Addison and Brett’s elegant destination Clearwater wedding was a breathtaking celebration aboard the Yacht StarShip, featuring a champagne color palette, subtle white florals, and a stunning panoramic view of the Gulf.

“We envisioned a modern, elegant theme that would beautifully complement the yacht’s stunning features,” the bride stated. “Our goal was to create a sophisticated aesthetic that highlighted the natural beauty of the water while maintaining a chic and timeless design. Our wedding colors—white, black, and champagne—were chosen for their classic yet modern elegance. With the yacht offering such a vibrant backdrop both on and off the water, we wanted a color palette that enhanced the surroundings without overpowering them. The combination of white, black, and champagne provided a refined and sophisticated setting, allowing the venue’s natural beauty to truly shine.”

The Missouri bride and groom chose Clearwater, Florida, for their September wedding, drawn to its deep personal significance and picturesque waterfront setting.

“We currently live in Columbia, Missouri, but Clearwater has always held a special place in our hearts,” the bride beamed. “I spent my summers there growing up, and we’ve both felt a strong connection to the area. When it came time to choose a wedding location, we knew there was no better place to celebrate our special day than on the water in Clearwater.”

To fully embrace all the beauty the Gulf has to offer, the couple chose to host their 80-person nuptials on the Yacht StarShip, creating an unforgettable celebration with breathtaking views.

“We were looking for something unique and different—less traditional and more personal. A waterfront setting was a must, and there’s no better way to be surrounded by the water than celebrating on a yacht. The venue’s mix of elegance and casual charm was exactly what we had envisioned,” the bride detailed. “After attending a dinner cruise following our venue tour, we knew Yacht StarShip was the perfect fit. The service was outstanding, and the staff went above and beyond to make us feel special. One moment that truly stood out was when they surprised us with a personalized dessert at the end of the evening, featuring our wedding date and a ‘sea you soon’ message. Those thoughtful touches made all the difference and confirmed we had found the perfect place for our wedding.”

“Without a doubt, the venue made our wedding truly unique,” the bride raved. “Celebrating on a yacht provided a one-of-a-kind experience with breathtaking views of the water. It was a perfect blend of elegance and adventure, setting the stage for a wedding unlike any other.”

“Yacht StarShip is such a unique venue—it’s truly an experience for couples and their guests as they set sail and take in some of the most breathtaking views and sunsets Florida has to offer. The staff is always amazing and so helpful, making the day even more seamless,” Carrie Wildes, owner/photographer of Carrie Wildes Photography stated.

Prioritizing a photographer who could authentically capture their vision and remain engaged throughout the entire process, Addison and Brett found the perfect match in Carrie Wildes Photography.

“We sought a photographer who truly understood our vision and could capture the specific moments and aesthetics we desired. It was essential to find someone engaged with us throughout the entire process—before, during, and after the wedding,” the bride shared. “We chose Carrie Wildes Photography because her stunning portfolio and editing style matched our preferences. From the outset, Carrie was incredibly responsive, arranging meetings to discuss our ideas and ensuring we were aligned. On the wedding day, she provided invaluable assistance with posing and offered creative photo ideas, ensuring we captured everything we wanted and more.”

“Their champagne color palette and white florals looked incredible, especially against the backdrop of the Gulf and sunset—it created such a modern and romantic feel. One of my favorite things about Addison and Brett is how laid-back and up for anything they were, which made capturing their day so much fun and allowed us to be our most creative. I also had the opportunity to photograph their welcome party the evening before, which was such a great way to meet everyone and capture amazing moments in a more casual setting with their friends and family. Addison’s gown was extra special since it was from the same designer as her sister’s, who got married earlier this year—such a meaningful detail for them to share,” Carrie Wildes stated. “Brett and the groomsmen were all about the photos and had an absolute blast. My second shooter, Linda, captured an epic champagne pop, and Brett surprised them with custom bobbleheads and cufflinks while getting ready. They truly leaned into the moment, and you could tell they were having so much fun!”

The couple chose to personalize their experience by forgoing a first look, ensuring that the moment the bride walked down the aisle would be a profound and memorable “wow” moment. The bride stunned in a romantic Pnina Tornai gown, featuring a sheer bodice adorned with lace detailing and a plunging neckline, perfectly complementing her soft, wavy curls styled in a half-up look. More personal touches were woven throughout the day, reflecting the couple’s love story and shared passions.

“The ceremony was by far the most important element for us. We chose not to do a first look, so seeing each other for the first time as I walked down the aisle was a special moment,” the bride shared. “We wanted our wedding to reflect who we are, so we incorporated meaningful elements throughout the day. Music set the tone, with jazz playing during the cocktail hour and reception—a genre we both love. For the ceremony, we chose songs with personal significance. Brett walked down the aisle to an instrumental version of Georgia Time by Riley Green, a song that holds special memories for him, while the bridal party’s entrance honored Addison’s grandmother. Roses, my favorite flower, were featured in the décor, and for dessert, we included our favorite sweet treats. One of our favorite details was our cake topper—donuts designed to resemble the bride and groom. We also found a fun way to include our two French Bulldogs, who couldn’t be there, by featuring their faces on personalized napkins, adding a sweet touch to the celebration.”

Among the day’s many cherished memories, the couple found the ceremony particularly unforgettable, with several moments standing out as especially meaningful.

“Beyond the moving first look as I walked down the aisle, exchanging our personalized vows was incredibly memorable,” the bride reminised. “Writing our own vows made the ceremony even more intimate and heartfelt.”

The Proposal:
Brett was in Miami for a conference, and Addison flew down for the weekend to visit a place she had always wanted to see. A few friends were in town, and Addison’s sister, Alycia, along with her now-wife, drove up from Tampa to join them. Since Brett and Addison both love exploring new wineries, Brett suggested a wine tasting and dinner. After the tasting, they all took a walk toward a fountain to capture some pictures—when, to Addison’s surprise, Brett got down on one knee and proposed.

What did you look for in a wedding venue?
We were looking for something unique and different—less traditional and more personal. A waterfront setting was a must, and there’s no better way to be surrounded by the water than celebrating on a yacht.

Yacht Starship‘s mix of elegance and casual charm was exactly what we had envisioned. After attending a dinner cruise following our venue tour, we knew Yacht StarShip was the perfect fit. The service was outstanding, and the staff went above and beyond to make us feel special. One moment that truly stood out was when they surprised us with a personalized dessert at the end of the evening, featuring our wedding date and a ‘sea you soon’ message. Those thoughtful touches made all the difference and confirmed we had found the perfect place for our wedding.

What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
We sought a photographer who truly understood our vision and could capture the specific moments and aesthetics we desired. It was essential to find someone engaged with us throughout the entire process—before, during, and after the wedding.

We chose Carrie Wildes Photography because her stunning portfolio and editing style matched our preferences. From the outset, Carrie was incredibly responsive, arranging meetings to discuss our ideas and ensuring we were aligned. On the wedding day, she provided invaluable assistance with posing and offered creative photo ideas, ensuring we captured everything we wanted and more.