \r\rLong story short: there are a lot of positives (your guests don't have to drive all over the place all night, they do a great job of directing the rehearsal & ceremony, they make spectacular food, they make the spaces look absolutely stunning), but the nonchalant approach to communication is a drawback. \r
Reviewed on 11-09-2014
Kenitra (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 27-07-2013
I could not have asked for a more perfect wedding. The Straz center was an amazing venue and the staff there is amazing and very organized. I was planning the wedding from a different state and Nichole Jordan the coordinator made it such an easy experience. She was so organized and helped keep myself as well as my vendors organized. The hall we had the ceremony as well as the reception hall were both beautiful. My wedding photos are beyond amazing. The staff went out of their way to make sure everything was perfect for us. All of the guest were very impressed with the venue and staff. I would recommend this venue to anyone who wants to get married in the Tampa Bay area.
Reviewed on 05-08-2013
Wedding Date 27-07-2013
I could not have asked for a more perfect wedding. The Straz center was an amazing venue and the staff there is amazing and very organized. I was planning the wedding from a different state and Nichole Jordan the coordinator made it such an easy experience. She was so organized and helped keep myself as well as my vendors organized. The hall we had the ceremony as well as the reception hall were both beautiful. My wedding photos are beyond amazing. The staff went out of their way to make sure everything was perfect for us. All of the guest were very impressed with the venue and staff. I would recommend this venue to anyone who wants to get married in the Tampa Bay area.
Reviewed on 05-08-2013
Heather O'Neill (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 08-06-2013
Straz was the one and only place we personally went and looked at. \rIt was not hard for us to see that this was the place we wanted to have our wedding. We both love music, and it fit our personalities to a tee. We had a summer wedding, so the price was half of what it would have been in their peak performance season. Nicole Jordan was amazing, every step of they way, any questions (believe me, there we A LOT) or confusions that we had were addressed immediately. She gave me check lists and helped with vendors, made sure that everything was set up for the ceremony and reception, guided us almost completely through the evening. There were so many choices, and with linens and chairs and little things it just made it that much easier. The catering staff was great, they did such an amazing job for the reception. I would do it all over again the exact same way, I can't thank Nikki and the catering staff enough for ALL the help they provided. Even breaking down and helping carry out all things we were taking home the evening of. THANKS SO MUCH!
Reviewed on 10-06-2013
Wedding Date 08-06-2013
Straz was the one and only place we personally went and looked at. \rIt was not hard for us to see that this was the place we wanted to have our wedding. We both love music, and it fit our personalities to a tee. We had a summer wedding, so the price was half of what it would have been in their peak performance season. Nicole Jordan was amazing, every step of they way, any questions (believe me, there we A LOT) or confusions that we had were addressed immediately. She gave me check lists and helped with vendors, made sure that everything was set up for the ceremony and reception, guided us almost completely through the evening. There were so many choices, and with linens and chairs and little things it just made it that much easier. The catering staff was great, they did such an amazing job for the reception. I would do it all over again the exact same way, I can't thank Nikki and the catering staff enough for ALL the help they provided. Even breaking down and helping carry out all things we were taking home the evening of. THANKS SO MUCH!
Reviewed on 10-06-2013
Katherine Chakour (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 06-04-2013
My wedding at the Straz center was absolutely amazing! I honestly could not have asked for more. The location, food, venue, staff (especially our coordinator Nicole Jordan!) was just phenomenal. Our guests were very impressed with the cocktail hour out by the Riverwalk and the reception which was held in their restaurant Maestros. Both had a cool and classy feel to them which added to the vibe of our wedding. Everything was coordinated perfectly and they did absolutely everything they could to make our day extra special. I honestly didn’t have to worry about a thing. They even let us take pictures on the main stage prior to the reception which for me was an awesome bonus. I would highly recommend the Starz Center to anyone thinking about holding their reception there!
Reviewed on 03-05-2013
Wedding Date 06-04-2013
My wedding at the Straz center was absolutely amazing! I honestly could not have asked for more. The location, food, venue, staff (especially our coordinator Nicole Jordan!) was just phenomenal. Our guests were very impressed with the cocktail hour out by the Riverwalk and the reception which was held in their restaurant Maestros. Both had a cool and classy feel to them which added to the vibe of our wedding. Everything was coordinated perfectly and they did absolutely everything they could to make our day extra special. I honestly didn’t have to worry about a thing. They even let us take pictures on the main stage prior to the reception which for me was an awesome bonus. I would highly recommend the Starz Center to anyone thinking about holding their reception there!
Reviewed on 03-05-2013
Rebecca Pizzo (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 10-11-2012
The Straz Center was a dream come true! We were looking for a place to have both our ceremony and reception and the Straz Center provided an awesome venue for that with a beautiful outdoor ceremony under the tent by the water, the cocktail reception by the water and the reception up in the elegant Maetro's restaurant. It could not have been more perfect for us as we were going for a classic, elegant evening and that was all we heard from guests! The reception was set up immaculately and looked absolutely beautiful. Nicole was great to work with and the staff at the venue were so professional and friendly to all of our guests. We would do it all over again if we could and would recommend the Straz Center to anyone.
