ADORABLE – really the best word to describe this couple! We met up with Maria + Sam at Disney’s Baordwalk and they walked over to Epcot on a gorgeous Sunday morning to capture these amazingly fun images! Got to love “winter” in Florida!
Interview with our STUNNING bride, Ali:
HOW DID YOU MEET? Mike and I met in the 2nd grade on the playground. We then first became “boyfriend and girlfriend” in 5th grade. The summer after our freshman year of high school is when we got together for good.
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU THE MOST TO YOUR HUSBAND? Mike has always been one of the most selfless men I have ever known. He will do whatever it is in order to make me happy. He is also really sexy when he plays any sport.
HOW DID HE PROPOSE? It was the day before my birthday and he said he was taking me out to dinner at a café on the beach. We drove down to the beach and he said he couldn’t find the restaurant. He started turning down all of these odd streets, which was starting to irritate me. Turns out he was just trying to find a place to park because he had packed a picnic for us. We ate dinner and drank wine on the beach. Right before the sun was setting, he took me for a walk, got down on one knee, and asked me to be with him for the rest of our lives. I said YES!
WHAT INSPIRED YOUR VISION FOR YOUR WEDDING? Because we got married on December 30th, I knew that I wanted some kind of “wintery” theme. I also wanted to have a very romantic feel. I think we blended the two very well.
TELL US ABOUT FINDING YOUR VENUE: We wanted a reception venue that was relatively close to the church. My mom and I had gone to many different places, but nothing seemed to work. Our wedding planner told us about the Veranda Room. My Mom and I took a look at it and we loved it. It ended up being a little small, and everyone felt very “cozy”, but it all worked out, and it was amazing.
WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST PLANNING CHALLENGE? The biggest planning challenge was, without a doubt, narrowing down the guest list.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE DESIGN ELEMENT OF YOUR WEDDING? This is a hard one. My Mom made these amazing trees draped with crystals for the ceremony that really transformed the room. I also fell in love with the centerpieces at the reception that were designed by Amanda’s Florist. My amazing Wedding planner, Karry, also worked hard to hang snowflakes and purple Christmas bulbs from the ceiling above the dance floor. Every detail was amazing!
DID YOU HAVE ANY DIY DETAILS? My family worked hard to make many of our DIY details. Like I mentioned before, my Mom made these amazing silver trees with crystals hanging from them that were used during the ceremony. My mom and Dad also put together the Hot Cocoa favors. I also made the programs from scratch as well as the wreaths that hung on the church doors.
WHAT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OF YOUR WEDDING DAY? The most memorable part of the wedding day was definitely the ceremony. The moments we shared as we said our vows will never be forgotten. Those were the best moments of my life.
DESCRIBE YOUR CAKE: It was BEAUTIFUL! And DELICIOUS! It had a simple design, and was very elegant. There was a stunning snowflake brooch on it.
HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER? Sara and Jason are exceptional to work with. They really know how to make their clients feel comfortable! The two of them have a way of really making the whole experience so much fun! Mike isn’t really the type that likes getting his picture taken, but he seemed to really enjoy it as well!
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND AS A COUPLE? Mike is finishing up his second year of medical school in Bradenton, Florida. In June we will be moving to Orlando in order for Mike to do his medical rotations. Hopefully a few kids in a couple years.
CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR VENDORS:
Uniquely Yours Wedding & Event Specialist
Concept Photography
Amanda’s Florist
LeJeune Artistry
Fenice Events
Over The Top, Inc
Two Chicks and a Pot
Hot Rayz Limousines
DJ Shane Entertainment
By Invitation Only
Laughter Happens Photobooth
A special thank you to Alex Vasquez (http://www.xanderphotos.com/) and Janelle Thomas (http://lovemeetslife.com/wordpress/) for shooting with us!
We had the extreme pleasure of being a part of the amazing group of photographers, led by John Micheal and Dalisa Cooper, who donated their time and talent to DWF Kares. We walked the historic streets of downtown New Orleans and photographed 3 amazing married couples who had lost their wedding images in hurricane Katrina.
Interview with our GORGEOUS bride, Shanda:
HOW DID YOU MEET? Toney and I met in our 7th grade homeroom class at Fort Clarke Middle School. We dated for a month, (we think it was the month of February, because I still have the stuffed teddy bear that he gave me for Valentine’s Day) then we broke up, but remained good friends. We called each other “best friends” throughout high school and college.
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU THE MOST TO YOUR HUSBAND? It would definitely have to be his sense of humor! Toney is the funniest person I know! We literally go to sleep laughing and wake up laughing! Toney is also the perfect gentleman who truly has a great heart and no enemies…I love that man!
HOW DID HE PROPOSE: Toney took me to my favorite campus location (the Baughman center) during Easter weekend for the conclusion of a family held Easter egg hunt that happened earlier that day. I was surprised to find out that there was one more egg I hadn’t found. Toney then took me into the center, dropped to one knee (he’s very traditional), and presented to me the last egg, which had a beautiful ring in it. After drying my eyes, and saying yes, I took a seat on cloud nine for the rest of the weekend.
WHAT INSPIRED YOUR VISION FOR YOUR WEDDING Two words: Simple Elegance.
TELL US ABOUT FINDING YOUR VENUE: It was easy! I saw pictures of another wedding held there and fell in love! It’s beautiful!
WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST PLANNING CHALLENGE? Not having enough time to plan. We are both in graduate school and worked, which made it difficult to find time to actually plan.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE DESIGN ELEMENT OF YOUR WEDDING: I would have to say our programs! My cousin, who is the owner of Lavish Soirees designed and created our wedding programs and they were perfect!!
DID YOU HAVE ANY DIY DETAILS? DIY? Me? Absolutely not!! LOL!
WHAT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OF YOUR WEDDING DAY? The most memorable moment of our wedding day was the exchanging of the vows. Our officiant performed a traditional “blessing of the hands” ceremony that was both heartfelt and unique.
DESCRIBE YOUR CAKE: Beautiful! Ms. Debbie took our design idea and transformed it into a real life work of art far beyond our expectations! Not to mention it was yummy too!
HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER?
Fun, Fun and more Fun!! Toney and Iaughed the entire next day while reminiscing about our day with Sara + Jason! We aren’t “touchy feely” in public so they really had to coax us into getting in the mood! “Toney…put your hands on your wife” (our favorite quote of the day) Sara was so helpful while we were getting ready! She even danced and sang with us. We loved her!! My only regret is that I didn’t order Sara a bridesmaid dress ☺
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND AS A COUPLE? We want to travel for a few years then have lots of kids! We love family!
CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR VENDORs
Lavish Soirees
Ms. Debbie’s Sugar Art
Platinum Digital Videography
Marvin Hayes Makeup Artist
Crevasse’s Regency Florist
Jay’s Entertainment
Jolie Events
No. 1 Wedding Planner
32 degrees! Nope, I am not kidding – we started shooting Laura + Bryan’s engagement pictures in the Magic Kingdom and it was FREEZING! Fortunately the sun was shining and there was a lot of love in the air
Here are some of our favorite images from their shoot.