Ember and Nathan’s elegant downtown St. Petersburg wedding was an intimate and elegant brunch infused affair with bright fall colors, gold accents, and personal touches throughout.

“Our wedding design inspiration can be described as effortlessly elegant with a touch of rustic charm. We were inspired by our venue’s natural beauty and allure, which played a significant role in shaping our theme. The stunning backdrop and ambiance of Red Mesa Events provided the perfect aesthetics that resonated with our vision. We chose this theme as it perfectly complemented the venue’s existing charm, allowing us to enhance it without going overboard. The decision to keep it simple yet sophisticated was a testament to the venue’s inherent beauty, making it easy for us to create a cohesive and captivating atmosphere for our special day,” the bride beamed. “We chose terracotta and blue for our colors. We wanted to keep complementary colors for the venue and keep fall elements. I used Marry Me Tampa Bay for inspiration on color schemes, vendors, and little extras to include for our wedding.”

The Fort Myers couple hosted their August wedding in Tampa Bay because it holds sentimental value as the backdrop of their many shared experiences and offered a vibrant yet laid-back atmosphere.

“We decided to have our wedding in St. Pete because this beautiful city holds a special place in our hearts, as it is where we have celebrated many milestones together: graduations, birthdays, holidays, and even our engagement on The Pier,” the bride gushed. “With our closest friends living in St. Pete, it truly feels like home to us. We love the low-key city vibe, the stunning skyline views, and the vibrant downtown area that keep the party going on our special day.”

The bride and groom discovered their ideal venue in Red Mesa Events, which seamlessly aligned with their vision and exceeded their expectations in style and service.

“When searching for a wedding venue, our key criteria included flexibility for an early morning ceremony, the option to host both the ceremony and reception in one place, catering availability, and full bar services. Equally important was finding a venue that matched our style perfectly, eliminating the need for additional rentals to personalize it to our taste,” the bride shared. “We chose Red Mesa Events because of its stellar reputation for creating unforgettable experiences. Their attention to detail and professionalism are unmatched in the industry! From start to finish, their team went above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of my event was flawlessly executed. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and truly passionate about their work. I was thoroughly impressed with the seamless coordination, high-quality service, and personalized touch that Red Mesa Events provided. I highly recommend them to anyone looking to host a memorable and successful event.”

Drawn to Mary Anna Photography‘s exceptional ability to put their couples at ease, while directing key moments professionally and creatively, the pair knew that Mary Neiman would effortlessly capture their celebration.

“When looking for a wedding photographer, I sought someone who could capture genuine emotions and moments, someone with a distinct style that resonated with us. We wanted a photographer who could blend into the background and take charge when needed to ensure we got all the important shots. Quality and creativity were key factors for us, as well as someone who could make us feel comfortable and at ease in front of the camera. Ultimately, we wanted a photographer who could tell our unique love story through their lens, creating timeless and beautiful memories we could cherish for years,” the bride detailed.. “I chose Mary Anna Photography because of her stellar reputation for capturing authentic and timeless moments. Their portfolio showcased a unique blend of creativity and technical skill that spoke to me. During my experience with Mary Anna Photography, I was impressed by their professionalism and attention to detail. Mary took the time to understand my vision and preferences, ensuring that the final results exceeded my expectations. The quality of their service was exceptional, from the initial consultation to the final delivery of the photographs. I truly appreciated their creativity, dedication, and ability to make me feel comfortable in front of the camera. Overall, I was extremely satisfied and highly recommend their services to anyone looking for top-notch photography.”

Ember and Nathan’s 46-guest wedding was a heartfelt reflection of their personalities and shared history, featuring personal touches and unique choices that made their celebration truly distinct.

“We incorporated our personalities into the wedding by choosing a venue that reflected our shared history. Red Mesa Events, St. Pete’s oldest fire station turned event space, was the perfect nod to our beginnings at fire school. For accommodations, we stayed at the Cordova Inn, a charming hotel that oozed historic charm and provided numerous photo opportunities for our special day,” the bride revealed. “From the intimate first look to the pre-wedding coffee moments, every detail was a reflection of our personalities: classy, memorable, and not over the top. Our wedding was a perfect blend of elegance and personal touches that made it an unforgettable celebration for us and our guests.”

“This couple was so much fun, and the pictures reflect that. They got married in a historic hotel a short walk away from Red Mesa Events. They had coffee at the hotel bar and portraits in their unique space, including a library, beautiful arched porch, and modern/elegant rooms,” the photographer added.

Embracing their personal desires, the bride and groom hosted an afternoon that reflected their vision of their perfect wedding day.

