Downtown St. Pete Wedding Inspiration | NOVA 535 Wedding Styled Shoot
Opulent elegance and over-the-top wedding decor created an ornate design at one of the most unique downtown St. Pete wedding venues, NOVA 535.
The day began with transforming NOVA 535 into an 18th century haven, while placing an emphasis on heavy fabrics, ornate decor and Marie Antoinette-inspired fashion and bridal beauty looks. St. Petersburg wedding planner and designer Staci Mandikas of UNIQUE Weddings and Events took the reigns of making this vision come to life.
“When we were determining the concept for this photoshoot, we wanted to do something that was grand and elegant, but most importantly, contrasted the urban atmosphere of NOVA 535,” Staci explained. “We wanted to take the grandeur of the time – heavy fabrics, ornate designs and extravagance, and put it into modern time.”
Keeping the overall color palette neutral with pops of ivory, champagne and gold, the wedding planner created an over-the-top French inspired design. From the custom designed damask inspired invitations and stationery from URBANcoast, to the indulgent hand-crafted cake pops and chocolate sweets from Sweetly Dipped Confections. St. Petersburg wedding cake bakery A Piece of Cake crafted a grandiose three-tiered cake wedding with gold embellishments and floral accents.
“To give it a modern spin and to keep it on trend, we chose to mix metals, and since the florals and desserts were the major focus, these were kept multi-colored so they would pop,” Staci shared. “The over-the-top French fashion, interiors and hairstyles of the mid-to-late 18th century, prior to the French Revolution, were the main inspiration. We wanted to pull the opulence of this time period, into modern day.”
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With the goal of inspiring couples and envisioning a dream wedding day, three “brides” modeled breathtaking ballgowns from Tampa wedding dress shop Truly Forever Bridal. The blush, ivory and lace ballgowns truly embraced the opulence and modern interpretation of the Marie Antoinette era.
St. Petersburg Carrie Wiles Photography captured every detail and dramatic portrait. While decor and rentals from Over the Top Rental Linens, Signature Event Rentals, Coast to Coast Event Rentals and Style House Rentals transformed the modern wedding location into a French masterpiece.
“When we create a stylized photoshoot, we want it to inspire couples. We want to show them something unique. Contrasting a strong concept with an unexpected location is a major way that we do this. A couple that has a grand and elegant theme, may not normally consider the modern and urban venue, but we wanted to show how you can. It’s about creating the unexpected,” Staci added.
How would you describe your theme?
When we were determining the concept for this photoshoot, we wanted to do something that was grand and elegant, but most importantly, contrasted the urban atmosphere of NOVA 535 . The first vendor that we locked down for this project, was the hair makeup artist. She showed us some stunning hairstyles that were reminiscent of the time of Marie Antoinette. This immediately peaked our creativity, and “Let Them Eat Cake: A Modern Interpretation of Marie Antoinette” was born! We wanted to take the grandeur of the time, heavy fabrics, ornate designs and extravagance, and put it into modern time.
What were your colors?
We wanted to keep the overall color scheme neutral, incorporating ivory, champagne and gold. To give it a modern spin and to keep it on trend, we chose to mix metals, and since the florals and desserts were the major focus, these were kept multi-colored so they would pop!
What were your favorite elements of this shoot?
There are so many! One being the insane spread of desserts that all of the vendors couldn’t wait to dig into! I loved the amazing textured linens from Over the Top Rental Linens that I wanted to fashion! The floral creations that were mind boggling and stunning! The hair and makeup that was on point and breathtaking! The wedding dresses made me gasp! We wanted to photograph the furniture from every angle! The stationery that was a perfect fit for the theme! How can I pick just one?!
Estimated Wedding Costs for a 150 Guests: Venue: $11,305+ | Photography: $3,000-$6,000 | Videography: $2,000- $4,000 | Wedding Day Management + Design Package: $2,500; Full Service Planning & Design package: $5,500-$6,500 | Flowers: $400-$600/tables | Bouquets: $200-$300 | Rentals: $7,000 | Bride’s Attire: $1,800 | Cake Pops: $375-$700
Venue: NOVA 535 *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Venue
Photographer: Carrie Wildes Photography *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Videographer: Scatter Brothers
Planner: UNIQUE Weddings & Events *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Florist: Tailored Twig
Linen Rentals: Over the Top Rental Linens *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Rentals: Style House Rentals
Charger Rentals: Signature Event Rentals
Flatware and Plateware Rentals: Coast to Coast Event Rentals
Cake: A Piece of Cake
Cake Pops: Sweetly Dipped Confections *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Invitations: URBANcoast *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Hair & Makeup: Lasting Luxe
Dress: Truly Forever Bridal *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Models: Porchilla Charlton, Karla Mastracchio, DeLissa Silva
