Venue Spotlight: Bella Cosa
As Tampa wedding photographers, we’ve had the incredible privilege of capturing love stories at venues throughout the Bay Area. But when we discovered Bella Cosa, we knew we had found something truly special. This lakeside lodge has quickly become one of our favorite venues to photograph, and we’re excited to share why it should be at the top of your list when planning your Tampa wedding.
A Venue Steeped in Rich History
What makes Bella Cosa so enchanting isn’t just its stunning lakeside location—it’s the incredible history that lives within its walls. Originally built in 1925 as Lake Pierce Club, this venue has welcomed everyone from Hollywood actors and actresses to the President of the United States. During the 1940s and 50s, it was renamed The Bonaire and continued as a luxury destination.
In 2016, the property underwent extensive renovations under Rev. Jim Way of Capernaum Ministries, restoring original features like the stunning oak flooring and authentic wall treatments. These restoration efforts preserved the venue’s historic charm while creating the perfect blend of vintage elegance and modern functionality that makes it the exclusive wedding destination we know today as Bella Cosa.
As photographers, we appreciate how this thoughtful restoration provides stunning architectural backdrops for portraits while ensuring your wedding day runs seamlessly.
Indoor Spaces That Tell Your Story
Getting Ready in Style
One of the aspects we love most about photographing at Bella Cosa is the dedicated Getting Ready Room. As wedding photographers, we know how important these candid pre-ceremony moments are to your wedding story. This spacious room features large hair and makeup stations with excellent natural light—a photographer’s dream! The thoughtful design includes spots to hang your dresses or suits, and plenty of room for us to capture those precious moments of anticipation, laughter, and final preparations.
For larger wedding parties, there’s also a designated suite that can serve as additional getting ready space. This flexibility means we can capture multiple perspectives of your morning preparations without feeling cramped or rushed.
The Foyer
The foyer at Bella Cosa offers an elegant option for indoor ceremonies. The architectural details and natural light streaming through the windows create a romantic atmosphere that photographs beautifully. We love how the space allows for intimate ceremony shots while still accommodating your guests comfortably.
The Ballroom
After your ceremony, the ballroom transforms into a reception space that can accommodate up to 150 guests. From a photographer’s perspective, this space offers incredible versatility. The layout allows for both intimate table shots and grand dancing photos, while the elegant décor provides a sophisticated backdrop for your reception memories. The flow from ceremony to reception space also creates wonderful opportunities for candid moments as your guests transition from one celebration to the next.
The Honeymoon Suite
What sets Bella Cosa apart from many venues is the inclusion of the romantic honeymoon suite in all wedding packages. This isn’t just accommodation—it’s the perfect setting for intimate newlywed portraits. The stunning four-poster bed, breathtaking lake views, and spacious ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower create a luxurious retreat that photographs beautifully. Imagine waking up to sunrise over the lake on your first morning as a married couple—these are the moments that make for unforgettable wedding photography.
Outdoor Spaces That Take Your Breath Away
The Terrace
The terrace at Bella Cosa is where fairytale weddings come to life. Set against the serene lake and framed by towering trees, this space can accommodate up to 200 guests for your ceremony. As photographers, we’re constantly amazed by the natural beauty this location provides. The interplay of light filtering through the trees, the reflection of the lake, and the organic backdrop create stunning ceremony photos that feel both timeless and magical.
The terrace’s elevation provides excellent sightlines for photography, allowing us to capture both intimate moments and wide shots that showcase the venue’s natural grandeur. Whether you’re planning a morning ceremony with soft golden light or an afternoon celebration with dramatic shadows, the terrace delivers breathtaking results.
Lakeside Ceremonies
For couples dreaming of a truly lakeside wedding, the outdoor ceremony space nestled among lush gardens and majestic oak trees offers an unparalleled setting. The peaceful location by the lake creates what we like to call “nature’s cathedral”—a sacred space where your vows are witnessed not just by your loved ones, but by the ancient oaks and gentle waters that have stood here for generations.
The seating capacity of up to 200 guests ensures that even larger celebrations can take advantage of this stunning natural backdrop. From a photography standpoint, the variety of angles and compositions available in this space means we can capture your ceremony from multiple perspectives, ensuring no precious moment is missed.
