The Birchwood - Shades of Grey Wedding step into The Limelight | St. Petersburg, FL

The overall inspiration for the styled shoot was the chic elegance of the new Birchwood Inn in St. Pete. There is a mix of modern, natural and classic elements. The table settings play with different textures and designs.

The Groomsmen were fashionable in Brooks Brothers suits styled with gray ties, while the Bridesmaids stunned in slate gray chiffon and taffeta Alvina Valenta and Monique Lhuillier dresses from Bella Bridesmaids. Our Groom channeled Jay Gatsby in Gatsby Collection by Brooks Brothers attire. The Bride was an image of grace and poise in a Reem Acra silk and beaded "Tianna" gown. The top is hand beaded in India with Swarovski crystals and fresh water pearls. The bottom is silk chiffon with wide horse hair trim.

Chevron Wedding Cake “Modern Chic”. A three tier white fondant wedding cake with avocado green chevron design, hand-sculpted gumpaste mums, fondant strings of pearls and handmade gumpaste white peonies. Our cake features a chevron stripe with textured flowers to emulate the flowers on the table linens. The cake is surrounded by beautiful white bloom with greenery bouquets on top of a moss-like table runner over silk shantung moss linen. To create texture, we bunched the linen in a reverse pin-tuck like pattern over a billowing white flower monotone patterned linen. We have also placed some wedding favors on this table. The favors are a terrarium with moss and a single succulent as a play on the natural elements.

Banquet Table: The banquet table showcases a clean, modern elegance with a monochromatic white stripe tied over a green with gold accents linen. This table features a moss lily pad runner topped with clear vessels and modern white arrangements. The white plates and moss goblets finish the look with the light shimmer moss ballroom chairs.

Getaway: The location of the Birchwood Inn is across from the St. Pete Marina and what better way to finish an amazing night, but to set sail on a catamaran. Our Bride & Groom invited their bridal party onto the boat for well wishes before they set off for their honeymoon.

Robert and Marlee both grew up in the Palm Harbor/Dunedin area. Marlee’s older brother and Robert played basketball for the YMCA on opposing teams. It wasn't until Marlee was 14 years old that her brother and Robert became friends. Then eventually when they were hanging out at the house, Marlee got to know him. Although they were not interested in dating, they became great friends! More than a year later, they decided that they would like to date...And the rest is history! Marlee and Robert are high school sweethearts and best friends. “Our road to love has not always been easy, but we chose to grow together rather than grow apart,” Marlee said.

Robert proposed to Marlee at Bon Appetite on October 27, 2006. They got married on April 5, 2008 at the Rusty Pelican. After a stillbirth of their daughter Brooke on June 13, 2009, and two miscarriages, they are now blessed with two beautiful sons, Lukas, age 3 and Austin, 10 months.

Marlee and Robert loved getting to participate in this wedding day recreation because their fifth wedding anniversary was this year. Marlee said, “It was a fun and special way to celebrate their love and each other. The stresses and worries of everyday life were put aside for one day while we played dress up and spent quality time just having fun and loving each other! Thanks again for allowing us to enjoy this amazing experience!”

Lead Photographer | Dafne Spencer
Associate Photographer | Jackie Pizio