Mr. and Mrs. Crist arrive at the Vinoy

At 8:22 p.m., the governor and his bride pulled up to the Vinoy in a Chevy Suburban.

He got out of the SUV, walked to the far side and opened the door for Mrs. Crist. By this time, the protesters had mostly dissipated after a long time lapse between the last of the guests trickling in and the governor's arrival.

As he approached the Vinoy, he commented to some people he knew, "What a protest, my word, what was that?" He also introduced Carole as "my wife."

They walked up the steps, with Crist taking Carole's arm and saying "Carole, stay with me." Onlookers applauded as he reached the top of the steps and congratulated him as he walked into the hotel. The couple went into a private room.

--Rob Farley, Times Staff Writer

Crist kisses the bride, but she wants more

Before an audience filled with leaders of Florida’s business and political communities, Gov. Charlie Crist married businesswoman Carole Rome Friday in a traditional 20 minute ceremony in St. Petersburg that started promptly at 7 p.m. as chimes tolled the hour.

Trumpet Voluntary by Henry Purcell was played as the bride was escorted down the aisle by her daughters Skylar, 10 and Jessica, 12. Crist smiled broadly as he stood beside his father, Dr. Charles Crist of St Petersburg, who served as best man.

When the Rev. David Miller, pastor of the church, asked who was there to give the bride away, the bride’s two daughters by a previous marriage quickly answered, “I do’’ and “I do.’’

The vows were traditional with each of them pledging to “have and to hold from this day forward for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death us do part.’’

The Rev. Miller urged the couple to invite God into their daily lives and noted that Jesus chose a wedding in Cana to perform his first miracle. There he turned water into wine when the wine for the wedding guests ran out.

“I’m sure the good folks at the Vinoy will make sure that doesn’t happen tonight,’’ Miller added as the crowd laughed. The ceremony was followed by a reception at the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel & Resort.

Charlie Crist, Carole Rome wedding photos

Florida Governor Charlie Crist and his bride Carole Rome Crist arrive at the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel in St. Petersburg Friday, December 12, 2008 after their wedding ceremony. [Michael Weimar, Times]

Charlie Crist wedding: Details, details, details

Ian Prosser of Tampa’s Botanica International Design Studio said he used only roses — white, cream and champagne — and ivory hydrangeas for everything from bouquets to altar pieces to pew decor to table arrangements at the reception afterward, a seated dinner in the Grand Ballroom of the Renaissance Vinoy Resort.

• The two altar pieces are a mix of roses and hydrangeas.
• The bride’s bouquet is white roses only; the bridegroom’s boutonniere a white rose to match.
• The attendants’ flowers are roses in white, cream and champagne; the bridegrooms’ boutonnieres are champagne roses.
• For the reception, Prosser said, he created alternating table arrangements. Some will be tall silver compotes containing domes of ivory hydrangeas with the three shades of roses. Other tables will have low silver bowls with the same flowers, and tall silver candlesticks with ivory beeswax candles.
• Of Crist and Rome, Prosser said, “They have been one of the easiest clients ever. If every bride and groom were as easy as this my life would be very simple. It’s been fantastic.”
• Prosser, probably Tampa Bay’s premier florist, led the floral design team for President Bush’s second inaugural and likely will have a leading role in similar preparations for Barack Obama in January.

Invitations, service leaflet, menu cards and thank you stationery all from Not From a Box in St. Petersburg.

• Invitations and service leaflet printed by thermography (not engraved) in Bickham Script. (This is a trademarked typeface font.) Both have cream-colored pearlescent card-stock covers and ivory satin ribbon. To the front of each is affixed a pale-pink square underneath a cream-colored square bearing a flourished capital “C” surrounded by a square decorative border. Kirby Wilson, a Tampa calligrapher, addressed the wedding invitations.

The reception dinner menu:

• Appetizer: Butter-poached lobster with Florida white sturgeon caviar.
• Salad: Caesar salad:
• Entree: Citrus-braised short ribs and macadamia nut-crusted grouper, selection of seasonal vegetables.
• Dessert: Dessert trio, wedding cake.

Wedding party:

• Parents of the bridegroom: Dr. Charles and Nancy Crist.
• Matron of honor: Michele Oumano Powell (sister of the bride).
• Bridesmaids: Margaret Crist Wood, Elizabeth Crist Hyden, Catherine Crist Kennedy (all sisters of the bridegroom).
• Junior bridesmaids: Jessica and Skylar Rome (daughters of the bride).
• Best man: Dr. Charles Crist (father of the bridegroom).
• Groomsmen: Emory Wood, Cary Hyden and Byron Kennedy (brothers-in-law of the bridegroom) and Dean Powell (brother-in-law of the bride).
• Ushers: Julian and Warren Wood, Charles Crist Kennedy (nephews of the bridegroom).
• Organist: Rick Nay.
• Pastor: The Rev. David R. Miller.

