Rickey and Christopher’s vibrant St. Pete Beach wedding showcased stunning rooftop views of the Gulf of Mexico and featured a stylish outdoor celebration for 150 guests. Using Marry Me Tampa Bay, the bride and groom discovered local wedding pros and inspiration that brought their tropical fairytale wedding to life.

“I used Marry Me Tampa Bay for inspiration, venue options, and vendor options,” the bride shared. “I wanted the wedding to be close to the water, but I didn’t want everything in the wedding to be blue. With our tropical beachy ambiance and breathtaking venue, we were able to combine beautiful pops of color and gorgeous views of the beach to pull off exactly the vision we had imagined. Our coral and gold color palette really tied everything together perfectly against the sky and the Gulf.”

MORE: ST. PETE BEACH WEDDING INSPIRATION

Showcasing some of Florida’s most beautiful scenery was important for the Miami couple who were ecstatic when they toured St. Pete Beach wedding venue Hotel Zamora.

“We wanted somewhere we could have both the ceremony and the reception outdoors with views of the water for 150 guests. I knew I wanted it to be in the St. Pete area, and we preferred a hotel, as all of Chris’ family was traveling from Boston,” the bride explained. “The two big factors that sold us on Hotel Zamora were the views and the food. I had heard great things about their Castile restaurant and was excited to have a wedding menu that would really impress our guests. The team made sure everything was beyond perfect the entire weekend!”

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In search of a wedding photographer who could help them feel comfortable in front of the camera, Rickey and Christopher turned to Lifelong Photography Studio.

“After meeting Cheryl, we felt so comfortable hiring Lifelong. We really loved the fact that we were able to do a photo session a few months before the wedding to allow us to feel comfortable with posing, but natural at the same time. It allowed us more time to get to know Cheryl and Emily before they captured our big day,” the bride shared. “Cheryl and Emily really wowed me with their service. They were professional, friendly, and it felt so natural having them there. They listened to our feedback on the shots we wanted and truly made sure we captured every single moment we didn’t even know we wanted!”

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Wanting her bridesmaids to feel beautiful in their own skin, Rickey enlisted the help of Bella Bridesmaids for their large selection of dress colors and styles.

“I had shopped at the Bella Bridesmaids Tampa location for my best friend’s wedding and really enjoyed the experience. I knew I wanted to bring my group there when I tied the knot,” the bride beamed. “I also had two bridesmaids who weren’t local, and it was super easy for them to go to a Bella location near them if they needed to.”

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Looking back on their wedding day, Rickey and Christopher enjoyed taking a few moments away from guests to reflect on their ceremony.

“I really enjoyed the alone time we shared together on the beach taking pictures before dinner,” the bride reminisced. “We were able to walk along the beach in peace and really just take in the moment. The day was so busy and getting to just talk, laugh, breathe, and really cherish our special day made it that much sweeter.”

What were your wedding hair and makeup inspiration?
I’m so bad at hair and makeup! I had no photos picked out or anything. I just knew I wanted my hair down.

I was the maid of honor in a wedding that had also hired Michele Renee The Studio and knew I would be getting top quality service when I booked them. Darlene truly made me feel like I was a bride while keeping my look natural and true to myself.

What did you look for when picking out your bridesmaids attire?
My friends all have very different body types so I needed something that would look good on everyone, but also match my color scheme and vision. I was able to find a great flowy wrap dress in the perfect bright coral!

I had shopped at the Bella Bridesmaids Tampa location for my best friend’s wedding and really enjoyed the experience. I knew I wanted to bring my group there when I tied the knot. I also had two bridesmaids who weren’t local, and it was super easy for them to go to a Bella location near them if they needed to.

The Proposal:
Chris proposed on St. Pete Beach while our families hid at Bongos Beach Bar! He knew it was important for me to have both of our parents there for the special moment!

What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
I wanted someone that we could be comfortable around, so they could capture us being natural together.

After meeting Cheryl, we felt so comfortable hiring Lifelong Photography Studios. We really loved the fact that we were able to do a photo session a few months before the wedding to allow us to feel comfortable with posing, but natural at the same time. It allowed us more time to get to know Cheryl and Emily before they captured our big day. They really wowed me with their service. They were professional, friendly, and it felt so natural having them there. They listened to our feedback on the shots we wanted and truly made sure we captured every single moment we didn’t even know we wanted!

What did you look for in a wedding venue?
We wanted somewhere we could have both the ceremony and the reception outdoors with views of the water for 150 guests. I knew I wanted it to be in the St. Pete area, and we preferred a hotel, as all of Chris’ family was traveling from Boston.

The two big factors that sold us on Hotel Zamora were the views and the food. I had heard great things about their Castile restaurant and was excited to have a wedding menu that would really impress our guests. The team was so welcoming and helpful! They made sure everything was beyond perfect the entire weekend!

How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
I knew I wanted the wedding to be close to the water, but I didn’t want everything at the wedding to be blue. With our tropical beachy ambiance and breathtaking venue, we were able to combine beautiful pops of color and gorgeous views of the beach to pull off exactly the vision we had imagined.

What were your colors?
Coral and gold. I loved the bright pop the coral gave against the sky and the Gulf!

What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
We have varied music tastes and guests of all ages so we wanted someone who could do it all!

Grant Hemond & Associates had been recommended to us by multiple venues and people we talked to so it was a no brainer! Craig took the time to get to know us in a very detailed manner, which I was really impressed by. He included the key songs we requested but was also able to assess our tastes and play songs we didn’t ask for but loved!

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
There are so many great venues and vendors in our area, it’s tough to go wrong. What really helped me decide was meeting them in person to ensure they understood my vision. It was also important for me to feel comfortable with everyone who played a role in our wedding. At the end of the day, it was the most important day of our lives, and I wanted to have a connection with everyone involved!

Ceremony, Reception Venue, and Caterer: Hotel Zamora *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Venue
Photographer: Lifelong Photography Studios *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Videographer: Lens Culture Photography
Planner: Blue Skies Events and Weddings
Florist: Iza’s Flowers
Rentals: Gabro Event Services *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Cake: Publix
DJ: Grant Hemond & Associates – Craig Hemond *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Officiant: Kevin Noonan
Invitations: Minted
Dress: Made With Love Bridal
Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids – Joanna August *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Hair and Makeup: Michele Renee The Studio *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Jeweler: Morays Jewelers