Reviewed on 16-12-2012
Wedding Date 10-11-2012
The Straz Center was a dream come true! We were looking for a place to have both our ceremony and reception and the Straz Center provided an awesome venue for that with a beautiful outdoor ceremony under the tent by the water, the cocktail reception by the water and the reception up in the elegant Maetro's restaurant. It could not have been more perfect for us as we were going for a classic, elegant evening and that was all we heard from guests! The reception was set up immaculately and looked absolutely beautiful. Nicole was great to work with and the staff at the venue were so professional and friendly to all of our guests. We would do it all over again if we could and would recommend the Straz Center to anyone.
Reviewed on 16-12-2012
Annette Strzelecki (bride) 4 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 30-06-2012
Overall loved the Straz Center. The tent next to the river was a reasonable price and beautiful space. They provide inside as a rain location free of cost which is a huge perk. Maestros was an amazing venue inside with great views of the city, and entire wall is windows. During the summer they have discounted prices due to being the off season which was a huge selling point. They also don't have a lot of extra costs due to being a non-for-profit (ie cake cutting fees etc..) The food was good and the venue was very flexible. The flexibility also comes with some disorganization from the office prewedding. I would suggest having a day of coordinator or a friend serving in that role. However the day went off beautifully and the interns were amazing. The space is gorgeous and doesn't need a ton of decorating and with so much available with out extra fee's it was the the perfect place. They included linens' that are black and white, dance floor etc... We were also allowed access to take pictures on the stage since there were no performances which was beautiful. The location was perfect as well if you have lots of out of town guest since there are hotels in walking distance and things do downtown!
Reviewed on 17-07-2012
Wedding Date 30-06-2012
Overall loved the Straz Center. The tent next to the river was a reasonable price and beautiful space. They provide inside as a rain location free of cost which is a huge perk. Maestros was an amazing venue inside with great views of the city, and entire wall is windows. During the summer they have discounted prices due to being the off season which was a huge selling point. They also don't have a lot of extra costs due to being a non-for-profit (ie cake cutting fees etc..) The food was good and the venue was very flexible. The flexibility also comes with some disorganization from the office prewedding. I would suggest having a day of coordinator or a friend serving in that role. However the day went off beautifully and the interns were amazing. The space is gorgeous and doesn't need a ton of decorating and with so much available with out extra fee's it was the the perfect place. They included linens' that are black and white, dance floor etc... We were also allowed access to take pictures on the stage since there were no performances which was beautiful. The location was perfect as well if you have lots of out of town guest since there are hotels in walking distance and things do downtown!
Reviewed on 17-07-2012
JoAnna Likar (bride) 2 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 09-06-2012
I was really excited to have my wedding at this location, however I would never do it again. They booked my rain back up so instead they put covers over my tent, it never rained so I wanted the tent sides down so I could enjoy the pretty view and breeze, but they were lazy and never took it down. It was so hot my guest almost took it down. They didnt lay my flowers in the aisle and was very unorganized. The only person that really helped was the Intern. My reception was pretty but overall I think it was a poor job they did! next time you would have to pay me to get married there. And oh they dont tell you when you book you might have other events such as a 1000 kid performance all day either!
Reviewed on 06-07-2012
Wedding Date 09-06-2012
I was really excited to have my wedding at this location, however I would never do it again. They booked my rain back up so instead they put covers over my tent, it never rained so I wanted the tent sides down so I could enjoy the pretty view and breeze, but they were lazy and never took it down. It was so hot my guest almost took it down. They didnt lay my flowers in the aisle and was very unorganized. The only person that really helped was the Intern. My reception was pretty but overall I think it was a poor job they did! next time you would have to pay me to get married there. And oh they dont tell you when you book you might have other events such as a 1000 kid performance all day either!
Reviewed on 06-07-2012
Monica Rockswold (bride) 5 out of 5 Rating
Wedding Date 19-03-2010
Absolutely fell in love with the place and stopped all additional searching for a venue the moment we walked in. The cocktail hour was on the waterfront near the flowing fountains and provided an excellent opportunity for guests to enjoy the outdoors for a moment. The reception was in Maestro's restaurant and it had a very sleek modern feel that complemented us. I loved how the entire wall was glass that gave you a view of downtown Tampa and kept the atmosphere airy. Personally not a big fan of completely closed off rooms. They also gave us free reign to decorate the place however we wanted. Even hanging glowing orbs from the ceiling. We had candles galore and large chess pieces to go with our Alice in Wonderland inspired wedding. The place was stunning. It felt rich without being too pricey.
Reviewed on 12-08-2010
10 Reviews, with a Rating of 4.1 out of 5.0Wedding Date 19-03-2010
Absolutely fell in love with the place and stopped all additional searching for a venue the moment we walked in. The cocktail hour was on the waterfront near the flowing fountains and provided an excellent opportunity for guests to enjoy the outdoors for a moment. The reception was in Maestro's restaurant and it had a very sleek modern feel that complemented us. I loved how the entire wall was glass that gave you a view of downtown Tampa and kept the atmosphere airy. Personally not a big fan of completely closed off rooms. They also gave us free reign to decorate the place however we wanted. Even hanging glowing orbs from the ceiling. We had candles galore and large chess pieces to go with our Alice in Wonderland inspired wedding. The place was stunning. It felt rich without being too pricey.
Reviewed on 12-08-2010
Contact Info for Straz Center
| Contact | Value |
|---|---|
| https://www.facebook.com/pages/weddings-at-the-straz-center/136406596408602 | |
| X (Twitter) | Straz Center |
| Straz Center | |
| Website | www.strazcenter.org |
| Phone | (813) 222-6443 |
| Address | 1010 North W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa, FL, 33602 |
| marisol.rocha@strazcenter.org |
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