Kate and Clay's downtown St. Pete wedding featured a soft, romantic color palette set against a modern, industrial backdrop.
“We love nature, and I wanted something that felt organic and natural,” the bride explained. “I wanted lots of neutrals and a pop of emerald and gold along with a big focus on greenery. Our original wedding was supposed to be in the fall, and I felt these colors spoke to the season.”
neutrals, emerald, and gold. The design and neutral color palette enabled the venue and bridal party to really be the star of the show.
Covid had other plans to move our wedding to the spring but the color scheme and theme worked so well with the Urban Stillhouse.”
The Tampa couple wed in St. Petersburg to showcase their favorite places in the city to their 180 guests and were very persistent about their securing their venue, which was originally booked for their date.
“We chose St. Petersburg because it’s where we first met and where we spent a lot of time together. We had a lot of out-of-town family and friends and St. Petersburg is such a great destination! We wanted to show all of our loved ones one of our favorite places,” Kate beamed. “The Urban Stillhouse opened, and I just fell in love with its interior. So three months before our wedding, I started calling them repetitively. Every time they had May 15th booked, but eventually, they had a cancellation and we were able to scoop it up! What attracted me to the venue was the food, the design of the building, and the service. It’s such a unique space for a wedding and didn’t need much decorating due to its beauty on its own. A lot of our guests had never been, and I wanted it to be a special and unique experience they could remember. I’m always on the hunt for the best meal in town and love showing my friends new restaurants so naturally, the Urban Stillhouse was the perfect place to host a dinner! The food options were amazing and the service was incredible.”
The venue doubles as a distillery for Horse Soldier Bourbon so the couples incorporated signature cocktails to add a personal touch.
“We had signature cocktails with our favorite flavors, mine being a fruitier vodka-based cocktail and my husband’s was an Old Fashion after his favorite nightcap. We also had a signature cocktail for our dog, George, which was an espresso martini aligning with his hyper personality,” the bride shared.
Rather than having just one wedding cake, the pair hired The Artistic Whisk to design a curated dessert table.
“I wanted something tasty and not too traditional. I didn’t want one large wedding cake. I wanted something more unique,” the bride revealed. “The cakes were so delicious and I’m not usually a wedding cake person. We had three different cakes that were all different tiers and designs. The service was great and all three cakes were amazing. We had a mango yellow cake, carrot cake, and a chocolate peanut butter cake.”
On her wedding planner's recommendation, Kate chose a romantic hair and makeup style that complemented her beaded lace gown and her bridal party's emerald green dresses.
“I wanted something simple with a low updo. I don’t wear a lot of makeup on a regular basis so I wanted to keep it more natural. Femme Akoi Beauty Studio did a great job,” the bride beamed.
Looking back, the couple cherished celebrating the lively atmosphere with their guests as one of their most memorable moments.
“The reception was so amazing. The band made it such a fun event and truly the whole night was so memorable,” Kate reminisced. “Months later and people are still telling us it was the best wedding they’ve been to and how incredible the food and the band were. Everyone had such an amazing time, and once the dance floor was open everyone was out there until the night ended.”
What were your hair and makeup inspiration?
I wanted something simple with a low updo. I don’t wear a lot of makeup on a regular basis so I wanted to keep it more natural. Femme Akoi Beauty Studio did a great job.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Maui and Kauai, Hawaii. We were limited on where we could go due to COVIF but it was one of the most beautiful places we’ve been to. We did lots of hiking and exploring and it was magical.
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
I went to Scottsdale, AZ; I loved the dessert vibes and had never been before; it was so much fun!
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
We love nature, and I wanted something that felt organic and natural. I wanted something with lots of neutrals and a pop of emerald and gold along with a big focus on greenery.
Our original wedding was supposed to be in the fall, and I felt these colors spoke to the season. COVID had other plans to move our wedding to the spring but the color scheme/theme worked so well with the Urban Stillhouse.
What were your colors?
Neutrals, emerald, and gold. We love the simplicity of having a neutral color palette.
What did you look for in a wedding cake bakery?
I wanted something tasty and not too traditional. I didn’t want one large wedding cake. I wanted something more unique.
The Artistic Whisk's cakes were so delicious and I’m not usually a wedding cake person. We had three different cakes that were all different tiers and designs. The service was great, and all three cakes were amazing. We had a mango yellow cake, carrot cake, and a chocolate peanut butter cake.
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
The Urban Stillhouse opened and I just fell in love with its interior. So three months before our wedding, I started calling the Urban Stillhouse repetitively. Every time they had May 15th booked but eventually, they had a cancellation, and we were able to scoop it up.
What attracted me to the venue was the food, the design of the building, the service. It’s such a unique space for a wedding and didn’t need much decorating due to its beauty on its own.
It’s such a beautiful and unique space with fantastic food. A lot of our guests had never been, and I wanted it to be a special and unique experience they could remember. The food options were amazing and the service was incredible.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
The Urban Stillhouse exceeded my expectations as did my wedding planner. Three months before the wedding, we were able to completely replan at a new location. The Urban Stillhouse was extremely accommodating to all of my requests. Anything I wanted, they were able to make it a reality. They were extremely flexible with what I wanted, including in my food and beverage choices and everything went off without a hitch.
Months later and people are still telling us it was the best wedding they’ve been to and how incredible the food and the band were. Everyone had such an amazing time, and once the dance floor was open everyone was out there until the night ended.
My wedding planner [worked] for much longer than originally anticipated. She had to work through three different wedding dates, two venues, two bands, two photographers, and one hysterical COVID bride. She handled it with grace all during a pandemic, and the day couldn’t have been more perfect.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Don’t stress about the little things, only you remember them. If you have good music and a good bar then everyone will have a good time!
