Modern Gatsby Wedding Inspiration at NOVA 535

Stepping into the opulent world of luxury, wedding planner and designer Kelci Leigh Events collaborated with NOVA 535 to curate a contemporary take on the 1920s era, ushering in a golden era of sophistication. The historic downtown St. Pete wedding venue, also constructed in the 1920s, provided an exquisite backdrop for the Gatsby-inspired decor.

“The theme was Modern Gatsby. The aesthetics of NOVA 535 drove the theme of this shoot. NOVA 535 was the perfect wedding venue to incorporate a big theme and gave it that modern flare, with the dim lighting, exposed brick, and their updated color palette of the ceremony space,” wedding planner Kelci Zicconi of Kelci Leigh Events explained. “Our colors were black, white, and gold. We had some shimmery touches with layering linens and stationery.”

Capturing the allure of a bygone era, NOVA 535’s golden ceremony arches were adorned with white and gold florals, which also extended gracefully down the aisle. The venue’s black cross-back chairs and enchanting string lighting transformed the bamboo courtyard into an idyllic setting for a outdoor Florida wedding.

“Since the theme was Modern Gatsby, we took a lot of inspiration from the over-the-top grand feel of a Gatsby party and combined it with the current trend of bloom-heavy yet whimsical florals. We didn’t include a single stem of greenery in this whole shoot,” Floral Consultant and Designer Shelby Moody with Marigold Flower Co. shared. “Kelci, the amazing planner, wanted to do a fresh take on Gatsby with this black, white, and gold theme. We wanted our flowers to have the lush feel of a Gatsby theme while still being very approachable for a couple. We included Astilbe as a subtle nod to the feather accents of 1920s flappers and gold billy balls for a subtle pop!”

Inside the two-story loft-style venue, specialty linens and decor transformed the space from a blank canvas to a flapper’s dream speakeasy. The tall floral centerpieces seamlessly complemented the stunning design of the sweetheart table, standing out against the captivating stringlight wall, while the venue’s chic bar showcased their extended variety of local brews.

“Florals and feathers were the focal points,” the wedding planner detailed. “Textured linens are so fun and really can make a huge difference if you want to go minimal on tabletop decor.”

As a striking focal point, light-up letters were showcased against the exposed brick wall, creating the perfect backdrop for unforgettable portraits. With its spacious courtyard, the wedding planner orchestrated a grand exit for the couple, who made a stylish getaway in a vintage car.

“I loved the feather dress from Truly Forever Bridal, the ‘Roaring Love’ light-up letters, the textured overlay linens from Kate Ryan Event Rentals, and the vintage getaway car really sealed the deal on our grand exit from Classically Ever After,” Kelci beamed.