I know I talk a lot about details here, but if you are here and participating in this medium, I am pretty sure you’ll understand where I am coming from…
Weddings are more than “colors” and “themes.” Weddings are a communion, a reverent celebration, a story, (your love story!) and an experience for not only you, but for your family and friends to savor and remember for a lifetime.
The fact that this was Brittany’s sensibility when she met with me for the first time told me everything I needed to know and offered me the perfect charge! She and Barret had been on what I call the “wedding circuit.” So many of their friends and peers are getting married and it seemed as if they were going to a wedding every other month! Through these weddings she and Barret attended, she had seen, heard and tasted what seemed to be everything, and she wanted hers and Barret’s wedding to be signature, just like them! *wink.
First things first; starting the day relaxed and confident is the perfect approach to experiencing all of the beautiful moments that are ahead of you as the day unfolds.
This space here is to give you ample warning (and time to grab some tissues!) as to quite possibly the most emotional Daddy reveal I have ever seen. Now tell me these are not images that will turn into forever mementos!
Recovered yet? Shall I give you a moment? Here’s a sweet Bridesmaids reveal as you gain your composure!
How about a stunning look at Brittany’s processional, a sharp wedding party and some portraits of Brittany and Barret to look at while you take care of that pesky thing in your eye… *wink!
Brittany’s white, lush and romantic bouquet consisted of white garden roses peonies and, my favorite, ranunculus (seriously, I try to sneak them in every wedding that I am able!) against light touches of greenery. The trailing ribbons were soft, feminine and I loved how the bouquet moved with her in that striking Ines DiSanto gown.
I love that these portraits here are the perfect transition from the garden aesthetic from just outside Knowles Chapel to what we created inside the ballroom at The Alfond Inn!
So what sets this wedding apart from the others? Cue the details!
Designing a wedding reception in a ballroom needs particular attention to details that offer those 4 walls life. We opted for these tall centerpieces with cascading greenery and candles on top to offer a romantic and dreamy glow as guests dined.
I loved how the seating directory turned out thanks to Andi Mejia Calligraphy!
This wedding cake was very well deserving of it’s very own backdrop!
I had four custom trellis panels constructed where vines and greenery were interwoven throughout with touches of white florals creating a 10-12 foot canopy over our bars and cake. It was magical!
These chic, marble chargers with gold flatware and the vellum menu card with gold foil, were perfect, minimal, yet chic details-
First Dance, Daddy-Daughter Dance, Mother-Son Dance; give me alllll the dances!!
Brittany and Barret, this is one I shall never soon forget! Your confidence and trust made my “job” so worthwhile, and I loved watching this beautiful day unfold for you!
Allie and Andy had originally considered getting married on a cruise but decided not to so that more family and friends could attend the wedding.
Our Lisa Stoner Events team worked on a few design concepts with Allie and Andy and eventually landed on the perfect fit. Andy comes from a Greek family and incorporating a classic olive branch theme throughout the wedding was just the right touch.
Allie chose a beautiful lace ballgown with a cap sleeve and a full chapel length train cascading from a crystal hair band. She chose bright flowers including peonies and roses with touches of greenery for the bouquets.
Andy wore a classic black vested tuxedo with a white rose boutonnière and a pocket square.
The entrance to their ballroom wedding ceremony started with oversized arrangements of brightly colored flowers atop wrought iron columns. The aisle of white chivari chairs framed rows of petals and a custom monogrammed aisle runner, bringing in the olive branch motif.
A luxurious wedding arch of foliage and brightly colored flowers, flanked by lighted trees stood out against a background of soft grey draping.
Andy’s smile was ear to ear as he waited for his bride’s arrival; the two exchanged their vows and sealed them with a kiss.
Allie and Andy took a sneak peek at the reception design while guests enjoyed the cocktail reception. To say that they were overwhelmed might be an understatement.
The space for dinner was separated from the dance floor with a crisscrossed draping and soft lighting. A communal table large enough to accommodate the couples’ immediate family of 46 anchored the reception space.
Clear chivari chairs and warm grey tone linen allowed the tabletop design and wedding cake to pop against the backdrop. The brightly colored floral centerpieces, pillar and votive candles in metallic containers filled the tables.
Charger plates layered with grey napkins and custom menu cards with olive branches completed the look.
Allie and Andy’s first dance to ‘Fall Away’ by Bobby Lord, Allie’s grandfather, was just the beginning of a wonderful night of dancing.
Thank you to all of the wedding vendors who helped create this dream wedding.
Greenery is the symbol of new beginnings and incorporating lush green foliage sets a stunningly modern, fresh backdrop to Maureen and Tim’s Ritz Carlton, Grand Lakes wedding.
Maureen wore a form-fitting modern lace gown with a scalloped sweetheart neckline and illusion back by Canadian wedding gown designer Calla Blanche, known for their luxurious fabrics and incredible silhouettes.
She paired her gown with a Badgley Mischka, peep toe evening shoe with a crystal embellished heel. A soft, round, hand-tied bouquet with creamy cottage roses, white roses with seeded eucalyptus with greenery added the perfect touch to a beautiful gown.
Tim wore a very handsome navy vested suit with a soft off-white necktie and pocket square. One of my favorite photos is of Maureen’s bridal bouquet against the background of Tim’s dark suit, it really stands out.
The two met up for a First Look in the resorts Spa Garden, and a little alone time.
They chose to host their outdoor wedding ceremony under the Ritz Carlton’s Gazebo. White garden chairs accented with white tea roses, seeded eucalyptus and English ivy softened the aisle and complimented the thick garlands of greenery adorning the columns of the gazebo.
