Laura and Michael’s St. Pete Beach wedding was pink paradise dream filled with exotic blooms in fuchsia and blush tones, lush greenery, and even flamingos! The couple exchanged vows on a white sand beach before dining and dancing with their closest friends and family in a ballroom reception inspired by the bride’s daughter’s favorite childhood toy.

“The inspiration behind this magical day was my darling stepdaughter Louisa, who is four-years-old and absolutely obsessed with Barbie and weddings (we have Barbie weddings all the time). So, I knew we had to make this wedding extra special and super fun, just like us! We chose a resort that came complete with a giant inflatable slide because, let’s face it, no Barbie Dream House is complete without one! It was elegant yet playful, totally Barbie,” the bride gushed. “Our wedding colors were, naturally, pink, because what else could perfectly capture the spirit of Barbie chic?! Pink was everywhere, from soft blush tones to vibrant hot pink accents, setting the stage for an ultra-fun and glamorous vibe. To complement the Barbie dream, we added lush tropical florals and greenery to bring in those beachy, paradise vibes. It created the perfect balance between playful and elegant, giving the whole day that dreamy, tropical getaway feeling with a touch of Barbie flair!”

The Savannah-based couple chose the iconic oceanfront TradeWinds Resort for their destination Florida wedding, knowing their guests would love the convenient location and abundant ammenities, while the all-inclusive services made the planning process a breeze.

“We focused on finding a location that was not only beautiful but also family-friendly, especially for Louisa and all of our nieces and nephews. It was important to us that the venue offered fun and engaging elements for the kids to enjoy while still fitting the vibe we wanted for the day. Additionally, we needed a venue that was within driving distance to make it convenient for our family and friends. We made sure the venue was at an approachable price point, ensuring all of our guests could attend and celebrate with us without any added stress. The slide and the aquatic obstacle course at TradeWinds Resort were the main selling points,” the bride explained. “We treated our guests to a delectable seated dinner with options of fish, chicken, or filet, delicious choices for everyone! Plus, we had plenty of hors d’oeuvres to keep everyone satisfied throughout the evening. For drinks, we had the most fun and stylish signature cocktails. ‘Michael’s Marg’ was a spicy skinny margarita that added a kick to the celebration, while my signature drink, ‘Flora’s Flamingo,’ was a refreshing vodka grapefruit soda concoction. These cocktails were served with charming flamingo toppers, adding that Barbie’s Beach House’ touch to the festivities.”

With their tropical vision taking shape, the bride sought a St. Pete wedding photographer who could artfully capture the May festivies as they unfolded, preserving the feelings and emotions in a way that felt authentic.

“I focused on finding a photographer with a strong portfolio showcasing their previous work. It was important to have access to a variety of past weddings they’ve shot so I could see their consistency and style. I wanted a photographer with a great eye for capturing candid moments—those natural, unscripted interactions that really tell the story of the day. These candid shots mean the most to me, as they reflect the genuine emotions and experiences shared throughout the wedding, rather than overly posed or staged images,” Laura revealed. “I chose Lifelong Photography Studio because I absolutely loved their work on Instagram; it really stood out to me. Working with Tina was like a dream. She is totally Barbie cool and really listened to my vision, making sure every detail was just right. One of my favorite parts was how she nailed my last-minute request for after-party/hangover detail shots. Those are some of my favorites from the entire album! Tina went above and beyond, especially when I mentioned I wanted a fun shot of us with a bellhop at the end of the reception. She not only sourced the bellhop for us, but the pictures came out so dreamy and playful. She also found the coolest, most unexpected spots for photo opportunities, like an abandoned boat, which gave our album such a unique and adventurous feel. Her creativity and attention to detail really made everything come together perfectly.”

The bride channeled the vibrant and whimsical feel of the iconic doll throughout the event, with several unforgettable pink details and experiences for their 100 guests to enjoy, including a flamingo interaction courtesy of Breezin’ Entertainment.

