Sunday, December 28, 2014

Cuban Flair at the St. Pete Beach Community Center

Sarah and Armando
November
St. Pete Beach Community Center
Selected Photos from Off the Walls Photography*



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Among the many amazing roles Sarah's mom, Shelly, holds in life, being her daughter's wedding designer was one she enjoyed most. From detailed tabletop decor to a sultry ambiance through lighting and music, Shelly created a tropical nightclub atmosphere for Sarah and Armando's waterside celebration. 

The family chose the St. Pete Beach Center because of its graceful setting overlooking Boca Ciega Bay. The addition of lots of live tropical trees from A1 Foliage, helped create the upbeat Cuban bistro.

This wedding is a reflection of the many wonderful elements our clients bring to the table to embrace family, heritage, and friendship. 


Shelly enlisted the help of friends and florist Linda O'Brien in assembling multi-element guest table designs. Some featured cigar and small crate boxes filled with bright flowers and vivacious tropical flora; others were tall with sweeping palm branches with a touch of peach gladiolas.  



This was a result of many months of collecting Cuban and wine elements to intersperse throughout the reception. Each table featured a Havanna burlap runner with a bottle of wine, table number inserted in a banded set of wine corks, burlap wrapped candle, and a special picture of the couple. We added in our brown napkins and chair ties for an "old vintage look." A sparkler favor with a set of matches was set at each place setting.


Everywhere you looked, there were flowers and flora that personalized every aspect of the wedding.

Yes, Pinterest was a big resource for Shelly, but she shared many of her ideas with us in emailed picture files. She also took pictures of her hand-made creations so we could keep them as a guide in helping with set-up the day of the wedding.


Red, yellow, copper, and slate colors added texture the cake as well as other display tables. After many months of planning (including a mock up sample table at one of our client open houses,) Shelly was confident that Sarah and Armando would approve. 

Even their cake from Publix was decorated in coffee beans to fit in with the theme.


 

Prior to the ceremony on the plaza of the St. Pete Beach Center plaza, the couple enjoyed leisurely picture-taking at the beach near their hotel. Since they wanted to spend more time with family and friends immediately following the wedding, this cut back the formal photography session. 


The ceremony aisle was lined with brightly colored rose petals, Sarah's anxious mom, Shelly watched as her two small boys led the processional for their big sister.



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Sarah's proud dad escorts her down the aisle.


A1 Foliage created a natural tropical background for the ceremony.

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During the social hour, our staff offered a variety of hand-passed tropical treats to the guests. This included  black bean and mango salsa in phyllo cups, mini beef empanadas, Cuban crostini's, and Gazpacho soup shooters.






Once guests found their way into the main ballroom, a cork-trimmed board held hanging place cards in alphabetical order.

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 Guests were able to write out "marriage advice" for the couple's 10th and 20-year anniversaries.

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We were excited to be able to add in many of our in-house props that matched the theme. Our designer-coordinator, Kent Billiter incorporated extra tropical flowers to the buffet.


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So many sweet memories were created for Sarah and Armando on this day.

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Planning, Design, Coordination, and Catering:


Rental Trees and Uplighting - A1 Foliage

Wedding Cake - Publix


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