Plant-Forward, Walkable, and Full of Charm: Boutique Hotels for a St. Pete Micro-Wedding
Rema Merrick | February 1, 2026
Key Takeaways: Active Hosted Wedding Events
- Active hosted wedding events are a relaxed way to bring wedding guests together—especially when many are traveling from out of town.
- These events create natural opportunities for conversation, connection, and shared memories without the formality of a traditional rehearsal dinner.
- Activities like yoga, biking, kayaking, or a casual group run can be adapted to different energy levels, interests, and guest counts.
- With a bit of advance planning, hosted events can feel seamless, welcoming, and inclusive for your guests.
Introduction
When I had my wedding in downtown St. Pete, most of my guests came from out of town, so I wanted a pre-wedding event that would bring guests together. The Saturday night before our Sunday wedding celebration, my husband and I hosted a wedding weekend welcome event at Pier Teaki for 30 guests. Pier Teaki is a classic, rooftop tiki bar situated perfectly for guests to see an amazing view of the St. Pete skyline and Tampa Bay. The event included lots of appetizers, with vegan and vegetarian options, and drinks for our guests. It was a fun, relaxed atmosphere where guests could mingle and chat. For an added treat, we were able to watch the St. Pete Holiday Lighted Boat Parade on the bay. Guests saw the parade from our two reserved tiki huts. It was a magical experience and a lovely way to connect.
If I were going to do it again, I would add an additional hosted wedding event on Saturday morning or during the day. I would organize something fun and active, like one of the five hosted wedding events I share in this article. Active events give guests a unique experience and help create natural opportunities for conversation and connection.
It’s also worth noting that you don’t need to host multiple events for the weekend to feel special. Even one thoughtfully planned activity can create meaningful connection and give guests a shared experience to look forward to.
Ideal For
Before diving into ideas, it may help to know who this type of wedding weekend event tends to work best for. Active, hosted wedding events are especially well-suited for small weddings, destination or out-of-town guest lists, and couples who value shared experiences over formal programming. They’re also a great fit if you want to give guests an active, meaningful way to explore the city while keeping things relaxed and optional.
Active Hosted Wedding Events
Hosted activities are a great way for guests to get to know one another, explore the city, and enjoy time together without the pressure of a formal event. Here are five hosted wedding event ideas for your small wedding.
Yoga
Bring your guests together for a fun yoga class. Many people think of yoga as a slow, relaxing activity, which it can be, depending on the type of yoga class you take. But it can also be invigorating and physical. A hot power yoga or yoga sculpt class will heat up your body, feel more physically engaging, and get your heart rate up. But if you want a slower pace, you can try a yin yoga class, which will reduce your heart rate and calm your nervous system. It just depends on what you want.
Fire Flow hot yoga studio in downtown St. Pete, FL offers group and event sessions, which your guests can participate in at the yoga studio or off-site (e.g., your guest hotel). These tailored sessions can be especially helpful for guests who are new to yoga or feeling a little hesitant.
Rock Climbing
Treat adventurous guests to a daring rock-climbing experience at a rock-climbing gym. I haven’t gone climbing at a rock-climbing gym in a while but it’s something I used to love to do. Climbing at a rock-climbing gym is not just for experienced adult climbers. With proper supervision and safety instruction, it’s also a fun activity for kids and novice climbers. Most rock-climbing gyms will provide gear rentals, instruction, and staff belayers.
Vertical Ventures rock-climbing gym in downtown St. Pete, Florida offers discounted climbing for large groups within several different event packages. The group event packages include bouldering, 30-ft tall routes, gear rental, staff belayers, and private event room. You can either bring your own food for guests or Vertical Ventures can cater the event for you. Schedule your event well in advance so that you can get the discounted climbing for large groups and to ensure there is space for your group of guests.
Bike Tours
Bike with your guests along St. Pete’s many bike trails and bike-safe routes. You can book a guided bike tour for your guests to explore the city. One of my favorite biking tour companies is St. Pete Biking Tours. Check out these fun guided tours offered by St. Pete Biking Tours.
The St. Pete Awesome Mural Tour
Explore the beautiful collection of murals scattered throughout St. Pete sponsored by the Shine Mural Festival and featuring artists from all over the world. This bike tour takes you on a voyage of more than 40 murals and breaks down the creative process for them.
