Ana and Nick
Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg
“Our inspiration was elegant, romantic, spring pastels, in touch with nature. We chose spring pastels: blush, dusty blue, sage, and rosemary. I wanted to really lean into the springtime aesthetic.” -The Bride
FEATURING
Ana and Nick’s downtown St. Petersburg wedding combined a soft palette of pastel hues with an abundance of flora befitting the spring season. Guests witnessed the exchange of vows in a secluded courtyard before touring the museum’s galleriers during cocktail hour and then dining and dancing in the atrium with views of the bay.
“Our inspiration was elegant, romantic, spring pastels, in touch with nature,” the bride shared. “We chose spring pastels: blush, dusty blue, sage, and rosemary. I wanted to really lean into the springtime aesthetic.”
Fresh on the heels of her sister’s wedding, the local St. Pete bride was gifted a list of wedding pros who would be great options for their 180-guest March celebration. Ana relied on Marry Me Tampa Bay to aid in the selection process for a venue and vendors who would help her day stand out as unique and different.
“I used Marry Me Tampa Bay to research my venue and caterer,” the bride explained.
Seeking crowd-pleasing cuisine as the priority, the bride and groom selected an assortment of offerings that would provide their guests a variety of mouth-watering options.
“I wanted a menu that would please everyone. My venue has an exclusive contract with Olympia Catering, so they were my only option, but I would have picked them anyway!” the bride beamed. “For menu items, we really liked our passed appetizers. My favorites were the sushi, chicken and waffle bites, and brie and raspberry tarts!”
Recognizing the value of selecting a seasoned photographer with a creative eye, the couple chose Regina Rached of Regina As The Photographer to artfully document their nuptials. Her balance of traditional-meets-modern was exactly what Ana was looking for.
“I wanted someone who had a real vision, wasn’t afraid of color, and someone with great taste whose opinion I could trust,” the bride revealed. “I loved Regina As The Photographer‘s work, and she came highly recommended! She has a good mix of fun shots and also executes the ‘mandatory shots’ (i.e., family groups, etc) very well!”
“I really loved that we went to take photos in the actual museum with the artwork. This always inspires me,” Regina beamed when recalling the highlights of the day. “The florals were my favorite detail. They were stunning, and there were so many! I also loved the bridesmaids’ dresses because they were different colors and matched the florals perfectly. The first look was so sweet, and I love that the bridesmaids watched from the trolley. And I can’t forget the cat cake toppers, too!”
With a custom playlist in mind, Ana was thrilled to collaborate with DJ Eric of Grant Hemond & Associates, who brought her playlist to life for a truly unforgettable evening.
“I wanted an experienced DJ who cared about the dance floor and had a good handle on how to keep the night moving. Grant Hemond & Associates, and my DJ Eric in particular, are really professional, get the job done, and communicate well. He also went along with my request to have a Taylor Swift power hour, which was a real highlight for me!” the bride raved.
Ana and Nick incorporated their personalities and relationship through various details, including special signature cocktails and song selections.
“Nick and I love our cats, so our cats were our cake toppers and our signature drinks were named after our cats, including an espresso meow-tini,” Ana detailed. “Nick is from West Virginia, and his sister and brother-in-law sang a bluegrass song for the mother/son dance. And I am a huge Taylor Swift fan, so I walked down the aisle to Mabry String’s rendition of Enchanted and had an abbreviated ‘power hour’ on the dance floor with a mini Eras tour playlist! Shout out to DJ Eric!”
When reminiscing about all of the memorable moments throughout the day, it was the first dance with Nick, and the preparations leading up to it, that stood out in Anna’s mind.
“I loved our first dance,” the bride beamed. “We did a choreographed dance, and it was a fun excuse to spend a little extra time together during wedding planning and learn a new skill!”
The Proposal:
Nick took me on a hike in his home state of West Virginia on a gorgeous autumn day and asked on top of a mountain.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Regina Rached of Regina as the Photographer did a great job of coming up with ideas and giving directions. Angela Smith, our wedding planner, is a true standout and made every step of the planning process wonderful! Petals, Presents, and Parties did an incredible job with all of our flowers. They really made the space come to life!
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
It’s smart to invest in a wedding planner and a good photographer! The rest will fall into place.
What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
I wanted someone who had a real vision, wasn’t afraid of color, and someone with great taste whose opinion I could trust. I loved Regina The Photographer’s work, and she came highly recommended! She has a good mix of fun shots and also executes the ‘mandatory shots’ (i.e., family groups, etc) very well!
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We went to Fiji and New Zealand. We wanted to go somewhere both of us had never been.
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
New Smyrna Beach, Florida. My mother and her family are there, and I grew up going there, so I wanted to share this little slice of paradise with my friends.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Our inspiration was elegant, romantic, spring pastels, in touch with nature.
What were your colors?
We chose spring pastels: blush, light blue, sage, and rosemary. I wanted to really lean into the springtime aesthetic.
What was your wedding menu inspiration?
I wanted a menu that everyone would please everyone. My venue has an exclusive contract with Olympia Catering, so they were my only option, but I would have picked them anyway! For menu items, we really liked our passed appetizers. My favorites were the sushi, chicken and waffle bites, and brie and raspberry tarts!
What did you look for in a wedding DJ? I wanted an experienced DJ who cared about the dance floor and had a good handle on how to keep the night moving. Grant Hemond & Associates, and my DJ Eric in particular, are really professional, get the job done, and communicate well. He also went along with my request to have a Taylor Swift power hour, which was a real highlight for me!
