Becca and Rob's destination downtown St.Pete wedding was an enchanting evening, set against the elegant backdrop of a historic hotel. The May theme featured pops of color that complemented the natural flora of the Sunshine State.
“Our theme was light and airy. The flowers were the most important thing to me, and we wanted lots of color, not just white. It was elegant but not too formal and classy but not boring,” the bride explained. “Our main theme color was light blue, which was the tablecloth color, and I had 10 girlfriends wear blue dresses. They wanted to snap a few pictures together since we didn't have a wedding party. The other colors were pink, and orange of all shades and lots of greenery and white flowers too.”
Wanting to bring 120 of their closest friends and family together, the bride and groom selected St. Petersburg for their destination wedding. They loved it so much that they also decided to purchase property here.
“We live in Denver, CO, and chose St. Pete because my husband has family in the area, and we both have older parents, and it was most important to us that all four of them were able to be there. That started the search in St. Pete, and once we decided on the Vinoy, it all fell into place,” the bride shared. “We had spent time in the area together early on in our relationship, so it also had a special place in our hearts; it worked out perfectly. We have since purchased a condo in the area since we love it so much!”
Understanding the importance of stress-free wedding planning, Becca enlisted the expertise of Parties A' La Carte. The destination couple sought a planner who understood their vision and had extensive experience working at their venue.
“We wanted a wedding planner who was organized, detail-oriented, and who could direct to help me make decisions. We met with Jessica Ralph, the owner of Parties A'La Carte, one time, and I knew she was the one for us! I loved the initial meeting and what she was willing to do for me so I could focus on work and my life back in CO,” Becca beamed. “Jessica is fabulous! The team was simply amazing! I felt taken care of at all times leading up to the wedding, and the day would not have happened without them!”
The ceremony featured Kate Ryan Event Rental's Gold Louis Chairs, which were the perfect accent to the breathtaking asymmetrical floral arch, a masterpiece crafted by Bruce Wayne Florals. Bursting with a vibrant color palette, the standout blooms were the enchanting peonies which were a floral choice close to the bride's heart.
“The most important element of the wedding was flowers; I wanted as many as possible! I loved Bruce Wayne Floral's proposal, and they listened to me,” Becca gushed. “They were so sweet! I loved the mock table day; it was so fun to see it all come to life. I wanted different candle holders, and they went and bought new ones and added more peonies since that is my favorite and brought my vision all to life!”
“Becca and Rob were such a fun and charming pair, and their vibrant personalities were reflected in the colorful floral arrangements that adorned The Vinoy Ballroom,” John Elice, Creative Director of Bruce Wayne Florals, shared. “Becca had a particular love for peonies, and we were fortunate enough to have some of the most beautiful ones that Mother Nature could offer. We featured them prominently throughout all the designs, and the result was simply stunning. Becca and Rob were incredibly kind, complimentary, and gracious, which was the ultimate reward for our team.”
The elegant ballroom reception featured an all-white monogrammed dance floor, light blue linens, and colorful centerpieces, which transformed into a lively celebration with dueling pianos.
“We are pretty laid-back people, so it was important to us that our guests could truly make this a vacation as it was a destination wedding for most. We just wanted it to be a party!” the bride gushed. “We added for guests to get a glass of champagne as they walked into the ceremony, we had a break towards the end of the reception for dueling pianos, and the DJ transitioned from that to the last 30 minutes of dancing. We loved that so many people were able to stay on-site so that the party could continue to the pool before the wedding day and the day after! We love to travel and stay at cool resorts, so we set it up where our guests got to do that, too!”
The entire wedding experience was a lifetime highlight. From getting ready with her girls to the magical entrance, each detail, from flowers to family, made it an absolute dream come true for Becca.
“The most memorable part of the wedding was getting ready with my girls, seeing the flowers and the reception area for the first time, all of our friends and family being there that traveled from around the country to be there, the vision just all coming together, being with my mom and dad just the three of us behind the curtain before the ceremony, hearing the music start to play, my Dad taking my arm and when I walked in the room, it was like the world stopped for a moment, the flowers, the people and then seeing Rob waiting for me was a total dream come true,” Becca reminisced.
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
We went to Pensacola, FL! All I wanted was a beachfront house with my girlfriends where the patio would take us from coffee to wine! We only went out one night, and the other nights, we ordered food and spent our time on the beach until the sun went down!
What did you look for in a wedding florist?
The most important element of the wedding was flowers; I wanted as many as possible! I loved Bruce Wayne Floral's proposal, and they listened to me. They were so sweet! I loved the mock table day; it was so fun to see it all come to life. I wanted different candle holders, and they went and bought new ones and added more peonies since that is my favorite and brought my vision all to life!
The Proposal:
We love being home with our dog, Charlie, and I also love the moon and the different phases. I told Rob I wanted simple and “us” for the proposal. I also love the way diamonds sparkle under patio white lights!
We went to dinner (Rob left the patio lights on), and when we got home, he gave me a sweet love letter; then he went outside and said, “Come look at the full moon!” I did and was petting Charlie; when I turned around Rob was on one knee under the twinkly lights on our patio, it was so sweet!
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
We wanted a wedding planner who was organized, detail-oriented, and who could direct to help me make decisions. We met with Jessica Ralph, the owner of Parties A'La Carte, one time, and I knew she was the one for us! I loved the initial meeting and what she was willing to do for me so I could focus on work and my life back in CO. Jessica is fabulous! The team was simply amazing! I felt taken care of at all times leading up to the wedding, and the day would not have happened without them!
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Our theme was light and airy. The flowers were the most important thing to me, and we wanted lots of color, not just white. It was elegant but not too formal and classy but not boring
What were your colors and why did you choose them?
Our main theme color was light blue, which was the tablecloth color, and I had 10 girlfriends wear blue dresses. They wanted to snap a few pictures together since we didn't have a wedding party. The other colors were pink, and orange of all shades and lots of greenery and white flowers too.
How did your rentals enhance the ambiance of your event?
The rentals make it all feel put together and elegant! It tied it all together and looked so clean.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We wanted to fly on Emirates, so we looked into all the places they flew! We saved up credit card points for a year, and we flew from Denver to D.C. to Dubai to the Maldives. It was amazing!
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Pick the one or two things that matter, and the other stuff will fall into place. Pick the right place, trust the professionals, and know that the day will fly by so fast! Take moments all day to just look around and take it all in. Make it yours and enjoy the process
