Alyce and Nick
“The wedding theme really focused on leaning into Florida’s natural beauty and the outdoor spaces at Opal Sands. When looking for venues, I focused on finding a place that could host both an outdoor ceremony and reception, and they checked all the boxes.
I love bright, colorful design and wanted to reflect that in our décor. We had tropical colors throughout the wedding—green, pink, orange, blue, and yellow. I have always leaned towards fun colors and knew our wedding wouldn’t be any different. I was really inspired by our florist and knew she would execute our vision.” -The Bride
FEATURING
Alyce and Nick’s tropical, Clearwater Beach wedding embraced Florida’s natural beauty with an outdoor ceremony overlooking the Gulf and an open-air waterfront reception. The May celebration brought together 115 guests, with pastel tropical florals, woven accents, colorful taper candles, and a brown-and-white checkered dance floor adding playful pops of color throughout the waterfront setting. Alyce and Nick kept the design colorful and fun while letting the water views take center stage.
“We live in St. Petersburg and chose Clearwater Beach for our wedding as a destination wedding for most of our friends and family. We have lived here for a few years and wanted everyone to come and enjoy our new home,” the bride shared. “We wanted our wedding weekend to be a time for people to fully step into the Florida lifestyle. We understand how big of an ask it is for people to travel, and we wanted to maximize our time together, so we focused on hosting a weekend of events across three days. We kept our guest count smaller so we could spend time with friends and family who traveled from around the country to celebrate.”
The Proposal
“Nick proposed at home after cooking a great dinner for just him and me in December. The next day, he had a photographer set up down by the St. Pete Pier for a session to capture the event. It was the perfect combination of intimacy for the two of us to celebrate while also having the memories to look back on together.”
The Venue
Opal Sands Clearwater Beach
“I was looking for a venue with outdoor spaces, near the water, easy logistics for guests, and a variety of food and beverage options. The service at the venue was top-notch. Sophia Dunklin, our event coordinator, was great to work with. They took great care of Nick and me the entire weekend, keeping our stress levels low and letting us enjoy the planning leading up to the event. The staff was great to work with all around.
“The most unique thing about our wedding was the venue itself. Having our ceremony and reception overlooking the water with such breathtaking views really added to how special the day was. The location, food, and drinks were at the top of our list for the wedding, and the venue checked all the boxes. Multiple guests have said the food was the best they have ever had at a wedding. The location was convenient for out-of-town guests and offered plenty of places to stay, restaurants, and daytime activities between events. Because of the venue’s location, we were also able to host a beach day on Saturday.”
The Planning
Blue Skies Weddings and Events
“When looking for a planner, I wanted someone who could step in a few months in advance and help ensure everything was organized. Blue Skies Weddings and Events had many options. It was also clear they had a strong understanding of our venue and preferred vendors, and they helped call out small details I may have missed along the way.
Chris and the Blue Skies team had our wedding day run seamlessly. It truly felt like once the day came and all our planning was done, they were ready to jump in and make things happen. We were able to fully immerse ourselves in the day, knowing that between the staff at the venue and Blue Skies, everything was going to be taken care of.”
From The Photographer
“Alyce and Nick’s wedding at Opal Sands was full of warmth, romance, and Florida sunshine. Lush florals and sweeping Gulf views set the scene for such a heartfelt celebration. Their effortless connection made every moment a joy to photograph, from the sweetest exchanges to a lively evening with family and friends. Their day was truly unforgettable!”
—Buffy Feldman, Lifelong Photography Studio
The Photography
Lifelong Photography Studio
“I wanted a wedding photographer who was well established in the area and could customize our day. Lifelong Photography Studio was highly recommended by both the venue and our planner.
After our first conversation, it was evident they were a good fit. The team was responsive, easy to work with, and even helped us with content creation beyond photography. Buffy Feldman and her team were instrumental in making our day run smoothly. They kept us on schedule while also keeping the day light and fun (even in the heat). They stepped up beyond their traditional duties to ensure we were well taken care of and could relax leading up to our ceremony.”
The Honeymoon
“We’re going to Italy for our honeymoon! I have been before, but Nick has not. We are excited to explore some smaller towns in southern Italy together.”
The Design
“The wedding theme really focused on leaning into Florida’s natural beauty and the outdoor spaces at Opal Sands. When looking for venues, I focused on finding a place that could host both an outdoor ceremony and reception, and they checked all the boxes.
I love bright, colorful design and wanted to reflect that in our décor. We had tropical colors throughout the wedding—green, pink, orange, blue, and yellow. I have always leaned towards fun colors and knew our wedding wouldn’t be any different. I was really inspired by our florist and knew she would execute our vision.”
Most Memorable Moments
“Getting to do a first look with both my dad and Nick was definitely a highlight of the day. I had worked really hard to keep my dress a secret, and it was so exciting to see their raw reactions.
We had disposable cameras set out on all our tables, and when the dance floor opened up, it was so great to see all the guests running around and snapping pictures together. Instead of a traditional guest book, we now have all those candid pictures to look back on.”
The DJ
Tampa Bay DJ Company
“When we were thinking about entertainment for the wedding, we wanted a DJ who could provide a mix of genres throughout the night. Tampa Bay DJ Company came recommended by our planner and venue. They were easy to work with and took a detailed, organized approach to each part of the event that we could tailor.
Throughout the wedding day, DJ Kev helped keep things flowing, was an amazing and engaging MC, and took all our requests and direction to keep the dance floor lively. Music is a huge part of setting the tone for a wedding, and they delivered!”
The Rentals
Gabro Event Services
“We rented our dance floor and the loveseat at our sweetheart table from Gabro Event Services. I had a vision of a brown-and-white checkered floor for our venue, and they were one of the few vendors that offered it!”
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Patchwork Floral was amazing to work with. Lindsey executed our vision perfectly and quickly helped transition the spaces between the ceremony and reception. Her work is so fun and creative. I had the best time working with Jenna and her team at Amber Jenna’s Makeup. They made the wedding morning so fun and relaxing. Tampa Bay DJ Company, and specifically DJ Kev, were amazing. He understood how we wanted to add to each event through the music and kept the party going all night! The venue and Blue Skies also exceeded our expectations.
What advice would you give to other Clearwater Beach couples?
It is really important to make sure you are working with reputable vendors. That is make-or-break for how your day will go and how much stress you have leading up to the wedding.
