Katie and Jason’s St. Pete Beach wedding featured a traditional Catholic church ceremony, followed by beach wedding portraits and an elegant blush pink and navy reception.
“They had some initial ideas that we just expanded on: timeless and classic, with a strong natural and organic presence,” St. Pete wedding planner Staci Mandikas of UNIQUE Weddings + Events explained. “The color scheme was kept classic and neutral: ivory, champagne and gold with a touch of blue and lots of organic greenery, while the fashion featured navy and blush.”
MORE: BLUSH PINK PINK WEDDING INSPIRATION
For the bride who needed local advice and inspiration, Katie searched Marry Me Tampa Bay for recommendations and wedding planning insight.
“I used Marry Me Tampa Bay to search for venues, look at decor, and seek guidance in the process! I loved browsing through other weddings to see how people have made something their own. It gave me a lot of inspiration!” the bride beamed. “Marry Me Tampa Bay allowed us to research the options so we could make an informed decision.”
Needing more direction on how to bring her vision to life, the bride hired St. Pete Beach wedding planner designer UNIQUE Weddings + Events to assist in the creative design execution.
“After talking with our wedding planner, Staci, I just knew that she could bring to life what I was looking for. I put all my faith in her, and I am so glad I did, it was perfect!” Katie gushed. “I knew that I could trust her with our special day, and I am so incredibly lucky to have found her. I loved every aspect of our wedding. Everything came together so perfectly, and I have Staci to thank for that.”
MORE: UNIQUE WEDDINGS + EVENTS
“It was such an honor for Katie and Jason to put their trust in me, when it came to their wedding plans and wedding design,” Staci shared. “It’s an immense responsibility, but something that we don’t take lightly.”
When it came to finding the perfect design elements for their wedding day, the UNIQUE team first created a design sample for the couple and sourced pieces from local Tampa Bay wedding rental companies. Adding gorgeous linens and sophisticated chairs can instantly transform any space into the most fabulous reception.
“Over the Top Rental Linens never disappoint. Their linens are always great quality and add a softness to every wedding. We stuck to classic fabrics without anything too formal or flashy. The most dramatic was the bridal lace and burnout leaf pattern that we used to showcase the sweetheart and cake tables,” Staci explained. “A Chair Affair had everything we needed to furnish the wedding. They handled some of the tables, all of the seating and chargers. The French Country cross-back chairs were a real highlight in ballroom. They brought an organic and earthy touch to all of the softness of the ivory flowers and the tan linens.”
With food at the top of the list of important elements for the couple, they searched for a St. Pete Beach wedding caterer who could provide a variety of options with amazing taste.
“We were really impressed with the options and quality of what Olympia Catering provided. The presentation of their food was awesome too! One of our appetizers was the Cuban egg rolls, which they were able to serve out of cigar boxes; it was so cool!” the bride gushed. “Their service was amazing, and we still get compliments over a year later.”
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Looking back on their wedding day, the bride reminisced that one of her most memorable moments was seeing her reception for the first time.
“Walking into the venue with Jason and seeing how beautifully everything came together, we were speechless. Also, seeing everyone we loved in the same room; it made all the stress of wedding planning so worth it,” Katie shared.
The Proposal:
After my first semester of law school came to an end, Jason told me he wanted to take me to dinner to celebrate. Without knowing, he called Island Way Grille to set up a special dessert which read “Will you marry me?” Unfortunately, it did not go as planned. He told them that he called ahead of time to have a dessert ready, but I still had no idea what was about to happen. Within minutes, they brought the dessert out, I looked to my right and Jason was down on one knee asking me to be his wife! We were so excited, and when we got in the car to head home, I decided to call my family who just didn’t seem as ecstatic as I was. Little did I know, they were all part of the plan. Jason had been in touch with my family, who drove up from Ft. Myers, and were waiting at the house to surprise me. It was a moment I will never forget, I couldn’t have asked for a better night.
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
Someone creative, who understood what I was looking for.
I Want to Learn More about Planning & Design from UNIQUE Weddings & Events.
From the moment we sat down with Staci of UNIQUE Weddings + Events, I just knew she was right for us. She was basically already finishing my sentences and predicting what I wanted based on what we were talking about. I knew that I could trust her with our special day, and I am so incredibly lucky to have found her. Staci was absolutely perfect and made everything come to life. Every bride needs a wedding planner like Staci in their lives! I loved every aspect of our wedding. Everything came together so perfectly, and I have Staci to thank for that.
How did you incorporate you and your spouse’s personalities into the wedding?
Jason is a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, so I wanted to incorporate that into our wedding somehow. We had Chicago-themed drinks and beer, and I surprised him with a Cubs-themed cigar bar!
We also wanted to incorporate family tradition into the wedding. After Jason’s father said the dinner prayer, we had everyone hold hands and “shake the love around,” which is something that his grandfather always did before every meal. It was very special and it felt like he was there with us.
What did you look for in a rental company?
I trusted my wedding planner with this aspect of the wedding. She knew the style I wanted, and I knew I could trust her with whomever she picked! The rental companies my wedding planner chose, Over the Top Rental Linens and A Chair Affair, were amazing!
I Want to Learn More about Rentals from A Chair Affair
Over the Top Rental Linens never disappoint. Their linens are always great quality and add a softness to every wedding. We stuck to classic fabrics without anything too formal or flashy. The most dramatic was the bridal lace and burnout leaf pattern that we used to showcase the sweetheart and cake tables. A Chair Affair had everything we needed to furnish the wedding. They handled some of the tables, all of the seating and chargers. The French Country cross-back chairs were a real highlight in ballroom. They brought an organic and earthy touch to all of the softness of the ivory flowers and the tan linens. -Staci Mandikas | UNIQUE Weddings + Events
What did you look for in a wedding caterer? What was your menu inspiration?
Food was extremely important to us. We wanted to give our guests quality selections, so we wanted a caterer that could give us a variety of options that tasted great!
I Want to Learn More about Olympia Catering
We were really impressed with the options and quality of what Olympia Catering provided. The presentation of their food was awesome too! One of our appetizers was Cuban egg rolls, which they were able to serve out of cigar boxes; it was so cool! Their service was amazing, and we still get compliments over a year later.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
I wanted something timeless that I could look back on in 15 years and still love. After talking with our wedding planner, I just knew that she could bring to life what I was looking for. I put all my faith in her, and I am so glad I did, it was perfect!
What were your colors?
Blush and navy. We really liked the navy suits and blush complemented them well. My wedding planner really helped complement those colors with the linens and decor in the venue.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Planning is hard and time consuming, but it is so worth it. On the day of: don’t let trivial things bother you, stay in the moment, because it goes by way too fast, and appreciate the fact that every single person in the room is there for you and your significant other. It’s one of the happiest days of your life ,and you get to spend it with everyone you love!
Ceremony Venue: St. John Vianney Catholic Church
Reception Venue: St. Pete Beach Community Center
Photographer: K&K Photography
Videographer & Slow Mo Photo Booth: Fidelis Films
Planner: UNIQUE Weddings and Events *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Florist: Events in Bloom
Caterer and Cake: Olympia Catering *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Rentals: A Chair Affair *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Rentals: Mobile Wind
Lighting: Tampa Lights
Linens: Over the Top Rental Linens *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Plants: A1 Foliage
Band: C’nergy Band
Bartender: Spunky Spirits
Invitations: Invitation Galleria
Transportation: Jolley Trolley
Hair & Makeup: Lasting Luxe
Bridesmaids Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
