Washington Oaks Gardens State Park Engagement Session - Annalisa & Austin

This was my first time at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, and it truly did not disappoint! From the majestic oak trees to the rocky beach, everywhere we turned was a perfect spot for photos. And with these two looking as amazing as they did, I knew I was in for a great session!

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of flowy dresses, and Annalisa looked amazing in her pink gown. These two cuties are getting married at The Howey Mansion next spring, and I can’t wait!

What I loved about this engagement session at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park was that we got the best of both worlds! I adore photographing engagement pictures on the beach, but it usually means that we only get the one location. With Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, we got to go from gardens to forest to beach. It was a dream!

These two were a joy to work with from start to finish, and I am so looking forward to their wedding next March. I know it’s going to be amazing!

Top 5 Wedding Venues in Orlando

Bok Tower Gardens

Bok Tower gardens is one of our favorite places to shoot as it is one of the most beautiful places in Orlando. Billed as a “secluded garden where beauty and serenity combine to provide the perfect setting for your wedding day”. The natural elegance of this location provides some of the most breathtaking pictures of your special day you can imagine. The entire garden area is outfitted with 60 carillon bells that resonate throughout the space. The garden itself is 250 acres and is settled near one of the highest points in peninsular Florida and features acres of ferns, palms, oaks, pines and other wetland plants. The site is also a refuge for over 100 species of birds you can see wandering the grounds.

Bella Collina

The Bella Collina venue is another one of our most popular shoots. Framed as a Tuscan luxury Orlando wedding venue, this location is nestled among 1,900 acres of rolling hills and sparkling lakes. With 5 different locations to conduct your special day, Bella Collina is sure to have something to fulfill your most spectacular of wedding dreams. The five locations are as follows:

• Grand Lawn

• Reflection Pool

• Ballroom Veranda

• Ballroom

• Wine Cellar

This is a true white glove experience with a devoted team to choose everything from your date to the perfect garnishes for your plate. You can head out to enjoy brunch at the clubhouse, play a round or two at the Sir Nick Faldo Designed golf course, or pamper yourself with a spa experience before the planning begins. Visit their website to see a list of amenities and options for your wedding.

Cypress Grove Estate House

This venue is touted as “Central Florida’s most sought after southern estate with a lakeside setting.” The estate, built in 1925, offers stunning facilities for your wedding. Surrounded by 80 acres of well kept grounds, tree lined streets, aged oak and cypress trees, and breathtaking seasonal flowers, all found right on the edge of Lake Jessamine. You can choose from either the Estate House or Grove House depending on your budget and expectations. Much like Bella Collina above, you will be outfitted with a full staff of planners, stylists, and venue managers to take care of all of the little details. Be ready to fall in love with the location when you drive down the lawn surrounded by magnificent trees and landscaping. Take a look at some of our recent Cypress Grove wedding shoots in our previous blog posts.

The Howey Mansion

William J. Howey built this 20 room mansion in 1925. Found in Lake County, the land surrounding the mansion “brings a nostalgic feeling of how “Once upon a time--.”” This venue features immense fireplaces, a drawing room the size of a ballroom, monstrous ceilings and an old time call-bell phone system for the servants. Hosting many weddings throughout the year, this place and its staff understand how to mix elegance with southern charm. Should you so choose, you can also house your wedding guests in the mansion with accommodations for up to 400 guests. You can also select indoor, covered, and uncovered outdoor settings for your wedding at The Howey Mansion. The goal is to exceed your expectations and they leave no stone unturned. Take a look at some of our previous sessions at The Howey Mansion in our blog.

Citrus Club

The Citrus Club can be found in downtown Orlando and has been hosting weddings for more than 50 years. This upscale and modern space is decorated with a natural color scheme and breathtaking chandeliers accented by floor to ceiling windows with views of Orlando. The icing on top of the cake is their team of culinary experts who specialize in creating memorable foods for your guests and wedding party to enjoy. The space can accommodate up to 200 guests. You will be assigned an entire private events team devoted to making your day as special as possible. You can take a look at their wedding brochure for more detailed information as well. The Citrus Club is a spectacular place to hold any type of event, but a wedding at this venue is truly breathtaking. You and your guest can watch the sun set during dinner and dance the night away as the city comes alive in the night while the staff takes care of every fine detail.

Orlando is a great place to have a wedding with so many more venues than we have listed above. These are just some of our favorites!

Four Seasons Resort Orlando Wedding - Emily & Ryan

As the doors opened to reveal his beautiful bride walking toward him, Ryan couldn’t help but shed a tear. It was actually happening! The love of his life was about to become his wife, and he couldn’t keep his eyes off her.

Emily and Ryan had a perfect wedding, but it came with its challenges. This amazing couple was originally set to marry at Walt Disney World, but thanks to COVID, some last minute changes had to be made. Emily planned a new wedding, FROM SCRATCH, with only a few months before her wedding date. I’d say she did an amazing job!

Emily is obsessed with the 2015 version of Cinderella, and who could blame her? This Four Seasons Orlando wedding was definitely Cinderella inspired. The gorgeous blue color woven throughout the wedding was perfect, and check out those shoes! They were the best “something blue,” and keep an eye out for a Cinderella inspired shot later ;)

Emily was positively stunning in her Cinderella wedding ballgown. The detail on her dress was amazing, and she looked gorgeous on that famous Four Seasons Orlando staircase! Don’t you agree? Also, can we talk about how adorable the reactions were for Emily’s first look with her bridesmaids!?

