Limelight Photography: Claudia and Tomas Featured in the Limelight | St. Mary Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and The Loew's Don CeSar Beach Resort

The Love Story of Claudia and Tomas began in 2008 when they met at Johns Hopkins. A mutual interest in brain cancer research led them both to work in the same laboratory- the Hopkins Brain Tumor Stem Cell Lab. Claudia was just starting her PhD work in Neuroscience and Tomas was completing a Post-Doctoral Fellowship before applying to residency programs. During Claudia’s 3-month rotation in the lab she and Tomas got to know each other and began to fall in love. Once Claudia’s rotation was over and she joined another lab, they started spending more time together outside of Hopkins. At first they would go to the gym together and play tennis. Then they were going out for dinner dates and dancing. Soon they were inseparable and became an official couple in May 2009. Tomas began Neurosurgery residency at Hopkins in 2011 and they moved in together in 2012. New Year’s Eve 2013 Tomas got down on one knee and asked Claudia, "¿Te quieres casar conmigo?" which is Spanish for "Will you marry me?" Of course Claudia ecstatically responded "¡Si!"

Tomas says: I love everything about her- She is my angel. Claudia says: I love his youthful and positive energy, goofy sense of humor, ambition, and brains. He is my McDreamy. Playing music together (Claudia plays piano and guitar and Tomas sings and plays guitar), working out together (gym, tennis, volleyball), cooking together, dancing and watching movies.

Claudia and Tomas were married in a traditional Catholic Wedding Ceremony at Saint Mary Our Lady of Grace. They incorporated a Hispanic tradition of El Lazo at the Catholic Ceremony.

Claudia grew up in Lakeland, Florida; about an hour from St. Pete Beach. Tomas is from Mexico. Getting married in Florida and on the Gulf of Mexico was the perfect location. Claudia's favorite color is pink, they both love the beach and the 'Pink Palace' was the absolute ideal location.

The Don Cesar is a historic hotel in St. Pete Beach known as Florida's Pink Palace. This legendary hotel sits on the sugary sands of an island in the Gulf of Mexico. The "Pink Lady on the Beach" opened in 1928 and was originially built by Thomas Rowe. It quickly became a favorite place for the rich and famous of the Jazz Age and era of the Great Gatsby, including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Al Capone, Lou Gehrig, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Maritana Grill is an award-winning Four Diamond restaurant located within the hotel where you can enjoy deliciously fresh seafood.

Their wedding was romantic, elegant and traditional - but with a modern twist! Their day was filled with warmth and love as they were surrounded by their families that were all together for the first time. Congratulations Claudia and Tomas! God bless you, your marriage and your beautiful families!

Band: DeLeon Band
Bridesmaids Dresses: Mori Lee
Cake: Cakes by Linda Brown
Ceremony Site: Saint Mary Our Lady of Grace
Event Planner: Cheers! Beth Clark
Favors: Buttercup Cakes
Florist: Botanica
Hair and Makeup: Destiny and Light
Invitations: Stationary Loft
Reception Venue: The Don CeSar, Courtney Blount

Videographer: Voila Cinematic Wedding Gown: Justin Alexander