Laura and Cory's intimate St. Pete Beach wedding brought together friends and family for a romantic Florida destination celebration. The 32-guest beachfront ceremony was a reflection of the couple's love for one another with personal touches such as a sentimental ceremonial backdrop adorned with romantic colors.
“I wanted a classic wedding with a touch of modern, and picked the fall colors of burgundy, navy, and rose gold for the wedding,” the bride explained. “Our arch was a hexagon based on a few tattoos Cory has, and we did custom koozies in pink and navy for our bar. We made sure to incorporate all our wants into the wedding, such as the intimacy of the ceremony and reception as well as our vows on the beach. It was so incredible to have our closest family and friends fly (or drive 16 hours!) to be with us for the wedding.”
While planning their destination beach ceremony, the Memphis, Tennessee couple relied on Marry Me Tampa Bay to research reputable vendors and view local inspiration. The fall Florida wedding was a dream come true even planning from afar thanks to Marry Me Tampa Bay. The site was a middleman for Laura who did much of the wedding planning from afar.
“Marry Me Tampa Bay helped so much in finding the best vendors and locations when we could not meet in person due to the distance,” the bride explained. “Since we had a destination wedding, all of our wedding vendors were found on Marry Me Tampa Bay and Instagram, especially our photographer and makeup artist.”
The couple knew they wanted to host a destination beach ceremony, and the elopement planners at Elope Tampa Bay helped them plan a perfect day from hundreds of miles away. The bride and groom let them take the creative reins, and the Elope team gave the couple all of the same wedding experiences as larger occasions.
“Elope Tampa Bay was perfect for us since we wanted an intimate ceremony with unique details,” the bride gushed. “They handled everything so perfectly. They made it so much easier to plan the ceremony from such a distance. They handle all the small details and were able to make it special and unique to us.”
Tampa Bay captured Laura and Cory's hearts, especially at the “golden hour,” and the couple wanted a wedding photographer who would allow the couple's true personalities to shine against the beautiful waterfront backdrop.
“We fell in love with St. Pete Beach on previous vacations. Photography was the most important thing to me from the start. We wanted someone with beach ceremony expertise, a good price package, and who could capture our personalities,” the bride articulated. “Amber of Amber McWhorter Photography has insane talent and a very natural presence. Our engagement session with her was so much fun! I knew she would capture our personalities on the wedding day even through all the pre-wedding jitters. Ultimately, Amber's incredible social media presence made me confident in her skills as a photographer.”
With everything planned to perfection, Laura entrusted Femme Akoi Beauty Studio to give her a beautiful wedding day look. The bride's dress had an elegant front with a detailed open back, and her beauty team created a low updo to show off the gorgeous back of the dress, while her makeup enhanced her natural beauty.
“Femme Akoi came highly recommended on social media and Marry Me Tampa Bay,” the bride shared. “I was able to do my trial six months before the wedding. However, Teresa didn't bat an eye when I changed my hairstyle the morning of the wedding.”
Looking back at the intimate day, it was nothing short of perfection for the couple. The groomsman in their crisp white shirts with burgundy suspenders and bowties perfectly paired with the bridesmaids' full-length burgundy dresses, each in a different style perfect for their personality. Laura and Cory couldn't have imagined a more perfect setting to celebrate their love.
“The most memorable moment for me was the ceremony. Seeing the arch from the florist took my breath away,” the bride reminisced. “Then getting married at golden hour on the beach while dolphins jumped out of the water is something I will never forget. Our sunset wedding photos still leave me staring every time I see them.”
What were your wedding hair and makeup inspiration?
Femme Akoi Beauty Studio came highly recommended on social media and Marry Me Tampa Bay. I was able to do my trial six months before the wedding. However, Teresa didn't bat an eye when I changed my hairstyle the morning of the wedding.
The Proposal:
It was my birthday! Cory took me to one of my favorite spots in Nashville (Arrington Vineyards). He had planned a picnic basket and bottle of champagne and even had a photographer waiting to capture the whole thing.
What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
Photography was the most important thing to me from the start. We wanted someone with beach ceremony expertise, a good price package, and who could capture our personalities.
Amber of Amber McWhorter Photography has insane talent and a very natural presence. Our engagement session with her was so much fun! I knew she would capture our personalities on the wedding day even through all the pre-wedding jitters. Ultimately, Amber's incredible social media presence made me confident in her skills as a photographer.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
I wanted a classic wedding with a touch of modern.
What were your colors?
Burgundy, navy, and rose gold, fall romantic colors.
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
Elope Tampa Bay was perfect for us since we wanted an intimate ceremony with unique details. They handled everything so perfectly. They made it so much easier to plan the ceremony from such a distance. They handle all the small details and were able to make it special and unique to us.
“Photography was the most important thing to me from the start. We wanted someone with beach ceremony expertise, a good price package, and who could capture our personalities. Amber of Amber McWhorter Photography has insane talent and a very natural presence.“
-The Bride
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Hilton Playa del Carmen in Mexico. I work for Hilton so we got a great deal, and Cory had never traveled internationally. I speak Spanish, and we wanted an all inclusive resort. 10/10 recommend Hilton Playa del Carmen; their staff was incredible and so so much fun!
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
We did a joint bachelor/bachelorette at an AirBnB in Hot Springs, AR. Our whole group are close friends, and we knew we wanted to do something together. It is a short drive from Memphis, it had a fun nightlife scene, and we were also able to rent a boat to take out on the lake one day. Amazing! Definitely would do it again.
What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
Grant Hemond and Associates was recommended through Marry Me Tampa Bay. They had an excellent coordinator and were very helpful in scheduling calls and emails.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Amber McWhorter Photography. Photography was the most important thing to me from the start. Amber has insane talent and a very natural presence. Our engagement session was so much fun, and I knew she would capture our personalities on the wedding day, even through all the pre-wedding jitters.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
If you are located somewhere else and want a destination beach wedding, I 10000% recommend Elope Tampa Bay and Amber McWhorter!
