Katie and Sam's romantic downtown St. Pete wedding was a spectacular multiday affair that brought together 150 of their closest friends and family from across the country. As college sweethearts whose love story began at Tulane University, every aspect of their wedding was infused with personal touches by the bride, reflecting their journey together.
“We described our wedding theme as an elegant, romantic party with a modern and minimal look. We also wanted to combine a chic city vibe and a laid-back tropical touch – just like St. Pete, and like us – a New York gal and a Clearwater guy coming together,” the bride shared. “Our colors were black and white with gold accents and a tropical touch.”
Utilizing Marry Me Tampa Bay's wedding resources was an integral part of the St. Pete couple's planning process. With an expert vendor team and local inspiration, Katie was able to have a hands-on approach to designing and planning her wedding.
“Marry Me Tampa Bay was incredibly helpful to us during our wedding planning process,” the bride revealed. “As we booked our vendors, we liked reading the MMTB Q&A sessions to get insight into their personalities and expertise. Marry Me Tampa Bay remained a constant source of support, reaching out via Instagram DMs throughout our planning journey. They shared resources and features of real weddings at the Vinoy, which gave us inspiration and helped us visualize how different elements would come together on our big day. We found a majority of our wedding vendors by recommendations from our planner, as well as, Marry Me Tampa Bay and our venue's preferred vendors list.”
The November wedding weekend began at Red Mesa Events for their welcome party and rehearsal dinner, while the ceremony took place in the iconic Vinoy Tea Garden, followed by a cocktail hour on the lawn with special mini hotdogs and an oyster bar. Coastal Coordinating's phenomenal planning team executed the multiday celebration just as the couple had envisioned.
“We were particularly interested in finding a wedding planner with a lot of experience in the St. Pete/Tampa area and a strong network of local vendors and venues. Equally important was finding someone who could understand our vision and assist us in selecting vendors who matched our vibe,” Katie explained. “We chose Coastal Coordinating because they embodied everything we were looking for in a wedding planner. From our initial interactions, it was clear that they were well-connected within the local wedding industry and had a wealth of experience to draw upon. Throughout the planning journey, we were impressed by the dedication and expertise of the Coastal Coordinating team. On every call, and especially on our wedding day, there were numerous helping hands and extra eyes ensuring that everything ran smoothly. They left no stone unturned, making my Virgo self exceptionally happy. Thanks to Katy and Rae at Coastal Coordinating, our wedding day surpassed all expectations, and we couldn't have been happier with their advisory planning service.”
Capturing the essence of the day fell into the capable hands of Dewitt For Love Photography, who understood the couple's desire for candid and editorial-style photos. The husband-wife photo duo's upbeat energy and warm personalities made for the perfect choice, resulting in stunning images that beautifully captured the emotion-filled day.
“Our top priority was finding a photographer who could capture in a candid and editorial style. We aimed to spend most of our day just soaking in the moments, wanting images that truly reflected the genuine emotions of the day. It was important to find a photographer who could guide us when necessary but also someone we just clicked with and felt relaxed around,” the bride explained. “From our very first conversation, it was clear that Dewitt for Love Photography was the perfect choice for us as our wedding photographer. Their photographs were stunning, and Shannon and Brandon's infectious energy and warm personalities sealed the deal. Their passion for capturing moments of genuine connection and their timeless yet edgy style resonated with us. We were confident that they would not only deliver breathtaking images but also add great energy and mesh seamlessly into our day. And boy, did they deliver! We were thrilled with the album we received, with over 1,000 beautiful photos that allowed us to relive every precious moment of the day. The attention to detail and the way they captured the emotions of each moment were truly remarkable. On top of that, we received countless compliments about them from our guests, praising their professionalism and talent, reaffirming that we made the perfect choice.”
Botanica Design Studio brought Katie's floral vision to life with modern and minimalist arrangements featuring tropical touches. From the grand palm centerpieces to the cascading bouquet, every detail perfectly complemented the luxurious aesthetic of the wedding.
