Blog - Anna Christine Events

JW Marriott: Mallory and Jordan’s Glamorous Valentine’s Pink & White Wedding

04.30.19

In February of 2017 we joined Mallory and Jordan for their glamorous Valentine’s Day-inspired wedding. The color scheme was mainly pink, green and white. The ceremony was held at the beautiful Holy Family Catholic Church, and the reception was held at the very grand JW Marriott in Orlando. Thanks to the amazing Kathy Thomas Photography, we get to share their beautiful wedding photos with you!

Mallory got ready with her mother and eleven bridesmaids in the morning at the JW, using both the services of Mondi Salon Hair & Make-up and Eye-Do Make-Up. The bridesmaids wore lovely light pink dresses, while the groomsmen dressed in grey suits with matching pink ties and boutonnieres. Both the boutonnieres and gorgeous bouquets were arranged by Flowers by Lesley. In no time, the men and women arrived at the Holy Family Catholic Church, ready for the service to begin.

Under the glow of sunlight through stained glass, the traditional Catholic ceremony was absolutely beautiful. The ring bearer and flower girls proceeded down the aisle, followed by Mallory, herself glowing in joy in her lacy white dress and cascading veil. The priest led the congregation throughout the ceremony, and at last proclaimed Mallory and Jordan man and wife, upon which they kissed and made their grand exit down the aisle, full of smiles.

Following the ceremony, there was a break before the cocktail hour began, and the wedding party took advantage of this time to fit in a photo shoot. The JW Marriott offered a multitude of great photogenic locations, such as the front lawn by a fountain, the grounds with palm trees in the background, and the classic Florida lakeside shot.

The cocktail hour began at 6:00pm, catered by the JW Marriott on a lovely terrace. The bride and groom chose to have a sushi bar, featuring different types of sushi, sashimi, and shrimp cocktail. The harpist from the ceremony, Christine MacPhail, also played at the cocktail hour, providing a relaxing and lovely atmosphere.

The reception took place inside the JW Marriott’s banquet hall, decked out in pink linens, glowing candles, and bunches of white flowers arranged by Flowers by Lesley. One of our favorite creative additions was an idea for the many children that would be in attendance; since it was near Valentine’s Day, the bride and groom had a crafting table set up for the young ones, with supplies for making cards. The bride also shared some of her Filipino culture by providing baskets full of candy from the Philippines.

The reception began with grand introductions to the wedding party, families, and of course, the bride and groom. The two then shared their first dance, followed by speeches from the bride’s father, the groom’s brother, and the bride’s sister. Following a blessing, dinner was served, as catered by the JW Marriott. Once everyone was full of delicious food, the bride shared a dance with her father, and the bride and groom cut their beautiful multi-tier cake, surrounded by a gorgeous ring of flowers made by Raining Roses. And that’s when the real party began!

The dance floor was opened, with the music led by Soundwave Entertainment. In an unexpected and very fun surprise, the godmother led a choreographed dance, followed by a choreographed number featuring the bride and her bridesmaids. Mallory then tossed her bouquet into a crowd of enthusiastic girls. In turn, Jordan tossed the garter to the group of men, one of whom was so excited to catch it he ran across the front of the others and dove for it. The guests danced until the very end, the bridesmaids and groomsmen showing off their gifts of cool sunglasses.

It was a fantastic party and a beautiful wedding, and we are so grateful to Mallory and Jordan for choosing us to be a part of it! Congratulations to the two of you and best wishes on your new adventure together. Much thanks to the venues and many vendors that made this spectacular production possible:

Ceremony Venue: Holy Family Catholic Church • Reception Venue: JW Marriott, Grande Lakes • Hair: Mondi Salon Hair and Makeup • Makeup: Eye-Do Make-Up • Planner: Anna Christine Events • Photographer: Kathy Thomas Photography • Filmographer: Lexoria Films • Florist: Flowers by Lesley • Cake Flower Ring: Raining Roses • Transportation: Limousine & Transportation Services of Orlando • Harpist: Christine MacPhail • Lighting & DJ: Soundwave Entertainment • Linens: Over the Top Linens • Photo Booth: Day Dream Digital Photobooth

Mission Inn Marina: Kate & Gregg’s “Happily Ever After” Brunch Wedding

04.30.19

We loved working with Kate and Gregg in January of 2017 at their “Happily Ever After” brunch wedding at the Mission Inn Marina. While most weddings take place in the evening, theirs was on a beautiful chilly winter morning, and we absolutely loved seeing how all their details and creativity came together with the fairytale theme. Mission Inn put together a gorgeous brunch buffet, and all the vendors made this couple’s dreams come true. Thanks to Daisy Saulls Photography for letting us share these beautiful photos!

The day began early – we’re talking hair and make-up starting at 4:30 am! The hair and make-up magicians at Flawless Faces by Alicia made up our bride and bridesmaids, while the men tied their bowties, shot some pool, and played cards. The bride also sported a beautiful pair of Tiffany & Co earrings and a beautiful bouquet arranged by Blumenkiss.

