Victoria and Lucius’ St. Pete Beach wedding day incorporated a soft mix of lavender, lilac, and grey with pops of greenery for their rooftop wedding ceremony and reception for 105 guests.

“We knew that something as special as a wedding day is only as good as you make it for all those who came to celebrate. By doing very thorough research, we were able to select the best of the best within our budget and overall expectations. Marry Me Tampa Bay provided inspiration from other local Tampa Bay weddings to really help me narrow down our unique ‘theme’ that would best reflect our personalities,” the bride shared.

MORE: ST. PETE BEACH WEDDING INSPIRATION

With a rustic but romantic beach theme in mind, the Atlanta couple selected St. Pete Beach wedding venue Hotel Zamora for their destination Florida wedding. Knowing that she didn’t want a traditional sand ceremony or ballroom experience, the waterfront St. Petersburg hotel was the perfect fit for her 105 guests.

“I wanted to keep a backdrop of the beach for the ceremony and reception in one spot that also had a boutique feel. I loved that it was a newer wedding venue on St. Pete Beach and had a gorgeous Spanish/Mediterranean feel to it. The rooftop ceremony and reception area were exactly what I was looking for, at no point did I feel this was a ‘wedding factory,’” Victoria gushed. “From the moment we stepped inside for a tour of the venue, we experienced the most amazing wedding planning experience and customer service; we knew that they genuinely cared about the overall vision and experience of our wedding.”

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Looking back on their wedding day, the couple couldn’t help but reminisce on their first look and exit.

“The first look with Lucius was so memorable because it was such a special, intimate moment that only he and I will always share. Walking down the aisle shortly was a close second; I am so happy that we chose to see each other for the first time before the ceremony,” Victoria beamed. “Our grand exit by boat was also so amazing! We came down the stairs on the side of the hotel, walked down the pier with our guests holding sparklers, and boarded a private boat that to take us around the bay to enjoy our first moments alone as husband and wife.”

The Proposal:
One day after returning from a work trip, Lucius surprised me at the airport with bags packed and had me convinced we were going to the UF v. LSU game in New Orleans (a game we have been discussing for months since I am a huge Gator fan and he grew up an LSU fan!!). However, knowing my love for the coast, Lucius completely surprised me by bringing us to one of my favorite places in the world instead, Key West. After checking into the resort and wasting no time, he guided me out to the most beautiful spot on the beach and proposed! It couldn’t have been a more perfect and intimate moment for us.

What did you look for in a wedding venue?
I knew for a fact that I wanted our wedding on St. Pete Beach; however, I didn’t want a traditional sand ceremony or ballroom experience. I wanted to keep a backdrop of the beach for the ceremony and reception in one spot that also had a boutique feel. After some research, I came across The Hotel Zamora and learned they hosted weddings on their rooftop.

I loved that The Hotel Zamora was a newer wedding venue on St. Pete Beach and had a gorgeous Spanish/Mediterranean feel to it. The rooftop ceremony and reception area were exactly what I was looking for (at no point did I feel this was a ‘wedding factory’). From the moment we stepped inside for a tour of the venue, we experienced the most amazing wedding planning experience and customer service; we knew that they genuinely cared about the overall vision and experience of our wedding. The staff was extremely detailed, knowledgeable and incredibly accommodating to our specific needs (during the proposal negotiations, throughout the planning process, all the way up to the wedding day). I cannot express how important it is to feel like you are taken care of during the wedding planning phase, and Hotel Zamora exceeded all of our expectations.

How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Rustic, beach, and romantic. I chose this because it was a great reflection of our personalities, and it was a bit different than many of the other wedding themes I was coming across. I wanted to keep it fun and unique.

What were your colors?
A mix of soft lavender, lilac, and grey shades with lots of greenery. I decided this because when arranging all the colors together, they really stood out to me, and it was a great transition of colors going from Florida winter to spring.

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Do your research, select the top 2-3 vendors in each category (venue, flowers, photographer etc.), and make Excel spreadsheets (your new best friend) during the planning process! This will give you more of a visual into how each one compares and will give you the ability to make a more meaningful selection that best fits your needs. This also makes it easier to set a budget and track it with each purchase as the planning progresses. Be sure to interview each vendor and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Remember, they live and breathe the wedding industry and will have some very insightful things to share to make your wedding as special and unique as you and your future husband.

Be open-minded to new ideas and don’t sweat the small stuff. The wedding planning process is an exciting time, so be sure not to take it for granted. Lean on your best girlfriends for any help. I couldn’t do this without them, especially my best friend and Matron of Honor, Morgan.

Ceremony and Reception Venue and Caterer: The Hotel Zamora *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Venue
Photographer: K&K Photography
Videographer: Petit Four Films
Planner: Confetti Events
Florist: 2Birds Events
Rentals: Coast to Coast Event Rentals
Cake: Chantilly Cakes
DJ: Davy Rolando
Officiant: Joe “Big Joe” Stout
Invitations: Minted
Dress Shop: Marisa Bridals
Bridesmaid Dress: Lulus.com & Weddington Way
Hair & Makeup: Style Hair & Makeup
Boat Exit: Coast Side Charters LLC