Duration | 2 hours |
|---|---|
Included | Regular bike or e-bike rental, helmet, and souvenir water bottle (lunch not included) |
Distance | 6 to 7 miles |
Difficulty | Easy |
Age | 12 years and up |
Scenic E-Bike Tour to Gulfport (with Lunch)
Ride e-bikes to Gulfport, a quaint little beach town littered with funky coffee shops, cafes, shops, and restaurants. This e-bike tour takes you along the beautiful Pinellas Trail with a stop for lunch in downtown Gulfport.
Duration | 2.5 hours |
|---|---|
Included | E-bike rental, helmet, souvenir water bottle, free bike parking, and lunch |
Distance | 11 to 12 miles |
Difficulty | Easy |
Age | 18 years and up |
Kayaking or Paddleboarding
Kayak or paddle through the many water trails located in the Tampa Bay area. Three of my favorite launch sites are at Weedon Preserves, Coffee Pot Bayou, and Lassing Park, each has its own unique appeal. Several tour companies offer guided kayaking and/or paddleboarding tours. Here are two of my favorite kayaking and paddleboarding tours.
Weedon Island Guided Kayak Tour
Explore the beautiful Weedon Island Preserve by kayak searching for dolphins and manatees along the way. Journey through the captivating mangrove tunnels where you can see mangrove crabs, mullet, and countless varieties of birds that nest inside the mangrove forests.
Salt Creek Eco Guided Kayak Tour
Start your guided paddleboard tour at Lassing Park, located in the historic Old Southeast neighborhood of St. Pete. Explore Tampa Bay as guests paddle south of the St. Pete Pier, while searching for manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, brown pelicans, and other marine wildlife.
Tour Company | |
|---|---|
Launch Point | 15th – 22nd Ave. SE. & Beach Drive SE., St. Petersburg, FL 33705 | Lassing Park in Southeast Historic district of St. Pete |
Duration | 60, 90, and 120 minutes |
Included | Tour guide, safety and paddling instructions, life vests, paddles, and paddle board |
Bring | Drinking water, cell phone and dry bag, water shoes or flip flops, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, and bug spray |
5k Race
Participate in a 5K race. A race is great for guests of all levels --- walkers, novice runners, advanced runners, kids, and families. St. Pete and the surrounding areas offer many options for 5K and other distance races through out the year. I will share three of my favorite races for 2026. You could even create a team using your wedding name and design a team t-shirt for your guests.
Race | |
|---|---|
Location | Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 |
Swag | Run bib, race chip, finisher medal, glow kit, and race shirt |
Distinction | The run takes place at night and participants dress up in fun, glow-in-the-dark outfits and accessories for the run. |
Date | February 6, 2025, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm |
Race | |
|---|---|
Location | St. Pete Pier, Spa Beach, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 |
Swag | Run bib, race chip, finisher medal, glow kit, and race shirt |
Distinction | The run starts at Spa Beach on the St. Pete Pier; it’s a scenic route where you run along the waterfront for most of the race. Participants dress up in fun 4th of July costumes and there is a beautiful fireworks show that evening. |
Date | July 4, 2026 |
Race | |
|---|---|
Location | Albert Whitted Park, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 |
Swag | Run bib, timing chip, race shirt, beach towel, and finisher medal |
Distinction | The organizers work hard to make healthy living accessible to everyone. Beyond the races themselves, the event also features booths hosted by local St. Pete wellness businesses and organizations. For example, you can book a 30-minute massage for after the race with Flying Falcon Therapies. |
Date | November 14, 2026 |
Here’s a guide for planning your hosted wedding event. It’s a good idea to plan this event early as part of your wedding planning. Starting early allows you to gauge guest interest in potential events—since some activities may have more or fewer takers—and helps ensure everything runs smoothly. Most places require groups to sign up in advance, soplanning ahead also helps you secure your preferred day and time.
Establish the guest count for active hosted wedding events.
Determine how many guests will attend the event. This is one of the most important parts of planning the hosted wedding event. The event company will need an accurate count to make sure there is enough equipment and staff to accommodate the group. While confirming the guest count, ask guests about accommodations they need to participate in the event or with regards to the transportation to and from the event. It’s also helpful to remind guests that participation is optional—some may prefer to cheer from the sidelines or join afterward for food.
Pro Tip
When I was planning my hosted wedding event at Pier Teaki, I used Greenvelope to send out the request to all my guests. This worked great because I also used this platform to send out my digital wedding invitations, so all the guest contacts were already in the system. It made it very easy to communicate with guests and get their responses.
