Sometimes you meet the love of your life when you least expect it. Like in 6th grade. Sure, you may not realize it at the time (you are eleven after all), but years later – after you’ve fallen head over heels in love and tied the knot in one seriously gorgeous St. Peterburg wedding – it will rank high among the best love stories EVER here on SMP. Need proof? Well, take a gander at this adorable duo, who first laid eyes on each other way back in middle school and said “I Do” in a traditional fête boasting beautiful blooms by Botanica International Design Studio and an entire gallery of glorious images from Jason Mize Photography. See them all here.
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And a beautiful film from Voila Cinematic that will take your breath away. Guaranteed.
From the Bride… Since the day we first met in sixth grade, Garrett has had a crush on me … But little did I know, it would take him seven whole years to muster up the courage to tell me. He finally asked me out the month that we graduated high school in 2005. On November 24, 2010 all of my dreams came true when Garrett proposed at Discovery Cove, a place I had been wanting to go since we began dating five years earlier. When we got engaged, we hadn’t talked specifically about what type of wedding we wanted. What we did know was that we wanted it to be a celebration of our love, our amazing family and our wonderful friends. Finding a place large enough to hold everyone was our first step, and so the planning began. Our first focus was on choosing our absolutely gorgeous venue. We fell in love with The Vinoy in St. Petersberg in its entirety — the history, the architecture, and, of course, the stunning Chihuly chandelier in the Grand Ballroom. We knew we wanted to allow the beauty of Grand Ballroom to shine through, so we chose a soft, classic color palette with vintage touches. Grand floral arrangements in myriad containers (designed by the ever-so-talented Botanica International) graced the tables accompanied by a mix of unique soft gold and silver charges. These elements, combined with the candlelight’s soft amber glow, created an absolutely gorgeous and classic ambiance in the room.
Once the large items of the day were planned and in place, we turned our focus to the intimate details that would make our wedding uniquely ours. The “Something Blue” that was pinned beneath my gown was that of a small piece of patriotic fabric from one of my grandfather’s cherished patriotic clothing items. It made me feel near to him, as though my family in heaven was smiling down on us that day. My uncle carried the American Flag as part of our processional. I had personalized handkerchiefs embroidered with loving messages of gratitude for both of my parents. I shopped around for an assortment of vintage frames for both my handmade table numbers and my escort card table, which used the frames laying flat with the escort cards placed inside. I also collected vintage elements from various antique and home decor stores to complete the look of the escort card table as well the as candy buffet. My grandmother’s brooches adorned the cake, my bouquet and the bridesmaids’ dresses. Old photographs of our grandparents were placed lovingly on the escort card table to honor them and to add to our personal vintage touches. Lastly, among other details, a custom monogrammed dance floor cover by SHOWORKS pulled the beauty of the ballroom together seamlessly. Every element was designed as a personal touch to represent Garrett and I as we were united as one.
The ceremony was performed just before sunset on a cool Florida fall day. It was everything we had dreamed it would be and focused on the love Garrett and I have for each other. The reception was a celebration of our love for family and friends as our two lives came together as one. With the help of our family, friends and fabulous wedding professionals (especially our amazing photographer, Jason Mize), everything came together perfectly. It was more beautiful than anything we ever hoped for and far exceeded our expectations and imaginations.
Wedding Photography: Jason Mize Photography / Ceremony: The Tea Garden at Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Florida / Reception: Grand Ballroom at Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Florida / Floral Design: Botanica International Design Studio / Wedding Cinematography: Voila Cinematic / Wedding Cake: Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club / Candy Table: Chic Sweets / Wedding Invitations: Carlson Craft / Programs, Menus, and Place Cards: Not From A Box / Music: DJ Fitz Otis of Jay Goodley Entertainment + John Demas & The Omega Project / Uplighting, Trees, + Custom Vinyl Dance Floor: SHOWORKS / Chairs: Signature Events by Design / Wedding Dress + Bridesmaid Dresses: Alfred Angelo / Bride’s Shoes: Benjamin Adams