The wedding party then gathered for a First Look photo shoot. The photos began sweet and simple, with Gregg and Kate showing their love when they first saw one another before the wedding. As the photo shoot went on, the wedding party got sillier and sillier, letting out their personality and fun-loving nature. The men showed off their Star Trek & He-Man socks, the women made funny faces, and everyone got a picture jokingly shivering as they showed just how cold this January morning was.

The ceremony space was outside the Mission Inn, set with white folding chairs and lovely suspended mason jars full of flowers. Kate and Gregg set up a fun sign post that pointed to the “Vows Here”, “Dancing There”, and “Love Everywhere”. There was also a sign that announced to the guests that it would be open seating, with more mason jars of flowers. The ceremony was beautiful and used a personal friend as an officiant. A very personal element added by the bride and groom was the inclusion of their dog, as taken care of by the company Fairy Tail Pet Care. While there was certainly some wind and a bit of January chill, nothing could get our ebullient bride and groom down as they said “I do” and kissed for the first time as husband and wife.

The reception at Mission Inn was held at the Marina, with a high ceiling and lights twinkling from above. At the entrance, Kate and Gregg had a Welcome sign with their wedding hashtag, and inside there was a display that shared “Our Love Story”. The tables were a mix of round tables with light blue linens and long wooden tables with lace runners. At each place setting was the favor, a custom-made packet of coffee. At the sweetheart table, there was a rose under a dome, to mimic the one from Beauty and the Beast and relate to the fairytale theme. The bride and groom also got beautiful hand-painted plates at the sweetheart table.

There were several more very creative and fun touches to Kate and Gregg’s reception. One of our favorites was that instead of a traditional guestbook, they had guests sign a record, with a sign that read “For the Record”. They also included a DIY project of hanging photos from clothespins within an empty frame for their loving memory display. Finally, our absolute favorite idea these two incorporated was geared towards the kids in attendance: their very own custom-made Kate and Gregg coloring & activity book! Each book came with crayons, and was the perfect way to entertain the young ones in attendance at their reception.

Soon enough it was time for the bride and groom to make their grand entrance into the reception hall. After sharing their first dance as a married couple, they heard beautiful toasts from the Maid of Honor and Best Man, and then it was brunch time! The buffet catered by Mission Inn was fantastic, with beautiful platters of breads, muffins, fruit skewers, and more.

Speaking of delicious foods, Kate and Gregg had a beautiful table of desserts made by Le Petit Sweet, offering everything from donuts to mini pies to cream puffs. The lovely blue and white cake read “Happily Ever After”, and was soon cut and enjoyed by the bride and groom to be shared with the rest of their guests.

The bride then tossed her bouquet and the groom her garter, caught by a couple of excited guests. At last it was time to party! The party, run by DJ Chuck Johnson, was a blast, full of dancing, music, and smiles. And of course, coloring!

Of course, all good things must come to an end, and in a beautiful flurry of bubbles, Kate and Gregg made their grand exit. As they drove away, all could see the sign on the back of their car: “Just married – Next stop: Happily ever after”, and it was clear that this was only the beginning of their fairytale together.

Congratulations and gratitude to Kate and Gregg for including us in their beautiful day, and much thanks and love to the venue and vendors that made it go so happily ever after:

Venue: Mission Inn Marina • Hair & Make up: Flawless Faces by Alicia • Photography: Daisy Saulls Photography • Florist: Blumenkiss • Planner: Anna Christine Events • DJ: Chuck Johnson • Desserts: Le Petit Sweet • Pet Care: Fairy Tail Pet Care

Capen House: Chris & Kristin’s Classic Purple & White Wedding

04.30.19

In December of 2016, we joined Chris and Kristin for their classic-styled wedding at the Capen House in Winter Park, Florida. Their wedding color scheme was mainly deep purple and white, with some lighter purple accents. It was a beautiful day, captured perfectly by Jessica Leigh Photography.

The day began with the girls and guys getting ready at the Grand Bohemian Hotel. The bridesmaids wore deep purple dresses, while the bride wore a beautiful form-fitting sleeveless white gown and flower crown. The women’s hair was done by Catwalk Hair Design and make-up was done by Logan Slaughter. The groom wore a light grey suit and dark purple socks, with his groomsmen in the opposite: dark grey suits and light purple socks. The beautiful bouquets and boutonnieres were arranged by Peddles Florist.

Chris and Kristin chose to have a First Look photo shoot before the ceremony, revealing the beautiful bride to her groom for the first time outside the Capen House. The two took several lovely photos around the grounds, then got a couple shots with the wedding party and relatives.

The ceremony was held outside the Capen House, with a beautiful arbor draped in white fabric and purple & white flowers. The chairs along the aisle each had decorative purple bows. As guests entered, they passed the “guestbook”, which was a large letter “C” for Chris, and two welcome signs – one that whimsically reminded them that there was no seating plan, and one that featured photos of the bride and groom.

