Luxurious Pink Ballroom St. Pete Wedding

Mary and Nick’s downtown St. Petersburg wedding featured a luxurious blend of timeless romance and old Florida charm. The couple’s wedding black-tie celebration was the perfect mix of traditional elegance and vintage Florida, complemented by blush and white florals with modern gold details.

“I’ve always wanted a traditional, elegant, black-tie wedding with a hint of old Florida charm, so we ran with that from the start. Our wedding colors were light pink, white, and gold with some greenery accents,” the bride explained. “I love pink, so it came as no surprise to anyone that we would have a pink wedding. Our ceremony backdrop was the Vinoy Tower, so the natural pink background was just perfect.”

The couple hails from Washington, D.C., and needed a knowledgeable Florida wedding planner with experience working at the iconic Vinoy as well as relationships with the area’s top vendors. They chose Parties A’ La Carte, led by owner Jessica Ralph, because of its vast portfolio of ornate ballroom weddings.

“Jessica had done so many incredible weddings at the Vinoy we knew we needed her. She’s also very direct and honest, and that is something you need when you’re planning an event of this size and something both Nick and I really appreciate,” Mary revealed. “There are so many decisions to make, so you need someone you can trust. Jessica showed up to our first meeting in a cute outfit with a great Chanel bag, so I knew we would get along great!”

Mary wore a stunning v-neck gown with belle sleeves for dramatic effect, while her bridesmaids were styled in pink floor-length satin gowns with varying necklines. Nick’s white tuxedo added a hint of style as his groomsmen donned traditional black tuxedos.

The couple tastefully incorporated their personal story into their wedding day by drawing inspiration from their experience working in Congress on Capitol Hill, infusing the celebration with pink elephants seen in the crest, dance floor, and bar décor. This subtle nod to their shared history was complemented by towering blush and white floral centerpieces and delicate lace overlays. The gold accents of flatware, table numbers, and charger plates elevated the reception decor.

“I can be very detail-oriented, so the décor details were very important to me. From the beautiful florals to the table linens to the chairs, to the bar details, to even knots in the napkins, it all had to be cohesive and beautiful. No detail could be missed,” Mary detailed. “Parties A’ La Carte went above and beyond for us. Some people would say I’m a perfectionist, and Jessica and Macie were able to provide me with the options and vendors needed to make sure everything was perfect. When there was a hiccup in the planning process, Jessica did everything possible to create solutions. I am convinced there is no one in the area with better connections. It was so much fun working together.”

Guest experience was a top priority for the pair, which included show-stopping elements such as an oversized white monogrammed dance floor, cold sparklers, and the groom sabering a champagne bottle, which created a captivating champagne tower.

“And above all, the most important thing was for our guests to have fun! We could not have asked for a better time on the dance floor. Our final song was Proud Mary, and everyone was dancing. The cold sparklers were going off; it was some of the best few minutes of our lives. It was just so much fun!”