Annie and Ryan’s destination St. Petersburg wedding featured a beachfront celebration with vibrant pink florals and gold accents that popped against the natural backdrop of sand and shimmering blue water.

“I wanted my wedding day to truly reflect my personality, so I chose hot pink as the central color. As a total girly girl, hot pink was the obvious choice for our wedding theme. My bridesmaids looked stunning in pink dresses accented with gold jewelry to match the other gold details throughout the event. I envisioned a day filled with bright, vibrant colors, and we infused hot pink into every detail!” the bride gushed. “We decided on a palette of hot pink, white, and black for our wedding colors. I wanted a bold pop of color, especially for our summer beach wedding. No matter the season, I would have chosen hot pink because it perfectly represents me and was exactly what I dreamed of for our special day.”

Having visited Florida for vacations since childhood, Annie desired a destination wedding. The Minnesota couple sought a waterfront venue that perfectly balanced their desires for privacy, stunning views, and versatile spaces.

“Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of a beach wedding and knew that I wanted to get married in Florida,” the bride recalled. “Florida feels like a second home to me, as my family visits multiple times a year. My grandparents had a house in Sarasota for years, where we spent many of our vacations. I’ve been visiting St. Petersburg for as long as I can remember and always knew it was the perfect place for my wedding.”

The summer wedding unfolded on the private, sandy white beach overlooking Boca Ciega Bay. The bride and groom exchanged vows in front of a gazebo surrounded by swaying palm trees with 107 of their closest friends and family in attendance. After portraits at the marina, the celebration moved indoors with an elegant ballroom reception that offered panoramic views of the Bay.

“When searching for wedding venues, my mom and I visited nine different locations. I was particularly concerned about having people in the background of our beach wedding photos. Some venues could block off an area, while others couldn’t guarantee privacy on a public beach. We also wanted a beautiful view and both indoor and outdoor options to keep everyone comfortable, given the summer heat,” the bride explained. “When touring Isla Del So Yacht and Country Club, everything felt right. Melissa Rowjohn was amazing, patient with our questions, and truly wanted what was best for us. The services exceeded our expectations, and I highly recommend having your wedding at Isla Del Sol!”

Feeling comfortable with their photographer was a priority for Annie and Ryan, who instantly connected with Carrie Wildes Photography.

“We wanted great quality pictures that weren’t overedited. We saw Carrie Wildes Photography‘s work at Isla Del Sol, and I immediately knew I wanted her to do our photos,” the bride beamed. “Carrie captured real and candid moments, made us feel relaxed, and helped with posing when needed. She did such a wonderful job overall! I couldn’t speak more highly of Carrie, and she was amazing to work with. She truly captured our personalities in the pictures and made the whole process so relaxed. After seeing the sneak peeks, we couldn’t wait to see more. I highly recommend her for any photo session; she’s one of the sweetest people.”

To add to the ambiance of their June event, the couple hired a live musician to entertain their guests.

“Breezin’ Entertainment showed us the work they did online and gave us an understanding of what to expect. We communicated with our violinist, who was able to send us previews of specific songs so we knew what they sounded like prior to our special day. The violinist was incredible,” the bride raved. “She remixed the songs perfectly and was so talented.”

The newlyweds prioritized the guest experience, incorporating thoughtful decisions, personal styles, and favorite colors into every aspect of the wedding.

“The details of our wedding were incredibly important to us. From the invitations to the table cards and seating chart, we made sure everything was tied together with gold and pink accents. The hot pink theme was my idea. I love hot pink and all things girly, just like Barbie. We incorporated pink into every aspect of our wedding, from the flowers to the smallest details. My husband preferred a black and white theme, so he stood out from the other groomsmen, adding a sleek touch to our wedding day,” the bride revealed. “Knowing the day would be hot, we provided hot pink fans for our guests during the ceremony. We wanted our guests to enjoy themselves as much as possible, especially since many had to fly in to attend. As a thank you for their time and effort, we arranged for a full open bar for everyone to enjoy.”

While countless memories were made on this special day, some truly significant moments stood out to the bride.

“The entire day was perfect. In the morning, while the girls were getting their hair and makeup done, my maid of honor surprised me with a book filled with letters from all my friends and family to read on my wedding day. It was incredibly special, and many tears were shed. The book is something I will cherish and look back on for years to come.” Annie reminisced. “During our ceremony, we chose to write our own vows, making it even more meaningful to share them in front of all our guests. After the reception, we ended the night with a bonfire, which was a wonderful way to connect with many of our guests who had traveled to Florida to celebrate with us.”

“My overall favorite thing about Annie and Ryan’s wedding was the love and joy they have for each other and that their friends and family have for them. They had so many authentic moments that happened. No one had seen her dress except her mom and maid of honor, and so we did a first look with her bridesmaids, and they were overcome with how gorgeous Annie looked. Just before the ceremony, I also loved the surprise dance she and her dad had practiced for months. There were so many amazing moments!” Carrie Wildes of Carrie Wildes Photography added. “Annie and Ryan rolled with a little craziness with the weather and didn’t let that ruin anything. The monochrome hot pink totally matched their fun energy and vibe, which made it even more amazing!”

The Proposal:
Ryan and I met at Iowa State University. He was in a fraternity, and I was in a sorority. We were then paired together for Greek Week, which is a big deal at Iowa State. We got to know each other, and Ryan asked me to go to his formal. During his formal, Ryan won the award “Most Likely To Marry Out of His League.” He then received that award for the next two years. Ryan had kept that first award and handed it to me at our apartment when we were just about to leave for dinner. As I opened it, Ryan was on a knee and asked me to marry him. We then celebrated and went to our dinner reservation.

What did you look for in a live musician?
Breezin’ Entertainment showed us the work they did online and gave us an understanding of what to expect. We communicated with our violinist, who was able to send us previews of specific songs so we knew what they sounded like prior to our special day. The violinist was incredible. She remixed the songs perfectly and was so talented.

What did you look for in a wedding venue?
When searching for wedding venues, my mom and I visited nine different locations. I was particularly concerned about having people in the background of our beach wedding photos. Some venues could block off an area, while others couldn’t guarantee privacy on a public beach. We also wanted a beautiful view and both indoor and outdoor options to keep everyone comfortable, given the summer heat.

When touring Isla Del So Yacht and Country Club, everything felt right. Melissa Rowjohn was amazing, patient with our questions, and truly wanted what was best for us. The services exceeded our expectations, and I highly recommend having your wedding at Isla Del Sol!

What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
We wanted great quality pictures that weren’t overedited. We saw Carrie Wildes Photography‘s work at Isla Del Sol, and I immediately knew I wanted her to do our photos.

Carrie captured real and candid moments, made us feel relaxed, and helped with posing when needed. She did such a wonderful job overall! I couldn’t speak more highly of Carrie, and she was amazing to work with. She truly captured our personalities in the pictures and made the whole process so relaxed. After seeing the sneak peeks, we couldn’t wait to see more. I highly recommend her for any photo session; she’s one of the sweetest people.

Which vendors really exceeded your expectations? Our planners were absolutely incredible, and I couldn’t speak more highly of them. They made the day go perfectly. They went above and beyond communicating with us ahead of the wedding and making sure everything was exactly how we wanted it. They helped us find specific vendors and made the process all so much easier. They helped us stay relaxed on our wedding day, and we didn’t have to worry about anything.

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples? Don’t be afraid to ask all the questions because it is your special day and you get to decide how things go and what vendors you want to use for your day. Do the research and talk with many different companies before making a final decision.