The ceremony began at 4:00pm, with two musicians orchestrating as the wedding party walked down the aisle. At last the bride was walked in on the arm of her father, and joined Chris at the arbor. The two exchanged rings, shared their first kiss, and were proclaimed husband and wife! Chris and Kristin decided to do a quick post-ceremony photoshoot while their guests enjoyed the Cocktail Hour, exploring the dock area of the venue.

The reception was also outdoors, on the courtyard of the Capen House. Market lighting hung above the tables, which each held a simple floral centerpiece, arranged by Peddles Florist.

The reception began with the introduction of Chris and Kristin as a married couple for the first time, followed by their first dance. There were then toasts from the Best Man and Lady of Honor. Following this, the buffets from Levan’s Catering were opened, and it was time for dinner.

After enjoying their buffet dinner, the bride and groom met to cut their wedding cake, made by Cake Designers. The cake was decorated with beautiful purple flowers and topped with a cake topper with their newly shared last name.

Finally, it was dance party time! The reception moved inside, where a sign declared it “Da club”. The dancing was led by DJ Diezl, who made sure everyone in the room was having a great time. The bride and groom showed their support for the Florida Gators in a fun subtle touch – branded koozies for their beers. The final touch of the night was in the favors, which were two different blends of coffee made specially for the couple’s special day.

We had a wonderful time making this day happen with Chris and Kristin, and wish them a lifetime of happiness! None of this would’ve been possible without our amazing venue and beloved vendors:

Venue: Capen House • Make-Up: Logan Slaughter • Hair: Catwalk Hair Design • Planner: Anna Christine Events • Rentals: Orlando Wedding and Party Rentals • Caterer: Levan’s Catering • Photographer: Jessica Leigh Photography • Florist: Peddles Florist • DJ: DJ Diezl • Cake: Cake Designers • Videographer: Balazs Gercsak • Musician: Joenita • Shuttle Transportation: Schwab Transportation

Cypress Grove Estate: Laura & Tyler’s Vintage Black & White Wedding

04.30.19

In February of 2017, we joined Laura and Tyler at the Cypress Grove Estate for their vintage-inspired black and white wedding. We loved all the classy and creative details and the many floral accents they incorporated into their day, and would love to share all of them with you! Much thanks to KV Photography for all the fantastic photos.

The day began with hair and makeup for the girls, done by Hairstyles & Makeup by Jackie. Laura wore gorgeous, sparkly jewelry, and a lovely white strapless gown, with her bridesmaids all in black dresses with bouquets of white flowers. Meanwhile, Tyler and his groomsmen got ready in their black tuxes and black bowties, with accents of white in their shirts and pocket squares.

When guests arrived at Cypress Grove for the ceremony, they were greeted with a charming vintage sign, as well as a vintage bike with flowers overflowing from the basket. The floral accents continued in the outdoor ceremony area in small flower bushes, trimmed perfectly to fit in at the entrance to the seating area. The ceremony space was also marked by a fun welcome sign that encouraged guests to “choose a seat, not a side”. The last and most fun touch was the addition of giant whimsical white balloons around the space.

With the guests in seats and the outdoor venue set, the ceremony began. After the wedding party had taken their places, multiple flower girls made their way down the aisle, one of whom was responsible for wheeling the ring bearer in in a cart full of flowers. Laura then made her entrance down the aisle with her father, and met Tyler at the arbor. Following the lovely ceremony, the wedding party met with the photographers for a quick photo shoot around the beautiful grounds of Cypress Grove.

There were many perfect spots for perfect shots, and the photographers at KV Photography captured a series of beautiful moments between Laura, Tyler, and their wedding party. Meanwhile, the guests enjoyed cocktail hour as the terrace was prepared for the reception.

The reception was decked out in classy black and white: black linens on the tables, white floral arrangements pouring out of vases, little black signs with white lettering to reserve the Mother and Father of the Bride’s seats. Laura and Tyler were even prepared for possible rain, a great idea in Florida – they had black umbrellas that were personalized for their wedding ready to hand out at the first sign of precipitation. Additionally, they had adorable little bride and groom favor boxes for each guest. Last but certainly not least, It’s Tasty Too created them a gorgeous, multi-tiered white cake, topped with white flowers.

The reception began with Laura and Tyler’s first dance together as a married couple. This was followed by the father-daughter dance and mother-son dance. After a few heartfelt speeches, dinner was opened up, a delicious buffet prepared by Big City Catering. Before long, the night was all about the dancing, led first by the live band The Bronx Boys, then by the DJ from Aaron Entertainment. As the night winded to an end, it was nothing but smiles, laughter, and love for Laura and Tyler, at the beginning of their new and exciting life together.

