Michelle and John tied the knot during their outdoor wedding at The Acre in Orlando, Florida. The Acre “is the perfect combination of outdoor rustic charm and Orlando whimsy.” With it being my first time at the venue, I arrived early to scope out the property. From the adorable mirror patio to the rustic barn, every nook and cranny on the one acre parcel was photo worthy.
Michelle and John actually met while volunteering at a homeless shelter and protest community in Atlanta, Georgia. Michelle at the time was living in the house for six months after graduating from college and John was living their while applying to seminary. The two hit it off right away and while they flirted a little, both did not think a relationship would be able to blossom with John leaving soon to work in Alaska for the summer and starting grad-school right after.
After a few months, John headed out for the last frontier and kept in contact with Michelle through email, than letters, and shortly following with daily calls. When Michelle moved away from Atlanta, the two knew that a bond had formed and wanted to see one another again. John invited Michelle on a road trip once he arrived back in Atlanta to his big move for grad-school in Austin, Texas. Along the way they stopped in New Orleans and really hit it off. As fate may have it, a dear college friend of John needed a roommate and Michelle jumped at the chance to be closer to John. As Michelle puts it, the two “were together again for the first time, in a new state, having all kinds of adventures together.”
Unfortunately Austin was short lived as Michelle left to go to St. Louis to start medical school. John came up to St. Louis every chance he got to come visit her. Fate intervened again, bringing John to live in St. Louis for an internship for the summer. One evening during that fateful summer, John had told Michelle that they had dinner reservations. Michelle knew something was up, because it was the first dinner reservation John had ever made in his life!
John picked up Michelle that night in his newly pressed sport coat, carrying a bouquet of flowers, and putting on the charm. There meal was incredible and followed by a dessert picnic under an old willow tree filled with wine and gelato. Among the glimmering tea lights by the pond, John asked his darling Michelle for her hand in marriage and of course Michelle said yes!
Our day started off with capturing the detail shots and excitement of the two getting ready. Michelle and her girls were upstairs in the bridal suite, while John and his boys were downstairs in the groom’s suite located behind the ceremony location. After finding out that John was a pastor for the Presbyterian Church, I thought it would be nice to grab a “first look praying” shot before the ceremony took place. A few years back I had seen the shot during my friend’s wedding and fell in love with it. Michelle and John loved the idea and helped make it happen.
While the rain poured on, the two didn’t let it stop them from having their special day. Right after guests helped move chairs under the tent, the clouds parted making way for a beautiful aisle walk. Reverend James Lee married the two among friends and family looking on. My couple pictured their wedding to be “outdoors, family-friendly but definitely with a few drinks, all the people we love coming together to meet each other, and feeling two families and two communities become one. A fancy but not-too-classy yard party. The way you hope church feels like” and it truly did come true. Their outdoor ceremony took place on the stage with parents sitting down in reserved seating. Throughout the ceremony, Reverend James Lee discussed the importance of marriage and being true to oneself. He also made time for a sand pouring explaining how just like the pieces of sand are combined and cannot be undone, so is the marriage of the couple. It was truly a beautiful and special moment.
Formal portraits took place against the vine covered walls of the outside of the dance floor. I loved the enthusiasm of the wedding party willing to try out different shots with my favorite being the panoramic shot of the girls on the balcony of the bridal suite and the boys down on the ground. Portraits finished with John being tossed in the air, a fabulous idea on part of his best man Derek Jones. We must have scared Michelle, but seriously how killer are those shots!
Dinner was a mix of mingling and dining with the cake cutting and toasts following closely behind. The couple’s family was just as enthusiastic as the wedding party and squeezed on in to the retro, silver bus on the property for a huge group pic. As the night winded down, we headed on over for dancing back at the vine covered building. Derek Shifrel with Fun Factory kept the night going with absolutely fabulous music that kept everyone on the dance floor.
Wishing these two the absolute best in their journey through life together!
Venue: The Acre Orlando
Caterer: 4Rivers Smokehouse Longwood
DJ: FUN Factory Entertainment
Rentals: Kirby Rentals