“Our wedding floral inspiration was simple: we wanted a mix of white flowers and tropical leaves to give off a romantic vibe and a subtle nod to the fact that we were celebrating in Florida. I fell in love with the laid-back and whimsical look of floral arrangements I saw on Pinterest, where the flowers draped naturally rather than being tightly arranged. We aimed for a relaxed, romantic feel that fit right in with the rest of our wedding,” the bride shared. “We chose Botanica Design Studio because they really stood out to us. Their work was consistently impressive — we loved every example we saw. During our video call, it was clear that they both understood our vision and had the expertise to bring it to life. Their team quickly brainstormed floral varieties that aligned perfectly with the inspiration we shared. We were blown away by the florals, from the grand palm centerpieces to the beautiful cascading bouquet. They managed to strike the perfect balance between flowers and greenery, as well as elegance and subtlety. It was exactly what we were hoping for, and we couldn't be happier with how everything turned out.”
To ensure every moment was captured, Behind the Vows wedding content creation provided iPhone video coverage, allowing Katie and Sam to fully immerse themselves in the celebration. The resulting videos were a cherished keepsake, allowing them to relive the magic of their special day.
“We chose to have a content creator as part of our wedding day because we wanted to ensure that both ourselves and our family and friends could fully be in the moment without worrying about capturing photos or videos. We've heard countless times how quickly the day can fly by, and we've experienced the anticipation of waiting for engagement session photos ourselves. We knew that having a content creator would allow us to relive all the amazing memories from our special day, from the heartfelt vows to the joyous dance floor moments. It was important to us to have every moment captured so that we could remember them for years to come and also to catch those little moments that we might have missed amidst the craze of the day,” Katie detailed. “As soon as I discovered that Marry Me Tampa Bay had started a content creation business, I was so excited and reached out immediately. Having been a follower of @marrymetampabay on Instagram for the past two years, I knew their social team was already amazing at what they do. We decided to hire Behind the Vows for both the night before and the big day to capture every single magical moment — and let me tell you, we're absolutely thrilled that we did! The team wasted no time in delivering the videos and an epic reel promptly after the wedding. Now, having countless videos in hand, we get to relive our special day over and over again. Plus, we're already dreaming up ideas for our own fun reels and montages with them. Their service was beyond amazing — we couldn't be happier!”
Katie's creativity as a professional graphic designer shone through in every detail, from the customized wedding website to the trendy newspaper announcements. These personalized touches added an extra layer of meaning to the celebration, reflecting the couple's unique style and personality.
“One standout feature of our wedding was the custom website I created for our guests. Cooler than your average wedding site, it served as a hub where guests could book hotels, map out our favorite spots in St. Pete, and find answers to any questions they had. What started as a fun project turned into a highly practical tool. We received lots of compliments for it, and surprisingly, we didn't field too many questions leading up to the big day, truly a win-win,” the bride beamed. “I also created a newspaper that guests received upon checking into their hotels, providing all the weekend details to know. These were true passion projects, and we were thrilled with how much everyone loved them.”
Amidst the whirlwind of the wedding day, Katie and Sam took a moment to pause and soak in the experience together, surrounded by their loved ones. It was a poignant reminder of the love and support that surrounded them, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
“One of the standout moments for us was when we took a pause during both the ceremony and the reception. We held each other and looked out at all our friends and family who came from all over to be with us. It was amazing to see everyone's faces in one room, and we felt so lucky to have such wonderful, supportive people in our lives,” the bride reminisced. “What made it even more special was how seamlessly our families and friends blended together. The room was buzzing with love and happiness, and it's a memory we'll never forget.”
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
For my bachelorette party, I chose Miami as the destination, and I'm beyond thankful for my awesome friends who were up for a full weekend of celebration! Miami's cool restaurants, abundant sunshine, and the opportunity for a day out on the water were the perfect ingredients for the ultimate girls' trip.
While I'm usually the planner of the group, this time I took a step back and let my friends take charge. I helped out with some practical details, like finding affordable accommodations and putting together awesome goodie bags for my besties. And, well, I couldn't resist adding a personal touch with matching sweatshirts and hats to mark the occasion. I trusted my girls with the rest, and they absolutely nailed it despite it being many of their first bachelorette parties. They planned an unforgettable celebration for me that I'll remember forever.
The Proposal:
On our five-year anniversary, we traveled to New Orleans, the city where our love story began. Despite the ominous date of Friday the 13th, the only “bad luck” we encountered was a sudden torrential downpour. Seeking shelter, we found ourselves at Meril, a restaurant filled with memories from our college days. After a romantic dinner, as we walked down the street, Sam got down on one knee and proposed. It was such a special moment, just the two of us, in a place that means so much.
