Same Sex Yacht Wedding at Vinoy St. Petersburg

February 22, 2016

Same Sex Yacht Wedding | St. Petersburg Wedding Photographer

The New Year and RLP's 2016 wedding season started with Andrew and Jeff’s wedding at the Vinoy hotel. Well, technically speaking, it was the second day of 2016. But I digress… back to Andrew and Jeff’s love story. You see, they weren’t supposed to fall in love. Funny how that works.

A newly single Jeff wasn’t looking to jump into the dating scene. Meanwhile, Andrew had plans to return to his home state after completing his degree. Neither of them had anything serious in mind when they met during a night on the town. But a friendship developed and they started hanging out. Nothing serious, they reminded each other. They were just hanging out. Yet somewhere between the carefully made life plans and inconvenient timing, they fell in love. It had become serious!

And so their family and dearest friends flew in from all around the world to celebrate this love, starting at the famed Vinoy hotel in St. Pete. Jeff and Andrew chose a Starship yacht as their wedding venue. We set sail before sunset. Open air. Rolling waves. St. Pete fading into the background. Best friend Brittany, officiated the ceremony that had laughter and tears—all from the heart. Celebrations got underway with a tear jerker of a speech by Jeff’s sister who thanked all his friends for their acceptance, love and support. A toast peppered with Taylor Swift song references had the dining room smiling and prov.

Jeff and Andrew, it was a joy to see you so sweetly overwhelmed by the love and attention showered upon you. What a way to start the year and your marriage! It's has been a treat getting to know you both.

Same sex wedding invitations with a nautical theme taken at the Vinoy Hotel in St. Petersburg

A closeup photo of the couple's Tiffany wedding rings while they enjoy mimosas.

Andrew and Jeff enjoyed some quiet time and mimosas together. They'd spent the days leading up to their wedding welcoming friends and family to St. Pete. It was in these quiet moments that the enormity and excitement of getting married bubbled up.

The grooms got ready at the Vinoy hotel before their wedding aboard a yacht in St. Petersburg.

Grooms pose in front of the Vinoy Hotel lobby before their wedding on a yacht.

The Vinoy, which is listed on U.S. National Register of Historic Places. makes a grand architectural statement with its intricately crafted front entrance. Add a dapper couple to the mix and we've got magic!

Grooms stand pose for photos near the St. Petersburg marina before their wedding ceremony.

Same sex couple pose for pictures along the St. Petersburg marina before their wedding ceremony about the Starship Yacht After photographing their loved ones at the Vinoy, we crossed the street for some portraits along the marina.

The grooms share a kiss along the St. Petersburg marina before their wedding ceremony aboard the Starship Yacht.

The grooms were escorted down the aisle by their mothers for a wedding aboard the Starship in St. Petersburg

Same sex wedding ceremony took place aboard the Starship Yacht cruise in St. Petersburg

The wedding ceremony aboard the Starship yacht was personal and sweet...and more than a few tears were shed. These two were literally surrounded by love!

Navy and yellow wedding reception decorations on the Starship in St. Petersburg