Sierra and Zack’s tropical, destination St. Petersburg wedding captured the timeless charm of old Florida with a breezy atmosphere, vibrant palette of pink, orange, and peach hues, and lush florals.

“The theme of our wedding was bright, tropical, and inspired by old Florida,” the bride shared. “We loved incorporating shades of orange, pink, and peach throughout the day, from the multicolored bridesmaids’ dresses and florals to the invites and decor. Given the Florida heat, our garden attire dress code called for light colors, linens, and floral prints. These colors are my favorite, and we wanted something unique and vibrant. Neutral tones were never part of our vision; we knew we wanted to do something out of the ordinary.”

The Tennessee bride and groom chose St. Pete Beach for their Florida destination wedding to combine their love of travel with a stunning coastal setting, offering their guests an unforgettable experience filled with sunshine, vibrant local culture, and the ease of a domestic destination. The summer wedding took place at the St. Pete Beach Community Center on a picturesque waterfront, featuring a stunning deconstructed arch of tropical blooms set against the sweeping views of Boca Ciega Bay. The celebration continued in the 3,000-square-foot Boca Ciega Ballroom, where Sierra and Zack danced the night away with 135 guests who traveled from across the country to share in their special day.

“Zack and I live in Clarksville, Tennessee, just outside of Nashville. We moved here earlier this year and are originally from Omaha, Nebraska,” the bride revealed. “We chose St. Pete Beach for its beautiful beaches, great restaurants, and abundance of activities. We’ve always dreamed of a destination wedding, and Tampa International Airport made travel easy for our guests, allowing them to enjoy a long weekend trip without the hassle of international travel.”

To capture all the memories, the pair sought experienced beach wedding photographer, Amber McWhorter Photography, known for their stunning sunset portraits.

“We wanted someone who could keep up with our large wedding party and multiple venue stops while ensuring we felt comfortable,” the bride shared. “I chose Amber McWhorter Photography because she immediately put me at ease and reassured me that, no matter the weather, our photos would turn out beautifully. With her excellent reputation and experience photographing many weddings in the area, I was confident she would capture the candid moments we always envisioned for our portraits.”

While traditional wedding photography captures the lasting memories of the day, the couple also wanted real-time, candid moments they could relive almost immediately.

“I wanted to hire a content creator to have highlights from the day within 24 to 48 hours. I wanted those small, fleeting moments captured, and Behind the Vows did an incredible job ensuring every special detail had its own clip. I love being able to create multiple reels from the hundreds of videos they delivered,” the bride gushed. “We chose Behind the Vows for their strong reputation in the area, and they exceeded all of my expectations. They knew exactly what to capture and delivered beautifully! It felt like having two extra friends with us for the day. Gabi and Sarah were both professional and personable. They even asked whether they should dress like guests or vendors, and I left it up to them. They showed up in the cutest dresses that matched our wedding colors and vibe perfectly. I’m now recommending to all my engaged friends to hire a content creator. It’s one of the best decisions I made, and I would choose to do it a million times over!”

Food and drink were a priority for the couple, as they wanted to host the ultimate celebration, which even included a beach bar pit stop prior to the ceremony, followed by a hearty buffet with flowing drinks.

“We wanted everyone to have options, and Amici’s Catered Cuisine delivered with a fantastic menu,” the bride raved. “Their selection of butler-passed hors d’oeuvres was a huge hit, from parmesan garlic fries served in cones and mini BLT tartlets to Cajun chicken fingers on a stick and sesame noodle spoons. For dinner, we opted for a buffet featuring chicken parmesan and flank steak, both of which were delicious. The service was phenomenal, and they were incredibly accommodating to guests with allergies and dietary restrictions. The bar service was also excellent, allowing us to customize the selection of seltzers and beers. Amici’s truly exceeded our expectations.”

The bride dazzled in a strapless sweetheart gown adorned with vintage sheet lace, striking the perfect balance between timeless elegance and modern flair. A daring center slit added a hint of drama to the classic design, while her hair, styled in a romantic wavy half-updo, exuded effortless beauty. To complete her tropical-inspired look, she stepped out in vibrant fuchsia heels, a bold and unforgettable pop of color that echoed the vibrancy of paradise.

Out of all the memories from the wedding day, Sierra cherished several unforgettable moments.

“Getting ready at the Sirata with my best friends, mom, and mother-in-law was so much fun and memorable. We sipped mimosas, danced to 2000s hits, and created fun content with our wedding newspapers. Another favorite moment was the first look. It was a very hot day, and we scouted out several spots beforehand, but they were all in direct sunlight. I didn’t want to melt before the day even started! Once we found the perfect shaded spot, we shared our personal vows privately. It was such an intimate moment filled with laughter, tears, and candid memories captured by Behind the Vows,” the bride reminisced. “Our reception was another highlight; it was the most fun I’ve ever had! We danced the night away, and the dry ice party gun added an extra thrill. Our sunset photos were pure magic. We slipped away from the reception for about half an hour and headed to the beach with our photographer and content creators. It was so special to have that quiet time as newlyweds, and the photos and videos we received were absolutely breathtaking. We’re in love with every single one.”

The Proposal: 
Zack planned a dinner downtown at 801 Chophouse and told me to dress fancy. I had a feeling something special was coming since he rarely makes reservations for us. He even ordered the most expensive item on the menu — I still don’t know how many ounces of Wagyu he ate!

After dinner, we were full, but he insisted we order dessert. Little did I know it would come out with ‘Will you marry me?’ written in chocolate! Zack got down on one knee and popped the question. He had even hired an old friend to take photos and capture the moment.

To top it off, he coordinated an engagement party with family and friends to celebrate immediately afterward. It was the perfect day!”

What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
We wanted someone who could keep up with our large wedding party and multiple venue stops while ensuring we felt comfortable.

I chose Amber McWhorter Photography because she immediately put me at ease and reassured me that, no matter the weather, our photos would turn out beautifully. With her excellent reputation and experience photographing many weddings in the area, I was confident she would capture the candid moments we always envisioned for our portraits.

Why did you choose to hire a wedding content creator?
I wanted to hire a content creator to have highlights from the day within 24 to 48 hours. I wanted those small, fleeting moments captured, and Behind the Vows did an incredible job ensuring every special detail had its own clip. I love being able to create multiple reels from the hundreds of videos they delivered.

We chose Behind the Vows for their strong reputation in the area, and they exceeded all of my expectations. They knew exactly what to capture and delivered beautifully! It felt like having two extra friends with us for the day. Gabi and Sarah were both professional and personable. They even asked whether they should dress like guests or vendors, and I left it up to them. They showed up in the cutest dresses that matched our wedding colors and vibe perfectly. I’m now recommending to all my engaged friends to hire a content creator. It’s one of the best decisions I made, and I would choose to do it a million times over!

What was your wedding menu inspiration?
We wanted everyone to have options, and Amici’s Catered Cuisine delivered with a fantastic menu.Their selection of butler-passed hors d’oeuvres was a huge hit, from parmesan garlic fries served in cones and mini BLT tartlets to Cajun chicken fingers on a stick and sesame noodle spoons. For dinner, we opted for a buffet featuring chicken parmesan and flank steak, both of which were delicious.

The service was phenomenal, and they were incredibly accommodating to guests with allergies and dietary restrictions. The bar service was also excellent, allowing us to customize the selection of seltzers and beers. Amici’s truly exceeded our expectations.