Wedding

Vibrant Modern, Downtown St. Pete Wedding | The Poynter Institute

The perfect wedding gift is cash in your dream bank. Sign up for Honeyfund today to start your dream registry.

Lauren and Kevin's downtown St. Pete wedding combined their minimalist and modern styles with homespun elements in a way that was truly personal to the pair. With the assistance of family members, who helped create the day's details, from the centerpieces to the favors, the fall color palette incorporated neutral tones of charcoal, blush, and metallic shades, with a vibrant berry tone the bride favored.

“Our wedding as minimalistic, modern, and fun! It described our home life perfectly,” the bride gushed. “The official color of the bridesmaid's dresses was Mulberry. I chose this because of the season and the flowers in the local area turn this color, and I have always thought it was beautiful.”

MORE: MODERN WEDDING INSPIRATION

The St. Petersburg couple searched for a wedding venue that was near downtown so their 151 guests could explore and enjoy the area. The Poynter Institute was near their ceremony church and offered a beautiful space large enough for all of their guests.

“The architecture was amazing, especially the wooden beams. Plus it had an outdoor courtyard for cocktail hour,” Lauren remarked.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE POYNTER INSTITUTE | EMAIL

The bride and groom's family pitched in to provide much of the wedding decor, lending a personal and unique touch to their celebration.

“My mom made all of our centerpieces. My older sister made our table numbers and cookies for all the goody bags we gave to our guests staying at the hotels. My mother-in-law hand-colored on seashells and turned them into magnets as our wedding favors. While my younger sister made a slideshow of memories for when I danced with my Dad and projected them in the dining area,” Lauren gushed.

A unique decor element were the pug-themed items, celebrating their two fur children, Mochi and Gunther.

“We had pug pool floats, pug plush as the bouquet, and pug koozies,” the bride shared. “The pugs came to the church for a photoshoot!”

The bride had a specific vision for her wedding day look, and the team at Truly Forever Bridal helped her find the perfect gown, even when Lauren wasn't sure she would find “the one.”

“I wanted something more modern and young. I was looking for a fun, downtown party dress, something with the high cut neckline, which I find to be very flattering. I felt like I wasn’t going to have that ‘it’s the one' moment, but I did!” Lauren raved. “Truly Forever was great! They had a wide selection and friendly staff.”

LEARN MORE ABOUT TRULY FOREVER BRIDAL | EMAIL

When recalling a favorite moment of the evening, Lauren poignantly recollected, “taking the time to eat with my husband at our sweetheart table and look around at all our family and friends having a good time” as one of her most special memories, followed by “walking through Williams' park in my dress eating a late-night slice of pizza from Joey Brooklyn's.”

Bride Wedding Shoes Steve Madden Designer Berry Velvet Heels

Wedding Dress Hanger Shot | White Embroidered Organza Ballgown Illusion Neck Bib Neckline Bridal Gown | Tampa Wedding Dress Shop Truly Forever Bridal

Bride and Bridesmaids Getting Ready in Pink Robes with Wedding Balloons

Bride and Bridesmaids Hotel Lobby Portraits | Mismatched Deep Red Maroon Berry Azazie Bridesmaid Dresses with Red and Pink Bouquets

Bride Hotel Lobby Portrait St. Pete Wedding | White Embroidered Organza Ballgown Illusion Neck Bib Neckline Bridal Gown | Red and Pink Bridal Bouquet | Tampa Wedding Dress Shop Truly Forever Bridal

Bride Mural Portrait St. Pete Wedding | White Embroidered Organza Ballgown Illusion Neck Bib Neckline Bridal Gown with Open Back | Red and Pink Bridal Bouquet | Tampa Wedding Dress Shop Truly Forever Bridal

What was your wedding dress inspiration?
I wanted something more modern and young. I was looking for a fun downtown party dress, something with the high cut neckline, which I find to be very flattering. I felt like I wasn’t going to have that “it’s the one” moment, but I did! Truly Forever Bridal was great! They had a wide selection and friendly staff.

Bridal Bouquet with Deep Red Maroon Roses and Blush Pink Hypericum Berries with Freesia and Astilbe and Eucalyptus Greenery

Bride Walking Down Aisle with Father | Indoor Church Wedding Ceremony

Indoor Church Catholic Wedding Ceremony in St. Pete Florida

Bride and Groom First Kiss | Indoor Church Catholic Wedding Ceremony in St. Pete Florida

The Proposal:
Kevin had just walked across the stage at his graduation ceremony from the University of South Florida St. Pete. We went outside to take photos by the water, and he got down on one knee.

