Katie and Steven’s vibrant Clearwater destination wedding was an elegant affair filled with bright flora, beautiful water views, and bohemian details. The couple exchanged vows overlooking the waterfront before hosting a tented reception complete with a lodge-inspired lounge space.

“We either wanted a mountain wedding or a waterfront wedding. With the timing, we decided on Florida since Colorado’s weather would be unpredictable,” the bride shared. “We chose a variety of pinks and magentas based on colors from bougainvillea. I used to live in California, and one of my favorite plants was the bougainvillea, which I would see all around my neighborhood. I incorporated this into the decor and used it as inspiration for the bridesmaid dresses.”

The Colorado couple relied on the planning experts at Parties A La Carte to design and execute their 210-guest November nuptials. While planning from a distance, Katie recognized the importance of having a local expert to facilitate the process and ensure everything ran smoothly.

“I wanted someone who had a great portfolio and who we felt confident could bring our vision to life. We hired Parties A La Carte mainly because of their reputation, and we were very happy with the end result,” the bride gushed. “Jessica Ralph and the team did a great job on the day.  Everything went off without a hitch.  We felt like they really cared and worked hard to make sure we had the wedding of our dreams.”

“When it came to the selection of the venue spaces, Katie and Steve really wanted to create a memorable and enjoyable guest experience. The selection of ceremony, cocktail, and dinner reception came from the desire to be outdoors and the views for the guests to enjoy the Florida sunset,” Jessica Ralph, Owner and Lead Event Planner at Parties A La Carte revealed. “The ceremony took place on the tennis courts with a beautiful ocean backdrop. The couple was framed by a white arch accented with bright blooms of pinks and corals. Cocktail hour was adjacent to the ceremony, keeping the panoramic ocean views. The sailcloth reception tent was adorned with Italian ruscus greenery, floral accents, and an assortment of rattan chandeliers. Designed by MMD Events, this wedding was nothing short of spectacular. The inspiration bloomed from the beautiful yet bold hues of bougainvillea. Vibrant colors, boho accents, and patterned linens were used playfully throughout the design, creating a whimsical yet elegant style.”

With the color palette inspired by the bride’s favorite flower, the creative team at Bloom Shakalaka handcrafted the ceremony and reception flora to incorporate the bright pink boughs. Colorful vines climbed along the ceremony backdrop and crept along the peak of the tented reception above the dance floor while fluffy heads of peonies graced the bouquets and table vases.

“I wanted bold flowers but not overwhelming. I wanted to incorporate bougainvillea and my other favorite flower, peonies,” Katie divulged. “Bloom Shakalaka was recommended through our planner. I thought they were great, and we were very happy with their work.  They took all my notes, and everything turned out exactly as I had envisioned.”

“We loved the challenge and final execution of the dual concepts within one event. Our team got to think outside the box and create something truly special for Katie and Steve’s big day. The couple’s story and personalities shine through the duality of the design between the Florida-inspired ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception tent, followed by the Aspen after-party,” Shanna Trudell, Event Manager at Bloom Shakalaka, beamed. “We incorporated a mix of Peach, Coral, and Hot Pink Ranunculus, Coral Charm Peonies, Juliet Garden Roses, Apricot Sweet Peas, Peach and Hot Pink Bougainvillea, Double White Lisianthus, Peach Stock, Coral Garden Roses, and Smilax. This combination brought a vibrant and lush feel to the Florida-inspired spaces while still maintaining a sense of elegance. The bar was a standout element! Its design was simple yet made a huge impact at the event. The strategic use of florals around the bar area created a focal point that was both inviting and memorable, perfectly complementing the overall design. We loved how this event allowed us to blend vibrant, tropical florals with a cool, mountain-inspired aesthetic. We aimed to create a seamless transition between these contrasting themes, ensuring that each space felt unique yet part of a cohesive story.”

The pair incorporated personal touches throughout the wedding. From their engagement location to their taste in music and cuisine, each element spoke to their personalities and relationship. Guests enjoyed live music during the cocktail hour courtesy of Breezin’ Entertainment, while the artists at Lasting Luxe created a stunning makeup look with an effortless updo that allowed Katie to comfortably dance all night long in the Florida humidity.

Following dinner, guests were directed inside to where Aspen met Florida. The ballroom was transformed into the couple’s very own ski lodge, a theme that played a special role in their love story. 

“The decision to have the dancing portion of the evening separate was driven by the noise ordinance outdoors as well as the Aspen theme the couple wanted to bring to the evening. Moving into the dining room allowed the design to transform the space into a ski lounge resembling Aspen, Colorado!” the planner explained.

“Our decor for the dance area was based on an Aspen Lodge. We wanted to incorporate our Colorado life into the wedding, and we got engaged in Aspen,” the bride gushed. “For dinner, we chose family style because that’s our favorite type of dining. We liked how it felt a little more informal and added something a little fun and different. We also love live music so a good live band was important.”

Although the time spent on the dance floor surrounded by friends and family was truly unforgettable, it was the intimate moments between the two of them that Katie will forever treasure.

“The most memorable moments were when we first saw each other and when we officially became man and wife. We loved the times we could spend just the two of us really soaking everything in,” the bride reminisced. “We also loved the dancing and just being able to let loose and celebrate with all of our friends and family.”

What was your wedding hair and makeup inspiration?
I wanted my hair up because I was worried it’d be too hot down and didn’t want to worry about it all night.  I wanted a simple and natural look for makeup with bolder eyes. 

Lasting Luxe was recommended by my planner, and they were great. They took all my notes from the trial, and I couldn’t have been happier.

The Proposal:
We went on a weekend trip to Aspen, where Steve originally asked me to be his girlfriend. He proposed on a hike we took to Maroon Bells.  Surprisingly, since it was lightly snowing and around 9 a.m. we were the only people there.  It was so beautiful and felt like a winter wonderland; it was very special.

What did you look for in a wedding planner?
I wanted someone who had a great portfolio and who we felt confident could bring our vision to life. 

We hired Parties A La Carte mainly because of their reputation, and we were very happy with the end result. Jessica Ralph and the team did a great job on the day.  Everything went off without a hitch.  We felt like they really cared and worked hard to make sure we had the wedding of our dreams.

What was your wedding floral inspiration?
I wanted bold flowers but not overwhelming. I wanted to incorporate bougainvillea and my other favorite flower, peonies.

Bloom Shakalaka was recommended through our planner. I thought they were great, and we were very happy with their work.  They took all my notes, and everything turned out exactly as I had envisioned.

What did you look for in your live musicians?
We just love what live music brings to an event!

The duo we picked from Breezin’ Entertainment was our favorite that we had seen online; they were great!