Music:

• (Seating of the parents): Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Johann Sebastian Bach.
• Wedding party procession: Trumpet Tune in D Major by Henry Purcell.
• Bride’s procession: Trumpet Voluntary by Henry Purcell.
• Recessional: Wedding March by Felix Mendelssohn.

For some at Crist wedding reception, right place right time

They're at the Vinoy for a leadership conference or a business trip. But now they're at the lobby bar gawking at the well-heeled guests of Charlie Crist's wedding.

Don and Cindy Peer of Clearwater just moved from Minneapolis a month ago. They were at the Vinoy for a company holiday party. Don wasn't sure he'd recognize the governor, being from out-of-state.

But his wife said she would. "He's so handsome. We come from the state of Jesse Ventura so this is a big step up."

Said Don, "It was just a lucky coincidence." He joked, "We watched the movie 'Wedding Crashers' last night on TV to get some tips."

Greg and Valerie Jones of Phoenix were in town for a leadership conference. When she checked in, the clerk asked if she was with governor’s wedding.

"It's fun to be around this," said Greg Jones.

--Rob Farley, Times Staff Writer

A (partial) Crist list of wedding guests

UPDATE: Also on Gov. Charlie Crist's wedding guest list:

Senate President Jeff Atwater

Congressman Robert Wexler, perhaps the only Democrat

Geraldo Rivera

Former U.S. Sen. Connie Mack, and US Rep Connie Mack IV, R-Fla., and his wife, U.S. Rep. Mary Bono Mack, R-Calif. She is the widow of Sonny Bono.

Watson Haynes, a Pinellas politico

St. Pete College chief Carl Kuttler Jr.

Miami lobbyist Ron Book

Tallahassee lobbyist Brian Ballard and his wife and daughters just walked in

Kathleen Shanahan, former chief of staff to Gov. Jeb Bush, and guest and Marty Fiorentino, lobbyist and campaign supporter

Gov's former legal advisor Chris Kise

Charles and Fay Mackey Nielsen, longtime St. Pete residents and philanthropists.

Gov's barber Carl Troup and a guest.

Dr. Bill and Janet Hunter of St. Pete Beach just arrived. The Hunters are friends with the governor's parents.

Gus Stavros, president of Enterprise Florida, and wife Frances Stavros

Attorney General Bill McCollum and his wife

Gov. Crist's chief of staff Eric Eickenberg and his wife

Matt Silverman, president Tampa Bay Rays.

Stuart Sternberg, Tampa Bay Rays principal owner.

John Stross, real estate developer, owner Leverock’s restaurant.

Mayor Rick and Joyce Baker, St. Petersburg. Dr. Bill and Janet Hunter, St. Pete Beach.

Brent and Debbie Sembler, Pinellas Park.

St. Petersburg Times editor, CEO and chairman Paul Tash and his wife, Karyn Tash, St. Petersburg.

From the so-called fourth floor of the lobbying world: David Rancourt, Ron Book and Brian Ballard.

From the state Board of Education: Bobby Martinez, Kathleen Shanahan and Dr. A.K. Desai. From the Legislature: Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg.

Those are a few of the 220 or so people who were invited to Crist's wedding Friday night in St. Petersburg. More here.

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Uhurus protest outside Crist wedding

About 30 Uhurus are marching outside the wedding with an effigy of Gov. Charlie Crist wearing a jail outfit. They're protesting the death of Javon Dawson, a 17-year-old teenager shot by police after a graduation party this summer. They're shouting "no justice no peace,” and “celebrate while cops kill Africans every day."

Nicole Hutcheson, Times staff writer

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Protesters arrive for Crist wedding

Protesters from Impact Florida, Cate Colgan, left, Lorna Bracewell, center showing her back, Yasmin Jones, center right, and Andrew Conte, right, prepare at Williams Park for the protest across the street from Gov. Charlie Crist and Carol Rome's wedding at First United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg.  [Gen Yamaguchi, Times]

View more photos

About 30 protesters have gathered across from the church in Williams Park to protest Gov. Charlie Crist's stance against gay marriage.

They're a peaceable lot, with rainbow and American flags and signs. One reads, "Straight guy for gay marriage."

"I’m in a heterosexual marriage. I pay taxes. There should be no issue being in a gay marriage because they pay taxes," said Catherine Lafuente, 28, of Longboat Key. "We're all American."

Nicole Hutcheson, Times staff writer

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The honour of your presence is requested...