The beautiful greenery of the distant tree line, headwaters of the Everglades and setting sun painted the perfect backdrop for their Central Florida wedding ceremony.
Their wedding party and photography would not have been complete without a special appearance by this sweet baby, Bucky!
Guests enjoyed cocktail hour in the Citrus Garden, a lush garden setting surrounded by palms and Florida citrus trees while we whisked Maureen and Tim away for some time alone and some wedding portraits.
The Plaza Ballroom with its wrought iron chandeliers, silk wall coverings and mirrors provided our Lisa Stoner Events team a neutral pallet to transition the greenery from outside to inside. To design a grand entrance and focal point for guests as they entered the ballroom, we installed off white panels of draping just inside the entrance and added a glass entry table with an oversized urn of cascading greens, flanked by two greenery topiaries.
The ballroom side of the drapery panel was the perfect location to place their four-tiered wedding cake surrounded by a waterfall of greenery.
Placing the head table just beyond the wedding cake offered a stunning backdrop for our couple. Tables were draped with soft white linen and overflowed with crystal cylinders, floating candles, ropes of lush greenery and tall draping arrangements of elegant ruscus and seeded eucalyptus.
Maureen and Tim danced the night away with their guests after opening the dance floor with their First Dance to ‘Stand by Me’ by Florence and the Machine.
Thanks to all the vendors who came together to make this day truly unforgettable!
Edwin and Keith’s Ritz Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes Wedding
Edwin and Keith tied the knot this fall with a truly signature, stylish Ritz Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes wedding. With the legalization of same sex weddings and the desire to start a family, Edwin and Keith came to me to plan their big day after spending eight years together. In the sweet words of Jensey and Nathan Root with Root Photography, this wedding had all the makings of a perfect day. It had stunning grooms, the dreamiest venue, and an amazing team of vendors. Most importantly though, it was overflowing with an immense sense of love in each and every little detail.
Their Desire For a Signature, Stylish Wedding
When Edwin and Keith first came to me to help plan their big day, they were very adamant on one thing. It could not resemble a typical wedding. In their words, it had to be signature, stylish, and fun. Needless to say, with a dream vendor team such as this one, that’s exactly what they got! (and more!)
In the beginning, we were actually planning on hosting Edwin and Keith’s wedding at their beautiful home. However, upwards of 200 guests wanted to share the love and experience with them. We soon realized that we needed an alternative venue choice. With the versatility of the space offerings and the additional amenities, I knew the Ritz Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes was going to be the perfect venue for them.
Their Dramatic, Tear Jerking Ceremony
Naturally, their wedding ceremony was the most important thing to them. With their desire not to have a typical wedding, they wanted me to come up with something more unique than your usual unity candle or sand ceremony. So, we had a branding ceremony! I found an iron worker who made pokers out of their initials / wedding logo, and it was sensational. They branded a piece of leather during the ceremony, and that piece now hangs in their home. (Talk about dramatic!) They also had a poem written by a very close friend who is a writer and poet that they didn’t hear until the wedding day. However, nothing was more romantic than their written love letters to one another that the other read out loud during the ceremony. (It was definitely a tear jerker!)
Needless to say, Edwin and Keith’s ceremony was filled with as much radiating love as it was style. It was complete with dramatic fire, the most dapper midnight blue tuxedos, white chiavari chairs and walkway, and draped columns in front of the perfect sunset backdrop. If you can’t tell by their exit, I have a thing for launching confetti and streamers!
Letting Loose with a Breathtaking Reception
After the ceremony, dinner was served on the lawn where they also had their first dance and cake cutting. The waiting staff stood at attention at each table adorned with clear chiavari chairs and the most stylish pairing of black linens and royal blue napkins. When it came to this wedding, not even the smallest detail was spared. One of my favorite smaller details was their initials/logo making a feature on their details throughout the day. Their menu cards by Eleven Note sported a wax seal, and and their gorgeous black and white cake provided by the Ritz Carlton was even monogrammed.
Immediately after dinner, guests were speechless as they entered. We secured ballroom inside the Ritz that served as the lounge and after party space. Servers and an illuminated dance floor sported their logo along with a dramatic fire bar serving drinks. Their space was complete with smaller tables and lounge seating, enough up lighting to put the most prestigious clubs out of business, and a room full of loving family and friends who couldn’t have been happier for our sweet couple. Needless to say, this was anything but a typical wedding.
Motherly Love
There’s just something about a parent’s love for their child. Needless to say, all of that emotion can make you tear up on a wedding day. I think the only people more excited for Edwin and Keith to get married than them was their mothers. Although I didn’t get to meet them until the wedding, I LOVED their moms! Between Keith’s mother’s pride and joy (being Keith) and Edwin’s happily emotional mother, I just wanted to take them both home with me. They were so sweet!
One of my favorite things about Edwin and Keith’s wedding was they spent the day in rest and relaxation. They ended up getting ready together and getting massages together earlier in the day. By spending the day leading up to their ceremony together, they were so ready and so relaxed when the time came to go down that aisle. (And did it sure show in their photos!) There’s not a photo in this gallery that doesn’t have Edwin and Keith radiating just pure love and bliss.
Edwin and Keith, I am so honored that you chose me to be a part of your truly magical wedding day. It was signature, stylish, fun, and everything unique. I had such a pleasure and joy getting the opportunity to work with you through this exciting time in both of your lives. I hope to have more couples who radiate as much pure love as you in the future. I wish you all the happiness and well wishes in the world as the ultimate power couple!
Thank you to all the vendors who came together to make this day truly unforgettable!
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