The Dock
The dock at Bella Cosa might just be our favorite spot for couple portraits. Stretching out over the water, it provides an incredibly romantic setting that captures the beauty of the lake and surrounding scenery. Picture this: you and your partner, hand in hand, just married, with the peaceful lake stretching out behind you. These are the images that will take your breath away years from now.
The dock also offers unique opportunities for creative photography techniques, including reflections in the water and dramatic silhouettes against the sky. We often use this location for both engagement sessions and wedding day portraits, as it never fails to deliver stunning results.
The Gardens
Bella Cosa’s gardens are truly a photographer’s paradise. The breathtaking handcrafted landscaping has been designed to amaze, and it absolutely delivers. The sweeping staircase that leads from the terrace to the lake adds dramatic flair and elegance to wedding photos—it’s like having a built-in photography prop that elevates every image.
Whether you’re exchanging vows among the carefully curated plantings or simply enjoying a quiet moment together, the gardens provide countless opportunities for romantic and artistic photographs. The variety of textures, colors, and natural elements means we can create a diverse portfolio of images that truly tells the story of your special day.
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Accommodations That Extend the Celebration
A Complete Wedding Experience
What makes Bella Cosa exceptional is that it’s not just a venue—it’s a complete wedding experience. With 11 beautifully furnished rooms and suites accommodating up to 34 guests, your closest family and friends can stay on-site, extending the celebration beyond just your wedding day.
Each room features its own unique charm, with many boasting king-size beds, lake views, and thoughtful touches like ornate fireplaces and large flat-screen TVs. As photographers, we love that guests can stay on-site because it creates opportunities for more natural, candid moments throughout the weekend. From getting ready shots to post-reception celebrations, having everyone together creates a more intimate and connected experience.
The high-speed wireless internet throughout the property is also a practical touch that allows for real-time sharing of photos and keeps everyone connected—though we suspect most guests will be too enchanted by the natural beauty to spend much time online!
Why We Love Photographing at Bella Cosa
The Perfect Blend of Elegance and Authenticity
After photographing several weddings throughout the Tampa Bay area, we can confidently say that Bella Cosa offers something truly special. The venue strikes the perfect balance between elegant sophistication and authentic charm. The historic elements provide character and depth to photographs, while the natural lakeside setting offers endless possibilities for creative compositions.
Exceptional Value for an Unforgettable Experience
With wedding packages ranging from $68 to $89 per person, Bella Cosa provides exceptional value for the complete experience it offers. This pricing includes not just the venue and ceremony/reception spaces, but also the accommodations for your wedding party and the honeymoon suite. When you consider what you’re getting—a historic lakeside lodge, multiple indoor and outdoor spaces, overnight accommodations, and a setting that photographs like a dream—the value becomes even more apparent.
A Venue That Adapts to Your Vision
Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering, a grand affair, a formal event, something laid-back, or a fun and quirky celebration, Bella Cosa has the flexibility to bring your vision to life. We’ve photographed rustic lakeside ceremonies, elegant ballroom receptions, and everything in between at this venue. The variety of spaces means that no two weddings at Bella Cosa look the same, ensuring your celebration is uniquely yours.
Planning Your Bella Cosa Wedding
Making the Most of Your Photography
If you’re considering Bella Cosa for your wedding, we recommend taking advantage of all the unique spaces the venue offers. Plan time for portraits at the dock, on the sweeping staircase, and throughout the gardens. Consider the lighting at different times of day—the golden hour light filtering through the oak trees creates magical ceremony lighting, while the ballroom’s elegant interior photographs beautifully during evening receptions.
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Creating Your Timeline
The beauty of Bella Cosa is that everything is in one location, which makes timeline planning much easier. You can get ready on-site, have your ceremony outdoors, take portraits throughout the property, and transition seamlessly to your reception—all without the stress of transportation between venues.
Your Fairytale Awaits
Bella Cosa represents everything we love about Tampa wedding venues: rich history, natural beauty, elegant spaces, and the flexibility to create truly personalized celebrations. As wedding photographers, we’re honored to capture love stories in such a magical setting, and we’re always excited when couples choose this venue for their special day.
If you’re looking for a wedding venue that offers both indoor and outdoor options, historic charm, lakeside beauty, and exceptional value, Bella Cosa should be at the top of your list. We’d love to help you capture your love story in this enchanting setting—because every couple deserves a wedding as beautiful and unique as their love.
