Wedding

French Inspired Marie Antoinette St. Petersburg Wedding Shoot | NOVA 535

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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.”

MORE: NOVA 535 WEDDINGS

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 ConfectionsSt. 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.”

MORE: UNQIUE WEDDINGS & EVENTS WEDDINGS

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 LinensSignature 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.

Stylish Black Design Wedding Invitation | St. Petersburg Stationery Design URBANcoast

Bridal Wedding Bouquet with Tropical Greenery, Purple Roses, and Pink Flowers

French Marie Antoinette Inspired Wedding Reception Decor Statue with Tropical Flowers and Greenery

Stylish Wedding Lounge Decor with Modern Furnishings, Tropical Florals, and Purple Uplighting | St. Petersburg Wedding Venue NOVA 535 | Planner UNIQUE Weddings and Events

Tropical Inspired Fan Style Wedding Bouquet with Ferns

Bridal Portrait with Tropical Fan Style Wedding Bouquet and Creative Statue Decor | High Neck Lace Ballgown Wedding Dress from Tampa Bay Wedding Boutique Truly Forever Bridal | Planner UNIQUE Weddings and Events

Tropical Wedding Bouquet with Greenery, Purple Roses and Pink Florals | Beaded Sweetheart Ballgown Wedding Dress from Tampa Bay Bridal Shop Truly Forever Bridal | Tampa Bay Wedding Photographer Carrie Wildes Photography

French Inspired Marie Antoinette Bridal Portrait with Cascading Natural Tropical Wedding Bouquet | Ballgown Wedding Dress from Tampa Bay Bridal Shop Truly Forever Bridal | Tampa Bay Wedding Photographer Carrie Wildes Photography

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.

French Inspired Marie Antoinette Brides in Blush Ballgown Wedding Dresses with Tropical Florals and GOBO on Drapery | Tampa Bay Wedding Photographer Carrie Wildes Photography | Planner UNIQUE Weddings and Events | Dress Shop Truly Forever Bridal

Large Tropical Bouquet with Peach, Pink, Fuchsia, Magenta, and Purple Roses and Greenery in Gold Vase

Modern Wedding Reception with Unique Vintage Inspired Furniture and Linens, Tropical Orange, Pink, and Purple Rose with Greenery Centerpieces in Tall Gold Vases, and Drapery with Purple Uplighting | St. Petersburg Wedding Venue NOVA 535 | Planner UNIQUE Weddings and Events | Photographer Carrie Wildes Photography

Vintage French Marie Antoinette Inspired Elegant Black and White Wedding Menu on Vintage China Plate with Gold Charger

Modern Wedding Reception with Unique Vintage Inspired Furniture and Linens, Tropical Orange, Pink, and Purple Rose with Greenery Centerpieces in Tall Gold Vases, and Drapery with Purple Uplighting | St. Petersburg Wedding Venue NOVA 535 | Planner UNIQUE Weddings and Events | Photographer Carrie Wildes Photography

Tall Wedding Reception Centerpiece with Pink, Orange, and Purple Roses with Tropical Greenery

Delicate Floral Napkin Ring with Cream Satin Napkin | French Inspired Marie Antoinette Wedding Reception Decor | Over the Top Rental Linens

Vintage Inspired Stylish Wedding Reception Black and White Place Card | St. Petersburg Stationery Designer URBANcoast

Modern Elegant Tropical Floral Inspired Purple, Pink, Green and Gold Fan and Feather Cake Pops by Tampa Bay Wedding Bakery Sweetly Dipped Confections

Vintage Treasures Inspired Cake Pops and Desserts In Pink, Green, and Purple with Gold by Tampa Bay Wedding Bakery Sweetly Dipped Confections

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!

Tiered Wedding Desert Tray with Pink, Purple, and Pastel Colored Desserts and Purple Feather Cake Pop by St Petersburg Wedding Bakery Sweetly Dipped Confections

Three Tiered Round Wedding Cake with White Floral and Gold Gilded Picture Frame and Pink Ribbon Decor on Antique Gold Cake Stand | Tampa Bay Wedding Bakery A Piece of Cake

Three Tiered Round White and Pink Wedding Cake Detail of Gold Gilded Picture Frame with Marie Antoinette Painting | St Petersburg Wedding Bakery A Piece of Cake

French Inspired Marie Antoinette Wedding Reception Bridal Portrait with Cathedral Train Ballgown Wedding Dress and Tropical Pink Rose with Greenery Hair Accessory and Large Pearl Drop Earring and Lace Collar | Ballgown Wedding Dress from Tampa Bay Bridal Shop Truly Forever Bridal | Tampa Bay Wedding Photographer Carrie Wildes Photography

French Inspired Marie Antoinette Wedding Reception Bridal Portrait with Tropical Greenery Fan Style Bridal Bouquet and Large Pearl Drop Earring and Lace Collar | Ballgown Wedding Dress from Tampa Bay Bridal Shop Truly Forever Bridal | Tampa Bay Wedding Photographer Carrie Wildes Photography

French Inspired Marie Antoinette Wedding Reception Bridal Portrait with Tropical Greenery Fan Style Bridal Bouquet and Large Pearl Drop Earring and Lace Collar | Ballgown Wedding Dress from Tampa Bay Bridal Shop Truly Forever Bridal | Tampa Bay Wedding Photographer Carrie Wildes Photography

French Inspired Marie Antoinette Brides in Blush Ballgown Wedding Dresses with Tropical Florals | St. Petersburg Wedding Venue NOVA 535 | Tampa Bay Wedding Photographer Carrie Wildes Photography | Planner UNIQUE Weddings and Events | Dress Shop Truly Forever Bridal

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?!

French Inspired Marie Antoinette Bridal Portrait with Teacup and Tropical Pink Rose Hair Flower Accessory and Lace Collar | Tampa Bay Wedding Photographer Carrie Wildes Photography

French Inspired Marie Antoinette Tea Party Bridal Shoot Portrait with Brides in Blush Ballgown Wedding Dresses with Tropical Floral Centerpiece and Purple Uplighting on Drapery | Tampa Bay Wedding Photographer Carrie Wildes Photography | St Pete Wedding Planner UNIQUE Weddings and Events | Tampa Dress Shop Truly Forever Bridal | Downtown St Petersburg Modern Wedding Venue NOVA 535

Bridal Portrait with Tea Party Inspired Tropical Wedding Desserts and Macarons, and Popcorn in Waffle Cone with Pink Ribbon

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