Emily and David
“Our wedding theme was vintage romance. We both feel like we are old souls and are hopeless romantics. We researched themes, and vintage romance spoke to us the most. Our colors were white, pinks, and burgundy.”
-The Bride
FEATURING
Emily and David’s vintage romance downtown St. Pete wedding was a March celebration in white, pinks, and burgundy, filled with old-school music, a pasta station, and personal touches for their 100 guests.
“We live in St. Petersburg, and we chose this area because it was close to all of our family and friends. It was also a great location for guests who flew in to explore the city or the beaches. Ninety percent of our guests flew in from Illinois and New York,” the bride shared. “We incorporated our personalities through the theme, music, flowers, pastor, and food. The most important elements were food and music! We are big metalheads, so we walked out into the reception to Enter Sandman by Metallica and wore Vans with the metal sign.”
Researching Wedding Vendors
“I found the majority of our vendors on Instagram. I also researched some vendors on Marry Me Tampa Bay and read reviews, and I researched them based on pictures as well.”
The Bach Party & Honeymoon
“I did not want a bachelorette party, but my sister threw me a secret one a few days before my wedding. A bunch of us stayed at The Vinoy for a night. The next morning, we got massages and drank mimosas.
We spent our honeymoon on an adults-only cruise. We went to Mexico and the Bahamas; however, we never docked in the Bahamas because it was too windy. We chose a budget-friendly trip because we are trying to save for a house!”
The Proposal
“We went kayaking at Crystal River and wanted to go to the little private beach nearby. Little did we know, it was high tide, and the beach was covered in about two feet of water, but that didn’t stop David. He got down on one knee in the water and proposed!”
The Most Memorable Moments
“The most memorable moment of our wedding was the ceremony, because all of our friends and family were in one room smiling as we were coming down the aisle. Being able to just focus on us during our wedding vows was an unbelievable feeling.
We also had a last dance where it was just us. The guests were outside preparing for the sparkler exit. It was a magical moment.”
The Venue
NOVA 535
“We looked for a more all-inclusive package so there was less stress on us, and we could enjoy the wedding planning process. We wanted a space for the ceremony, a separate space for the reception, and a space that matched our theme. We were also looking for a budget-friendly option.
NOVA 535 was beautiful! They had the separate spaces that we wanted, and they were amazing at communication. They also provided an all-inclusive package and decor to use, and they assisted us throughout the entire process. You even got a wedding coordinator the day of.”
The Inspiration
“Our wedding theme was vintage romance. We both feel like we are old souls and are hopeless romantics. We researched themes, and vintage romance spoke to us the most. Our colors were white, pinks, and burgundy.”
From The Venue
“We were thrilled to host Emily and David’s special day! You could feel the love between them all night long. They were such a pleasure to work with throughout the planning process, which carried through to a seamless, joyful, and unforgettable wedding!”
—April Choura, NOVA 535
The Experience
“We love old-school music, so the DJ played songs from the 1980s, ’90s, and early 2000s. We are big foodies, so we chose a buffet and a delicious pasta station.
Our wedding was unique because we made certain things personal to us. Our personalities were brought out in the ceremony music, reception music, wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses, the groom’s suit, our wedding food and dessert, our wedding cake (the saying on it was from the show The Originals), the shoes we changed into, and the fun accessories passed around during the reception.”
The DJ
Grant Hemond & Associates
“We looked for someone who was very outgoing and who would get people on the dance floor. We also wanted someone who knew how to mix music and who was open to playing different genres.
We chose Grant Hemond & Associates because they matched us with a DJ based on what we wanted! We were instantly drawn to his personality. Their service was outstanding, and they were a great budget-friendly option.”
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
“Every vendor exceeded our expectations; however, Small Things Flower Co did such an outstanding job. From the floral arrangements on the tables to the positioning of the arrangements on our pedestals at the altar, she truly exceeded our expectations. The kindness that she showed throughout the event was second to none. She truly went above and beyond, and the florals completed the wedding. Her floral designs are out of this world.”
What advice would you give to other St. Pete couples?
“Research the vendors and research the venue. Look at as many places as possible. Don’t rush into anything. Some of the best vendors are small businesses. Hire the person who is hungry to grow their business and will put their all in, because it will turn out better than expected.”
