Kelly and Mike tied the knot during their Heathrow Country Club wedding. Romance was truly the underlying theme for the two, filled with soft touches of burgundy, candles, rose gold, ivory, and silver.
My sweethearts story begins back in high school when both of their best friends were dating one another. Inadvertently the two hung out often, but it wasn’t until college when their love story began. Michael at the time was working for the school district in the IT department and Kelly at Apple as an Apple Genius. Computer issues brought Michael into the Apple store where Kelly helped him out and also accidentally ordered him an Arabic keyboard. Messaging her on Facebook, the accidental order led into a hilarious ice breaker for the two to connect again.
Michael knew that Kelly was the one for him. On August 8th, the two were supposedly invited to celebrate with a close family friend for their acceptance into the Disney College Program. Little did Kelly know that the whole soiree was really a celebration of Kelly and Michael’s soon to be next chapter in their lives. Waiting outside next to the beautiful fountain in downtown Celebration, Florida, Michael asked Kelly to sit with him while they waited for everyone to arrive. Michael began to unfold the events leading up to today from speaking about their love to asking her dad for her hand in marriage. Dropping to one knee, Michael asked for her hand in marriage and Kelly of course said, “yes!” Out of what seemed like nowhere, Michael’s family popped out and ran to the couple to congratulate them – and of course caught it all on camera!
Romance was in the air and truly the heart and soul of the theme for Michael and Kelly’s wedding. Touches of burgundy, gold, rose gold, silver, and ivory made for a moody design, while bringing in lit candles helped set the mood. Our day started off with capturing Kelly’s arrival to the Heathrow Country Club after getting dolled up with her girls by Hair on the Run. The newly redesigned ballroom and cocktail hour area was too good to pass up in creating a clean, crisp backdrop for Kelly to put on her dress. I love how you can see Kelly’s ceremony site behind her as she was buttoned up in dress.
Once the girls were ready to change into their dresses and we had captured our darling bride, we headed on over to our groom in waiting. Bringing the boys into the bar area, I had a vision in mind of the guys hanging out having a drink with some neat rim lighting coming from behind the bar. Michael looked nothing but absolutely dapper, and of course so did his groomsmen. After a few shots of the guys we headed outside to set Michael up for his first look with Kelly.
Let me just say that their first look was rather ’50 Shades of Grey’ as Michael wore a blindfold for Kelly to take off. Seriously LOVED the idea and it kept the theme of romance throughout their day. Kelly was just absolutely stunning in champagne Alfred Angelo gown and it was clear as day that Michael couldn’t wait to marry her. Slowly unfolding the blindfold, Michael was able to see his darling Kelly for the first time. The two of them were just so picturesque enjoying a moment for just them.
After a beautiful first look, we headed back to the reception for formal portraits underneath the chandeliers. Their outdoor gazebo ceremony followed along with a few newlywed shots at golden hour before heading back inside for cocktail hour.
DJ Chuck Johnson had the guests on their feet dancing the entire night with some of my favorites from the Spice Girls and of course new age pop. Seriously though, your guests will RUN and I mean run to the dance floor when 80s/90s pop comes on haha. Our night ended with a lovely sparkler send off as the two headed home to prepare for their honeymoon!
Wishing my darlings a beautiful life together filled with nothing but romance!
Venue: Heathrow Country Club
Makeup & Hair: Hair On The Run
Cake: Publix
Cupcakes: Cupcakes by Debbie
DJ: Chuck Johnson
Dress Designer: Alfred Angelo Bridal
Men’s Attire: Xedo
Rings: Etsy
