A Traditional Wedding at The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort and Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Florida

One year after Shana Zink (26 and an elementary school teacher) and Benjamin (Ben) Palmer (27 and in business) met at a happy hour in Tampa, Florida, Ben popped the question. The couple was visiting Ben’s grandfather in Knoxville, Tennessee, when he proposed with a round-cut diamond ring. Within a year, they planned a traditional wedding accented in eggplant, white and silver in St, Petersburg, Florida. “We wanted our wedding to be a timeless and elegant event,” says Shana. The couple decorated their traditional ceremony at St. Mary's Catholic Church Satin ribbon-tied arrangements of white hydrangea along the aisle as well as placed two arrangements by the altar. After the couple said “I do,” Shana, Ben and their 200 guests went to a ballroom in The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club.  “We loved that it was close to home, but still had the feel of being on vacation,” says Shana. The room was bathed with purple uplighting as round eggplant linen-covered tables were met with silver chiavari chairs as well as crystal and white floral centerpieces. The couple treated their guests to a seafood and steak dinner before cutting their two cakes: a three-tier white wedding cake with a cascading ruffle detail and a three-tier golf bag-inspired groom’s cake. The rest of the night was spent between dancing to a live band, Southtown Fever, and making a few memories in a photo booth. For future couples, the bride shares: “Create a list of things to accomplish, divide and conquer!”