Emily and Ryan were married in a beautiful outdoor wedding at the Four Seasons Orlando. The seating was appropriately socially distanced, but still allowed for those closest to them to witness their union. And, oh my goodness, check out Ryan’s reaction when he saw Emily walking down the aisle! Want to know a little secret? He started tearing up as soon as the first bridesmaid appeared. How sweet is that!?

The romantic portraits are one of my favorites parts of every wedding because it’s basically the only time the bride and groom have almost to themselves. Plus, these are the images that our couples hang on their walls, make their profile pictures, and look back on for the rest of their lives. We starting their wedding photos at Four Seasons Orlando and finished at Golden Bear at Keene’s Point, where Emily and Ryan held their reception.

And then it was party time! And let me tell you, these two PARTIED like it was 1999. The dancing was NON-STOP, thanks in part the the best DJ in town, Our DJ Rocks! Miguel often says he wishes we had used them for our wedding.

Emily and Ryan, thank you for trusting us to capture your wedding day. It was absolutely perfect despite its challenges (Hello, COVID), and we wish you two a lifetime of wedded bliss.

Vendor Team

Getting Ready Venue: Disney’s Grand Floridian
Ceremony Venue: Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World
Reception Venue: The Golden Bear Club at Keene’s Point
Flowers: Bluegrass Chic
DJ: Our DJ Rocks
Cake: Sugar Sugar Cake Boutique
Invitations: Minted
Bride’s Hair: Salon Dulay

Howey Mansion Wedding - Brandi & Alex

2020 isn’t the year that anybody expected. This gorgeous couple was originally planning a big wedding at Mission Inn Resort in May of this year. And then it became October. And then it changed to October of 2021. And while the big shindig is still almost a year away, Brandi and Alex decided to say “I Do” in a micro-wedding at the gorgeous Howey Mansion in Howey-In-The-Hills, Florida. With 11 guests in attendance, this couple became one on an ultra-romantic and love filled day.

I am loving this wedding dress trend of ivory lace over a nude or blush lining. It really makes the lace pop, and Brandi’s dress was absolutely stunning on her! Add to that The Howey Mansion’s gorgeous bridal getting ready room, and these are some of my favorite images from their day.

In addition to a first look with Alex, Brandi also opted to do a first look with her father, which was just the sweetest moment. Since I’m such a daddy’s girl, these dad first looks always get me right in the feels, and I’m so glad that I have a camera to hide my tears behind. I seriously cry at every wedding I photograph.

I just love it when grooms wear something other than a black suit. Don’t get me wrong, a man in a well-fitted black tux will always be the gold standard for men’s wear, but I also love when grooms show a little personality in funky colored outfits. Take Alex’s maroon suit for example. LOVE! And it matched the venue so well.

The Howey Mansion ballroom is perfect for small receptions. I LOVE how Lee Forrest Design decorated the tables set for 3-4. The whole room was picture-perfect. Lee actually did the flowers for mine and Miguel’s wedding 7 years ago, and so we always love getting to work with him again on weddings we photograph.

Just because there were “only” 13 people at this wedding, including the bride and groom, doesn’t mean that it was filled with any less love. There’s something so special about having those who are nearest and dearest to you surround you on your wedding day. It was a deeply personal and moving day.

Brandi and Alex, thank you for trusting us to capture your wedding day. We absolutely adored being a part of your micro wedding, and we can’t wait for the big party next year!

AWESOME VENDOR TEAM:

Venue: Howey Mansion

Flowers: Lee Forrest Design

Cake: Le Petit Sweet

Harpist: Christine MacPhail

Hair & Makeup: Taylor Marie Makeup

Catering: Arthur’s Catering

JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes Wedding - Taylor & Jacob

When the doors to the church opened, and Jacob saw his beautiful bride walking toward him down the aisle, he shed a tear. The moment they had both been waiting and planning for had finally arrived, and she was about to be his wife! This was a gorgeous wedding day, and, as always, Miguel and I were so honored to be a part of it!

This wedding party was a super fun group to be around. Check out how cute Taylor and her girls look in their matching PJs and White Claws. Adorable! And can we please take a moment to talk about Taylor’s dress??? It was so flowy and pretty! No wonder Jacob couldn’t keep his eyes off of her all night long.

Taylor and Jacob were married at the beautiful Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Celebration, Florida. It was a beautiful ceremony at a beautiful church, and the white exterior walls made for the perfect portrait backdrop on this rainy wedding day.

After portraits, we headed over to their wedding reception at the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes. The Blush by Brandee Gaar team did an amazing job putting this day together. It’s always such a pleasure to work with them! And check out that neon sign wall by Ocean Hawks Rentals! OBSESSED!

There’s nothing quite as classically elegant as a ballroom wedding. Plus, it’s a blank slate for you to decorate however you want! Taylor & Jacob went with cream florals and a citrus pop, and it was perfect! I especially loved the head table with the magnolia blooms.

Taylor and Jacob, thank you for trusting us with your wedding! It was a beautiful day, and we hope you look back on these photos for years to come!

Amazing Vendor Team:

Planner: Blush by Brandee Gaar

Flowers: Lee James Floral

Rentals: Ocean Hawks Rentals

Ceremony Venue: Corpus Christi Catholic Church

Reception Venue: JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes

DJ & Lighting: DJ Danny Garcia