“Our wedding was unique because we kept it intimate with only our closest family and friends present. Opting for a brunch wedding allowed us to minimize stress and keep the celebration going all day, making it convenient for out-of-town guests. We chose to forgo traditional wedding customs like the bouquet and garter toss, instead focusing on personalizing every detail ourselves,” Ember added. “It was essential for us to make decisions that truly reflected our values and preferences rather than conforming to societal expectations. By openly communicating and planning together, my husband and I crafted a perfect day. We even embraced the unconventional by having an uneven number of bridal party members seated during the ceremony, with only the best man and maid of honor standing beside us at the altar.”

Reflecting on their wedding day, the newlyweds most cherished moments embodied their love and joy.

“The most memorable moments of the event were truly magical and unforgettable. The first look, where we locked eyes for the first time, filled with excitement and love, set the tone for the day. The walk from Cordonva Inn to the venue was a special moment of togetherness as we took in the surroundings and reflected on our journey together,” the bride reminisced. “The floral arrangements and decor added a touch of elegance and beauty, creating a stunning setting for our celebration. The photos taken during cocktail hour captured our joy and love in a way that we will cherish forever. These moments brought us closer together and made our day enchanting and memorable.”

What was your wedding beauty inspiration?
My wedding beauty inspiration was a blend of classic elegance and natural radiance. I wanted to enhance my features without appearing overdone, so I chose a soft, romantic look that beautifully highlighted my best features. Drawing from timeless bridal styles with a touch of modern flair, I aimed for a fresh and sophisticated aesthetic. From glowing skin and subtle contouring to soft, romantic updos and natural-looking makeup, my goal was to achieve a timeless bridal beauty look that made me feel confident and radiant on my special day.”

I specifically chose Femme Akoi Beauty Studio for their exceptional team of skilled hair and makeup artists who could bring my inspirational photos to life while customizing the look to suit my hair type and facial features. Their service was outstanding! From the initial inquiry to the final result, they were incredibly accommodating and attentive. I especially appreciated their professionalism and flexibility, as I was their sole focus for both hair and makeup on the day. Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with Femme Akoi and highly recommend them to anyone seeking top-tier beauty professionals.

The Proposal: 
The proposal happened in St. Pete, an unforgettable moment that took me completely by surprise as we strolled along The Pier. I was stunned when Nathan knelt down and asked me to spend forever with him—it was truly a dream come true.

What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
When looking for a wedding photographer, I sought someone who could capture genuine emotions and moments, someone with a distinct style that resonated with us. We wanted a photographer who could blend into the background and take charge when needed to ensure we got all the important shots. Quality and creativity were key factors for us, as well as someone who could make us feel comfortable and at ease in front of the camera. Ultimately, we wanted a photographer who could tell our unique love story through their lens, creating timeless and beautiful memories we could cherish for years.

I chose Mary Anna Photography because of her stellar reputation for capturing authentic and timeless moments. Their portfolio showcased a unique blend of creativity and technical skills that spoke to me. During my experience with Mary Anna Photography, I was impressed by their professionalism and attention to detail. Mary took the time to understand my vision and preferences, ensuring that the final results exceeded my expectations. The quality of their service was exceptional, from the initial consultation to the final delivery of the photographs. I truly appreciated their creativity, dedication, and ability to make me feel comfortable in front of the camera. Overall, I was extremely satisfied and highly recommend their services to anyone looking for top-notch photography.

What did you look for in a wedding venue? 
When searching for a wedding venue, our key criteria included flexibility for an early morning ceremony, the option to host both the ceremony and reception in one place, catering availability, and full bar services. Equally important was finding a venue that matched our style perfectly, eliminating the need for additional rentals to personalize it to our taste.

We chose Red Mesa Events because of its stellar reputation for creating unforgettable experiences. Their attention to detail and professionalism are unmatched in the industry! From start to finish, their team went above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of my event was flawlessly executed. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and truly passionate about their work. I was thoroughly impressed with the seamless coordination, high-quality service, and personalized touch that Red Mesa Events provided. I highly recommend them to anyone looking to host a memorable and successful event.

What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
We were looking for someone with high energy who could keep the momentum going throughout the event. DJ Gary of Graingertainment was fantastic at getting everyone on the dance floor and intuitively knowing when we needed a break to catch our breath and grab some water. He truly listened to what I wanted in terms of music style and perfectly avoided songs that didn’t align with our preferences.

I chose Graingertainment specifically because of their glowing reviews and strong recommendations, not just from other brides but also from fellow vendors. It was important to me that all the vendors worked well together and maintained a seamless flow throughout the day.