What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
Our top priority was finding a photographer who could capture in a candid and editorial style. We aimed to spend most of our day just soaking in the moments, wanting images that truly reflected the genuine emotions of the day. It was important to find a photographer who could guide us when necessary but also someone we just clicked with and felt relaxed around.
From our very first conversation, it was clear that Dewitt for Love Photography was the perfect choice for us as our wedding photographer. Their photographs were stunning, and Shannon and Brandon's infectious energy and warm personalities sealed the deal. Their passion for capturing moments of genuine connection and their timeless yet edgy style resonated with us. We were confident that they would not only deliver breathtaking images but also add great energy and mesh seamlessly into our day. And boy, did they deliver!
We were thrilled with the album we received, with over 1,000 beautiful photos that allowed us to relive every precious moment of the day. The attention to detail and the way they captured the emotions of each moment were truly remarkable. On top of that, we received countless compliments about them from our guests, praising their professionalism and talent, reaffirming that we made the perfect choice.
Why did you choose to hire a wedding content creator?
We chose to have a content creator as part of our wedding day because we wanted to ensure that both ourselves and our family and friends could fully be in the moment without worrying about capturing photos or videos. We've heard countless times how quickly the day can fly by, and we've experienced the anticipation of waiting for engagement session photos ourselves. We knew that having a content creator would allow us to relive all the amazing memories from our special day, from the heartfelt vows to the joyous dance floor moments. It was important to us to have every moment captured so that we could remember them for years to come and also to catch those little moments that we might have missed amidst the craze of the day.
As soon as I discovered that Marry Me Tampa Bay had started a content creation business, I was so excited and reached out immediately. Having been a follower of @marrymetampabay on Instagram for the past two years, I knew their social team was already amazing at what they do.
We decided to hire Behind the Vows for both the night before and the big day to capture every single magical moment — and let me tell you, we're absolutely thrilled that we did! The team wasted no time in delivering the videos and an epic reel promptly after the wedding. Now, having countless videos in hand, we get to relive our special day over and over again. Plus, we're already dreaming up ideas for our own fun reels and montages with them. Their service was beyond amazing — we couldn't be happier!
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
We were particularly interested in finding a wedding planner with a lot of experience in the St. Pete/Tampa area and a strong network of local vendors and venues. Equally important was finding someone who could understand our vision and assist us in selecting vendors who matched our vibe.
We chose Coastal Coordinating because they embodied everything we were looking for in a wedding planner. From our initial interactions, it was clear that they were well-connected within the local wedding industry and had a wealth of experience to draw upon. Throughout the planning journey, we were impressed by the dedication and expertise of the Coastal Coordinating team. On every call, and especially on our wedding day, there were numerous helping hands and extra eyes ensuring that everything ran smoothly.
They left no stone unturned, making my Virgo self exceptionally happy. Thanks to Katy and Rae at Coastal Coordinating, our wedding day surpassed all expectations, and we couldn't have been happier with their advisory planning service.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
We described our wedding theme as an elegant, romantic party with a modern and minimal look. We also wanted to combine a chic city vibe and a laid-back tropical touch – just like St. Pete, and like us – a New York gal and a Clearwater guy coming together.
What were your colors?
Our colors were black and white with gold accents and a tropical touch.
What elements of your wedding were the most important?
Our wedding priorities revolved around ensuring our guests had an unforgettable experience. Top of the list was fabulous food, delicious drinks, and a DJ who kept the party going all night long. Capturing all of the special little moments was also significant for us.
Admittedly, we were all about the little design details. As a graphic designer (with a former stationery store-owning mother), I had a blast with all the little touches. It was my chance to let my creative side shine and give the whole event a vibe that felt totally us. Since our family and friends know us well, they were keen on spotting and appreciating those itty-bitty details too. From the “K” ice cubes to the keepsake matchbooks to the logo-branded water bottles, they all got a kick out of them.
What was your wedding floral inspiration?