“We made sure our personalities shone through every part of the wedding. I’ve always been drawn to playful, fun themes in my marketing career, so I wanted to make sure our wedding felt the same, light-hearted, personal, and joyful, rather than formal or stuffy. One unique and extra shimmery detail was the champagne skirt greeter! Dressed in sparkly hot pink, she welcomed our guests in style, adding the perfect touch of whimsy and a ‘Come On Barbie, Let’s go Party’ vibe,” Laura beamed. “Marry Me Tampa Bay actually helped source our live flamingos! Flamingos are, as I joke, our family’s ‘State Bird.’ They, along with the yard flamingos decorating my bridal get-ready suite, fit seamlessly into our Barbie-inspired theme, bringing that extra flair of pink and playfulness, while also enhancing the tropical, beachy feel of our celebration. It was all about keeping the day fun, vibrant, and totally unforgettable!”

The design team at Lemon Drops Weddings & Events helped bring Laura’s vision to life. In addition to creating the stunning floral arrangments filled with tropical foliage and colorful pink flora, their skilled experts guided the couple through the planning process and seamlessly coordinated the event from start to finish, allowing the Laura and Michael to live in the moment and enjoy quality time with loved ones.

“Our wedding floral and décor inspiration was a fun and playful Barbie beach party, but with an elevated touch to honor the significance of the occasion. Hiring Lemon Drops Weddings & Events was hands down one of the best decisions we made for the wedding (right after choosing the dress!). Their online floral portfolio immediately caught my attention, but when I saw their work in person, it far exceeded my expectations. The floral arrangements were stunning and perfectly brought to life the Barbie Beach party theme we envisioned. However, what truly set them apart was their exceptional service as wedding planners, I cannot stress enough the importance of having a great planner,” Laura detailed. “Liz and Christine at Lemon Drops were more than planners; they felt like best friends who worked tirelessly to make every detail perfect. They went above and beyond, doing the heavy lifting and deep research to make sure everything exceeded our expectations. They didn’t just handle logistics; they were attentive, and creative, and made everything feel personal and stress-free. Their hospitality and dedication made the entire planning process enjoyable, and they made me feel like I was working with close friends who were just as invested in making the day perfect. Every detail was handled with care, and they went above and beyond to bring our vision to life, making the day unforgettable. The entire wedding truly felt like a labor of love, celebrating the happiest moment of my life.”

From plush pink rugs to shimmering gold shelving and metallic place settings, the decorative inventory from Kate Ryan Event Rentals elevated the space and transformed the ballroom into a chic Barbie-inspired setting. The pair relied on the experts at Grant Hemond & Associates to blend their eclectic tastes in music and create an atmosphere conducive to a Barbie Dream House vibe. From the attire to the music to the decor, the entire evening was magical, but it was the first dance that will remain a treasured memory for the bride.

“Our first dance was a choreographed routine to Islands in the Stream by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, a song that has been sentimental to us since we first started dating. I like to think this is the same song Barbie would pick for her and Ken. We even had the song title in bright neon hot pink in our custom lounge area, making it the perfect photo opp,” Laura reminisced. “I look at the photos and relish in the memories just about every day. It was a Barbie dream come true from start to finish.”

What was your wedding floral/decor inspiration? 
Our wedding floral and décor inspiration was a fun and playful Barbie beach party, but with an elevated touch to honor the significance of the occasion. Hiring Lemon Drops Weddings & Events was hands down one of the best decisions we made for the wedding (right after choosing the dress!). Their online floral portfolio immediately caught my attention, but when I saw their work in person, it far exceeded my expectations. The floral arrangements were stunning and perfectly brought to life the Barbie Beach party theme we envisioned. However, what truly set them apart was their exceptional service as wedding planners, I cannot stress enough the importance of having a great planner.

Liz and Christine at Lemon Drops were more than planners; they felt like best friends who worked tirelessly to make every detail perfect. They went above and beyond, doing the heavy lifting and deep research to make sure everything exceeded our expectations. They didn’t just handle logistics; they were attentive, and creative, and made everything feel personal and stress-free. Their hospitality and dedication made the entire planning process enjoyable, and they made me feel like I was working with close friends who were just as invested in making the day perfect. Every detail was handled with care, and they went above and beyond to bring our vision to life, making the day unforgettable. The entire wedding truly felt like a labor of love, celebrating the happiest moment of my life.

