St. Pete Beach – The iconic “Pink Palace” hotel features 38,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, plus 277 guest rooms (including 36 suites), a variety of culinary experiences among their four restaurants, two resort-style pools, and an 11,000 square foot on-site spa, all nestled directly on the white sugar sands of St. Pete Beach.
The resort is popular for local couples and destination weddings alike. Be it a vacation or staycation, guests have an opportunity to immerse themselves in true Florida style as they enjoy the private beach, luxurious amenities, and local fare. Service is personal and attentive thanks to the Don CeSar’s family of staff, many of whom have been with the property for over 20 years.
Couples can choose from several ceremony and reception locations, including the Don’s exclusive beach with views of the Gulf of Mexico or the secluded courtyard with dramatic staircase backdrop, along with the newly renovated ballrooms and attached balconies.
The Ceremony:
The Don CeSar offers outdoor ceremony locations on the beach or in our Courtyard as well as indoors in our elegant, light-filled ballrooms. Our ceremony packages include the Event Space, an indoor weather backup location, White Garden Chairs, a Fruit-Infused Water Station, and an Audio Package with a speaker and microphone for your officiant.
- $3,500 (plus Administrative charge and sales tax)
The Cocktail Hour:
Each of our reception locations has an included cocktail hour space which includes Cocktail Tables, Chairs, and House Linen in White, Black, or Navy as well as any food and beverage set up.
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- Included in reception food and Beverage minimum
The Reception:
The Don CeSar has a variety of recently renovated ballrooms to accommodate a variety of group sizes for the reception.
- Up to 250 guests
- Wedding packages are a total of 4 hours including cocktail hour. There is an option to extend an additional hour – additional fees apply.
Included in the food and beverage minimum for your reception are tables, chairs, house linens in white, black, and navy blue as well as china, flatware, glassware, and all food/beverage service equipment. We also have table numbers and votive candles available upon request.
The Food & Drink:
The Don CeSar offers a wide variety of unique menus and can customize a menu just for your special event. Food and beverage minimum varies per ballroom; the range of $7,500-$40,000, with a $265/person average meal cost.
Pricing:
Overall package pricing including bar starts at $265 per person plus service charge and tax
Meet Kasey Bussell
Kasey Bussell is the Director of Events at The Don CeSar. With over 13 years of experience managing Weddings and Social Events, Kasey has an unwavering commitment and passion for helping couples transform the wedding of their dreams into a stunning reality. Living most of her life in Michigan, she began her career in Corporate Communications and Events following college, followed by 10 years in the music industry. She studied for her Masters’ Degree in Professional Communications at Purdue University, and has a Certificate in Hospitality & Tourism Management from Florida Atlantic University College of Business. She is recognized for being detail-oriented, responsive, and calming for the pre-wedding nerves that undoubtedly arise, and she has a passion for all things weddings.
“I found my true calling and passion in helping couples plan for one of the most important days in their lives. We have a dedicated team of professionals ensuring every detail for your event is covered, where the mastery of our Culinary team delights every palate, in an iconic and stunning historical location. Celebrations at our beautiful Pink Palace create memories that will last a lifetime.”
Website
727-363-5042
The Don CeSar Hotel Reviews from Marry Me Tampa Bay Couples:
Marry Me Tampa Bay curates the below reviews from real couples whom we've personally interviewed. As Tampa Bay's most trusted wedding planning resource, these reviews are 100% accurate and aren't created by fake accounts.
Romantic Blush, Blue, and Ivory St Pete Beach Wedding | The Don CeSar
We wanted something upscale and elegant with breathtaking views. It was so nice to ‘wow’ my guests in the courtyard and on the terrace without having to toes in the sand. After all, I am a lover of designer shoes and couldn’t imagine leaving them behind. Since the majority of our wedding guests were from out-of-town, coming from a winter weather environment, it was important for us to have everyone experience the beauty of St. Pete Beach! We loved that our guests would be able to stay at the resort and feel as though they were on a tropical vacation. I may be partial to The Don CeSar since I am lucky enough to work for the resort, and I knew that the team would be able to exceed every expectation. It was extremely special to have all of my coworkers be able to be a part of my big day!
Who else can say that they have worked, married, played, and stayed at Florida’s ‘Pink Palace? The cherry on top is my new last name! Kassel, pronounced “Castle.”
Food was absolutely at the top of our list. With Matt being from New York and me from Connecticut, we had high standards of what we wanted throughout the night. We tasked the culinary team at The Don to find a way to incorporate Florida cuisine with an ode to our Northern routes. The team took the challenge and ran with it! We ended up with a South Florida station featuring grouper bites and then lobster bisque shooters to represent classic New England and a full Italian pastry display for dessert for a true New York feel. They fully understood what we wanted our guests to experience.
Blush Pink and White St. Pete Beach Wedding | The Don CeSar
“The Don CeSar is a Tampa Bay icon, as well as being beautiful and timeless both inside and out. We loved the Grand Ballroom. Their Beach House Suites made it easy for families to stay together, but also close by. The service at the Don CeSar was exceptional. Everyone was so helpful, efficient and professional. Lauren Jones (our venue coordinator) was also another huge reason we felt at ease. She was always available via email or phone and was so helpful with different ideas.”
Blush Pink and White St. Pete Beach Wedding | The Don CeSar
“The second we pulled up to the Don CeSar, my heart melted, and I knew. There is no better venue in St. Pete. The service was amazing; they pay attention to every detail. The views were incredible. Just thinking about it now, brings a smile to my face!”
“We wanted something that would accommodate all of our guests especially the ones traveling from out-of-town. We also wanted it to be a vacation getaway for them, not just to go to a wedding for the night. The Don was the first place we looked at outside of Sarasota and as soon as I saw it I just knew it was the place. It has beach access, is beautiful, close to the airport, is resort style with no need to rent a car and is an amazing New Year's Eve party for those who stayed the weekend! It was perfect!”
1920’s Inspired Glamorous St. Pete Beach Wedding | Don CeSar Hotel
“We wanted something that would accommodate all of our guests especially the ones traveling from out-of-town. We also wanted it to be a vacation getaway for them, not just to go to a wedding for the night. The Don was the first place we looked at outside of Sarasota and as soon as I saw it I just knew it was the place. It has beach access, is beautiful, close to the airport, is resort style with no need to rent a car and is an amazing New Year's Eve party for those who stayed the weekend! It was perfect!”
Romantic Blush Pink, Gold & Ivory St. Pete Beach Wedding | The Don CeSar
“The Don CeSar is such a historic location, and it's our view from Brett's parent's place along the intercoastal. The Don was perfect because the gorgeous courtyard was the happy medium to provide us with that outdoor, beach-y feel without being on the actual beach. I also fell in love with the terrace on the fifth floor which was where we had cocktail hour, as well as the two levels of the Grand Ballroom where we had our reception. The service was exceptional from the moment we checked in through the rehearsal dinner, ceremony, cocktail, reception and through checking out.”
