May 17, 2017
I have been looking forward to this wedding for so many reasons, but the main reason was because of this incredible couple. Kristen and Greg are good people. They are our kind of people. Their spirits inspire us. They are the kind of people you meet and instantly say, “I want to be friends with them.” Lucky for us, we can safely call them our friends. 🙂
This wedding was pretty incredible right from start. The bridesmaid dresses, Kristen’s 77 year old engagement ring, a beautiful lace hair piece, and some killer bouquets – I mean, what a way to start off the day! I was a happy camper. Beyond all of those details, Kristen’s parent’s house was filled with so much buzz and energy. Her dad was playing guitar, little ones were running around and dancing, bridesmaids were pouring champagne, and gifts were being opened. There were good vibes flowing!
A few hours later, we were at the Espiritu Church in Safety Harbor for the wedding ceremony. Anticipation was high, as Kristen and Greg opted not to do a first look. When Kristen made her way down the aisle with her father, Greg’s eyes began to well up, and I don’t blame him – I was crying too – Kristen looked absolutely breathtaking. Their ceremony was filled with readings, a ring warming ceremony (my personal favorite) and a solo from a close friend as Kristen and Greg lit a unity candle.
We all made our way to St. Pete for their cocktail hour and reception at the Morean Center for Clay. This is such a unique, and amazing venue! The exposed brick and huge windows create the perfect urban, industrial backdrop, while still providing plenty of natural light into the space. While guests enjoyed the live music during cocktail hour, Kristen and Greg were nice enough to let us steal them away for some photos. They are so incredibly natural in front of the camera – we could take photos of them all day!
The reception space was set up beautifully. There were bistro string lights hanging from the ceiling. Each table had wooden cross back chairs (swoon) and a beautiful centerpiece filled with plenty of color and greenery. Instead of standard table numbers, Kristen and Greg opted to personalize things a bit. Each table had a number, but they were numbers that meant something to them. $9.99, 3, 2014, >1, 77 are just a few examples. On the back of every table number, they explained the significance behind the number and how it had impacted their relationship. What a beautiful idea!
The reception was one I’ll never forget. The DJ filled the room with hits from the 80’s and 90’s – which I absolutely loved! Kristen and her dad shared a fun, upbeat dance. Later in the evening, Kristen’s family all became “human surf boards” and hopped on top of one another pretending to surf! It was hilarious and something that looked kind of painful – but hey, family tradition! (Still trying to figure out how exactly that one got started…haha). It was an incredible day from start to finish and I’m so grateful that Thomas and I were able to be a part of it!
Kristen and Greg, thank you for being you. Thank you for being so incredibly thoughtful throughout our time together. Thank you for hosting us up in Boston and not firing us when Thomas over-seasoned the chicken. Thank you for becoming our friends. I hope this is just the beginning of a long friendship (thanks Google, for hooking us up!). Sending hugs!
Very excited to see this wedding featured on Fab You Bliss!
A huge shoutout to this dream team of wedding vendors: Venue: Morean Center for Clay // Coordination: Blush by Brandee Garr // Styling & Reception florals: Amber Veatch Designs // Personal & ceremony florals: Jodie Katzeff // Hair and makeup: Lasting Luxe // Calligrapher: Old City Calligraphy // Dress designer: Paloma Blanca // Bridal shop: White Magnolia // Hair piece: Powder Blue Bijoux // Groom’s attire: Indochino // Ties: The Tie Bar //Bridesmaids dresses: Modcloth // Catering: Puff ‘n Stuff // DJ: Expert Productions // Dessert: A Cow Named Moo // Ceremony: Espiritu Santo Catholic Church // Cocktail hour music: Breezin’ Entertainment // Videographer: J&S Media // Beer: Treasure Island Brewery // Transit: Skyline Limousine & AstroSkate Bus // Guy’s getting ready space: Renaissance Hotel