Take a peek at Charlie Crist and Carole Rome's wedding invitations. (Click on the invitation) Note: "No gifts please due to Florida law."

Times photos by Scott Keeler.

 

On the menu: Florida farm-raised caviar

Mote Aquaculture Park in Sarasota County wants you to know that it provided the caviar for Charlie Crist and Carole Rome's wedding reception at the Vinoy tonight.

According to a press release, "The governor's wedding planners chose the Mote caviar because it was farm-raised in Florida."

Said Mote president Dr. Kumar Mahadevan: “It’s truly an honor for Mote Caviar to be served at Gov. Crist’s wedding. As we work to further the aquaculture industry, we truly appreciate the fact that our governor is supporting Florida’s farmers.”

Mote Aquaculture Park is a research facility that develops fish production techniques that show unlimited water isn't necessary for large-scale fish farming.

Stephanie Garry, Times staff writer

Photo of caviar courtesy Mote Aquaculture Park

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Not everyone excited about wedding

ST. PETERSBURG - Orange cones and barricades surround First United Methodist Church. There are already four TV satellite trucks parked across Third Street N and room for a few more.

And no, not everyone has heard the news yet. "What's going on over there?" asked Jerry Chaney, 41.

Why, Gov. Charlie Crist is getting married tonight to New York socialite Carole Rome. The wedding is at 7 p.m., then the party moves on to the Renaissance Vinoy Resort.

"Wow," Chaney said. "That's pretty cool."

Not everyone is so happy for the governor, however. Residents at the Stanton Apartments, just across from the church on Third Street, are just a tad upset.

"They're blocking my view," complained resident Gregory Cliett, 58.

Wedding weather forecast: clear and cool

ST. PETERSBURG - The clouds have started to disappear from the St. Petersburg sky and all should be clear in time for tonight's big Crist-Rome nuptials.

According to Bay News 9 meteorologist Diane Kacmarik, the chance of light showers should end by 2 p.m. It will still be windy and chilly, but it's not likely to rain, she said.

The temperature around the wedding time - 7 p.m. - is predicted to be between 52 to 55 degrees.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

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Crist picks up wedding bands

ST. PETERSBURG -- Gov. Charlie Crist spent a few hours visiting friends in northeast St. Petersburg this morning, picking up wedding bands for himself and fiancee Carole Rome and having his famous silver hair trimmed.

Gold & Diamond Center owner Hien Nguyen designed Rome's size 6 sapphire and diamond engagement ring and created an 18-karat white gold and pave diamond wedding ring for her. He also helped the governor choose a size 10 plain yellow gold band for himself.

"It's simple," the jeweler said. "He'll wear it every day. He's working. He doesn't want anything too busy." The governor paid with a personal check; Nguyen did not disclose the amount.

Carl Troup, the governor's longtime barber, said Crist stopped by the Northeast Pyramid Barber Shop and hand-delivered an invitation to the Friday wedding at First United Methodist Church.

"He has a gleam in his eye," Troup said. "All you've got to do is mention Carole, and he lights up."

Troup, 64, said he cut the governor's hair but did not charge his usual $10. "This is his wedding present," he said, "because you can't give him anything." The barber also had a gift for Dr. Charles Crist, the governor's father and best man. Dr. Crist had his hair cut earlier in the week.

Mary Jane Park, Times Staff Writer

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The governor's wedding: We're all over it

Florida's bachelor governor is getting hitched Friday in his hometown of St. Petersburg.

We'll be all over it.

Check here frequently for updates. We'll have blog posts, photos, video and even some Twitter feeds to keep you up on the Crist-Rome nuptials. The Times' Lucy Morgan will file the official pool report here, where you can read it along with all the reporters who will not be inside the church.

The wedding starts at 7 p.m., followed immediately by a reception, so stay tuned.

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More on the Crist wedding protest

We heard an earful for having suggested a planned protest outside Charlie Crist's wedding and reception was a tacky idea. Lorna Bracewell of ImpACT Florida corrected us, saying it is a demonstration and not a protest.

"We are explicitly and enthusiastically pro-marriage," said Bracewell. "Our goal is to celebrate the governor’s and every Floridian’s fundamental right to marry, a right that, unfortunately, millions of Floridians have been denied in the most categorical way that our political process offers by Amendment 2."

At least 400 demonstraters are expected and will be given stickers that say, "Congratulations, Governor! When can I get married?" to wear on their pink shirts. There will be no chanting outside the wedding at First United Methodist Church, Bracewell said, and signs will be "in keeping with the positive and peaceful spirit of the demonstration." They also plan a candlelight vigil across from the reception at the Renaissance Vinoy hotel, and demonstraters will likely sing Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

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