Kourtney and Scott's Anna Maria Island wedding was a tropical-inspired evening that intertwined vintage elements and modern style to create a guest experience unique to the bride and groom.
“Our wedding theme was a vintage-modern vibe, but we really wanted to have our guests be at our wedding and say “wow” because it describes Scott and me so well. My husband designed a dance floor to go over the pool,” the bride exclaimed. “We chose earthy colors, eucalyptus, rose golds, ivory, and midnight blue. It went really well with our outside venue and the beach!”
The St. Petersburg couple had their hearts set on a wedding at the beachfront hotel that the groom had recently renovated. To keep the planning process calm despite multiple life events occurring, Kourtney and Scott hired Kelly Kennedy Weddings based on her stellar reputation.
“I looked for a wedding planner who could take away our stress because we decided to get married during a pandemic, which we were able to keep our original date and venue, we were in the middle of selling our house, and we were renovating our new home,” the bride revealed. “We had multiple family members use Kelly Kennedy Weddings and Events, and after our first call with her, Scott and I instantly knew she was the perfect fit! We knew just how sweet and soft her voice was that it would be an easy, funny planning adventure.”
Desiring beautiful wedding memories they would look back on for a lifetime, the bride and groom relied on the expertise of Lifelong Photography Studio to document the special moments, while allowing the couple to naturally enjoy the day.
“Our planner found Lifelong Photography Studio,” Kourtney revealed. “We were in love with how easy going they were because all we really wanted was not to be staged or have the whole day around posing pictures, and the team did all that and above!”
The courtyard wedding was decorated with acrylic ghost chairs surrounding the altar from three sides. While guests enjoyed beachfront cocktails, Kelly Kennedy Weddings and Events “flipped” the ceremony space from into a luxurious outdoor reception, complete with a clear dance floor custom made by the groom that showcased the resort pool.
Reminiscing on their enchanting day, Kourtney beamed as she recalled the acts of love that Scott and she put into their wedding ceremony.
“My most memorable moment was the ceremony! We built a small center stage that Scott and I stood one while all of our guests sat surrounding us! It was like the whole world had stopped just for us,” the bride reminisced.
The Proposal:
Scott and I met at my job. It was about a year later he proposed on his birthday. It was a typical Tuesday; we took the dogs out on the boat, and Scott proposed! It was the best Tuesday ever!
What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
We were in love with how easy going Lifelong Photography Studio were because all we really wanted was not to be staged or have the whole day around posing pictures, and the team did all that and above!
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Our original place was supposed to be South America!
Because of COVID, we rented a Mercedes sprinter van! We are big food lovers and really into adventure and stargazing. We left for our honeymoon, flew to Phoenix, picked up our van, drove to Sedona, and stayed at the Enchantment Resort for two nights where we got to meet some amazing people and other couples on their honeymoon. After Sedona, we drove our van to Zion National Park, parked on the side of the road, and slept in the canyons. It was breathe taking! We hiked Angels Landing and then drove to Vegas to spend a few days there for Halloween weekend.
We had planned to leave a few days into it to go to Yosemite, Napa, and drive the coast but Vegas was so relaxing from how empty it was we canceled the ending of our trip and stayed in Vegas for nine days! We were able to go to all the amazing restaurants at the Cosmo where we were staying, enjoyed the spa, gym, and 85-degree weather. Our favorite thing about Vegas was the Grand Canyon helicopter ride our friends gifted to us. It landed right in the middle of the Canyon where we got to get our enjoy a glass of champagne and enjoy the view!
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
We wanted a wedding planner who could take away our stress because we decided to get married during a pandemic, which we were able to keep our original date and venue, we were in the middle of selling our house, and we were renovating our new home.
We had multiple family members use Kelly Kennedy Weddings and Events, and after our first call with her, Scott and I instantly knew she was the perfect fit! We knew just how sweet and soft her voice was that it would be an easy, funny planning adventure.
How would you describe your theme?
Our wedding theme was a vintage-modern vibe, but we really wanted to have our guests be at our wedding and say “wow” because it describes Scott and me so well. My husband designed a dance floor to go over the pool!
What were your colors?
We chose earthy colors, eucalyptus, rose golds, ivory, and midnight blue. It went really well with our outside venue and the beach!
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Hire a planner, communicate one's likes and dislikes, and have fun!
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Bali Hai Beachfront Resort and Spa
Photographer: Lifelong Photography Studio *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Planner: Kelly Kennedy Weddings and Events *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Florist: Beneva Flowers
Caterer: Perfect Thyme
Rentals: US Tent Rental, So Staged
Cake: Hometown Desserts
Music: Music Guy
Officiant: Alisa Jackson
Invitations: Minted
Photo bus: WildHearts Photo Booth Bus
Dress Shop: The Perfect Dress Sarasota
Hair & Makeup: Acqua Aveda, Meghan Mau
Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.
*Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pros are highly respected by our local wedding community and have been personally vetted by our editor.