Congratulations and many thanks to Laura and Tyler for letting us join them for their beautiful wedding, and our love and gratitude as always goes out to the venue and vendors that make these wonderful days possible:

Venue: Cypress Grove Estate • Hair & Makeup: Hairstyles & Makeup by Jackie • Planner: Anna Christine Events • Florist: Vintage Weddings by Shelly • Photographer: KV Photography • Cake: It’s Tasty Too • Caterer: Big City Catering • DJ: Aaron Entertainment • Band: The Bronx Boys

Ceviche: Myra & Derek’s Romantic Spanish-Inspired Wedding

04.30.19

Our next blog post brings us to March of 2016, when we joined Myra and Derek for their romantic Spanish-inspired wedding at the restaurant Ceviche in downtown Orlando. The wedding had notes of deep red, light pink, and dark mahogany wood around the venue. It was a beautiful event with lots of personal additions, and we’re grateful to Kathy Thomas Photography for sharing the photos with us, so we can share them with you!

The wedding party got ready at the Doubletree Downtown. The bride and bridesmaids toasted to one another with champagne as they got ready in their robes. The bride was then helped into her gorgeous white dress and given her bouquet of red and pink roses arranged by Flowers by Lesley. Meanwhile, the groom and groomsmen shared glasses of whiskey, and the groom received a gift from his bride – a watch and a note that read “See you soon… Make sure you’re on time”. The bride and groom then chose to do a First Look photo shoot with their wedding party at the venue, Ceviche.

The First Look photo shoot with Kathy Thomas Photography was lovely. The big reveal happened inside Ceviche, and the immense love Derek had for Myra was apparent in that first moment he saw her. The bride and groom got a couple photos with the rest of the wedding party outside, and then adventured a bit around Church Street, finding lots of fun spots for shots. The bride also included a first look with her father, which was just as touching to witness. Meanwhile, the restaurant Ceviche was being prepared for the ceremony.

The Ceviche ceremony space was beautiful; lots of dark wood, deep red and light pink roses, and glowing candles. The aisle was lined with rose petals, and the fireplace itself was filled with candles on stands. The space looked absolutely beautiful, romantic, and ready for the ceremony.

The ceremony was orchestrated subtly by Guitarist Luis Alfredo Garcia. There was nothing but joy and love in Derek’s face as his bride Myra walked down the aisle on her father’s arm. The officiant, Kirk Bane, led the ceremony through laughs, smiles, and heartfelt moments. At last, Myra and Derek were pronounced husband and wife and kissed for the first time. Following the ceremony, they took a quick picture holding up signs that read “Thanks” and “Gracias”. Meanwhile, the guests were free to explore the reception space.

The reception dining area was set with more dark romantic decor, with beautiful accents from the space such as stained glass windows and ornate mirrors. The seating cards were set by a stained glass window, with each name and table written in calligraphy. The table numbers were found on Spanish-style tiles on each table, and each place setting held a menu for the night. The sweetheart table was covered in roses and candles, and held the Cocktail Hour appetizers for the bride and groom.

The reception began with the bride and groom getting a first look of the space, and sharing a private first dance. This was of course followed by their public first dance as a couple, then toasts from the Best Man and Maid of Honor. Soon enough, it was time to eat! As could be expected with a wedding held at a restaurant such as Ceviche, the food was an absolute highlight. There was a huge pan of paella, a buffet of kebabs and potatoes, and a salad as beautiful as it was delicious.

Rather than simply having a wedding cake, the bride and groom had an entire dessert table, created by the very talented Two Sweets Bake Shop. There were mini pies, brownies, tiramisu in a cup, cannolis, and more delightful sweets. After dinner, the bride and groom cut the cake, a simple single-tier creation with swirly icing.

The reception continued with the father-daughter and mother-son dances, followed by the opening of the photo booth by Party Shots and open dancing on the floor, led by DJ Rey. One cool addition that the bride and groom included was hand-rolled cigars as favors, which the guests could watch Ricky, the cigar roller, do right in front of them. They also gave away matchbooks that read “The Perfect Match: Derek and Myra”. It was a personalized touch that fit perfectly with their theme.

Before we could believe it, the evening was coming to a close with a sparkler grand exit. The bride and groom kissed one last time for their adoring fans and took off into the night, ready to begin their new adventure together.

Thank you so much to Myra and Derek for including us in their big day, and much thanks to the venue and vendors that made it all possible:

Venue: Ceviche • Photographer: Kathy Thomas Photography • Planner: Anna Christine Events • Florist: Flowers by Lesley • Transport: A1 Transportation • DJ: DJ Rey • Guitarist: Luis Alfredo Garcia • Desserts: Two Sweets Bake Shop • Officiant: Kirk Bane • Photo Booth: Party Shots • Cigar Roller: Ricky

Mission Inn Resort: Kimberly & Ryan’s Black & Red Roses Classic Wedding

04.15.19

Today’s blog post brings us to January of 2016, with the wedding of Kimberly and Ryan at Mission Inn Resort. This couple chose a black & red color scheme, in a classic wedding style. Red roses abounded at both the ceremony and reception, and the bride mixed things up with black bridesmaid dresses. We had a wonderful time bringing their vision to life, and thanks to Wings of Glory Photography, would love to share their special day with you.

