Our client, Stefanie, knew she wanted a fairy tale wedding near the beach where her friends and family could stay and play.
Fancy, stuffy hotels weren't her thing.
So our design/planning team convinced her to book the St. Pete Beach Community Center with some upgraded features that would transform basic look of the space.
Stefanie and Matt's first focus, of course, was the ceremony held outdoors on the center's plaza overlooking Boca Ciega Bay. The view is uncluttered and also includes the draw bridge from 75th Avenue to Pasadena.
Event Designers Kent Billiter and Bradley Dempsey teamed up to create an apple red, white, and platinum color palette that coordinated with Stefanie's attendant attire. Florist, Carmen Gonzalez was hired to create fresh centerpiece florals.
We featured Stefanie's sample guest table at one of our open houses when she originally was considering purple in the mix. The tablescape changed several months before the wedding when Stefanie decided to keep the look more conservative without the edgy purple/eggplant in the mix. Below is the original design and below it is the finished product.
The tall centerpiece alternated with a crystal-studded hurricane shade surrounded in red and white roses.
The bride also decided to alternate platinum and cranberry overlays. Originally we pitched our in-house chair covers with cranberry satin chair ties. Stefanie was so impressed by the white chiavari chairs at another open house sample table, she decided to secure them for her reception.
This is an example of the design process for our clients. It's not always "cut and dry." Sometimes decisions change even after a designed table is featured at an open house. But 95% of our clients settle on a during the preview showing.
Bradley was also Stephanie's Event Coordinator for her rception. Since she was getting ready at the St. Pete center, he made certain she and her court were comfortable with chilled beers and champagne in one of the getting ready rooms.
Stefanie had her photographer arrived early to captures some special pre-wedding getting ready shots especially with her two darling daughters.
The two girls served as her flower girls and Stefanie's mom escorted down the aisle.
Inside the Boca Ciega Ballroom upstairs, we were busy putting the finishing touches on the couple's very unique room decor which included three solid walls of white curtains with red uplighting and twinkle-lit fresh foliage.
Stefanie had fallen in love with Carmen's crystal collection she had seen from another wedding via Facebook. So tables were embellished with hanging crystals on the centerpieces, studded and silver votive candle holders and glass orbs.
Stefanie had fallen in love with Carmen's crystal collection she had seen from another wedding via Facebook. So tables were embellished with hanging crystals on the centerpieces, studded and silver votive candle holders and glass orbs.
Instead of a long head table, Stefanie and Matt opted for a sweetheart table decorated mostly in platinum surrounded on each side by two family feasting tables. Bridal party members and their guests were seated at nearby round guest tables.
Carmen's tall centerpieces even diamond studs in the center of each rose bloom.
Even though it was just late March, sudden showers slightly delayed the start of the ceremony. No worries. Our staff, armed with dry rags, cleaned off the chairs in record time.
Back upstairs, Stefanie's fairy tale wedding decor came to life. Curtains installed by Xydex Event Services created an elegant white backdrop for the uplighting and trees.
A photo booth was strategically placed right inside the main entrance to the ballroom. Guests and bridal party members alike, took advantage of the fun and silly props . . . including the groom for introductions
Since the view of the bay was part of the couple's choice in the venue, we left the front window area uncovered except for three of our uplit "sail" structures behind the main buffet.
The Publix bakery in Pasadena furnished a simple ivory square and round stacked cake which "came to life" with the addition of red roses, petals and lots of bling courtesy of Carmen.
One reasons for leaving the ballroom's wall of windows uncovered was to offer a completely different daylight look early in the reception. Once the sun went down, the area took on a completely focus.
Carmen designed another unique centerpiece for the place card table. Ceremony florals were also brought up to add to the reception decor.
An extended event time for us and the center allowed Stefanie, Matt, and the photographer, Debbie Gill, to make a short trip over to the beach for sunset pictures after formal photos with family and bridal party members.
The party began right after dinner. The blazing uplight curtain backdrop electrified the room.
Guests lined the steps down to the plaza for the couple's farewell. Matt surprised Stefanie with a special wedding gift of a custom painted VW Bug during their farewell.
Many thanks go out to our design and service team for creating a new signature look for the St. Pete Community Center. Also, kudos to Stefanie and Matt for allowing us to step outside the box. We couldn't have profiled this without the beautiful photography of Debbie Gill.
Event Planning, Decor, Service and Catering by
Kent Billiter and Bradley Dempsey, Designers
Fresh Florals, Table Accents, and Wedding Flowers: Carmen's Flowers
Curtains and Uplighting: Xydex Services
Foliage: A1 Foliage
Videographer: Celebrations of Tampa Bay
DJ: Doug Hensel
Cake: Publix of Pasadena
Officiant: Tom Erickson of Weddings on a Whim
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