Bride
What is your story as a couple, how did you meet & fall in love?
We were originally just friends and knew of each other because we went to the same high school. A couple years after we graduated, I called him to see if he could help fix my grandpa’s tractor. He came over and we would spend time together while he worked on my grandpas tools in the garage. out and for a year he told me he wanted more than just a friendship with me. Even though I told him I only thought of us as friends, we still continued to do fishing tournaments and hang out together. As that first year went by, I slowly started to realize I had fallen in love with my best friend. One night, after getting up enough nerve, I told him of my change of heart and we’ve been together ever since! If you ask RJ today, he’ll tell you he “gut hooked me”, like you do a fish, and
hes had me the whole time
What makes the two of you a perfect match?
I would say we balance each other out pretty perfectly. We have just the right amount of similarities and differences to make a great team. He makes me smile no matter what and we never stop laughing and having fun together. We both push each other to be better people independently and as a couple.
How did he (or you) propose?
He proposed in a tree stand while hunting together on my family’s property in South Carolina.
How long was the planning process? Did you think it was enough time?
We had 5 months to plan. For us, it was enough time, but we had to hit it hard! If it would have been any longer, I think we would have gotten sick of the planning. We were able to get everything done in just enough time!
What was the best advice you received when you were planning your wedding?
I think the best advice I received was not to stress or worry about anything. Everything always comes together perfectly.
What tips & tricks (can we use “hacks”?) can you share future brides that you yourself have learned during and after your wedding?
I would say don’t take things too seriously and get stressed out about things you cannot control. It rained during my outdoor wedding and we still had the best time!
What were some challenges you faced while planning your wedding & what did you do to address them?
The only challenge we faced was being on a time restraint. We had to rush order the bridesmaids dresses, which cost more, but that was pretty much it!
What inspired your wedding décor? Why did you choose the things that you did?
We wanted our wedding to have a feeling of elegance and have that “old Florida” feel to it. With that in mind, we had an outdoor venue on the water and tried to use as much natural decor as possible.
What was the wedding budget?
$30,000.00
Where did you save the most money?
Floral and cake.
What was the biggest expense?
Food and alcohol.
How many guests were invited in your wedding and what was the final guest count?
315 were invited and about 270-280 was the final guest count.
How did you narrow down your list?
We really didn’t do much narrowing. Most of the guest list was family and close friends, we both come from a big family so we knew from the beginning it would be a bigger wedding.
What songs did you use during the ceremony?
When they first walked up, an assortment of Kenny G songs were playing.
Processional: – “Into The Mystic” by Van Morrison; – “Stranded” by Van Morrison;
Brides Entrance with Dad: – “Tupelo Honey” by Van Morrison
Recessional: – “Higher and Higher” by Jackie Wilson;
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Bahamas!
What are you most excited about for the future?
Just knowing I have the rest of my life to spend with my best friend is the neatest feeling in the world. I’m excited to see where our future takes us…I really don’t care where, as long as we get to do it together
Do you have advice for couples still in the planning process?
When you get caught up in the planning frenzy and find you may be a little stressed, just remember why you’re doing it….it’s all so you get to spend forever with the person you love most.
What is the overall story for this album?
One amazing and fun Florida wedding.
What inspired the wedding day outfits?
I was inspired by that Old Florida feel – orange groves and jadite glassware. I wanted the outfits to be elegant and classic – and also wanted everyone to be comfortable in what they were wearing.
What was your favorite part of the day?
Besides getting married, my favorite part of the day was being surrounded by our closest family and friends and getting to celebrate such a special moment with them all! The love we felt from everyone was such a overwhelming indescribable feeling!
Was there any Do it Yourself (DIY) projects? If so, can you describe them in detail?
My sister-in-law, Chelsea, handmade our wedding invitations. Our envelope lining was a watercolor scene she painted of the everglades and she also did a watercolor painting of a palm tree for one side of the envelope. She addressed our invitations in calligraphy. My sister, Natalie, sketched an orange, which was used all-throughout the wedding. It was on our invitations, thank you cards, stamps and many other places. (We received A TON of compliments on our invitations.) Chelsea also baked out cakes! The grooms cake was in the shape of a can of Copenhagen (my husband dips) and the actual wedding cake was a 3 tiered cheesecake with a big bow on it!
What were the highlights from the ceremony & reception?
The highlights for the ceremony was the music and the pastor’s speech. He was really personal and we received a lot of compliments on it. Another big highlight for the ceremony was finally getting to say “I do”! The highlights for the reception was the dancing and jumping in the lake for our farewell exit!
Was there a theme for the ceremony and reception?
No theme. We just tried to create a elegant, old Florida feel to the whole event.
What part of the ceremonies do you think was the most memorable for you? (& your guests?)
We received many compliments on our music choice and the pastors speech for the ceremony. It was a very simple, yet meaningful ceremony. The part that was most memorable for the reception was the whole wedding party jumping in the lake at the end.
Vendors
Photographer: Earthmuse Photography
Dress Store: Bella Bridesmaids
Equipment Rentals: A Chair Affair, Inc.
Makeup Artist: LeJeune Artistry
Hair Stylist: LeJeune Hair and Makeup Artistry
Reception Venue: Paradise Cove Orlando
Ceremony Location: Paradise Cove Orlando
Caterer:Plus Catering
Invitation Designer: Simpliche
Floral Designer: velvet&twine
Dress Store: calvet couture bridal