Mallory + Ryan's wedding was one of the most original weddings I've captured. From start to finish, the bride put a unique touch on every aspect of the day.

 

The Vinoy Hotel in St. Petersburg set a picturesque backdrop for the festivities. Its pink hue is a dream for many brides, and the property's gorgeous Mediterranean Revival architecture landed it on the US National Register of Historic Places in 1978. At the time of opening in 1925, rates were $20,00, which would be lovely now, but at the time, it was the highest price hotel in the area.

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The couple met in high school, and have been together throughout their 20s. Ryan, a MLB player for the Boston Red Sox, travels often, and Mallory, an art gallery consultant, flies back and forth between South Florida and the Northeast. 

 

Guests were invited to the nuptials with a hand-painted invitation suite by The Messy Painter and signage throughout the day was also custom created and hand-painted. Instead of a traditional cocktail hour, the pair opted for a casino style cocktail where guests played Blackjack and Roulette. Fresh brewed coffee was on hand throughout the night for those who needed a pick-me-up, and in lieu of gifts, the couple asked that guests donate gifts to the Toys for Tots program. 

 

The bride wanted a personally representative bohemian vibe, and her unique color palette of pink, maroon, teal and dark wood is definitely one of the most creative color combinations I've seen. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the design vision and well-executed planning of Along Came Stephanie. 

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But the personal touches did not stop there: her "something borrowed" was a Turquoise ring her father had given her mother when they were dating, and my personal favorite - Mallory arrived at the church in her father's dreamy 1956 Ford Thunderbird! Music plays a strong song in the hearts of the bride and her dad, who often attend live gigs together, and so, 4 different musical acts made a cameo throughout the day: welcoming guests at the church, and during dinner and dancing. 

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Although, the sweetest moment of the day for me came when Mallory had a First Look with her dad. After wiping away tears, the bride turned to me, and with all sincerity said, "My Dad's my best friend". I'm actually welling up just thinking about it now! 

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Thank you for welcoming me into your lives for this special times. I love telling your story. 

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Planning + Design: Along Came Stephanie | Venue: The Vinoy Renaissance | Florals: Parrish Designs | Videography: The Visualantes | Tabletop Rentals: Pialisa + Dishi Rentals | Rentals: The Reserve Vintage Rentals | Casino: Casino Parties of Tampa Bay