The bride and her bridesmaids got ready together with the help of hair and make-up artists from About Face Design Team. Kimberly paired a gorgeous white gown with a pair of vibrant red shoes from BCBGMaxAzria. Her lovely bouquet of red roses, designed by Lee Forrest Design, featured pinned-on charms with pictures of her grandparents, a beautiful touch. As the ladies continued to help Kimberly into her dress and veil, the gentlemen got ready for the big day in a pool hall.

The gentlemen got ready together surrounded by pool tables and bourbon whiskey. They each wore red rose boutonnieres, designed by Lee Forest Design. A very fun idea came in the form of the ringer bearer’s outfit – the bride and groom had him dress as a secret agent, with a metal box for the ring and even an FBI-style earpiece. All dressed up and ready to go, the wedding party made their way to the outdoor ceremony area.

The beautiful outdoor patio at Mission Inn Resort was decorated for a classic ceremony – the aisle runner was white, with red rose petals scattered along the edges. The wedding arbor was draped in white fabric, with a table featuring a vase of red roses underneath. Balls made of red roses were also hung from some of the chairs on the aisle. Everywhere you looked, there were accents of red roses. As guests entered, a table held programs and sunglasses for each of them, to help with the abundant sunlight outside. In a cute touch, a sign read “Don’t get blinded by our love”. At last, the ceremony began, with piano played by Spess Neblett.

The ceremony began at 4:30pm. The wedding party made their way down the aisle, including the secret agent-style ring bearer and flower girl. Kimberly then made her grand debut as the bride, and anyone could see the immense amount of love in Ryan’s eyes. The two decided to include a rose ceremony, on theme with their wedding, in which they exchanged roses as their first gifts to one another. At last, the two were pronounced man and wife! Following the ceremony, the majority of the guests proceeded to the Plaza de las Palmas for cocktail hour while the wedding party joined Kimberly and Ryan for a brief photo shoot.

The photo shoot featured their color scheme, contrasting their black dresses and suits with the vibrant red rose bouquets and boutonnieres. The bride and groom then took a few pictures around the expansive venue, finding locations such as a pillared hallway, a walkway along the water, and a stone bridge. At the bridge, the couple utilized props for some creative and fun photos: a red umbrella and signs that said “Thanks Y’all”. The reception space was set gorgeously, lit by candelabras and individual candles everywhere you looked. The table linens were black, with centerpieces of different styles arranged by Lee Forrest Design, all featuring red roses. Two very fun details were the butter dishes on each table, on which the butter was sculpted into a knight, and the favors at each place, which were little s’mores kits. The photo booth, set up by Party Shots Orlando, offered a variety of props, and in the corner, the card and gift table featured the couple’s custom hashtag on a chalkboard, as well as framed photos of the happy couple and their parents’ wedding photos.

Once all the guests were seated, the bride and groom made their grand debut into the reception hall, followed by their first dance together as husband and wife. After a welcome toast by the father of the bride and a blessing, the dinner began. In short time it was time to cut the cakes, made by Incredible Edible Cakes. Kimberly and Ryan opted to have both a bride’s cake and groom’s cake – the bride’s cake was multi-tiered with swirls and red roses on every tier, as well as a cake topper. The groom’s cake was one tier but a very fun design, made to look like a groom’s tux. Our favorite detail was the surrounding chocolate-dipped strawberries, which were decorated to look like a bride and groom.

The cake cutting was followed by the father-daughter and mother-son dances, which led immediately into open dancing! Fun was had by all, led by the DJ from White Rose Entertainment. There was a short break for the bouquet and garter toss, and the evening drew to an end with a huge group shot of all the guests together on the dance floor.

In a beautiful finish, the bride and groom chose to have a sparkler exit into their getaway vehicle – a golf cart with a “Just Married” sign. Kimberly and Ryan rode away into the night, sparklers shining behind them, and we celebrated the end of a wonderful night, and the beginning of an exciting new journey for the two of them.

Much thanks to Kimberly and Ryan for choosing us to be a part of their big day, and to the venue and vendors that made this day possible:

Venue: Mission Inn Resort • Hair & Makeup: About Face Design Team • Planner: Anna Christine Events • Florist: Lee Forrest Design • Photographer: Wings of Glory Photography • Filmographer: Seltzer Films • DJ: White Rose Entertainment • Musician: Spess Neblett • Officiant: A Beautiful Ceremony • Cake: Incredible Edible Cakes • Photo Booth: Party Shots Orlando

Orlando Canine Country Club: Carter the Corgi’s Baseball Birthday Party

04.15.19

Now that baseball season has started we can’t help but remember a baseball-themed party we threw back in 2015 for the biggest baseball fan around – Christy’s Corgi, Carter! Carter had garnered quite a following on Instagram, and we thought it would be a fun idea to bring together some of his local friends to celebrate his first birthday. It was a blast to plan for Christy, most definitely the cutest party ever thrown, and a great time for all those who got to attend, furry or human! It even got a feature on the blog for The Celebration Society and in their printed magazine! Much thanks to Kathy Thomas Photography for sharing these wonderful photos with us.

