Dreams Come True

Tampa Tribune:

Tucked away in a nondescript strip mall, a fairy tale wonderland known as The Event Factory has been fulfilling the dreams of those celebrating birthdays and weddings for 10 years.

The 50,000-square-foot facility at 7565 W. Hillsborough Ave. is painted white and surrounded by fast-food eateries, a Big Lots and TJ Maxx. Still, the floral decor by the entrance teases to what guests will see after they enter.

“Being that it was in a shopping center, I was a bit disappointed, but once you’re inside you definitely forget where you are,” said Shellie Murawski, 26, who is holding her wedding at the facility on May 31.

Upon walking through the front door, guests are greeted by a statue of a knight on a horse. If guests take a left, they will reach the bridal salon and offices, but if they take a right and walk through the gazebo gate, they will go through castle doors and into the Enchanted Forest.

The interior gives guests the illusion they are walking in the castle’s courtyard and are surrounded by castle walls. The walls and ceiling are black to suggest a nighttime atmosphere. Flowers and shrubbery are everywhere, and guests walk along “cobblestone” floors to reach the Enchanted Forest, which has flowers and numerous trees decorated with white lights. More.