Downtown St. Pete Wedding | NOVA 535
For Theresa and Josh, it was an easy decision to have a downtown St. Pete wedding.
“We chose St. Petersburg because this is where we met and have built a life together. This is where Josh was born and raised, it represents family and our story,” the bride explained.
The St. Petersburg couple incorporated their personalities into their big day by hosting a lively gold, ivory, pale pink and black New Years Eve wedding.
“Having both attended so many weddings in recent years, we wanted to toss more traditional wedding activities out the window and just celebrate!” the bride beamed.
To complement their wedding theme, Theresa and Josh chose unique downtown St. Pete wedding venue NOVA 535.
“We originally didn't plan on doing a New Years Eve wedding. It was already June by the time we started planning, so we were thinking spring,” the bride explained. “We had been to a couple of events at NOVA 535 and remembered the exposed brick, and we both agreed that it would be a great venue specifically for a New Years Eve party. We said if it was available it was meant to be, and that decided it!”
Looking back, one of the bride’s most memorable moments came prior to the celebration.
“The first look was so fun. We both were so excited, and it was just such a great way to get out our nerves before seeing everyone else,” Theresa reminisced. “We also loved the time we had to take photos with our families and wedding party prior to the ceremony. We have the greatest people in our lives with dry, amazing senses of humor, and it made it feel like we were already at the party when we were hanging with them. Ringing in the New Year surrounded by everyone we love was priceless.”
The Proposal:
We had planned a trip to Key West for my 30th birthday, so I didn't think that a proposal was going to happen! We arrived in the morning and walked around, casually grabbed lunch and drinks and did some sightseeing (and Josh didn't seem nervous at all!). We organically ended up at Mallory Pier for sunset, which I learned later was where he was planning on proposing. The weather was perfect and the sunset was incredible, but his plan didn't pan out because there was a super loud woman behind us that was distracting. We got up after sunset to walk back to the hotel and grab dinner, and Josh said he forgot something. We turned around to go back, and when I looked back for him, he was on his knee in the middle of Mallory Square! I couldn't believe it! After seven years together, the surprise factor of it all just blew me away! The best part was that he proposed on our first day so we could enjoy the remaining four days of bliss, which is exactly what we did.
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
We originally didn't plan on doing a New Year's Eve wedding. It was already June by the time we started planning, so we were thinking spring. We had been to a couple of events at NOVA 535 and remembered the exposed brick, and we both agreed that it would be a great venue specifically for a New Year's Eve party. We said if it was available, it was meant to be, and that decided it!
Their service was excellent, very responsive and accommodating. NOVA 535 was great to work with. Melissa was so helpful in being there every step of the way and was always available to answer questions or help chase down information.
How would you describe your theme?
Our theme was just “fun”. Our wedding was onNew Year's Eve, and having both attended so many weddings in recent years, we wanted to toss more traditional wedding activities out the window and just celebrate.
What were your colors?
Gold, ivory, pale pink and black. They went with the venue, looked pretty together and said “New Year's Eve” without being tacky.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay Brides?
Find vendors that have it all together, and stick to that. It's so much easier if they are leading you than if you're having to track them down all the time, and that frustration will only heighten the closer you get to the date. My personal advice would be to plan in six months or less. I didn't have time to reflect on past decisions, I had to just decide and go, which it made the process so much easier.
Lastly, stay calm. The worst that happens is that something goes wrong, the best that happens is that you have a lifetime with your best friend who will make it all seem okay.
Ceremony and Reception Venue: NOVA 535 *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Venue
Photographer: Aaron Lockwood Photography
Florist: Braun's Fine Flowers
Caterer: Chives Catering
DJ: DJ Jaey
Officiant: Family Member
Transportation: Patriot Limo
Dress Shop: Brides by Demetrios
Bridesmaid Dress Shop: Nordstrom
Hair & Makeup: Number 9 Salon