Our wedding floral inspiration was simple: we wanted a mix of white flowers and tropical leaves to give off a romantic vibe and a subtle nod to the fact that we were celebrating in Florida. I fell in love with the laid-back and whimsical look of floral arrangements I saw on Pinterest, where the flowers draped naturally rather than being tightly arranged. We aimed for a relaxed, romantic feel that fit right in with the rest of our wedding.
We chose Botanica Design Studio because they really stood out to us. Their work was consistently impressive — we loved every example we saw. During our video call, it was clear that they both understood our vision and had the expertise to bring it to life. Their team quickly brainstormed floral varieties that aligned perfectly with the inspiration we shared.
We were blown away by the florals, from the grand palm centerpieces to the beautiful cascading bouquet. They managed to strike the perfect balance between flowers and greenery, as well as elegance and subtlety. It was exactly what we were hoping for, and we couldn't be happier with how everything turned out.
How did you incorporate your personalities into the wedding?
Embracing our laid-back personalities, we crafted an atmosphere that was both romantic and relaxed, with our focus on creating a memorable day with one another and for everyone present. We intentionally only chose traditions that really resonated with us, which curated an experience that felt authentic to who we are as a couple.
For example, we started the day right with a quick kiss the morning of the wedding before getting ready, we both walked with both of our parents down the aisle, we shared our own vows aloud to all of our guests, and we had a first look before the wedding ceremony to leave time for all important mini hotdogs at cocktail hour.
Some other fun, unique ways we incorporated our personalities into the wedding was through our love for sitcoms, which inspired us to add love quotes from favorites like Ted Lasso and How I Met Your Mother on our cocktail napkins. We also made sure to include comfort foods that we love, like soft pretzels, mini hotdogs, and late-night pizza.
What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
When searching for a wedding DJ, we looked for someone first with significant experience. Second, with the voice to command a crowd, without the ego to monopolize the microphone, and third, who could read our crowd and keep them on the dance floor all night long. We also liked the option to integrate live musicians with the DJ, and it was a bonus if they offered additional features such as lighting and cold sparks.
Graingertainment made the best first impression on us in our online research, as they have an awesome digital presence and reputation in the area. Before booking, Chris kindly agreed to have a phone call with us so we could get a sense of his voice and personality. After just a minute of chatting, we were confident he was the right guy for the job.
When it came to the big day, Chris exceeded our expectations. His music choices were spot-on, effortlessly incorporating our own recommendations. He not only had my grandma tearing up the dance floor all night but also received rave reviews from our music-savvy parents. The saxophone player and drummer were the perfect addition, bringing a touch of New Orleans to our celebration. Together with Chris, they truly brought the party to life and made our wedding day absolutely unforgettable.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
After our wedding, we spent a few days relaxing at the beautiful Bungalows Key Largo. We are planning a honeymoon to Greece and Italy. Sam has been to Greece, and I have been to Italy, so we're excited to get to show each other some of our favorite places.
Why did you choose to have a photo booth as part of your wedding?
We decided to have a photo booth as part of our wedding because we have great memories of them from our college days. Some of our favorite first photos together are from photo booths, so we loved the idea of incorporating one into our special day. However, we wanted to make sure it fit in with our black-tie affair, without any cheesy props or wild backgrounds, just high-quality, glam photos to capture our guests looking their best.
That's why we chose The Gala Photobooth. Their “Gala Booth” option perfectly aligned with our vision, and they were incredibly accommodating to our specific requests, like being outdoors during cocktail hour and having no props. The team on site was fantastic, bringing great energy and encouraging lots of couples and groups to hop in the booth for photos. Overall, we were so happy with their service and the lasting memories they helped create for our guests to take home.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Truly, every single one of our vendors exceeded our expectations, delivering exceptional service and contributing to the perfection of our special day. We wholeheartedly would recommend each and every one of them to other couples seeking a dream team for their own celebrations.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Choosing vendors for your wedding is like assembling your dream team, so our advice is to take your time and find the ones who truly understand your style and vibe well with you. Also, work on effectively communicating your ideas with your vendors. We were so fortunate to have an amazing team who effortlessly transformed our vague ideas into the wedding day of our dreams. So, to all Tampa Bay couples, we encourage you to seek out your dream team (definitely check out ours), ensure all of your ideas are heard and understood, and then trust them to work their magic. This way, you can truly float through your wedding day, knowing that every detail is in the best hands possible.
