Modern Downtown St. Pete Wedding | Museum of Fine Arts Wedding
Julia and Zak's downtown St. Pete wedding featured a a light pink and ivory color palette with hints of grey and navy.
“Our wedding was classic romantic with a touch of modern,” the bride explained. “Zak wore his Mess Dress, so we pulled navy from there. Grey is my favorite color, and the ivory and light pink balanced everything out.”
The Texas bride and groom hosted a destination St. Petersburg wedding for the city's unique amenities.
“St. Pete has everything we were looking for. Downtown is such a cool area and is very walkable, which we love,” the bride beamed.
MORE: DOWNTOWN ST. PETE WEDDINGS
Since the couple had several out-of-town guests attending, they searched for a St. Petersburg wedding venue that could accommodate an outdoor ceremony and indoor reception.
“The Museum of Fine Arts had everything we wanted. We had the ceremony out in the garden, which gave off a romantic touch. Just inside, we had the reception in the conservatory, which fit our needs for a more modern setting,” Julia shared. “[The venue coordinator] Nancy was very helpful and gave her professional advice during all the planning. She really knows what she’s doing!”
While looking for a St. Pete wedding photographer, the pair shared that they wanted more than just the typical wedding day photos.
“After looking at many options, we found that Limelight Photography's work reflected exactly what we wanted,” the bride gushed. “When you choose to hire Limelight, they go above and beyond to make sure everything is covered, including all the little details. Their service was excellent, and they were working hard the entire day and night. Even our guests commented on how they were always snapping shots left and right.”
MORE: LIMELIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY WEDDINGS
Looking back, the groom shared that one of his most memorable moments was watching his bride walk down the aisle.
“The wedding had many moments, but there was only one in my mind that truly stood above the rest. Julia had a special song played when she walked down the aisle, and I had no idea that she planned it. When it started playing and I saw her, I had a feeling that I have never felt before, and I knew I would never feel again in life. I felt truly blessed and that my soon-to-be-wife would always be by my side, and make my life better than I ever imagined,” Zak reminisced.
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
The venue needed to be convenient for our guests. Many of our family members would be coming from out-of-town, so we wanted to make this trip easy for them. We also wanted to be able to have the ceremony and the reception in the same location. The Museum of Fine Arts had everything we wanted. We had the ceremony out in the garden, which gave off a romantic touch. Just inside, we had the reception in the conservatory, which fit our needs for a more modern setting. [The venue coordinator] Nancy was very helpful and gave her professional advice during all the planning. She really knows what she’s doing!
What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
When looking for a wedding photographer, we wanted more than just the typical wedding day photos, but shots that truly captured the day.
After looking at many options, we found that Limelight Photography's work reflected exactly what we wanted. They have a certain professionalism about them. When you choose to hire Limelight, they go above and beyond to make sure everything is covered, including all the little details. Their service was excellent, and they were working hard the entire day and night. Even our guests commented on how they were always snapping shots left and right.
The Proposal:
In July 2015, we flew home from Texas to Tampa for Zak's parents' retirement ceremony from the Air Force. His family had flown from all over to make it to this event, and it turned into a mini-reunion. As the ceremony came to an end, we got ready to take a few pictures. As we were getting situated, Zak told me to take my Fitbit off which was a little odd and I was slightly confused, but I complied. We all stepped up onto the stage to take family pictures, and I overheard Zak say to his brother Kurt, “Here, take my phone. You're going to want to record this.”
Not knowing what “this” was, Kurt took the phone and started filming. Zak stepped up to his parents and gave a short speech about how much he loves his family and how he wouldn't be where he is today without them. Then he said, “Mom and dad, I love our family so much, but today I want to make it larger.”
Zak then turned to me, and I immediately started to cry because I knew what was about to happen. Nobody knew Zak had planned this, and it was a complete surprise to every person in the room, including my mom, his parents, and brothers!
How would you describe your theme?
Classic romantic with a touch of modern.
What were your colors?
Navy, grey, light pink and ivory. Zak wore his Mess Dress, so we pulled navy from there. Grey is my favorite color, and the ivory and light pink balanced everything out.
What was your wedding menu inspiration?
Zak said the wedding menu was one of his favorite things about our day. He thoroughly enjoyed the tasting. I wanted to make sure eating was easy for everyone and that there were a wide variety of options.
Olympia Catering was great and delicious! They went out of their way to make sure we had time to eat, which was difficult since everything was happening so fast!
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Tampa Bay is a beautiful place to get married. Make sure you and your soon-to-be-husband do some of the wedding planning together and have fun with it! If you're not having fun, you’re doing it wrong.
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Museum of Fine Arts
Photographer: Limelight Photography *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Florist: Redman Steele
Cake & Caterer: Olympia Catering *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
DJ: Inpulse Entertainment
Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas
Wedding Dress: David's Bridal
Bridal Shoes: Kate Spade
Bridesmaid Dresses: David's Bridal
Guest Book: Miss Design Berry, Inc.
Garter: Just Fun Garters
Bridal Hangers: Ann Hedg
Hair: Joanne Prosser
Makeup: Femme Akoi
Getting Ready Hotel: Vinoy Renaissance *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Venue
