White and Gold Grand Ballroom Wedding Reception | Greenery Garland Banister Decor Inspiration | Tampa Bay Event Venue The Don Cesar

Garden-Inspired Blush St Pete Beach Wedding | Don CeSar

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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.


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White Chiffon Wedding Dress Sleeve Inspiration | St Pete Photographer Lifelong Photography Studio

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!

Bride and Groom First Look Wedding Portrait | Tampa Bay Event Venue The Don Cesar | St Pete Photographer Lifelong Photography Studio
Intimate Bride and Groom Wedding Portrait | Tampa Bay Event Venue The Don Cesar | St Pete Photographer Lifelong Photography Studio
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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.

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Bride and Groom in Front of St Petersburg Wedding Venue The Don Cesar | Tampa Bay Photographer Lifelong Photography Studio
Bride and Groom in Front of St Petersburg Wedding Venue The Don Cesar | Tampa Bay Photographer Lifelong Photography Studio

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!

Elegant White Outdoor Courtyard Wedding Ceremony Inspiration | Garden Folding Chairs | White Roses, Pink Carnations, Orange Anemone, and Greenery Aisle Decor Ideas | St Pete Event Venue The Don Cesar | Photographer Lifelong Photography Studio
Elegant Outdoor Courtyard Wedding Ceremony Arch with White Drapery, White Roses, Anemone, and Greenery Floral Arrangements | St Pete Event Venue The Don Cesar
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Classic White and Blush Outdoor Courtyard Wedding Ceremony Inspiration | St Pete Event Venue The Don Cesar | Tampa Bay Photographer Lifelong Photography Studio
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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.

Dog with Flower Collar Wedding Portrait
Bride and Groom on Beach Swing Wedding Portrait | Tampa Bay Photographer Lifelong Photography Studio | St. Pete Beach Hotel Venue The Don CeSar
Intimate Bride and Groom Beach Wedding Portrait | Tampa Bay Photographer Lifelong Photography Studio | Venue The Don CeSar
Intimate Bride and Groom Beach Wedding Portrait | Tampa Bay Photographer Lifelong Photography Studio | Venue The Don CeSar

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.

Intimate Bride and Groom Beach Wedding Portrait | Tampa Bay Photographer Lifelong Photography Studio | Venue The Don CeSar
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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. 

White and Gold Grand Ballroom Wedding Reception Greenery Decor Inspiration | St. Pete Beach Event Venue The Don Cesar
White and Gold Grand Ballroom Wedding Reception | Greenery Garland Banister Decor Inspiration | Tampa Bay Event Venue The Don Cesar
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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.


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Feature Credits

Vendors and venues marked with

are Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pros and have been personally vetted by our editor.

Ceremony/Reception Venue and Caterer:The Don CeSar Hotel
Rehearsal Dinner VenueThe Don CeSar Hotel
DJ/Band & Live EntertainmentThe Buzzcatz
DJ/Band & Live EntertainmentSunset Strings
Dress and Bridesmaid AttireLove, A Bridal Boutique
Bridesmaids DressesLulus.com
Hair & MakeupStudio Bride

About the Author

Anna Coats

Marry Me Tampa Bay editor Anna Coats created Marry Me Tampa Bay in 2012 to showcase the area’s best local weddings and vendors. She has been featured as a wedding expert on the national talk show Daytime, Fox13, ABC Action News, Great Day Tampa Bay, and Bay News 9 (now Spectrum).

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