We set up the charming party at the Orlando Canine Country Club, a perfect setting for a dog’s day out. Normally a site for dog boarding and doggy day care, it was just right for our party, with a shallow pool for our furry friends to frolic in and lots of open grass to run around in. We chose a red, white, and blue color scheme as a nod to Carter’s human-dad’s favorite team, the Chicago Cubs, and provided multiple favors to ensure fun for the guests: balls to play fetch with, towels to dry off after the pool, and even little bags to pick up any “accidents” or “errors in the outfield”. The linens pictured were provided by Kirby Rentals and adorable paper goods were made by Dogwood Blossom Stationery.

The tables were set with floral arrangements of red and white, arranged into the design of a baseball. These were set on a square of turf, both really evoking the baseball field feeling. Seating was provided by A Chair Affair, and florals were arranged by Flowers by Lesley.

One of the areas with the most creativity was the concession stand of snacks, set up by Florida Candy Buffets. There were lots of human snacks in traditional ballgame fashion – pretzels, popcorn, peanuts and cracker jacks. But definitely the highlight were the dog-friendly cupcakes, or “pupcakes”, and cake made by Cut the Cake. Beneath the snack table was a cooler full of the party favors – beer bottle chew toys for every guest, made by PrideBites.

As guests began to arrive, they discovered one of the most adorable features of the party: a photo booth set up by Photo Booth Rocks, with lots of props for humans and pups alike to enjoy! Of course, the main attraction of this party was the immeasurable amount of cuteness provided by all the lovable Corgis.

A wonderful time was had by all, humans and pups alike! But none had as good a time as the guest of honor, Carter, sporting a custom dog collar with bowtie made by Puppy Pawz Boutique.

Much thanks to everyone who made this day possible, from guests to venue to vendors!

Venue: Orlando Canine Country Club • Photographer: Kathy Thomas Photography • Event Planner: Anna Christine Events • Florals: Flowers by Lesley • Desserts: Cut the Cake • Decor: Florida Candy Buffets • Seating: A Chair Affair • Linens: Kirby Rentals • Stationery: Dogwood Blossom Stationery • Dog Toy Favors: PrideBites • Photo Booth: Photo Booth Rocks • Custom Dog Collar & Bowtie: Puppy Paws Boutique

Leu Gardens & Winter Park Farmers Market: Ashley & Jason’s “Best Day Ever” Wedding

04.15.19

Our next wedding took place in February of 2016, in the gorgeous Harry P. Leu Gardens. We joined Ashley and Jason for their outdoor wedding, with a color scheme of pink, gold, and blue. They decided to theme it with the phrase “Best Day Ever”, and they weren’t the only ones who thought it was the best – their wedding got a feature on Orange Blossom Bride! It was a day full of fun, ending in a rustic barn reception at the Winter Park Farmers Market. Thanks to the very talented Rudy & Marta Photography, we are able to share the beautiful pictures from their day with you!

As the groom got ready with his groomsmen, the bridesmaids helped Ashley into her gorgeous flowy white dress, themselves in lovely off-the-shoulder pink flowy gowns. The bride wore beautiful jewelry as well, and the bride & groom rings were held in customized rustic wooden boxes. The bouquet and boutonnieres were arranged by Flowers by Lesley, mainly shades of pink with some white accents.

The ceremony venue at Leu Gardens was gorgeous, with rose bushes in the background and flowers all around. Ashley and Jason set up a wooden “Best Day Ever” sign to welcome guests to the venue, and down the aisle there were birdcages full of flowers set upon squares of turf to highlight the garden atmosphere.

The ceremony was just as beautiful as the garden it was held in. Ashley was walked down the aisle by her brother to her waiting groom. Every one of them was visibly elated and full of love. Before we knew it, Ashley and Jason were pronounced man and wife, and they kissed for the first time as a married couple!

Following the ceremony, the wedding party met with Ashley and Jason for a quick photo shoot. The ladies showcased their beautiful bouquets by Flowers by Lesley, and the happy couple took photos with their custom-made parasol that was painted to say “Best Day Ever”.

The guests moved from Leu Gardens to the reception venue, Winter Park Farmers Market. With a rustic barn feel, it was the perfect setting for Ashley and Jason’s wedding to continue. As they entered, the guests were greeted with the guestbook and card box, a “Forever & Always” tribute to lost loved ones, and a very creative form of seating assignments – tags made like bookmarks sticking out of folded-up book pages. The tables featured blue linens and birdcage centerpieces like those at the ceremony, and the sweetheart table featured many accents of gold, such as the “Mr & Mrs” cut-outs. At last, the cake from Cakes by Rian, gorgeous and covered in pink flowers and bedazzles, was topped with a “Best Day Ever” cake topper.

