Marissa and Michael's destination St. Pete Beach wedding was an elegant affair featuring neutral greenery and white flora accented with touches of blush pink to complement their historic venue. The couple exchanged vows in an outdoor courtyard ceremony with views of the Gulf of Mexico before dining and dancing in a formal ballroom setting.
“I wanted an elegant garden feel. The floral arrangements were very important to me,” the bride shared. “My colors were blush, gold, and neutral colors. I wanted colors that wouldn't clash with the iconic Don CeSar pink hotel and loved having a few gold touches. I found Marry Me Tampa Bay helpful with inspiration on styling and decor. “
The Florida natives often vacationed in Tampa Bay and instantly knew where they desired to host their 120-guest celebration. The memories from the iconic ‘Pink Palace' resort, along with its stunning event spaces and convenient on-site accommodations for their guests, made the historic Don CeSar resort an ideal choice.
“Choosing The Don Cesar as my wedding venue had a sentimental value to it. My family and I have vacationed there since I was a little kid, so I have many fond memories of the resort. It made it that much more special to have my wedding there,” the bride detailed. “I wanted a venue that was at the beach but had a ceremony space that wasn't directly on the beach. The Don CeSar really had everything I wanted for my guests. They stayed at the property and didn't have to be transported anywhere throughout the weekend, which made everything much more convenient. The Don Cesar wedding experience altogether was great! I received many sweet compliments from guests on how much they enjoyed the wedding weekend. We cannot wait to visit for our one-year anniversary and create family memories of our own!”
The pair focused on spending quality time with their guests during their weekend-long January celebration. From the welcome dinner to the post-wedding brunch and even a late-night cheeseburger party, the extra festivities with their loved ones are what Marissa attributes to the uniqueness of their wedding.
“At the end of our wedding reception, we invited all of our guests to hang out and eat cheeseburgers till the early hours of the morning. It was the perfect end to our wedding day! I heard from so many of our guests that they loved we were able to do that. Everyone loves some greasy food after a night of partying!” the bride raved. “I highly recommend including your guests throughout the weekend. We had a light reception dinner on Friday night that all of the guests were invited to, as well as a breakfast on Sunday morning after the wedding. Your wedding day goes by so quickly. This was a way we could spend even more time with those who took the time to attend our wedding.”
The bride sought a wedding photography team that specialized in timeless imagery and exemplary service. With 15 years of experience and status as a Don CeSar preferred photographer, Lifelong Photography Studio‘s beautiful portfolio and attentive approach impressed the couple.
“I was looking for a photographer who produced photos that were timeless, and that is exactly what I received!” Marissa beamed. “My wedding photographer, Emily, from Lifelong Photography Studio, was so very personable and professional. I was grateful to have her a part of the day. She even stayed late to photograph some late-night snacks with my guests.”
While the celebratory activities with their loved ones lasted the entire weekend, Marissa and Michael took the time for themselves on the wedding night to share in an intimate ‘last dance' when the reception ended. The bride maintains it was one of the most memorable moments of the evening.
“It is really hard to choose a favorite memory, but I would say it was when Mike and I had a second ‘first dance' once all the guests left the ballroom. It was a very intimate moment that really made a busy day slow down for a moment,” the bride reminisced.
The Proposal:
Mike and I knew very soon in our relationship that we wanted to marry each other. We had the same dreams, values, and interests, and he felt like a friend I had known for years. He proposed, after eight months of dating, in front of my family at our favorite family vacation destination, Anna Maria Island. We went to dinner at the Beach Bistro around sunset, and as the sun was setting, we all went outside to watch it. Mike proposed on the beach with the most beautiful sunset as the backdrop. He put so much thought into it, which made it so special!
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
My bridesmaids and I took a weekend trip to Anna Maria Island, where we all stayed in a beach house together. My maid of honor had our weekend booked, and we visited a bunch of fun places around Tampa, as well as local AMI spots. Some of those spots included: The Doctor's Office in Anna Maria, Armature Works and Oxford Exchange in Tampa, and Chateau 13 in Bradenton.
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
Choosing The Don Cesar as my wedding venue had a sentimental value to it. My family and I have vacationed there since I was a little kid, so I have many fond memories of the resort. It made it that much more special to have my wedding there.
I wanted a venue that was at the beach but had a ceremony space that wasn't directly on the beach. The Don CeSar really had everything I wanted for my guests. They stayed at the property and didn't have to be transported anywhere throughout the weekend, which made everything much more convenient.
The Don Cesar wedding experience altogether was great! I received many sweet compliments from guests on how much they enjoyed the wedding weekend. We cannot wait to visit for our one-year anniversary and create family memories of our own!
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We planned to take our honeymoon in Italy to the Amalfi Coast a couple of months after our wedding, but to our surprise, we found out I was pregnant! We have always loved cooking Italian dishes together, and I come from a huge Italian family, so that is why we chose Italy. Instead of Italy, we decided to take a low-key weekend honeymoon and planned a family trip to St. Lucia next year with our little one.
What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
I was looking for a photographer who produced photos that were timeless, and that is exactly what I received! My wedding photographer, Emily, from Lifelong Photography Studio, was so very personable and professional. I was grateful to have her a part of the day. She even stayed late to photograph some late-night snacks with my guests.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
I wanted an elegant garden feel to my wedding. The floral arrangements were very important to me.
What were your colors?
My colors were blush, gold, and neutral colors. I wanted colors that wouldn't clash with the iconic Don CeSar pink hotel and loved having a few gold touches. I found Marry Me Tampa Bay helpful with inspiration on styling and decor.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Our planner and florist were a huge help. She made sure everything was taken care of for the weekend. I gave her the vendors, and she took it from there, all while providing my floral arrangements.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Take your time and enjoy the process! Get involved and have fun with some DIY projects to make the day more personal.
