Claire and Sterling’s classic and glamorous downtown St. Pete wedding featured an effortless color palette of ivory and gold with blush and black accents at an iconic St. Petersburg landmark.

“We wanted our wedding to be elegant and timeless and something that would always be in style,” the bride explained. “We both appreciated how elegant our colors were and how classic black dresses and suits looked against them. Our florist encouraged us to add some soft pink roses to our floral arrangements to ensure that the blacks and whites weren’t too harsh.”

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The bride, a loyal Marry Me Tampa Bay reader, gained insight from past real wedding features to incorporate into her own.

“My friends and I have been obsessed with Marry Me Tampa Bay for years! You always post the most gorgeous weddings,” Claire beamed. “I frequented the website to gain inspiration on décor and vendors. Marry Me Tampa Bay really helped me see which vendors would work best with our style and vision.”

Searching for a St. Pete wedding venue that could accommodate their guests with a relaxing and fun atmosphere during the entire wedding weekend, the couple chose the Vinoy Renaissance.

“We wanted all of our guests to make a weekend out of our wedding and to enjoy every second of their stay!” Claire shared. “The Vinoy Renaissance was our dream wedding venue! Ever since I moved to Florida I fell in love with The Vinoy. It is such a beautiful, historic building, and it truly stands alone as one of the only resorts not on a beach. We ultimately chose The Vinoy knowing that we would not need much added décor, as it was already beautiful on its own. The service at The Vinoy was exceptional! We were so impressed with all of their kindness, support and accommodations to make our wedding day perfect.”

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When it came to finding a Tampa Bay wedding photographer with a natural light style and who the couple would be most comfortable around, the bride and groom hired Ailyn La Torre Photography, as this was one event that they wanted to truly feel at ease.

“From the second we met with Ailyn of Ailyn La Torre Photography we were obsessed! I knew we had to have her!” the bride gushed. “She shoots with natural light, and her photos are different because you can truly feel the love between her couples!  Ailyn captures the most beautiful moments, but is never pushy or demanding. She is a remarkable photographer, and we would recommend her to anyone. We just love her!”

Knowing that planning a wedding can be stressful, the bride hired a “day of” coordinator to take the lead and keep things organized. Searching for someone who could communicate effectively and ensure that the couple would enjoy their day, they chose Love Lee Lane.

“When Ashley of Love Lee Lane called me, and I heard her cheerful yet calm voice, I was obsessed! She is so sweet! I felt like all of my wedding stress went out the window after speaking with her,” Claire beamed. “Love Lee Lane is professional, efficient and passionate about what they do. Ashley was there the whole wedding weekend to make sure everything went smoothly. She and her team worked late and were still smiling and flawless by the end of the night. Hiring Love Lee Lane was one of our best decisions!”

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Looking back, the bride shared her most cherished memories from her wedding day.

“Having my dad walk me down the aisle was a moment I have dreamed of my whole life. I felt like I was walking on a cloud, and it was amazing having my dad by my side. Sterling and my vows were such a special memory of the ceremony. We each wrote our own, and not only were they heartfelt and emotional, but truly the most incredible part of our day. It was such a beautiful way to start our marriage by vowing our love to one another in front of our family and friends,” Claire reminisced.

What was your wedding hair and makeup inspiration?
I am a pretty simple girl when it comes to hair and makeup. I know what I like and I know what styles I feel best in. With that said, from the second I tried on my wedding dress, I knew I wanted my hair in a low bun. I didn’t want an elaborate updo or extensions because I wanted to look and feel like myself on my wedding day. In terms of makeup, I knew I wanted to be bronzed and glowy with a nude lip and winged liner. I really didn’t research my hair and makeup; I just went with my gut and went a little more glamorous than usual.

I really felt that I needed to book a hair/makeup vendor who could be on time and do both hair and makeup for my bridesmaids. Michele Renee The Studio did a great job with my hair and each of my bridesmaids looked beautiful and different.

What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
We looked for someone who shot in natural light and who could truly capture us as a couple without awkwardly “posing” us. We also wanted to work with a photographer who understood that our wedding day was the most important day of our lives and someone who would make us feel at ease.