The reception began with the bride and groom’s arrival, revealing that the bride had changed into a gorgeous sparkly gold dress! The happy couple had their first dance in the glowing barn lights, which made for some stunning pictures. After a delicious dinner made by Pig Floyds Urban Barbakoa, the bride and groom cut their cake, tossed the bouquet, and tossed the garter, leading to many thumbs up from the bride. Our favorite touch of the reception was their idea to hand out boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts towards the end, each one of with a sticker that read “A sweet ending to a new beginning”.

The night flew by, and before you could say “best day ever” it was already time for the grand exit through sparklers. We handed out sparklers, each one with a little note that read “Let Love Sparkle!”. Ashley and Jason then walked through an archway of sparkles and stars, a perfect ending to their fairytale night – the Best Day Ever.

Much congratulations and thanks to Ashley and Jason for including us in their Best Day Ever, and thanks to the venues and vendors that made it the Best:

Ceremony Venue: Leu Gardens • Reception Venue: Winter Park Farmers Market • Planner: Anna Christine Events • Florist: Flowers by Lesley • Photographer: Rudy & Marta Photography • DJ: Our DJ Rocks • Officiant: Sensational Ceremonies • Rentals: Orlando Wedding and Party Rentals • Catering: Magic Occasions & Pig Floyds Urban Barbakoa • Photo Booth: Photobooth Rocks • Cake: Cakes by Rian • Bar Service: Cocktails Catering

Bella Collina: Stephanie & Kiko’s Boho Chic Travel Wedding

04.15.19

In December of 2015, we met with Stephanie and Christopher (“Kiko”) for a gorgeous, travel-inspired boho chic wedding at the venue Bella Collina. It was a uniquely fun experience working with Stephanie as she was also a wedding planner in South Florida! Together we were able to craft a beautiful and personal wedding that exemplified the happy couple’s love and sense of style. In fact, their wedding stood out so much that it was featured in blogs for PopSugar and WeddingWire. All pictures are courtesy of the fabulous Black & Hue Photography.

The day took place at Bella Collina, one of the most gorgeous wedding venues in Florida. With its stone brick walls, it looks almost like a small Medieval castle, the perfect place for a royal wedding such as this. The bridesmaids got ready in matching red pajamas that read “I love you”. The men wore navy suits, and the women wore rose gold gowns, save for the maid of honor in deep purple and of course the bride in lacy white. The simplistic bouquets and boutonnieres were designed by Bluegrass Chic.

The ceremony was beautiful; held outside on a gorgeous December day, Stephanie was walked down the aisle by her father, who ended the walk in a hug from Kiko. There wasn’t a dry eye as the two exchanged their vows, and once they were pronounced man and wife, they walked joyfully back down the aisle, Stephanie’s face in a huge smile!

Our next destination was the reception, also outdoors at the Refection Pool at Bella Collina. The bride and groom provided a basket full of blankets for guests who got cold in the December air, each featuring a small tag that said “Love Keeps us Warm”. They had a very cool and fun way to pass out favors and table assignments in one – with the invitation, Stephanie and Kiko had their guests vote for which honeymoon destination they should choose. Based on that vote, they determined the favor which would go along with that guest’s table assignment. For example, if they voted for Japan, their seating assignment was attached to a pair of chopsticks; if they voted for Italy, their seating assignment was attached to a small bottle of olive oil. It was a very cute and very personal way to provide both favors and table assignments in one!

The reception space was lit with gorgeous market lighting, the rustic wooden tables provided by A Chair Affair draped with greenery and florals. The space of Bella Collina was decked out in florals as well, with lots of work done to highlight the chandelier hanging above the fountain in the entryway to the space. The sweetheart table for the bride and groom featured the most flowers, mainly white roses, and two simple candles in mason jars.

We loved this fun switch-up – instead of using sparklers for their grand exit, the bride & groom were revealed into the reception courtyard under the glow of sparklers. In addition to dinner, dancing, and merriment, there was a great surprise for the guests: an entire dessert buffet, provided by Two Sweets Bake Shop. From pie pops to sugar cookies to blueberry cobbler to the minimalist wedding cake, the variety of desserts they provided were delightfully unique.

Stephanie and Kiko’s grand exit was even grander than their entrance – they left in a flurry of bubble snow, a perfect ending to a December wedding in Florida. We were delighted to spend the day with Stephanie and Kiko, and are very thankful to them, the venue, and all the vendors that made this beautiful wedding possible!

