Alyssa and Michael’s downtown St. Petersburg wedding was a dazzling affair, brimming with 1920s-inspired details that reflected the couple’s love and dedication. From the breathtaking bridal bouquet to the stunning nighttime portraits to their grand departure in a vintage Rolls Royce, the bride and groom curated a magical December evening.

“Our wedding theme was one of the first things we chose when we started planning the wedding; the Great Gatsby 1920s, black, white, and champagne just seemed to fit our personality. My husband and I are both old souls, and we got married in our twenties and in the 2020s!” the bride beamed. “We also loved the idea of the traditional black-tie vibes, so we thought incorporating those together would be the perfect blend.”

Alyssa and her partner brought warmth and personal charm to their winter wedding, delighting their 194 guests with thoughtful details. The couple added a special touch by placing personalized thank you cards at each table, while the bride lovingly handcrafted the floral centerpieces and a majority of the heartwarming signage.

“We incorporated our personalities into this wedding with subtle details such as personalized thank you cards instead of menus on the charger plates at the guest tables,” Alyssa revealed. “I handmade all my floral centerpieces and the majority of the signage featured at the wedding.”

The St. Petersburg bride and groom made their Gatsby wedding dreams come true in the enchanting century-old NOVA 535 event venue. The Brazilian hardwood floors, clay brick walls, 16-foot ceilings, and dreamy lighting set the stage for their romantic indoor wedding.

“For the venue, we wanted to find something that was preferably built in the 1920s with exposed brick walls. We really needed something that was going to bring our vision to life, which NOVA 535 absolutely did!” the bride beamed. “We chose NOVA 535 because the location was prime, the vibes were on par with our theme, and the staff was wonderful and helpful. NOVA’s team goes above and beyond to make your wedding day everything you ever dreamed of and more. April and Ruby truly made the wedding day itself move so effortlessly and dreamy. I couldn’t have asked for a better venue and team; they were fantastic.”

To ensure every special moment of their wedding day was captured, the couple sought a talented team for photography and videography. They found the perfect fit in Iyrus Weddings, who skillfully guided them through the day, ensuring no cherished memory went unnoticed.

“We were looking for a local wedding photographer and videographer that we could trust to capture our special day and not miss any of the details,” Alyssa explained. “Iyrus Weddings did our engagement photos, and once we finished up our engagement session, I asked Will right then and there if he could shoot and film our wedding day. Will has a way of making you feel comfortable behind the camera and guiding you through the whole process. From his great personality to his amazing work, it was very easy to choose him as our photo and video vendor. On the day of the wedding, he helped keep us on time. He truly goes above and beyond to get the perfect shot and does it like it is second nature to him. He makes you feel like you are shooting for Vogue magazine. We felt like celebrities on our wedding day. His team of videographers and editors were on it, and we got our video and photos back in less than a month!”

Alyssa fondly recalled the unforgettable moments of their wedding, including celebrating with guests and their grand exit.

“The most memorable moments were being able to actually join in the cocktail hour with our friends and family, the sparkler exit was magical, and of course, the awesome vintage Rolls Royce getaway car,” Alyssa reminisced. “Royal Transportation drove us around downtown, and everyone stopped and stared like we were famous. It’s not every day you get to sit in the backseat of a piece of history.”

Where did you go for your bachelorette party?
My bachelorette party was in Las Vegas, Nevada, and so was my husband’s bachelor party.  Michael and I have always loved to celebrate in Vegas. We love the glitzy lights and fast-paced environment. We have been many times, but our bachelorette/bachelor parties were our favorite trip out there yet. I went Oct-30-Nov 3rd, and he went Nov 3rd-Nov 7th. 

Where did you go on your honeymoon?
We spent our honeymoon in Hawaii and Maui. That was a dream destination for both of us, and we figured, if not now, then when! The Hawaiian Islands are breathtaking. The perfect place for a memorable honeymoon.

The Proposal:
The proposal was on December 24; it was both of our first times in New York City. We flew in late at night on the 23rd and woke up to explore Times Square. We went to Rockefeller Center around 9 a.m. and watched people ice skate and saw the big Christmas tree! We were just talking and hugging, and the next thing I knew Michael pulled out a ring and asked me to be his wife! Best day ever! 

What was your wedding theme?
The Great Gatsby 1920s, black, white, and champagne just seemed to fit our personality. My husband and I are both old souls, and we got married in our twenties and in the 2020s! We also loved the idea of the traditional black-tie vibes, so we thought incorporating those together would be the perfect blend.

What were your colors?
Black, white, champagne, and champagne pink. We felt it was elegant and simple but also fit the glitzy Gatsby theme.

Which vendors exceeded your expectations?
The vendors that really exceeded my expectations were NOVA 535 and Iyrus Weddings. Both of these vendors genuinely jumped through any and all the hoops to make sure everything was perfect and that the bride and groom had nothing to worry about. 

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Do your research, and look up reviews on vendors before booking. Take time all throughout your wedding day to step back and really capture the moment because the day and night go by quickly.