Book the event in advance.
Contact the event’s organizer and reserve the appropriate number of spots for your guests. It’s a good idea to do this well in advance of the event. You may need weeks or months in advance for the reservation. Be sure to let them know of any accommodation guests may need, which you discerned from your earlier requests to guests.
Even though many 5K race events allow the addition of guests right up to the race, there are a few factors which make it a good idea to register your team and guests well in advance. Even though there may still be space available, even up until the day of the race, some races are popular and spots may fill up.
Pro Tip 1
Some races use a lottery system to determine who will participate in the race (e.g., Coffee Pot Turkey Trot in St. Pete). Not every person who registers to run the race will get the opportunity to participate in the race. Verify if there is a lottery system before you decide if this is the right race for your wedding event. A lottery type of race, where not all the guests who want to participate may be able to participate, may not be the best fit for your wedding event.
Pro Tip 2
If your event is outdoors, ask the organizer about weather contingency plans when booking. Some companies offer flexiblerescheduling, covered areas, or alternate routes. Having a simple backup plan can help everyone feel more at ease—especially guests traveling from out of town.
Reserve transportation to and from the event.
To make the experience seamless for guests, consider booking transportation to get guests from their accommodations, or a centralized, designated pick-up spot, to the event’s location. That way guests do not have to worry about finding their way around town, especially if they are not from the area.
Pro Tip
Based on the number of guests who will be taking part in the event, you may want to charter one or two Sprinter-type buses. This type of vehicle usually transports up to 14 guests. You could also provide guests with Uber vouchers. I used Uber vouchers for our guests to travel to and from the wedding venue but these vouchers can be used to provide transport for guests to and from the event.
Set up a post-event meal for your guests.
Cater lunch for guests, or reserve a table at a restaurant for brunch or lunch. Based on the time the event wraps up, you can organize brunch, lunch, or snacks right after the event. Guests may be starving after an active event that burns calories. You can have a catered meal, packed lunch/snacks ready for guests to eat on the transportation, have a picnic in the park or lunch at a local restaurant.
Pro Tip
Since this is a vegetarian-friendly blog, I suggest the St. Pete Bakery Cafe in downtown St. Pete, which offers a good selection of Mediterranean-styled vegetarian and vegan soups, salads, and platters. This spot also has delicious pastries, teas, and coffee drinks. Some favorites include the chickpea soup, homemade baklava, and hibiscus tea. The café only seats about 12 people, so this restaurant would be for a smaller guest count. Again, I suggest calling ahead well in advance and letting them know your guest count for that day to make sure they will be able to accommodate your group.
Good Intentions Restaurant is a fully vegan restaurant located in the Grand Central District of St. Pete. This restaurant is well-equipped to handle a larger group if you make reservations well in advance. Some favorites include the southern sriracha crab cakes, nachos, and cheesecake. They also have yummy non-alcoholic drink options, such as Guinness Zero and Original Sin Non-alcoholic Cider.
Planning Checklist: Active Hosted Wedding Events
Final Thoughts: Active Hosted Wedding Events
Hosting an active wedding event is less about the activity itself and more about the shared experience it creates. Whether your guests are stretching together in a yoga class, biking through the city, paddling along the water, or walking a 5K at their own pace, these moments offer a relaxed way to connect outside of the wedding day itself.
For small weddings especially, active hosted wedding events can help guests feel grounded, welcomed, and part of something meaningful—without adding pressure or formality. With thoughtful planning and a focus on comfort and accessibility, an active event can become one of those quiet highlights your guests remember long after the weekend is over.
Please note: This post is not sponsored or supported by any of the establishments or organizations mentioned. I’m not being paid for this content; everything I share is based on my own experience, research, and personal opinion.
Share your story
Do you have a special story about your small wedding in St. Pete, Florida? I would love to hear your story.
Photography: K&K Photography | Make-up: Tricia Montaque | Bouquet: Wonderland Floral Art
Rema Merrick
Hi! I’m a St. Pete local, tiny wedding enthusiast, and long-time vegetarian. When I’m not researching or writing articles for The Petite Peoni, you’ll usually find me running along the waterfront at Vinoy Park, taking a hot yoga class, or enjoying a cup of coffee at Bandit Coffee in St. Pete’s Grand Central District. In a former life, I’ve been an insurance agent, flight attendant, and instructional designer—experiences that still shape how I approach storytelling and thoughtful celebration.
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