How We Pulled Off a Tropical, Tradition-Meets-Modern Jewish Wedding at The Vinoy - with Mounds of Florals and a Mid-Reception Flip

Q: What was the vibe?
Think tropical paradise colliding with timeless Jewish tradition - then crank the drama. The bride wore orchids in her hair and carried a bouquet so vibrant it basically demanded a spotlight. The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club’s iconic Tea Garden in St. Petersburg set the stage for not one, but two jaw-dropping transformations. Because why settle for just one wow-moment when you can have a whole night of them?

Q: Any special nods to tradition?
Plenty. Before the ceremony the bride gifted her groom a tallis - a quiet, emotional moment. Then came a modern twist: instead of the bride circling the groom seven times (a classic Jewish custom), the couple circled each other. Equal parts symbolism and style. And the chuppah? A showstopper. Vibrant tropical blooms cascaded over the structure while the garden fountain overflowed with flowers. Cue collective gasp.

Q: How did cocktail hour keep the vibe alive?
We leaned hard into Polynesian-inspired style - natural textures, cozy lounge seating, and color pops that practically begged guests to grab a fruity cocktail and kick off their shoes. It carried the ceremony’s bold energy into a laid-back, coastal-meets-tropical party.

Q: Tell us about the reception flip.
While guests dined beneath cantina lights on the Tea Garden lawn, we launched into a mid-reception flip worthy of a Netflix special. In under 30 minutes we:
– installed a full dance floor
– added 200+ floating candles to the fountain
– styled a dessert display that looked like it floated on air
– finished lighting and draping touches to perfection.
Guests returned to a garden completely transformed - ethereal, glowing, and impossibly romantic. Mission: nailed.

Q: The dessert station?
Not just dessert - an art installation. Shelves of sweets sat on a bed of florals, every bite looking like it levitated. And yes, the couple’s dog made a cameo as the cake topper. Obviously.

Q: How did it all end?
With a high-energy hora beneath The Vinoy’s glowing tower. Champagne flowed, guests were lifted in chairs, and the dance floor stayed packed. The perfect finale to a celebration that proved you can honor Jewish wedding traditions and throw a wildly modern, tropical party - exactly the kind of design-driven wedding that makes Tampa Bay magic.