The Proposal: 
We were in the Maldives, staying at the absolutely dreamy Conrad Resort. As soon as we arrived at our absolutely unreal bungalow, I noticed the sweetest surprise: a greeting that said, “Welcome Mr. & Mrs. Russom.” My heart skipped a beat, and I turned around to see Michael, my amazing fiancé, with the biggest smile. Right there, overlooking the stunning crystal-blue waters, Michael got down on one knee and pulled out the most dazzling ring. He asked me to be his forever, and it was like a scene straight out of a fairytale! I am still pinching myself.

Why did you choose to have a flamingo interaction at your event?
Flamingos are, as I joke, our family’s ‘State Bird.’ They, along with the yard flamingos decorating my bridal get-ready suite, fit seamlessly into our Barbie-inspired theme, bringing that extra flair of pink and playfulness, while also enhancing the tropical, beachy feel of our celebration.

Every wedding needs a wow factor and an element of over-the-top surprise. Ours just happened to be alive and match the theme/decor to a tee. It was all about keeping the day fun, vibrant, and totally unforgettable!

What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
I focused on finding a photographer with a strong portfolio showcasing their previous work. It was important to have access to a variety of past weddings they’ve shot so I could see their consistency and style. I wanted a photographer with a great eye for capturing candid moments—those natural, unscripted interactions that really tell the story of the day. These candid shots mean the most to me, as they reflect the genuine emotions and experiences shared throughout the wedding, rather than overly posed or staged images.

I chose Lifelong Photography Studio because I absolutely loved their work on Instagram; it really stood out to me. Working with Tina was like a dream. She is totally Barbie cool and really listened to my vision, making sure every detail was just right. One of my favorite parts was how she nailed my last-minute request for after-party/hangover detail shots. Those are some of my favorites from the entire album! Tina went above and beyond, especially when I mentioned I wanted a fun shot of us with a bellhop at the end of the reception. She not only sourced the bellhop for us, but the pictures came out so dreamy and playful. She also found the coolest, most unexpected spots for photo opportunities, like an abandoned boat, which gave our album such a unique and adventurous feel. Her creativity and attention to detail really made everything come together perfectly.

How did your wedding rentals enhance the ambiance of your event?
I have to give full credit to my amazing wedding planners for choosing Kate Ryan Event Rentals. One standout piece was the pink light-up bar we had at the reception. It was so Barbie.

What did you look for in a wedding venue? 
We focused on finding a location that was not only beautiful but also family-friendly, especially for Louisa and all of our nieces and nephews. It was important to us that the venue offered fun and engaging elements for the kids to enjoy while still fitting the vibe we wanted for the day. Additionally, we needed a venue that was within driving distance to make it convenient for our family and friends. We made sure the venue was at an approachable price point, ensuring all of our guests could attend and celebrate with us without any added stress. The slide and the aquatic obstacle course at TradeWinds Resort were the main selling points.

We treated our guests to a delectable seated dinner with options of fish, chicken, or filet, delicious choices for everyone! Plus, we had plenty of hors d’oeuvres to keep everyone satisfied throughout the evening. For drinks, we had the most fun and stylish signature cocktails. ‘Michael’s Marg’ was a spicy skinny margarita that added a kick to the celebration, while my signature drink, ‘Flora’s Flamingo,’ was a refreshing vodka grapefruit soda concoction. These cocktails were served with charming flamingo toppers, adding that Barbie’s Beach House’ touch to the festivities.

What did you look for in a wedding DJ? 
Another key aspect was ensuring our guests had an amazing time, and that meant the music was central to the event. We wanted an atmosphere where everyone could let loose, dance, and celebrate, so curating the right music was essential. The top priority for us was someone who could keep the energy high and the dance floor packed. Michael is a huge fan of Kygo, and we both love a good mix of genres, so it was important that the DJ could smoothly transition between different styles, from tropical house to classics and crowd-pleasers. Personally I’m like a can of Pringles when it comes to dancing, once I pop, I don’t stop, so we needed someone who could keep the momentum going all night for the biggest party of our lives. We were looking for a DJ who could read the crowd, maintain a fun and lively atmosphere, and create a mix that reflected our personalities and musical tastes.

After reading Grant Hemond & Associates’ glowing online testimonials and watching their video promos, they hands down had the best energy out of all the DJs we considered. It was clear that they knew how to create an atmosphere where guests couldn’t help but stay on the dance floor. Their experience and professionalism stood out, and they made the process so easy from start to finish.