Wedding

Romantic Dusty Blue Rooftop St. Pete Beach Wedding | Hotel Zamora

Kate and Markus' St. Pete Beach wedding was an elegant waterfront-inspired evening overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Shades of blues and rose gold matched the bright horizon, a focal point for the rooftop ceremony, while guests traveled from across the country to take in the Tampa Bay sunset.

“With the help of our wedding planner, we decided on a modern romantic theme for our wedding. We didn’t want anything too extravagant. We wanted it to be more about bringing all of our favorite people together to celebrate our love,” the bride explained. “Our colors wereblue with a rose gold accent. The bridesmaids wore a dusty blue while the groomsmen wore navy. Markus got me the most beautiful engagement ring with a rose gold setting, so we tried to accent as much as we could in rose gold. We both love blue, and it reminded us of the ocean and beach, which is our favorite place to go.”

The Orlando couple selected St. Pete Beach for its beautiful sunsets and sandy shores, however, it was the rooftop views at The Hotel Zamora that made it the perfect venue for their May wedding day.

We choose St. Pete Beach because of the beautiful beaches and sunsets. We always talked about getting married at the beach but not on the beach, so Hotel Zamora ended up being a perfect choice. Being able to have the ceremony on the rooftop and the reception in their ballroom was perfect for what we were looking for,” the bride beamed. “Hotel Zamora had everything we wanted and dreamed of in a wedding venue. We wanted to get married at the beach but not on the beach, so the rooftop overlooking the water with the sun setting was the perfect setting for us. The service we received from the hotel was stellar from the beginning of the planning process until the present day.”

Once the couple found the perfect venue, they relied on the expertise of Riley Gersch, lead planner and owner of Elegant Affairs by Design, to guide them through selecting their theme and vendors for their 130 guest celebration.

“I wanted someone who was personable and knowledgeable about the area. We found all of that and much more with Elegant Affairs by Design,” Kate revealed. “I met Riley and instantly knew she was the planner for us!

I met Riley and instantly knew she was the planner for us. She was so sweet and thorough throughout the whole process and made us feel at ease from the very beginning. She was the perfect package of a planner, friend, and therapist when I got anxious about wedding stuff. Riley was our one source for the wedding planning process. I don’t know what we would have done without her. Thanks to her, our wonderful vendors, and our amazing family and friends it really was our perfect day. “

With her rooftop venue selected and planner by her side, Kate went to work curating the perfect vendor team. Amanda Zabrocki Photography captured the details throughout the day, while adore Bridal created an elegant look styling with a loose braid. The Artistic Whisk crafted a two-tier statement cake that used an ombre effect to transition the colors from dusty blue to rose gold, and Grant Hemond & Associates‘ DJSteve Lange kept the crowd on the dance floor all night long.

“I honestly had the dream team of vendors. I couldn’t have asked for a better team or a more perfect day. Riley will always be my number one because of the love and effort she put in to making our day perfect,” the bride gushed.

Looking back on all of the moments that made up their unforgettable wedding day, Kate shared that the first time she and Markus locked eyes during the first look created a lasting memory.

“We both loved our first look and taking pictures on the beach after the ceremony.Walking down the aisle to marry my Markus will always be my most memorable moment,” the bride reminisced. “The dances our bridal did while entering the reception were also a favorite.”

Modern Tropical Navy and Pink Wedding Invitations with Diamond and Gold Halo Engagement Ring and Wedding Band | Glittery Gold Tennis Shoes with Pink Laces by Kate Spade x Keds
Diamond Engagement Ring with Double Halo and Gold Diamond Wedding Band in Ring Box
Diamond Engagement Ring with Double Halo and Gold Diamond Wedding Band
Modern Navy Blue and Gold Cursive Lettering Save the Date

 How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
With the help of our wedding planner, we decided on a modern romantic theme for our wedding. We didn’t want anything too extravagant. We wanted it to be more about bringing all of our favorite people together to celebrate our love.

 What were your colors?
Blue with a rose gold accent. The bridesmaids wore a dusty blue while the groomsmen wore navy. Markus got me the most beautiful engagement ring with a rose gold setting, so we tried to accent as much as we could in rose gold. We both love blue, and it reminded us of the ocean and beach, which is our favorite place to go.

Navy Blue Grooms Tux with Dusty Blue Pocket Square
Groom's Deep Brown Oxford Dress Shoes and Dusty Blue Bow Tie
Satin Ballgown with Tulle Tiered Layers Wedding Dress
Maid of Honor in Dusty Blue Off the Shoulder Sweetheart Neckline Long Gown with Bride in Tulle Ballgown Wedding Portrait | Ashley Renee Bridal | Adore Bridal Hair & Makeup
Bride in Tulle Ballgown Wedding Dress with Flower Girl in Flower Crown Portrait | Ashley Renee Bridal | Adore Bridal Hair and Makeup
Bride and Bridal Party in Dusty Blue Long Dresses and Navy Tuxedo Wedding Portrait | Adore Bridal Hair & Makeup
Bride in Tulle Ballgown with Bridal Bouquet with Blue and Cream Florals | Ashley Renee Bridal | Adore Bridal Hair & Makeup

What were your wedding hair and makeup inspiration?

I had a general idea of what I wanted for hair and makeup but Pinterest really helped me find my perfect look. 

I fell in love with Adore Bridal's work. It also helped that my wedding planner had a close working relationship with them.

Bride and Groom First Look Portrait | St. Petersburg Wedding Venue Hotel Zamora

The Proposal:
We went to Las Vegas for a long weekend to celebrate my 29th birthday with a group of friends. We stopped by the Bellagio fountains to see the lights and fountain show. During the show, one of our friends asked someone in the crowd to take a group picture. While I thought we were taking pictures Markus got down on one knee in front of the fountains and asked me to be his wife. I honestly don’t remember ever being that happy.

