Elizabeth and Carson's waterfront St. Petersburg wedding combined tropical elements such as bamboo chairs, exotic flora, and greenery accented with fresh-cut citrus, paired with gold charger plates and modern acrylic escort cards. After exchanging vows in front of a gazebo in the sand, the bride and groom hosted their guests in a formal dinner reception, followed by an energetic dance party.
“Our theme was tropical elegance. We wanted a mix of fun Florida vibes with a classic touch,” the bride shared. “Our colors were eucalyptus green, gold, white, and light pink. We felt that these colors together really created the tropical elegance style that we wanted. Green is also my favorite color.”
The Tennessee couple originally met while attending the University of South Florida and wanted to honor the beginning of their love story when selecting their wedding location.
“St. Petersburg feels like home to us and is where our love started. Getting married in the area felt like the right way to honor our love,” the bride revealed. “During my initial planning phase, I used Marry Me Tampa Bay to get a feel of the venues in the area.
Upon visiting the picturesque, secluded space at Isla Del Sol Yacht & Country Club, they immediately knew it would be the perfect backdrop for their 100-guest April celebration.
“We wanted a venue near the water that was not going to be packed with beachgoers. It was very important to us to have everything we needed in one place. Isla Del Sol Yacht & Country Club was amazing! As soon as we saw the ceremony spot and its proximity to the water, we knew that we wanted it,” Elizabeth beamed. “You're standing 40 feet from the shore by beautiful boats, and the best part is that there is no one else around. The venue also offers a reception space, cocktail hour space, and getting-ready rooms. The seated dinner was amazing, and the food options were 100 times better than other venues that only offer basic wedding food. We had mahi mahi, grouper, and steak on our wedding day. I could go on and on about how amazing the venue was.”
Since they were planning from several states away, Elizabeth and Carson wanted a local wedding planner who knew which vendors could bring their vision to life.
“I wanted someone who was friendly, well-networked in the community, and made us feel special. Katy Martin with Coastal Coordinating is outstanding and really goes above and beyond for her clients,” the bride gushed. “She had a very warm and kind energy and truly wanted the best for her clients and business. She even sent me flowers when I lost a loved one before the wedding. She is a great person all around.
The pair personalized their wedding festivities to reflect their personalities and relationship, from the custom ceremony script and vows to the selection of music that created an epic dance party that evening.
“The most important part was the ceremony. We wanted it to be about us, our love, and provide a message that Love is a Choice. We spent a lot of time forming the ceremony script. We each wrote and recited our own personal vows, which made the moment feel so incredibly special. We had a close friend as an officiant, recited our personal vows to each other at the altar, and curated the music to exemplify our unique taste,” the bride detailed. “We are both fun, energetic people who love to dance, so we threw what felt like a real EDM dance party. It was amazing!”
With their reception at the forefront of their planning priorities, the bride and groom sought a DJ who could balance professional emcee services while also creating a vibrant party atmosphere and keeping the dance floor packed throughout the celebration. They turned to DJ Jason Tally at Grant Hemond & Associates, who exceeded all of their expectations.
“Grant Hemond & Associates is known as the best from everyone we talked to. They have outstanding recommendations, and now we know why. Jason was the best DJ of all time!” Elizabeth raved. “He loves tropical house music like us and really got our party going. We danced so hard that the floors and chandeliers were shaking.”
The couple sang and danced the night away, surrounded by friends and family. The last song of the evening, in particular, stood out as a core memory for Elizabeth.
“The reception dancing was the most memorable moment. We truly popped off and danced our hearts out,” the bride reminisced. “The last song we played was Love Story by Taylor Swift, and because everyone knew the words and sang along, it was a magical moment.”
What was your wedding day beauty inspiration?
I wanted to feel like vintage luxury with a modern and simple aesthetic.
Adore Bridal Hair and Makeup does an incredible job with hair and make-up. The airbrush technique they offer feels like a spa service, and everyone truly loved how they looked at the wedding.
They also provided a group rate that gave me the opportunity to do something nice for my bridesmaids/men. They were so fun on the wedding day and really vibed with my group. It was not awkward at all, and I loved them being there.
The Proposal:
Carson and I planned a trip to Oahu, Hawaii, to get away from the stressors of residency. Behind the scenes, he had been planning a beautiful proposal.
On the first day of the trip, he took me to Makapuu beach, where I walked onto a sandy area that had a sign marked with the question “Will you marry me?” The site was stunning. I was totally shocked! Being able to spend the week after together in Hawaii was a dream come true.
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
We wanted a venue near the water that was not going to be packed with beachgoers. It was very important to us to have everything we needed in one place.
Isla Del Sol Yacht & Country Club was amazing! As soon as we saw the ceremony spot and its proximity to the water, we knew that we wanted it. You're standing 40 feet from the shore by beautiful boats, and the best part is that there is no one else around.
The venue also offers a reception space, cocktail hour space, and getting-ready rooms. The seated dinner was amazing, and the food options were 100 times better than other venues that only offer basic wedding food. We had mahi mahi, grouper, and steak on our wedding day. I could go on and on about how amazing the venue was.
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
I wanted someone who was friendly, well-networked in the community, and made us feel special.
Katy Martin with Coastal Coordinating is outstanding and really goes above and beyond for her clients. She had a very warm and kind energy and truly wanted the best for her clients and business. She even sent me flowers when I lost a loved one before the wedding. She is a great person all around.
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
We chose Fort Lauderdale because I wanted to be in the warm sun, on a boat, and feel a little bougie with my besties. It was amazing.
What did you look for in a photo/video team?
What I looked for in a wedding photo/video team was a team that was fun to be around, easygoing, demonstrated artistic flair, and had a passion for creating cinematic masterpieces. We did not want a traditional wedding video, instead we wanted a short film, where the editing evoked emotions and you could truly feel that the film had its own pulse.
This is exactly what Bonnie Newman of Mars and The Moon Films creates. Her skills with editing and capturing the details of a day is out of this world. Her husband, Jon, supports this talent equally through his photography.
We wanted photos that felt like art pieces, which is exactly what he delivered. Together, they bring a great energy to your wedding journey and really emphasize being comfortable and authentic. I am so in love with our wedding photos and film and highly recommend Mars and The Moon!
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We went to Costa Rica right after the wedding, and it was perfect. We love the tropics, and it was the perfect place to relax and recharge after all that planning!
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Our theme was tropical elegance. We wanted a mix of fun Florida vibes with a classic touch.
What were your colors?
Our colors were eucalyptus green, gold, white, and light pink. We felt that these colors together really created the tropical elegance style that we wanted. Green is also my favorite color.
What was your floral inspiration?
I loved Monarch Events and Design‘s vibe. The owner, Jean King, is so kind and really makes you feel special. I really appreciated her listening to my vision and helping us decide on a reasonable floral plan. She doesn't try to oversell you on florals, and that meant a lot to us.
What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
Grant Hemond & Associates is known as the best from everyone we talked to. They have outstanding recommendations, and now we know why. Jason was the best DJ of all time!
He loves tropical house music like us and really got our party going. We danced so hard that the floors and chandeliers were shaking.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Grant Hemond, Adore Me Bridal, and Mars & the Moon Films and photography. All of these vendors really showed up for us that day and made us feel special. Their energy was great, they were kind, and I truly enjoyed interacting with them on such a special day.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Take the time to make your wedding about you and your partner. It's so easy to get lost in wedding trends and other people's opinions, but you want the day to feel like your love is shining through.
If you don't want to do something, then don't do it! If you do, go for it! But only if you and your partner want to, not because someone else wants you to.
