Madeline and Quentin’s one-of-a-kind downtown St. Pete wedding perfectly captured their love with two unique venues, a gorgeous outdoor reception, and plenty of dancing under the stars.
“We didn’t really have a theme, but we did joke that our was theme was somewhat Surreal Love since we were at the Dali! Both our venues had such strong personalities that I wanted to find ways to compliment them instead of taking away from their stand-alone charm,” the bride expressed. “We really wanted everything to feel soft and romantic, but also modern and a little lux.”
MORE: DOWNTOWN ST. PETE WEDDING INSPIRATION
Planning a wedding from west the coast, Madeline utilized Marry Me Tampa Bay for inspiration and research, where she found St. Pete wedding planner and designer UNIQUE Weddings + Events.
“I interviewed several wedding planners before I found Staci from UNIQUE Weddings + Events. Since we live in Seattle, I wanted to find someone who I could communicate with easily over the phone. I found Staci from Marry Me Tampa Bay, and then she found the rest of my vendors,” the bride explained. “I am in no way someone who is good with details, so I needed someone who could handle all the little things I knew I would forget. Staci is an amazing, talented individual who puts together amazing weddings! I loved all of her previous work, and she was so easy to talk to! She was such a champ and never complained. She did an amazing job, and I could not have done it without her!”
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Looking for a downtown St. Pete wedding venue that embodied their vision of a modern and unique space with sophisticated elegance, the bride and groom chose for Station House St. Pete for their ceremony and cocktail hour.
“I used Marry Me Tampa Bay to stalk other people’s weddings who were getting married at my same venue,” the bride joked. “Our wedding planner recommended Station House St. Pete for the ceremony since it was right down the street from our reception venue. I loved the space. It was kind of industrial chic and had plenty of artwork to look at. What really sold me though was the food. We had cocktail hour there, and their food was incredible!”
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After the “I do’s,” the destination wedding couple took their guests on a tour of downtown St. Pete, New Orleans style.
“After the ceremony and cocktail hour at Station House, the entire wedding did a second line from there to the reception location. This included everyone wearing personalized sunglasses and swinging personalized cloth napkins. A three-piece band led the way with the couple carrying their personalized umbrellas in front,” Staci Mandikas, owner of UNIQUE Weddings + Events shared. “I continually had to run in front of traffic to hold the cars off, so we could keep everyone together.”
When guests arrived at the outdoor garden-like reception in the heart of downtown, they were greeted by elegant neutral linens and blush pink napkins from Over the Top Rental Linens and smoky clear chairs from rental and decor company A Chair Affair.
The three-tiered wedding cake dripping with a gold glaze and ombre textured design was more than just a dessert, it was a showstopping design.
“The Artistic Whisk was seriously amazing, and their service was fantastic. We met with them once, chose the flavor, and designed the cake. The process was really easy and they knew exactly what they were doing,” the bride gushed. “Not to mention, the day of, the cake looked even better than I could have imagined.”
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Reminiscing about their special day, the bride will never forget marching through downtown with a crowd of people and a full band.
“The second line was one of the coolest moments of my life. It was so crazy walking through downtown St. Pete with a band and all my wedding guests,” Madeline gleamed. “The other memorable moment was our first look. We went back to Eckerd College and did our first look in the exact spot where we met! It was such a special moment for us being in the place where we first fell in love!”
What did you look for in a wedding ceremony venue?
Our wedding planner, Staci recommended Station House St. Pete for the ceremony since it was right down the street from our reception venue. I loved the space. It was kind of industrial chic and had plenty of artwork to look at. Overall, I felt as though it complemented our reception venue well and would be an interesting space for our guests. What really sold me though was the food. We had cocktail hour there, and their food was incredible!
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
I interviewed several wedding planners before I found Staci from UNIQUE Weddings + Events. Since we live in Seattle, I wanted to find someone who I could communicate with easily over the phone. I also wanted someone who had worked with The Dali before. I am in no way someone who is good with details, so I needed someone who could handle all the little things I knew I would forget. I found Staci from Marry Me Tampa Bay, and then she found the rest of my vendors. Staci is an amazing, talented individual who puts together amazing weddings! I loved all of her previous work, and she was so easy to talk to! The time difference was no problem for her and we would frequently talk on the phone 9-10 pm her time. She was such a champ and never complained. She did an amazing job, and I could not have done it without her!
I want to learn more about rentals from Over the Top Rental Linens
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What did you look for in a wedding bakery?
I wanted a cake that looked as good as it tasted! The Artistic Whisk was seriously amazing and their service was fantastic. We met with them once, chose the flavor, and designed the cake. The process was really easy and they knew exactly what they were doing. Not to mention, the day of, the cake looked even better than I could have imagined.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
We didn’t really have a theme. We did joke that our was theme was somewhat Surreal Love since we were at the Dali! Both our venues had such strong personalities that I wanted to find ways to compliment them instead of taking away from their stand-alone charm. We really wanted everything to feel soft and romantic, but also modern and a little lux.
What were your colors?
Sage, blush, and ivory. If I’m being truthful, one of my best friends got married a few years ago, and I stole her colors! (Thanks, Alex!) Also, my dress was slightly blush, and I wanted a ton of greenery so it fit!
The Proposal:
We were hiking around Lake Crescent in the Olympic Mountains. Quentin was flying the drone and said we should take a drone selfie but he was actually taking a video and proposed!
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Get a wedding planner! Especially if you’re a destination couple. We could not have done it without Staci from UNIQUE Weddings + Events.
Ceremony Venue: Station House St. Pete *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Venue
Reception Venue: Salvador Dali Museum
Photographer: Brandi Image Photography
Videographer: Celebrations of Tampa Bay
Planner: UNIQUE Weddings + Events *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Florals: Events in Bloom
Catering: Good Food Events and Catering
Cake: The Artistic Whisk *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Band: Bay Kings Band
Ceremony and Cocktail Hour DJ: Graingertainment *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Lighting and Rentals: The Production Crew
Linens: Over the Top Rental Linens *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Rentals: A Chair Affair *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Hair and Makeup: Lasting Luxe
Transportation: Network Transportation
Photobooth: Rollin’ Retro VW Photobooth Bus