Bride and Groom Intimate Wedding Portrait | St. Petersburg Wedding Venue Hotel Zamora
Bride and Groom with Bridal Party in Navy and Dusty Blue Wedding Portrait | Tampa Bay Rooftop Wedding Venue Hotel Zamora
Tropical Inspired White Welcome Wedding Sign | Wedding Décor by Elegant Affairs by Design
Wooden Wedding Arch with Dusty Blue Draping and Blue, White Florals, with Greenery Detail
Wooden Ceremony Wedding Arch with Dusty Blue Draping | Rooftop St. Pete Beach Wedding Ceremony Hotel Zamora

What did you look for in a wedding venue?

We choose St. Pete Beach because of the beautiful beaches and sunsets. We always talked about getting married at the beach but not on the beach, so Hotel Zamora ended up being a perfect choice. Being able to have the ceremony on the rooftop and the reception in their ballroom was perfect for what we were looking for. 

Hotel Zamora had everything we wanted and dreamed of in a wedding venue. The rooftop overlooking the water with the sun setting was the perfect setting for us. The service we received from the hotel was stellar from the beginning of the planning process until the present day. 

St. Pete Beach Rooftop Wedding Ceremony with White Chairs and a Wooden Arch with Blue Drapery | Wedding Venue Hotel Zamora | Tampa Bay Wedding Planner Elegant Affairs by Design
Groom Watches Bride Walk Down the Aisle Wedding Portrait | Elegant Affairs by Design
St. Pete Florida Hotel Rooftop Wedding Ceremony | Hotel Zamora
St. Pete Florida Hotel Rooftop Wedding Ceremony | Hotel Zamora
St. Pete Florida Hotel Rooftop Wedding Ceremony | Hotel Zamora
Bride and Groom First Kiss at Tampa Bay Rooftop Wedding | Venue Hotel Zamora

What did you look for in a wedding planner?

I wanted someone who was personable and knowledgeable about the area. We found all of that and much more with Elegant Affairs by Design.

I met Riley and instantly knew she was the planner for us. She was so sweet and thorough throughout the whole process and made us feel at ease from the very beginning.She was the perfect package of a planner, friend, and therapist when I got anxious about wedding stuff.

Riley was our one source for the wedding planning process. I don’t know what we would have done without her. Thanks to her, our wonderful vendors, and our amazing family and friends it really was our perfect day.

Bride and Groom Just Married Wedding Portrait | St. Pete Beach Wedding Venue Hotel Zamora

Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We were supposed to go to Puerto Rico, but at the last minute, we changed plans and had a mini-moon in Tampa and Clearwater Beach. We plan to take a full destination honeymoon in the next couple of years. We just wanted to be together and near a beach.

Where did you host your bachelorette party?
I took my bridal babes to Miami for a long weekend. I wanted to go somewhere beachy and fun. Miami was the perfect place.

Bride and Groom Intimate Beach Wedding Portrait | Adore Bridal Hair & Makeup
Tampa Bay Outdoor Rooftop Wedding Venue Hotel Zamora

Hotel Zamora had everything we wanted and dreamed of in a wedding venue. The rooftop overlooking the water with the sun setting was the perfect setting for us.”

-The Bride

Neon Wedding Sign with Couples Last Name on Greenery Wall Wedding Décor | Elegant Affairs by Design
Two Tiered Dusty Blue and Rose Gold Ombre Wedding Cake with Rose Gold Cake Topper and Gold Flakes | St. Pete Cake Baker The Artistic Whisk
Two Tiered Dusty Blue and Rose Gold Ombre Wedding Cake with Rose Gold Cake Topper and Gold Flakes | Two Tiered Dusty Blue and Rose Gold Ombre Wedding Cake with Rose Gold Cake Topper and Gold Flakes | St. Pete Cake Baker The Artistic Whisk

What was your wedding cake inspiration? 

Simple but tasty. I found my inspiration for the look of the cake on Pinterest, and The Artistic Whisk delivered in the look and taste of the cake.

I was able to sample their cakes at a bridal show I attended and their flavors were so amazing. They were a front runner for our cake vendor. Once we really got into the planning and my planner gave me cake vendor recommendations, I saw The Artistic Whisk on the list and immediately was sure they were the ones for us.

We had three favorite flavors, cinnamon roll, key lime blueberry, and chocolate chip cream cheese. We decided on the cinnamon roll and key lime blueberry for the main cake, and then I got them to make Markus’s cake in the chocolate chip cream cheese.

Bride and Groom First Dance Portrait | Grant Hemond & Associates

What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
Grant Hemond & Associates was on my radar from a bridal show and my planner's DJ recommendations. Then I learned that they partnered with Hotel Zamora and one of their wedding packages included a DJ from Grant Hemond. We got paired with the wonderful Steve Lange. He was so great. You could really tell he had been playing weddings for a while, and he made everything so easy and fun. My reception guests danced the night away with Steve. 10-star service definitely!

Live Wedding Painter First Dance Wedding Portrait | Grant Hemond & Associates

Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
I honestly had the dream team of vendors. I couldn’t have asked for a better team or a more perfect day. My wedding plannerElegant Affairs by Design will always be my number one just because of the love and effort Rile put into making our day perfect. Our live painter was the biggest surprise for us. I have been to weddings with live painters before so I knew I wanted to have one but our was one-of-a-kind.

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Do yourself a favor and hire Elegant Affairs by Design as your wedding planner. Actually, just hire all my vendors. You won’t regret a single one.

Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.

Vendor Credits

 

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