Kaitlyn + James Step Into The Limelight | The Vinoy® Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club + Sunset Ballroom | St. Petersburg, FL

November 11, 2022 Rebecca Zoumberos

Happy, excited, love, family

Kaitlyn and James originally met in 2018 during a ruck event on St. Pete beach, but had lost contact with each other. Little did they know, they actually lived very close to each other. They finally met up again for a couple other training events that Kaitlyn had put on close to where they lived. Thankfully, for a couple of them, James was the only to show up and they actually got to know each other pretty well. Finally, on 6/23/19, they decided to actually go on a dinner date, and their first official date ended up being on 6/27.

Fast forward two years, and James invited Kaitlyn out to dinner with two of his friends. They were heading to dinner on their boat and were planning on docking at the restaurant, however James made a little detour first to a sandbar to watch the sunset. James waited for as long as he could for the sun to set, however he was also watching a storm that was coming in quickly. While Kaitlyn was watching the cool clouds and pretty sunset come in, he started getting all romantic and claimed he was the lucky one (which she still believes she is luckier), and then got down on one knee and proposed.

In James’ own words, “I love that Kaitlyn is smart, caring and compassionate. Kaitlyn is always motivating and wanting the best for other people. I love the way she looks at me and her smile. Everything about her. She makes me want to be a better person and she brings the best out of me.”

In Kaitlyn’s own words: “I love James' passion towards life. He has been through so much and still continues to put his family and friends needs first. I love his kind heart and witty personality. He is truly a gentle giant, has the sweetest smile, and I continue to wonder how I got so lucky to met a man like him. I also love how he can always find my cell phone for me. :)”

Together they enjoy running very long distances (sometimes with obstacles and carrying extra weight). They love paddle boarding, occasional horseback riding, shooting, spending time with their fur-baby Leo, and watching reruns on Netflix (or for James, playing videogames when she goes to bed). Also, maybe one day golf (although Kaitlyn is scared to see how bad she actually is lol.)

They loved having their family and friends come celebrate the fact they believe they are the two luckiest people on earth!!!

Kaitlyn and her mom did a lot of homework researching venue options. They loved the fact The Vinoy is in St. Pete, where they first met, and also loved the scenery. They love how close the water is, yet also how close to downtown their location was.

They love the tea garden and the history behind the hotel. They were excited for our horse-drawn carriage from the ceremony to the reception, and praying for a beautiful day, especially the sunset! They were also excited to surprise their family with their first dance. A year of dance lessons paid off!

Their entire day was romantic and the atmosphere of the Tea Garden at The Vinoy creates an intimate experience, even with a large amount of people. They enjoyed an intimate, simple, elegant wedding ceremony. The reception was an all out party and celebration!

What about your wedding makes it unique to the two of you:: The fact they get to celebrate it with so many family and friends.

The color blue has a lot of meaning to them. Along with blue, representing the "thin blue line" and James being a Manatee sheriff, blue is also represented in the Navy, which Kaitlyn's Dad and older brother served in. The other colors, Kaitlyn thought were pretty and went with the day.

Lead Photographer | Rebecca Zoumberos
Associate Photographer | Dafne Spencer
Intern | Cheyenne Roth