Some locations have an iconic focal point that awes and inspires, be it an impressive exterior facade, a unique decorative feature, or an unforgettable view. For the Westshore Yacht Club, the gorgeous spiral staircase that greets each guest as they arrive is one of those unforgettable elements. The timeless design and colors were the driving force of this modern-meets-coastal styled shoot set along the water in beautiful South Tampa.

“The theme could be classified as coastal elegance or a modern coastal charm due to the combination of wood grain and coastal colors. I love being able to incorporate timeless natural elements with accents of black and gold to make it feel a bit more contemporary.” Amber Schryver, Lead Event Planner at Oh My Occasions shared. “Our colors included ‘bayside blues’ from the hues in the staircase tile. We incorporated navy blue, dusty blue, terracotta, gold, black, and hints of a warm amber along with textures including natural wood grain, acrylics, and velvet.”

The wedding planner and designer relied on the beauty of the venue’s architecture to spur her creativity and inspire the direction for this photo shoot.

“The Westshore Yacht Club inspired the entire theme. That’s the beauty in embracing what’s already there and building off of existing inspiration. It feels ‘right’! The entire design was based around an iconic element of the venue’s staircase. When members or guests walk into the Yacht Club, they’re greeted by a large staircase consisting of the most gorgeous colorful tile work, dark wood stair treads, and iron banisters. When I saw the juxtaposition of the black and wood combination and the earthy warmth and calming cool tones, my creativity was immediately triggered,” the planner revealed. “Local couples who love the water and crave privacy would really enjoy a wedding at Westshore Yacht Club. It is perfect for a couple who may have grown up around Westshore or has family ties to the club. The intimate feel of the venue makes it an ideal setting for guest counts under 100 to really utilize all the spaces. We wanted a wedding ceremony that felt different, so we used the porte cochere area that was covered overhead and draped the beautiful columns to frame the couple in the center. For the cooler Florida nights, the poolside dinner and dancing was a great option. Couples who may not want to invest in a dance floor have the option to dance on the pavers and celebrate under the gorgeous string lighting overhead.”

Embracing the existing character and charm of an event space is an authentic way to incorporate a wedding style that feels purposeful versus relying on wedding trends found online.

“I don’t typically follow trends unless they feel meaningful to my couple,” the planner explained. “In this case, it was important for me to make the wedding feel timeless in the sense that it could be replicated during any season or year. Because I pulled inspiration from the existing venue aesthetics and architecture, it feels intentional and cohesive.”

A skilled team of wedding pros came together to bring this waterfront vision to life. The creative team members each contributed an element to the design that tied in the elevated coastal vibe, from the peachy-coral lip color selected for the bride by Michele Renee The Studio, to the cake pops adorned with mini sugar flowers courtesy of Sweetly Dipped Confections, to the lush floral arrangements throughout the space; everything echoed the variety of colors found throughout the inspirational staircase.

“Not only did I adore the couple and our vendor team, but I really loved how the theme played throughout the design from the tabletop to the groom’s suit! The florals from Save The Date Florida were also designed perfectly to match our color concept, all the way down to the taper candle holders being the perfect shade of terracotta to match the stair tile!” Amber raved.

“We chose blooms that would fit the vibe and complement the venue, such as blue delphinium, anemones, ranunculus, roses, and Spray Roses,” Danielle Zechmann, owner of Save the Date Florida, added.

Curated details at the place settings paired with tabletop decor to reflect the color combination and textures found in the iconic staircase. Each element was selected to blend together while also offering visual interest.

“The table numbers are made from layered acrylic, featuring a custom blue floral design that draws inspiration from the table linens from Over The Top Rental Linens. The forefront of each number is a laser-cut wood piece, which ties in the wood grain elements found in the layered tabletop pairings, the chairs, and the original staircase design that inspired the whole concept,” the planner detailed. “This blend of materials brings a cohesive, natural feel to the space while adding a modern, personalized touch.”