Rachel and Jeremy's downtown St. Pete wedding combined the couple's passion for nature and helping the environment, with a stunning color palette of hunter green, marine blue, eggplant and amber.
“I told our team that I wanted the room to look like a grand ballroom that had been abandoned and taken over by greenery. We budgeted for an abundance of flowers, vines draping from the chandeliers and growing up the centerpieces,” the bride explained. “Our color palette was inspired by a two-page jewelry advertisement in a magazine that had these gorgeous, earthy jewel tones that were set on a forest floor. I still think it's one of the prettiest ads I've seen!”
The New York City couple had an easy choice when it came to selecting Florida for their wedding location. With the bride's parents owning downtown St. Pete boutique hotel and wedding venue The Birchwood, it was a sentimental and important choice to Rachel to have her wedding there.
“Even though The Birchwood is my family's business, I hadn't experienced the venue's service as a bride. The sales manager, Mary Barnett, helped us create an ideal floor plan for our guest count, choose our food choices and drink tier and worked with my wedding planner on an emergency plan B for the rainy day,” the bride shared. “I will never forget the moment I stepped in the ballroom and saw everything put together. The flowers, table linens, place settings, lighting, and details were exquisite. We received multiple compliments from our guests about the food and the drinks, particularly the wine. The service and experience the Birchwood provided was above and beyond our expectations.”
To create a regal, yet natural wedding day look, Rachel hired Tampa wedding hair and makeup artist Femme Akoi.
“I looked for an artist who would make me look like me, on my best day,” the bride explained. “Femme Akoi was amazing at giving me a natural look with a pop of color of on lips. My mom and bridesmaids also felt great about their looks, which was important to me. I wanted a team that was current and fun, and they were definitely that!”
Looking back, the bride's most memorable wedding moment occurred during the reception.
“My favorite part of the day was looking around the room and seeing all of our family and friends in the same place together and realizing they were all there for us,” Rachel reminisced.
What was your wedding hair and makeup inspiration?
I wanted to look regal and elegant, but still look like myself. I looked for an artist who would make me look like me on my best day.
I want to learn more about hair & makeup from Femme Akoi.
Jessica with Femme Akoi was amazing at giving me a natural look with a pop of color of on lips. My mom and bridesmaids also felt great about their looks, which was important to me. I also wanted a team that was current and fun, and Femme Akoi is definitely that!
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
My parents are the owners of The Birchwood, and it was really important to me to have our reception there. Even though The Birchwood is my family's business, I hadn't experienced the venue's service as a bride. The sales manager, Mary Barnett, helped us create an ideal floor plan for our guest count, choose our food choices and drink tier and worked with my wedding planner on an emergency plan B for the rainy day. She also kept in touch with me through the weeks leading up to the big day to assure that all details went smoothly, and the vendors were all up to date on everything. I will never forget the moment I stepped in the ballroom and saw everything put together. The flowers, table linens, place settings, lighting, and details were exquisite. We received multiple compliments from our guests about the food (the bone-in filet was to die for) and the drinks, particularly the wine (which Dennis, the in-house sommelier helped us pair with dinner!). The service and experience the Birchwood provided was above and beyond our expectations.
I want to learn more about weddings at The Birchwood
The hotel was the perfect space to get ready in. The rooms make you feel like you're taking a step back in time, but with a modern twist. My wedding party and I loved the amount of space we had in the room (and huge bathroom!) to spread out and relax while getting ready.
The Proposal:
Jeremy and I live in New York City and love it, but occasionally we like to escape the chaos and go hiking outside the city. One morning in September, Jeremy drove us an hour north on a beautiful, sunny day. We went for a hike that crossed paths with the Appalachian Trail, and the view at the top of spectacular. As we sat there taking in the view, Jeremy told me that he wanted to do things like this with me forever, and I said I did too. Then, he asked me to stand up, got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! It couldn't have been a more perfect day.
What was your theme?
We are both really into nature and helping the environment, so I wanted the theme to reflect that. This is mind, I was very careful to not ignore the fact that we would be in a beautiful ballroom. I told our team that I wanted the room to look like a grand ballroom that had been abandoned and taken over by greenery. We budgeted for for an abundance of flowers, vines draping from the chandeliers and growing up the centerpieces.
What were your colors?
Hunter green, marine blue, eggplant and amber. I was inspired by a two-page jewelry advertisement in a magazine that had these gorgeous earthy jewel tones that were set on a forest floor. I still think it's one of the prettiest ads I've seen!
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
If it rains, smile, because it's good luck.
Ceremony Venue: St. Mary Our Lady of Grace Church
Reception Venue and Caterer: The Birchwood *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Venue
Photographer: Benjamin Hewitt Photography
Planner: Days Remembered by ND
Florist: Braun's Fine Flowers
Cake: Sweet Divas
String Trio: Bella Musica
Band: DeLeon Band
Officiant: Fr. John Tapp
Invitations: Papyrus
Transportation: St. Pete Looper Trolley
Dress Shop and Designer: Kleinfeld – Watters
Bridesmaid Dress Shop and Designer: David's Bridal
Hair & Makeup: Femme Akoi *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Coffe Cart: Cafe a la Carte