Bride and Groom Outdoor Portraits with Pet Dogs of Honor in St. Pete Florida | Wedding Pugs Wearing Flower Crown Collars | White Embroidered Organza Ballgown Illusion Neck Bib Neckline Bridal Gown and Classic Navy Groom Suit | Tampa Wedding Dress Shop Truly Forever Bridal

Bride and Groom Outdoor Portraits with Pet Dogs of Honor in St. Pete Florida | Wedding Pugs Wearing Flower Crown Collars | White Embroidered Organza Ballgown Illusion Neck Bib Neckline Bridal Gown and Classic Navy Groom Suit

Bride and Groom Outdoor Portraits with Pet Dogs of Honor in St. Pete Florida | Wedding Pugs Wearing Flower Crown Collars | White Embroidered Organza Ballgown Illusion Neck Bib Neckline Bridal Gown and Classic Navy Groom Suit

Bride and Groom Portraits with Pet Dogs of Honor in St. Pete Florida | Wedding Pugs Wearing Flower Crown Collars

Bride Portrait at St. Pete Wedding Venue The Poynter Institute | White Embroidered Organza Ballgown Illusion Neck Bib Neckline Bridal Gown with Open Back | Red and Pink Bridal Bouquet | Tampa Wedding Dress Shop Truly Forever Bridal

Bride and Groom Outdoor Portrait at St. Pete Wedding Venue The Poynter Institute | White Embroidered Organza Ballgown Illusion Neck Bib Neckline Bridal Gown | Groom Classic Navy Blue Suit | Tampa Wedding Dress Shop Truly Forever Bridal

Wedding Party Portraits at St. Pete Wedding Venue The Poynter Institute | Classic Charcoal Grey and Navy Blue Groom and Groomsmen Suits | Mismatched Deep Red Maroon Berry Azazie Bridesmaid Dresses with Red and Pink Bouquets

Bride and Groom Outdoor Waterfront Portrait at St. Pete Wedding Venue The Poynter Institute | White Embroidered Organza Ballgown Illusion Neck Bib Neckline Bridal Gown | Groom Classic Navy Blue Suit | Tampa Wedding Dress Shop Truly Forever Bridal

Unique Fun Funny Wedding Chalkboard Easel Sign

Tampa Wedding Venue The Poynter Institute Outdoor Cocktail Hour Space with Fountain

Tampa Wedding Venue The Poynter Institute Outdoor Cocktail Hour Space with Fountain

Bride and Groom Outdoor Waterfront Portrait at St. Pete Wedding Venue The Poynter Institute | White Embroidered Organza Ballgown Illusion Neck Bib Neckline Bridal Gown | Groom Classic Navy Blue Suit | Tampa Wedding Dress Shop Truly Forever Bridal

Bride and Groom Outdoor Waterfront Portrait at St. Pete Wedding Venue The Poynter Institute | White Embroidered Organza Ballgown Illusion Neck Bib Neckline Bridal Gown | Groom Classic Navy Blue Suit | Tampa Wedding Dress Shop Truly Forever Bridal

Unique Wedding Guestbook Alternative Idea | Hometown Map St. Pete Florida Wedding Guestbook

Custom Koozie Can Cooler Favors | St. Pete Florida Wedding | Pug Wedding

St. Pete Wedding Venue The Poynter Institute | Indoor Lobby Reception Space with Wood Beams Architecture

What did you look for in a wedding venue?
A place big enough to hold both of our large families and friends! A nearby location to our church. The architecture at The Poynter Institute was amazing, especially the wooden beams. Plus it had an outdoor courtyard for cocktail hour.

Wood Lantern Wedding Centerpieces with Potted Succulents and Watercolor Table Numbers

How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Minimalistic, modern, and fun! It described our home life perfectly.

What were your colors?
The official color of the bridesmaid's dresses was Mulberry. I chose this because of the season and the flowers in the local area turn this color, and I have always thought it was beautiful. We also incorporated navy (groom), charcoal gray (groomsmen), and light pink, green, and metallics (floral/decor).

St. Pete Wedding Venue The Poynter Institute | Bride and Groom Sweetheart Table with Wood Lanterns and Candles and Blush Pink and Red Bouquets

Three Tier Round Ombre Maroon Berry Blush Pink Buttercream Wedding Cake with Custom Clay Figure Cake Topper of Bride and Groom and Pet Pug Dogs

Bride and Groom Night Portrait at St. Pete Wedding Venue The Poynter Institute

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Don't stress over all the fine details, look at the big picture. The only person that'll know when something goes wrong is you, and no one else even realizes! Let people help you and don't be afraid to delegate tasks to family members, it gives them a job and takes one off your list.

Ceremony: St. Mary Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
Reception Venue: The Poynter Institute *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Venue
Photographer: Caroline Allen Photography, Second shooter: Emma Christine Creative
Planner: Rachael Richards
Coordinator: Bonnie Kelly
Florist: 2Birds Events
Caterer: Spotlight Catering
Dance Floor Light Rental Bay Stage Live
Chairs and Linen Rentals: Rent all City
Cake: Publix
DJ: DJ RJ
Officiant: Father Damien
Invitations: Minted
Transportation: St. Pete Trolley Rental and Hollander Hotel Shuttle
Dress Shop: Truly Forever Bridal- Tampa *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Bridesmaid Dress Shop: Azazie
Hair & Makeup: Creative Touches
Bar: Spunky Spirits
Musician for Cocktail Hour: Zachary Biss




Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pros

Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pros are highly respected by our local wedding community and have been personally vetted by our editor.