Bailey and Pierce
Don CeSar
“We drew our inspiration from the seaside art deco design of the venue. We wanted to play off the beautiful architecture of The Don CeSar, without taking away from it by making the decor too elaborate. We took a ‘minimal, maximalist’ approach. Our theme was a Hollywood Regency design with modern elements. We wanted design elements that were modern but also a vintage/art deco-y flare. We both love old music, vintage style, and the beach, so it was perfect for us!” -The Bride
FEATURING
Bailey and Pierce’s destination St. Pete Beach wedding was a luxurious evening filled with stunning neutral flora, romantic candlelight, and glamorous fashion. The bride and groom wed on the steps of the famed Pink Palace before a formal dinner reception in the resort’s elegant ballroom.
“We drew our inspiration from the seaside art deco design of the venue. We wanted to play off the beautiful architecture of The Don CeSar, without taking away from it by making the decor too elaborate. We took a ‘minimal, maximalist’ approach. Our theme was a Hollywood Regency design with modern elements. We wanted design elements that were modern but also a vintage/art deco-y flare. We both love old music, vintage style, and the beach, so it was perfect for us!” the bride beamed. “Our colors were neutrals: tans, taupes, muted greens, black, and white. We wanted colors that did not compete with but complemented the pink hotel.”
The Chicago couple relied on the expertise of Marry Me Tampa Bay to help guide their search for a beautiful venue to accommodate their 150 friends and family and to provide recommendations for vetted vendors for their February nuptials.
“We looked at Marry Me Tampa Bay to find wedding venues to tour, music vendors, coordinators, and florist vendors. It’s a great place to browse if you are unsure of where to look!” Bailey shared. “My parents went and watched many different bands that we found on Marry Me Tampa Bay.”
With fond vacation memories of St. Pete Beach over the years, the iconic locale was the ideal choice for their destination wedding. The picturesque setting at The Don CeSar, along with their convenient accommodations and superb service, left the couple in awe.
“We wanted somewhere that would be memorable, special, naturally beautiful, with a longstanding reputation so we could go back and visit for years to come. The Don CeSar checked all of those boxes! I grew up in St. Pete, and Pierce grew up in Florida. I used to go to The Don as a kid and have many memories there. It is such a special place! Also, it is somewhere we can visit with our future kids one day,” the bride gushed. “The Don CeSar was exactly what we wanted in a venue. We knew it had a reputation for being extremely easy to work with for a wedding. The entire staff was wonderful and seamlessly executed our wedding with exceptional effort, especially Kasey; she was so amazing!”
The pair personalized the wedding day to provide an authentic experience for their treasured guests.
“Instead of focusing on what other people have done with their weddings we focused on what we envisioned for our day, what we wanted it to feel like and look like. We wrote our own vows, which I believe let all the guests get a glimpse into our relationship and let our personalities shine through. We also had a butterfly release, which was very special to us,” the bride revealed. “We wanted to create an atmosphere for our wedding that wasn’t cookie-cutter and felt like us.”
The couple turned to the wedding planning team at Coastal Coordinating to assist with planning their celebration from a distance. They felt an instant connection with owner and lead planner, Katy Turchich-Martin, and knew they were in excellent hands with her at the helm.
“I looked for a wedding planner who was organized, positive, and had a good vibe! I wanted someone who I trusted to make sure the day ran smoothly. We hired Coastal Coordinating because when we met Katy, we loved them and trusted them!” the bride raved.
The ballroom reception felt modern and luxurious, with guest tables filled with white flowers and an abundance of candlelight. Etched glassware at place settings and clear ghost chairs elevated the space courtesy of A Chair Affair, while elegant ivory lamour linens and taupe velvet tablecloths from Over The Top Rental Linens added texture and depth.
Although the entire celebration was memorable, being surrounded by their closest loved ones left a lasting impression on the couple.
“The most memorable moment was having everyone we’ve ever loved in one room. Just saying that brings tears to our eyes,” Bailey reminisced. “It’s one of those moments that you will never forget.”
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
I looked for a wedding planner who was organized, positive, and had a good vibe!
I wanted someone who I trusted to make sure the day ran smoothly. We hired Coastal Coordinating because when we met Katy, we loved them and trusted them!
The Proposal:
Pierce proposed in a garden in Bath, England, in front of The Bath Abbey (it looks like a castle), and it felt like a fairy tale!
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
We wanted somewhere that would be memorable, special, naturally beautiful, with a longstanding reputation so we could go back and visit for years to come.
The Don CeSar checked all of those boxes! I grew up in St. Pete, and Pierce grew up in Florida. I used to go to The Don as a kid and have many memories there. It is such a special place! Also, it is somewhere we can visit with our future kids one day.
The Don CeSar was exactly what we wanted in a venue. We knew it had a reputation for being extremely easy to work with for a wedding. The entire staff was wonderful and seamlessly executed our wedding with exceptional effort, especially Kasey; she was so amazing!
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
We drew our inspiration from the seaside art deco design of the venue. We wanted to play off the beautiful architecture of The Don CeSar, without taking away from it by making the decor too elaborate. We took a ‘minimal, maximalist’ approach. Our theme was a Hollywood Regency design with modern elements. We wanted design elements that were modern but also a vintage/art deco-y flare. We both love old music, vintage style, and the beach, so it was perfect for us!
How did your decor rentals enhance the ambiance of your event?
We rented the ghost chairs and etched glassware from A Chair Affair. It modernized the reception room but still kept the vintage elements.
Over The Top Rental Linens helped to neutralize the room with the ivory lamour tablecloths and taupe velvet linens. They were very high quality.
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
My friends and I did a night out at the Tampa Edition! It was such a fun night out and was exactly what I wanted, simple and fun with people I love!
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Actually, take the time to appreciate the wedding planning process. Although it can be a lot, lean on the people around you to help and trust them. You are planning an event that is once in a lifetime! Soak it all in.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Our florists took our vision and brought it to life. I squealed at the room reveal because of how beautiful it was. They completely understood every element and detail we described and made it happen perfectly. Our photographer was everything we could ever want and more in a photographer. She is not only a friend but also a creative and has an eye for the most perfect angles and photos. She put her all into our wedding and made everything perfect for us. She even surprised us with Super 8 film the day of the wedding!
Music was one of our most important elements because it helps set the scene and the mood. The band was absolutely incredible and did just that. Everyone was dancing and had the most amazing time together! Our bridal shop made my sleeves and my custom veil and did all my dress alterations. They were so accommodating and styled me along the way.
