REAL WEDDINGS: ERICA AND SHAWN AT THE RITZ CARLTON ORLANDO, GRANDE LAKES, TAKE 2!

I've been looking forward to sharing just a fraction of the beautiful imagery from Root Photography for Erica and Shawn's wedding for some time now.

I mentioned it's been bittersweet to cull images and reminisce, but I've put on my big girl stilettos, and have decided that  I am all the better for having two incredible opportunities to work with such a loving and supportive family. They can't get rid of me just quite yet!

Perhaps I'll start with the end.  This is my favorite image, and certainly not because it's the best photo I've ever posed for, but because it was one of the last songs of the evening, and the Landis/Landau/Sickel ladies pulled me aside for this moment.  This was 3 + years in the making and I loved every meeting, every phone call, every text and email.

Nothing but love.

I know, I know, you've stopped by to look at the "pretty."  Well, I've got pretty for you, alright!

Let's start with Erica's dress by Kenneth Pool: I was at Solutions Bridal when we had Kate, {mom} Vicky {Sister} and a slew of fun bridesmaids.  We all agreed Erica could have worn wear a burlap sack and still look smashing, nit when she stepped out in this??  Let's just say tears were shed. I wasn't alone! *wink

From dress, to veil to the delivery of her delicate, lush bouquet, the pretty just kept coming. Kinda' like a one-two "style punch!"

I love these sisters.

Grooms look dapper, and have fun while getting ready too! At least Shawn did!

When designing a wedding in a larger hotel, I always like to claim my space and carve my niche on our designated side.  I think we let everyone know that this area was especially for Erica, Shawn, their families and treasured wedding guests with the application of this dramatic and elegant draping by Swag Décor.  Below, is the entrance to the foyer that led guests to the ceremony and reception spaces.

Ceremony time!  THAT CHUPPAH!  How many ribbons?? I couldn't even guess!

Proud parents.  This makes me so happy!

Just married, and just breathtaking.

On to the reception!  Guests enjoyed finding their ombré hues escort cards on this custom built display.

Reception details for the win!

Party, party, party!  And wedding streamers for life!

Love was certainly in the air! Clint Wiley and his lead female vocalist are now getting married!

Erica had so many girlfriends at the wedding she had hoped would catch the bouquet.  I didn't have the heart to just have one "win," so we made twelve! We had happy and surprised girls just after this award-winning toss!

Finally, a sweet and signature send off for guests as they made their way back to their guest rooms and/or valet. Dunkin Donuts!  Kate is a legendary, life-long and loyal patron!

I hope you had as much fun being a virtual guest at Erica and Shawn's wedding, as I did reminiscing, love bugs!

xx, LS

Fun Facts:

Bridal Gown, Mother of the Bride and Bridesmaids Gowns: Solutions Bridal

Venue: The Ritz Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes

Photography: Root Photography | Nathan and Jensey Root

Video: Jeffrey Stoner Video

Floral Design and Chuppah: Lee Forrest Design

Wedding Stationery: 2u Creative

Lighting: Get Lit Productions

Band: Clint Wiley and the None Other Band

Drape: Swag Decor

Me and The Mister

Love and marriage.

Upon the launch of Me Actually, I reached out to several friends and followers of mine and the Mister's to find out what in "lifestyle" piqued their interest.  Sure, there were many shared passions that were thrown out there:  fashion, design, music, film, cooking, etc. , but it was becoming evident that a curiosity into our personal lives existed as well.  For a particularly private couple with a very (and I mean very!) tightly-knit circle, this seemed like the biggest challenge of all.  With all of that being said, what you see is what you get, and if you are willing to follow us, we are more than willing to share.

The Mister and I met each other 10 years ago as business acquaintances.  I was relatively new in the wedding business, { E Events Design} he was well-established, {Jeffrey Stoner Video} and you'd better believe that I had already been very well acquainted with his work.  Huge fan.  I mean, HUGE!  From a very quick introduction at a networking event, I vowed that we would work together, and work together we did on countless beautiful weddings!  As time and years passed, a very meaningful friendship had developed.  Every time I had a creative concept or marketing idea, he'd be the first I'd run it by.  He never laughed, and maybe not always agreed, but ALWAYS listened.   Business pow-pows transitioned into an easy and comfortable friendship.  

Here we are at a meeting in Denver, CO prior to a wedding fashion showcase that I  produced, and managed to convince him to document on video in 2008

Transitioning out of a marriage for me, and a long-term relationship for the Mister, it was this friendship that we relied upon so heavily to be a place of non-judgement and calm during a very tumultuous storm.  I was navigating keeping my business thriving, raising my two young daughters and building a new home for us to live, while the Mister moved out of his home to start a new life. Our friendship seemed more like a life-line in that we were constantly confiding and leaning on one another for support. "Buddy" - that's what we called each other, and that's what we definitely were.

Me and the Girlies, as we embarked on our "new normal" life. *Images by Abby Liga | Liga Photography*

As John Lennon once sang, “life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans”, and that about sums up our beginnings as a couple.  We weren’t planning it and could have never imagined it, but it just happened.  Here's the funny part: the girls had known the Mister since they were very little girls, and called him by his proper name, "Mr. Stoner." One evening while over for dinner, he explained to them that they no longer had to go through that formality.  They asked what they should call him instead, and he jokingly replied "you can call me Sir".  They combined that into "Sir Mister" and it stuck!  Hence, "Mister" for me to this day.

*Image Courtesy of Abby Liga | Liga Photography*

I frequently told the Mister that I never needed anything more than the beautiful relationship we seemed to be sharing.  I never needed to get married again, and I never wanted to rely on anyone but myself ever again.  Likewise, if you ever knew the Mister, then you knew he never wanted to get married either (he really was the George Clooney of the wedding industry!).  Here's the lesson on that kids:  Never say never.

We were never engaged.  We never made an announcement or proclamation of any kind.  We eloped.  Just. Up. And. Eloped.  When I tell you that no one knew, NO ONE  knew (except for our photographers who not only served as witnesses for our marriage license, but are our closest and dearest friends to this day!)

Now, I am not suggesting we didn't talk about this; we certainly did. We considered everything imaginable, most especially my daughters. We planned for 3 months to clear our schedules and fly away to get married.  The girls thought we were going to NYC for Spring Break and would do a family photo shoot. This helped to explain why I was buying dresses for the three of us!

Post-Ceremony! *Image by Nathan and Jensey Root | Root Photography*

Someday soon, I'll share the details of our sweet elopement in Strawberry Fields, Central Park.

In the meantime, we've been living happily ever after ...!

*Image by Abby Liga | Liga Photography*

Happy weekending, friends!

xx, LS