Venue: Bella Collina • Planner: Anna Christine Events • Florist: Bluegrass Chic • Rentals: A Chair Affair, Inc. • DJ: FyerFly Productions • Filmographer: Wild Light Films • Photographer: Black & Hue Photography • Desserts: Two Sweets Bake Shop

The Courtyard at Lake Lucerne: Alexandra & John’s Classic Football Wedding

04.15.19

Our next blog post brings us to the end of January 2016, when we joined Alexandra and John for their classic plum & orange wedding. While most elements of the wedding were traditional, they added lots of personalized details based on their love for the football team, the Texas Longhorns – the groom’s cake featured a football, the guestbook was a jersey for guests to sign, and the groom wore logo-branded socks. The ceremony was held at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, and the reception was held at The Courtyard at Lake Lucerne. We had a wonderful time bringing this fun and classic wedding to life, and are happy to share the photos of their day with you thanks to Kathy Thomas Photography.

Alexandra got ready with her bridesmaids and mother at The Courtyard at Lake Lucerne. Her hair and make-up was done beautifully by Allie Workman and Jess Hasara, and her beautiful bouquet of purple, red, white, and orange was arranged by Flowers by Lesley. The bouquet featured a rosary, a personal touch for the bride.

Meanwhile, John got ready with his groomsmen, pinning on their orange boutonnieres, also done by Flowers by Lesley. The gentlemen’s preparations were all about football: Besides their matching argyle socks featuring the logos of their favorite football teams, they also had a correlating logo-branded flasks. We thought it was such a fun idea to reflect the groom and groomsmen’s love of their teams.

After getting ready, Alexandra and John decided to do a first look photo shoot before the ceremony. They met in the courtyard, and you could see the joy and love in both of their eyes when they first saw each other. It was then time to make their way to the ceremony venue at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, and so the two took a ride in a classic Mercedes from Classic Cars Dave.

The ceremony venue, St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, was gorgeous, and required no additional decorations. We merely added a few floral “Reserved” signs, and our hair & make-up team gave Alexandra a few last minute touches before she made her grand entrance.

Alexandra was walked down the aisle by her father to her loving groom. The high ceilings of the expansive church provided for an incredible background as Alexandra and John were pronounced man and wife, and kissed in front of their guests. The wedding party then met for a quick photo shoot outside the church, and in no time it was time to return to The Courtyard at Lake Lucerne for the cocktail hour and reception!

The guests went straight from the ceremony to The Courtyard at Lake Lucerne, where an outdoor cocktail hour was awaiting them. While waiting for the wedding party to arrive, they were able to sign the guestbook. This was one of our favorite touches: rather than a book, the bride and groom made a Longhorns jersey that featured their now-shared last name “Clarke”, and had their guests sign that instead. What a fun idea! At last the bride and groom arrived, and had their first dance in the courtyard. Then it was time to enter the beautiful dining room!

The reception dining room was gorgeously set – one window was filled with glass sculptures which caught the light, the tables were set with white linens and purple napkins, and the centerpieces were beautiful floral arrangements by Flowers by Lesley surrounded by candles. The table numbers were a fun touch – the bride and groom included a detail or memory from their relationship that correlated with each number (for example, for Table 7, the card said that there would be 7 weeks between their wedding and their honeymoon). Another personal touch was their favors – each place setting was given a drink koozie in memory of the wedding. Finally, the card box was made to look like a mailbox for their “Wedding Post”, to be opened after the reception. The mantle that held the card box and the piano that was used as a gift table also held photos for their “In Loving Memory” display.

The guests made their way inside and helped themselves to a delicious buffet created by John Michaels Catering. The food was a mix of classy and classic Southern food, from panko-crusted chicken garlic mashed potatoes. After eating their fill, the party returned outside to the courtyard.

The bride and groom had their mother-son and father-daughter dances, and then open dancing began. The party was led by the live band, The Bay Kings Band, featuring a number of talented musicians. In no time the night was drawing to a close, and it was time to cut the cakes!

Alexandra and John chose to have a bride’s cake and a groom’s cake. The bride’s cake was gorgeous and white, with textured frosting and floral decorations. Meanwhile, the groom’s cake reflected their love for the Longhorns one last time, with a football in the center with the Longhorns logo, and the phrase of their wedding: “Hooked for life”. Both cakes were masterfully made by Publix Bakery. After enjoying the delicious cakes, the guests returned to dancing, and the night all too quickly came to a close.

We had a wonderful time making this night possible with Alexandra, John, and the venues and vendors that brought their vision to life. Much thanks to all involved:

Ceremony Venue: St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church • Reception Venue: The Courtyard at Lake Lucerne • Hair & Makeup: Allie Workman & Jess Hasara • Florist: Flowers by Lesley • Photographer: Kathy Thomas Photography • Videographer: Paul Literal Videography • Transportation: Apollo’s Chariots & Classic Cars Dave • Planner: Anna Christine Events • Caterer: John Michaels Catering • Cake: Publix Bakery • Band: The Bay Kings Band

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