Julia and Alex’s Wedding at the Vinoy St. Pete

Julia and Alex were married at the Vinoy in downtown St. Pete. They were married in a traditional Jewish wedding, and the day could not have been more beautiful.

 

 

Getting Ready

The day started with incredible photos of the couple’s personal items. The lady’s day included hair and makeup services and some fun robe photos with champagne and confetti. And, for Alex and the guys, a toast before he headed out to see his beautiful bride for the first time.

 

A First Look

Outside in the hotel’s beautiful gardens, Alex waited for Julia’s arrival for their first look. The gardens were an incredible setting, and the photos of their first look and the photo session that followed were spectacular.

 

 

Following their first look, the couple spent the afternoon taking photos with their families and wedding party.

 

 

FUN FACT: If you look to the left of Alex in the photo above, you’ll see Julia’s Matron of Honor, Christina, whose wedding our Special Moments Event Planning Team planned in 2020.

 

Ketubahs and Chuppahs

After their family photos, the couple spent some quiet time together, freshened up, and gathered with their officiant and family members for their ketubah signing. The beautiful marriage certificate would be displayed later at the wedding reception.

 

 

Outside in the hotel’s Tea Garden, everything was in place for the couple’s outdoor wedding ceremony.

The couple’s chuppah was draped with an ornate cover made by the bride’s grandmother. Some of the fabric used came from gowns from family weddings.

 

 

I Am My Beloved’s

With everyone in place, Alex was escorted to the chuppah by his parents. They were followed by their families and wedding parties. Last but certainly not least, Julia was escorted to the chuppah by her mother.

 

 

The two exchanged vows and rings under the chuppah in a traditional ceremony that ended with the breaking of a glass and a kiss. The two made their way down the aisle to Kiss Me by Sixpence None The Richer.

 

 

Inside the Ballroom

While guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the hotel’s South Mezzanine and the couple took time for more photos, final touches were made to the wedding reception.

Inside the ballroom, tables flanked the oversized dance floor with the long head table at one end. They were draped in crisp white linens and decorated with spectacular floral arrangements and rose gold candles.

 

 

Their ketubah would be displayed off to the side next to their three-tiered white wedding cake with fresh flowers and a fabulous custom cake topper. 

 

Dinner and Dancing

The reception began with introductions and the newlyweds taking to the dance floor for their first dance to Conversations in the Dark by John Legend.

 

 

This was followed by a dance with their mothers to You’ll Be In My Heart.

 

 

Just before dinner, there was a breaking of the bread called Hamotzi, a welcome by the bride’s mother, and a Thank you by the newlyweds.

 

 

The evening continued with a delicious dinner, several touching toasts, and the couple’s cake-cutting before opening up the dance floor, which stayed packed all evening.

 

 

One of our favorite parts of the evening was seeing the couple’s guest book completed. This unique guestbook was a mosaic of images from the photo booth that, when pieced together, formed a photo of the couple!

 

 

 

Congratulations, Julia and Alex! We wish you a lifetime filled with special moments!

 

 

St. Pete Wedding Vendors

Wedding Venue: The Vinoy Renaissance St. Pete

St. Pete Wedding Planner: Special Moments Event Planning

Hair and Makeup: Lasting Luxe Artistry Group

Wedding Photography: Lifelong Photography Studios

Videography: Contessa Films

Floral Design: Wonderland Floral Art and Gift Loft

DJ / Photo Booth: Spark Wedding Events

Officiant: Cantor Marci Vitkus

Wedding Gown: The Dressing Room – St. Pete

Wedding Cake: Publix