Intimate Opal Sands Wedding

A beautiful, intimate Opal Sands wedding for Varleda and David was the final result of their wedding planning. But, it was not exactly how things began.

 

That’s What Friends Are For

Varleda and David were actually referred to us by a work colleague whose wedding we created ten years ago. In return, they referred us to another colleague – Priscilla and her new husband, Josh!

We love how the circle of weddings and referrals from happy couples comes together.

 

Wedding Planning Version One and Two

Originally, Varleda and David came to Special Moments Event Planning to create a St Pete Beach wedding for nearly two hundred wedding guests. That was pre-COVID-19, and unfortunately, things changed, and the wedding was canceled.

Several months down the road, the couple reconnected with us and started plans for a much smaller, intimate family wedding at the Opal Sands Resort on Clearwater Beach. And the rest is history.

 

Our Bride and Groom

We love Varleda’s fresh but classic wedding look. She chose a wedding gown with a modern lace bodice, deep-v front, and open back. The form-fitting wedding gown flowed into a long sweeping organza train with more lace detailing.

She selected a cathedral-length veil with a beaded edge that complimented the pearls and white beading in her accessories for her accessories.

Her bridal bouquet has a lush collar of greenery and was filled with white garden roses, lisianthus, and ranunculus.

 

 

David spent the early afternoon with his groomsmen. For his look, David chose a Navy-blue three-piece suit with a classic bow tie and pocket square.

His white rose and ranunculus boutonniere were elements taken from Varleda’s bridal bouquet.

 

 

Opal Sand Wedding Ceremony

The Opal Sands outdoor event lawn has spectacular views of the Gulf of Mexico and Clearwater beach. We love the overhead view of the ceremony space from the top floors of the hotel.

 

 

Down below the ceremony space was set with a birch wood ceremony structure, accented with soft flowing white fabric and floral swags with textured greenery and white and delicate blush florals—a beautiful accent to the blues of the water and sky.

 

 

David waited anxiously as his bride, escorted by her brother, made her way down the aisle to “River Flows in You” by Yiruma. David could barely hold back his emotions.

 

 

It was a beautiful sunny day as the couple exchanged their wedding vows surrounded by an intimate group of family and friends. Following the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds headed off for some wedding party and family photos while guests enjoyed the cocktail reception on the outdoor event lawn.

 

 

Inside the resort lobby’s holiday décor was the ideal color palette for the wedding’s color story and a wonderful backdrop for photos.

 

 

The couple headed back outside for some incredible sunset portraits against the gulf sky.

 

 

Sea Salons

The resort’s “Sea Salons” were the ideal location for the intimate, socially distant wedding reception. The floor-to-ceiling windows and private balcony have incredible gulf views and offered a private outdoor space.

Inside, the warm blue tones paired perfectly with the reception décor. Crisp white tablecloths, silver chivari chairs, and charger plated reflected the blue hues of the blue sating finish napkins, custom menu cards, and pale blue lighting.

 

 

The couple’s sweetheart table incorporated unique textured linen with embroidery and sequin. It was dressed in floral swags repurposed from the ceremony structure.

 

 

The three-tiered wedding cake incorporated texture and color, with a blue top tier and some sugar starfish.

 

 

The newlyweds popped in ahead of their wedding guests for a quick sneak peek and loved what they saw.

 

 

The couple began the evening with their first dance, followed by our groom’s welcome and a spectacular five-course dinner,  and several toasts.

 

 

What The Couple Said

We genuinely appreciate the kind words from Varleda and David following their wedding weekend.

Thank you so much to you and your team for making our wedding day possible. Planning during a pandemic was really hard and stressful but your hard work and support Tammy made everything run so smoothly. I am still in awe beautiful everything turned out to be. I will never forget you and Jen for working so hard in executing the perfect wedding day. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts. Love, David and Leda

 

 

The Wedding Team

Clearwater Wedding Planner: Special Moments Event Planning

Clearwater Beach Wedding Venue: Opal Sands Resort

Floral Design: Iza’s Flowers Inc.

Makeup: Tiffany Page

Wedding Officiant: A Florida Wedding Ceremony

Wedding Photographer: Cara DeHart Lewis Photography

Videography: Contessa Wedding Films

DJ: Grant Hemond & Associates

Rentals: Gabro Event Services

Linen: Over The Top Rental Linens