Kaitlin and Alex’s elegant Clearwater Beach wedding radiated timeless elegance and sophistication, with a refined color palette that perfectly complemented the breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico.

“We chose silver, pink, and sage green as our wedding colors,” the bride shared. “Sage green is my favorite, and the soft pink beautifully complemented our venue.”

The Florida bride and groom prioritized celebrating their February nuptials close to home and found an ideal venue at the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach, where elegance, privacy, and exceptional service seamlessly intertwined. The ceremony took place on the breathtaking Sky Terrace with 170 of their nearest and dearest in attendance.

“We live in St. Petersburg and chose Clearwater Beach for its proximity, making it convenient for our friends and family. We love the beach but didn’t want a wedding on the sand, and the Hyatt’s 16th-floor terrace provided the perfect venue,” the bride revealed. “We wanted a wedding with a beautiful beach view but not directly on the sand and preferred a hotel for the convenience of getting ready, hosting the ceremony, and holding the reception all in one location. Avoiding transportation delays and complications was important to us, and hotels typically excel at hosting events and serving great food. Among all the venues on Clearwater Beach, the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach stood out for offering a more private ceremony space with its stunning terrace—an amenity most other venues couldn’t compete with. The customer service was outstanding! The event planning manager, Lizzie Long, was truly their greatest asset. It was an easy decision to make!”

Once Kaitlin secured her dream venue, she sought a seasoned wedding planner to find the right vendors and expertly handle the details for a seamless day.

“Having a planner with a deep understanding of the industry, awareness of common pitfalls, and insight into current themes and ideas was essential to us. We also needed someone who was highly organized and attentive to every detail, which made Special Moments Event Planning the clear choice,” the bride beamed. “After booking the Hyatt, they recommended Special Moments, and we knew that when a venue trusts a vendor, it’s worth taking a closer look. We did our research, met with Master Wedding Planner Tammy Waterman, and were instantly impressed. Tammy is truly incredible—she manages everything with care and ensures no detail is overlooked. I wouldn’t hesitate to hire her again in a heartbeat.”

The couple’s search for the perfect photographer led them to Lifelong Photography Studio, an experienced media team known for their vibrant style and fun, professional approach.

“We wanted a photographer who was not only reliable but also fun to be around, and Buffy and her team at Lifelong Photography Studio exceeded our expectations. We love the bright, vibrant colors of their photos and how enjoyable they made the entire experience,” the bride raved. “We first reached out to Lifelong Photography Studio after our planner recommended their services, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions we made. Knowing that 2/24 was a highly sought-after wedding date, our planner encouraged us to book vendors early, and we were fortunate to secure Lifelong well in advance. Their team captured countless incredible moments, and every single photo turned out absolutely stunning.”

A first impression is a lasting impression, and the bride chose Jean King of Monarch Events and Design for her floral vision after experiencing her kindness and expertise firsthand.

“I wanted pink and white flowers, and Jean helped bring the rest of my vision to life. I also wanted calla lilies because my mother had them at her wedding. When we met with Jean from Monarch Events and Design, she walked us through her recommendations, showed us examples, and was incredibly kind throughout the process. After our meeting ran a little long, she even gave us a beautiful vase of flowers to take to my mom’s house for dinner—it was such a sweet gesture,” the bride gushed. “Jean truly brought my chuppah inspiration to life. She is incredible and made sure everything looked absolutely stunning. Her kindness shines through in everything she does, offering the warmth of a family-owned business with the level of professionalism you’d expect from the best in the industry.”

Kaitlin and Alex were dedicated to expressing themselves through meaningful and unique touches.

“Our personalities shone through most notably in our signature drinks, which reflected our sense of humor. We drew inspiration from the movie Airplane! with drinks named ‘Shirley, you can’t be serious!’ and ‘I am serious, and stop calling me Shirley!’—a Shirley Temple and an Old Fashioned. Our guests absolutely loved the playful nod to the film, and it still makes us laugh whenever we think about it,” the bride reminisced. “Our first dance was truly unforgettable. We worked tirelessly to perfect it, making it not only look great but also unique. We also choreographed special dances with our parents, adding a meaningful and unexpected touch. Choreographed dances aren’t something you see very often anymore, and afterward, so many of our guests told us how much they enjoyed them—it really made the day extra special.”

What did you look for in a wedding hair and makeup team?
I read reviews praising the Adore Bridal Hair and Makeup team for being highly organized and efficient, which was important since I had so many bridesmaids. They ensured no one was late for the big day. I loved their airbrush makeup—it lasts much longer and looks amazing. Choosing them was an easy decision.

The Proposal:
Alex had a family Christmas photo shoot planned on Redington Beach with our families. During the photo shoot, Alex pulled the ring out and proposed. It was a very special moment with our families. Our close friends then jumped out of the bushes and surprised me. 

What did you look for in a wedding venue?
We wanted a wedding with a beautiful beach view but not directly on the sand and preferred a hotel for the convenience of getting ready, hosting the ceremony, and holding the reception all in one location. Avoiding transportation delays and complications was important to us, and hotels typically excel at hosting events and serving great food.

Among all the venues on Clearwater Beach, the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach stood out for offering a more private ceremony space with its stunning terrace—an amenity most other venues couldn’t compete with. The customer service was outstanding! The event planning manager, Lizzie Long, was truly their greatest asset. It was an easy decision to make!

What did you look for in a wedding planner?
Having a planner with a deep understanding of the industry, awareness of common pitfalls, and insight into current themes and ideas was essential to us. We also needed someone who was highly organized and attentive to every detail, which made Special Moments Event Planning the clear choice.

After booking the Hyatt, they recommended Special Moments, and we knew that when a venue trusts a vendor, it’s worth taking a closer look. We did our research, met with Master Wedding Planner Tammy Waterman, and were instantly impressed. Tammy is truly incredible—she manages everything with care and ensures no detail is overlooked. I wouldn’t hesitate to hire her again in a heartbeat.

What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
We wanted a photographer who was not only reliable but also fun to be around, and Buffy and her team at Lifelong Photography Studio exceeded our expectations. We love the bright, vibrant colors of their photos and how enjoyable they made the entire experience.

We first reached out to Lifelong Photography Studio after our planner recommended their services, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions we made. Knowing that 2/24 was a highly sought-after wedding date, our planner encouraged us to book vendors early, and we were fortunate to secure Lifelong well in advance. Their team captured countless incredible moments, and every single photo turned out absolutely stunning.

What was your wedding floral inspiration?
I wanted pink and white flowers, and Jean helped bring the rest of my vision to life. I also wanted calla lilies because my mother had them at her wedding. When we met with Jean from Monarch Events and Designs, she walked us through her recommendations, showed us examples, and was incredibly kind throughout the process. After our meeting ran a little long, she even gave us a beautiful vase of flowers to take to my mom’s house for dinner—it was such a sweet gesture.

Jean truly brought my chuppah inspiration to life. She is incredible and made sure everything looked absolutely stunning. Her kindness shines through in everything she does, offering the warmth of a family-owned business with the level of professionalism you’d expect from the best in the industry.

What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
We wanted a DJ who truly tuned into the crowd’s energy and played the perfect music. Grant Hemond & Associates delivered with an outstanding playlist that kept the night incredibly fun—people were on the dance floor nonstop.