The backdrop for this magnificent wedding weekend was Winter Park, Florida through and through. To Hannah, a native of Winter Park, the roots of her family's beloved hometown was of transcendent significance.
When I had the opportunity to meet with her most gracious parents Randy and Pat initially, I was so curious and intrigued to have the opportunity to meet Hannah and Wade personally. {As they lived in Austin, Texas at the time} Once I met the lovely couple one word kept resonating in my head as I set out our overall wedding design.
~Authentic~
This couple, in the most profound and beautiful way, were incredibly authentic and it was now my utmost priority to have that resonate on their behalf.
First and foremost, 80% of our guest list was arriving from all over the country and abroad so we made a weekend itinerary complete with airport transportation, excursions, welcome letters in hospitality baskets with not only the weekend's itinerary, but "independent excursions" they may want to consider like the Winter Park museums, restaurants, even establishments for manicures and pedicures! {I remain a girl at heart with my personal priorities!} Their guests' well-being, comfort and happiness was their primary responsibility and concern.
Setting the scene for you here:
Thursday
9:30 Bonjour Day Spa – mani/pedi for six
Pick up rings at Simmons
Drop dresses for pressing
6 pm Backyard Supper catered by Hot Olives
Friday
10-3 Open House at College Point
Lake and Lunch
11:30 Café De France – Ladies Luncheon
5 Rehearsal at Knowles Chapel
6 Casa Feliz-Rehearsal Dinner catered by Arthur's
9 Eola Wine Bar
Saturday, of course, was the big day and what a day to behold. Everything was absolutely spectacular, these images from the incredible team Jen and Eric from Jensen-Larson Photography are absolute documentation of that! By the way, I'd like to officially go on record for noting that my all-time favorite wedding image is posted above. {Wade's reaction as he caught that first glimpse of Hannah walking towards him in the chapel...}
Breathtaking!
Words hardly seem adequate and almost trite. And--since "a picture says a thousand words," I will allow Jen and Eric's artistry tell the rest of the story and simply list my peerless cast of characters:
Venues: Knowles Chapel and The Winter Park Racquet Club
Floral Design: Flowers of Winter Park: Jay Casiano and Aaron Vieri
Ceremony Music: Raintree Chamber Players {There were 12 musicians in all!} and
Reginald Lyle / wedding bagpiper
Transportation: Winter Park Scenic Boats {We did indeed commission all of their boats and even recruited neighbors' and friends' boats to water taxi 200+ guests by pontoon boats from the ceremony to the reception} and Mount Dora Trolley
Reception Music: David Less / reception music agent. the band was a compilation actually of the finest musicians from all over. What an ensemble, and the music was OUTSTANDING!!! {Just ask the Winter Park Police Department!!}
Audio Visual: Paradise Show & Design. Incredible lighting and a little too much fun working/playing with Richard!!!!
Cake: Cakes by Design/Sylvette
Event Lounge Furniture: Unique Option
Dance Floor and Staging: ASI. They get serious props because the dance floor WAS over the pool and they had to work from 11pm Friday evening through Saturday morning to ensure their safety and my aesthetic. Job WELL done!!! The staging for the band was another creative challenge that they handled with the utmost ease--
Team: Oh....my E-angels! Everyone; Nancy, Jessy {her first wedding with us, Brittany enduring a deeply personal loss and Terri in complete control of another wedding we had that weekend} and then some! {Thanks Michele, Kristen and Tracy!} was recruited to pull this wedding weekend off.
I'd like to also go on rectors for saying that this was also the opening weekend for the eagerly awaited "Sex and the City" movie.
And yes...we, as a team, saw it; AND on opening night!