From the second we met with Ailyn of Ailyn La Torre Photography (the only photographer we met with) we were obsessed! I knew we had to have her! Ailyn took the time to get to know us as a couple and was always supportive and loving. She shoots with natural light, and her photos are different because you can truly feel the love between her couples! She takes time to make her couples and families feel at ease, and her photos are truly stunning (even without editing). Ailyn captures the most beautiful moments, but is never pushy or demanding. She is a remarkable photographer, and we would recommend her to anyone. We just love her!

 

The Proposal:
After a very romantic dinner, Sterling took me down by the water on Davis Islands. This was a spot we frequented when we first started dating. We sat down on a park bench while the sun was setting, and Sterling brought a cooler full of special desserts and a bottle of champagne. While we toasted to our three years of being together, he asked me to watch a video he had made for work. He handed me his phone, and it was a video of our lives together. The last clip said, “I think it’s time for us to begin again.” When I looked up, tears streaming down my face, Sterling was on his knee asking me to marry him.

How would you describe your theme/inspiration?
Our wedding inspiration was to keep things classic, simple and glamorous. We wanted our wedding to be elegant and timeless and something that would always be in style.

What were your colors and why did you choose them?
Ivory and gold with blush/black accents. We both appreciated how elegant the colors were and how classic black dresses and suits looked against them. Our florist encouraged us to add some soft pink roses to our floral arrangements to ensure that the blacks and whites weren’t too harsh.

What did you look for in a wedding venue?
We looked for a venue that could do it all: a place for people to stay, relax and have fun. We wanted a venue that could host the wedding and other wedding festivities, while also offering fun and lively surroundings. We wanted all of our guests to make a weekend out of our wedding and to enjoy every second of their stay!

The Vinoy Renaissance was our dream wedding venue! Ever since I moved to Florida I fell in love with The Vinoy. It is such a beautiful, historic building, and it truly stands alone as one of the only resorts not on a beach. We ultimately chose The Vinoy knowing that we would not need much added décor as it was already beautiful on its own. It was also the perfect place for all of our out-of-town guests and family to stay for the weekend. The service at The Vinoy was exceptional! From the raw bar at our cocktail hour, to the filet and crab cake duo at dinner, the food was such a highlight! We had a 4-tier cake, dessert table and passed late night bites of cubans and grouper sandwiches. The next morning, the Vinoy hosted our post-wedding brunch with a Bloody Mary bar and mimosas! We were so impressed with all of their kindness, support and accommodations to make our wedding day perfect. From the second we met with The Vinoy we knew they were the only ones we wanted to work with! Shout out to Jalessa Vales for being the best coordinator!

What did you look for in a wedding planner?
We really wanted to book a day-of-coordinator who could take the lead the month before the wedding and keep everything organized on the day of. We did not want to be stressed out on the day of our wedding, and we wanted to find someone who could communicate with all parties involved so we could enjoy every second of our wedding day.

From the second Ashley of Love Lee Lane called me, and I heard her cheerful yet calm voice, I was obsessed! She is so sweet! I felt like all of my wedding stress went out the window after speaking with her. Love Lee Lane is professional, efficient and passionate about what they do. Ashley and her team reached out to all of our vendors, helped ease communication with our families and the venue and they completely took over on the wedding day. Ashley was there the whole wedding weekend to make sure everything went smoothly. She and her team worked late and were still smiling and flawless by the end of the night. Hiring Love Lee Lane was one of our best decisions!

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Take time for yourselves! I look back now and wish that I stopped and really enjoyed the planning process. Yes, there will be stress, but don’t forget what all of this is for. Take time for you! Also, don’t be afraid to turn over control to your partner. More than likely your fiancé is willing and eager to help! There are always jobs to be done, and they will do a great job.

Ceremony and Reception Venue, Caterer and Cake: The Vinoy Renaissance Tea Garden & Sunset Ballroom *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Venue
Photographer: Ailyn La Torre Photography
Videographer: Voila Cinematic
Planner: Love Lee Lane – Ashley Moody *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Florist: Carter’s Florist St. Petersburg
Chiavari Chairs, Linens and Napkins Rentals: Kate Ryan Event Rentals
Band: C’nergy Band
Officiant: Wes Morris
Invitations: Minted
Dress: The Bridal Garden (New Jersey)
Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal
Bridal Hair & Bridesmaids Makeup: Michele Renee The Studio *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Bride Makeup: Nicole Baglione
Flower Girl Dress: Etsy