Caitlyn and Nicholas tied the knot during their Tavares Pavilion on the Lake wedding in Tavares, Florida. The two envisioned a Florida wetlands theme filled with floral natural to our state, surprises of little gators from place card settings to post cards, and a beautiful mossy green color scheme.
Nicholas first met Caitlyn back on December 31st back in 2011 at his sister’s New Year’s Eve Party. Through a mutual friend invited to the party, Caitlyn tagged along and couldn’t have imagined she was about to meet the man of her dreams and her forever. Seeing Caitlyn walk into the party, Nick immediately made his way over to her to introduce himself. The duo chatted over drinks and as they learned more and more about each other, realized there was a definite spark! Exchanging numbers, it wasn’t long before Nick made the call for a first date, which was followed by many more beautiful dates and everlasting love.
Over the next few years, the two became absolutely inseparable. Nick knew he had found the one and planned out an elaborate day to throw off Caitlyn from sticking to a schedule. Last minute, Nick’s friend came into town and the two made dinner plans to meet up with him that evening. Nick invited his sister Julia to come along so that Caitlyn would further not suspect anything was up. Even more last minute upon arriving to the restaurant, Nick’s out of town friend had to “cancel” so it ended up just being him, Caitlyn, and Julia. Boi Brazil Churrascaria in Winter Park made out for an amazing dinner and beautiful view. Sitting by the window, Nick had to do everything he could to keep Caitlyn from looking outside as the violinist and cellist walked up. At the very same moment, Caitlyn’s favorite dessert, creme brulee, was brought out. The music began playing “Rainbow Connection” by Kermit the Frog, which was a sweet song they loved listening to together and as she looked down to see Nick proposing finally realized the ring had been sitting on top of the dessert the whole time! Of course she shouted, “yes!” with excitement as the musicians continued to play and her sister-in-law captured it all on camera!
Their wedding day felt just as special and filled with amazing surprises throughout. Our time started off with Caitlyn getting ready at the Key West Resort on Lake Dora with her girls. Dressed in adorable robes, the group traveled over to the venue with us so we could capture our sweet bride getting into her dress and Nick and his boys suiting up when they arrived as well. The first surprise of the night included the exchanging of gifts and love notes that left tears in everyone’s eyes during Caitlyn and Nick’s first look.
Our second surprise would soon follow of Caitlyn and Nick’s grandmothers acting as our sweet little flower girls. It was the perfect way to kick off their procession with a twist! Caitlyn was like a dream walking down the aisle on the arm of her father. The excitement in Nick’s face seeing her at their ceremony was beautiful. With vows read and a first kiss shared, we waived guests off to cocktail hour while formal portraits began in front of the grand staircase.
Of course, keeping with the Florida theme, we brought our wedding party outside to enjoy the beautiful weather and gorgeous back drop of nearby Wooton Park. Palm leaves and other native plants filled the background of our sweethearts newlywed portraits. Before heading back inside, we grabbed a few large landscape shots to show the beauty of the area and of course some adorable veil shots of our couple kissing underneath the tulle.
Reception entrances lead into toasts and a cake cutting, followed by tons of dancing, lots of silly photo booth shots, and my favorite – the boys putting on their specialty hat (of course Nick adorned the police office cap!) for some silly last dances. A sparkler send off ended the night as the two hopped in their yellow getaway Corvette.
Wishing my darlings a beautiful life together!
Getting Ready Venue: Key West Resort on Lake Dora
Venue: Tavares Pavilion on the Lake
Event Planner: Runway Events
Floral: Bluegrass Chic
Rentals: iRent Everything
Caterer: John Michael Events
Dessert: Florida Candy Buffets
Floral: Lee Forrest Design
Harpist: Orlando Harpist
DJ: The DJ Doctor
Makeup & Hair: Weddings by Crystal
Shoes: Anne Klein
Party Favors: Sugarfina
