Clearwater couple Natalie and Alec's downtown St. Pete wedding focused on atmosphere and a laid-back style.
“We both love St. Pete for the restaurants, bars, and cool places to go to. We wanted to keep the wedding like a party. Fun, easy-going, simple, and pretty,” the bride explained. “I wanted to make sure everyone that I loved was there and was able to thoroughly enjoy themselves. I didn’t care about the dress, decorations, etc. I just wanted to be able to enjoy and dance with my family. And have a taco! It was a party, not a ‘wedding.'”
MORE: DOWNTOWN ST. PETE WEDDINGS
Looking for a downtown St. Pete wedding venue with party-like atmosphere, indoor and outdoor options, and that could provide linens, tables, chairs and decor, the bride and groom chose NOVA 535.
“I actually went to a NOVA 535 wedding a few years ago and loved it! loved the brick walls and the cocktail hour upstairs,” Natalie gushed. “We wanted a fun venue where we could dance and have a good time, and NOVA definitely had enough dancing space. We didn't need to get any ventures besides the food truck. I gave the on-site planner, Ruby, the look of the flowers, etc and she made it happen.”
While the couple kept the decor minimal, they allowed the Edison bulbs and brick walls to provide a focus points for their industrial wedding.
“Our colors were blush, moss green, and navy blue. We didn’t really have colors planned. They just kind of fell into place,” the bride explained. “No one remembers the flowers you have on your table. They remember the relationships they had, the fun they experienced, and who got crazy at the wedding. Focus on the fun and just let go.”
Looking back, Natalie shared that her favorite memories included celebrating with her guests.
“Our most memorable moments included dancing with glow sticks with our family and friends, letting loose, giving a drink, and laughing. I knew at if my feet hurt by the end of the night from dancing, that I did something right,” the bride reminisced.
The Proposal:
We went to West Palm Beach to go paddle boarding. We spent all of Saturday exploring, swimming in-between islands, and having fun. The last spot we went to was Blowing Rocks Preserve Beach, where Alec took out the ring and asked me. It had been in a waterproof case that was with us the whole time. Good thing we didn’t lose it swimming and paddle boarding!
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
We wanted a wedding venue that had a fun, party-like feeling and that had indoor and outdoor options. We also looked for a venue that provided tables, linens, decorations, etc. We wanted to have it all in the venue we were getting to make it easy on ourselves.
I want to learn more about weddings and events at NOVA 535.
I actually went to a NOVA 535 wedding a few years ago and loved it! I loved the brick walls and the cocktail hour upstairs. We wanted a fun venue where we could dance and have a good time, and NOVA definitely had enough dancing space. We also loved the service of NOVA; they provided tables, chairs, rental linens, decorations and DJ. It was so easy and simple. We didn't need to get any ventures besides the food truck. I gave the on-site planner, Ruby, the look of the flowers, etc and she made it happen.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
We wanted to keep the wedding like a party. Fun, easy-going, simple, and pretty. We just wanted neutrals for the colors and simple designs.
What were your colors?
Blush, moss green, and navy blue. We decided to go with blush because it is a neutral color for the bridesmaids dresses. They were all picking out their own dresses so I figured that it would be an easy color to find. Moss green was for the greenery for the flowers. We decided navy for the guys, because Alec already had a navy outfit. Simple, I know. We didn’t really have colors planned. They just kind of fell into place.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Relax, enjoy the moments, and have the best time you can have. If things don’t go exactly as planned, its not the end of the world. No one remembers the flowers you have on your table. They remember the relationships they had, the fun they experienced, and who got crazy at the wedding. Focus on the fun and just let go.
Ceremony and Reception Venue: NOVA 535 *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Venue
Photographer: Savannah Lauren Photography
Flowers: Sam's Club
Cake: Katherine Williams
DJ: DJ Jaey, NOVA 535
Officiant: Kevin Stamper
Food Truck: St. Pete Taco Lady
Dress: David's Bridal
