Ahyoung and Lamont's downtown St. Pete wedding was a tropical paradise filled with luxurious white orchids and rich dark-green florals, that ended with a karaoke party that had everyone on the dance floor.
“Even though we had a fall wedding, we still wanted the colors and theme to be very representative of Florida, where we met each other and fell in love. I looked through reviews and other weddings published on Marry Me Tampa Bay for inspiration,” the bride shared. “The large green palm fronds and monstera leaves provided the tropical feel of Florida, and the silver accents and touches completed the look by making everything feel a bit more trendy and modern.”
MORE: MODERN TROPICAL WEDDING INSPIRATION
Excited to gather 130 of their closest friends and family, the Tampa couple chose luxurious downtown St. Pete wedding venue The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club for its popular downtown location and waterfront views.
“We were married in the Tea Garden, which is my favorite part of The Vinoy, and our reception was held at the Sunset Ballroom,” Ahyoung shared. “Lamont is originally from New York, and since we were going to have a large guest base from out of town, we thought that downtown St. Pete was the perfect location since it has everything! Water, food, fun, and the iconic pink hotel building of The Vinoy has such a Florida feeling and vibe.”
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After seeing them from a past wedding she had attending, Ahyoung instantly thought Parties A'La Carte would be the perfect team to plan and design their dream wedding day.
“Jessica and her team at Parties A'La Carte made our day come to life and one we'll remember forever,” the bride gushed. “Attention to detail was very important to both of us, and I also didn't want a group who commits to too many weddings a year. I wanted to know that my wedding planner would be focused on executing the day of our dreams!”
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For a tropical garden ambiance, the couple hired St. Pete wedding florist Bruce Wayne Florals who intertwined delicate white orchids against the monstera leaves and palm fronds in the ceremony arch to create a lush, elegant look for the couples ceremony backdrop.
“Bruce Wayne Florals took all of my thoughts and words on the florals and decor look, and made them come to life! They added little touches and details that I wouldn't have ever thought of, that truly pulled the entire look and wedding together. AH-mazing!” Ahyoung beamed. “The wedding arch dripping with big, luscious, green leaves and just the right amount of white florals, and dripping green vines made the wedding look like heaven on earth!”
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For someone who doesn't deviate from their normal beauty routine, the bride hired expert hair and makeup team Michele Renee The Studio to make her feel her best.
“I'm particularly lazy when it comes to hair and makeup. I'm pretty basic and simple when it comes to both and not great with makeup, so it was important to me to have a makeup vendor who could make me feel super glamorous and gorgeous on the big day,” the bride shared. “Caroline at Michele Renee The Studio did exactly that for me. I wore my hair loosely curled and pulled halfway back with a custom hairpiece. My makeup and hair were both romantic to offset the trendy and tropical vibe of the wedding, there had to be something more traditional in there!”
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Reminiscing on all of the fun they had with their guests, Ahyoung and Lamont shared the end of the night karaoke party made their evening truly unique.
“We knew we wanted an element of our wedding to make us stand out, so we decided to end the night with karaoke! It was a huge hit, as we sang with all of our friends to some of our favorite songs,” the bride gushed. “The pictures and videos are amazing, and we still laugh looking back on the karaoke hour of the wedding to this day.”
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What were your wedding hair and makeup inspiration?
I wore my hair loosely curled and pulled halfway back with a custom hairpiece wrapped around. My makeup and hair were both romantic to offset the trendy and tropical vibe of the wedding, there had to be something more traditional in there!
I want to learn more about hair and makeup services from Michele Renee the Studio
I'm particularly lazy when it comes to hair and makeup. I'm pretty basic and simple when it comes to both and not great with makeup, so it was important to me to have a makeup vendor who could make me feel super glamorous and gorgeous on the big day. Caroline at Michele Renee The Studio did exactly that for me.
The Proposal:
Lamont proposed in front of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco on Valentine's Day. He did it to throw me off, because we were on vacation and don't typically make a big deal about Valentine's day. I was completely shocked and surprised!
I want to learn more about weddings at the Vinoy Renaissance.
What was your wedding floral inspiration?
We had a lot of white tropical-looking flowers, but more greenery than florals.
I want to learn more about flowers and decor from Bruce Wayne Florals
Bruce Wayne Florals took all my thoughts and words on the florals and decor look, and made them come to life! AH-mazing! They added little touches and details that I wouldn't have ever thought of that truly pulled the entire look and wedding together. The wedding arch dripping with big, luscious green leaves and just the right amount of white florals, and dripping green vines made the wedding look like heaven on earth!
I want to learn more about weddings at the Vinoy Renaissance.
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
Someone organized who could keep up with my insane amount of emails and questions. Attention to detail was very important to both of us and I also didn't want a planner who commits to too many weddings a year. I wanted to know that my wedding planner would be focused on executing the day of our dreams!
I want to learn more about planning from Parties A La Carte.
Jessica at Parties A'La Carte had planned and executed one of my very good friend's wedding only a few years ago, I got to see her work first hand! Her wedding was beautiful, so I already knew that they would do an amazing job! Jessica and her team made our day come to life, and one we'll remember forever!
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Even though we had a fall wedding, we still wanted the colors and theme to be very representative of Florida, where we met each other and fell in love. The large green palm fronds and monstera leaves provided the tropical feel of Florida, and the silver accents and touches completed the look by making everything feel a bit more trendy and modern.
What were your colors?
Dark green/green, silver, and white.
What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
Lamont and I are both super into music, and it was important for us to have people up on their feet and dancing the entire wedding. We have extremely different tastes in music but wanted a wide genre of music at our wedding that would keep the crowd pumped up.
I want to learn more about DJ/Lighting services from Grant Hemond & Associates.
Our planner highly recommended Grant Hemond & Associates, and our DJ Eric was nothing short of amazing. We were so thrilled with his services, and our guests mention to this day how much fun they had at our wedding. Thanks to Eric for keeping the crowd going!
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Don't stress and remember to enjoy each other and every minute of it, because the day is about the two of you!
Ceremony, Reception Venue, Caterer and Cake: The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Venue
Photographer: K&K Photography
Videographer: AV StatMedia
Planner/Coordinator: Parties A'La Carte *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Florist: Bruce Wayne Florals *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Linens: Over the Top Rental Linens *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Rentals: MMD Events
DJ: Grant Hemond & Associates *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Officiant: Eddy Suarez Jr. (Friend)
Invitations: URBANCoast *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Transportation: Barracuda Travels
Dress: Martina Liana
Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids – Monique Lhuillier *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Hair & Makeup: Michele Renee The Studio *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
PhotoBooth: The Fancy Booth
