Weddings are always beautiful, but they truly shine when the love between the couple is evident in all that they do. That was the case for the wedding of Ellie and Daniel this October in Ocala.
Ellie had lots of fun getting ready surrounded by her bridesmaids. They all wore floral silk robes as they eagerly awaited getting dressed, with special robes for the bride and mother of the bride. When ready, Ellie's mother helped her into her flowing white gown in a sweet mother/daughter moment.
Another sweet moment came when two of the bridesmaids who were in Ellie's sorority fulfilled a sorority tradition with her. Their sorority gives its members pearls to be worn in some way on their wedding day. The two bridesmaids each sewed on the pearls to the bottom of Ellie's wedding dress. Talk about making a wedding personal!
You have heard of first looks at weddings, but have you heard of first touches? Ellie and Daniel shared a first touch and prayer by their priest outside the venue before their ceremony officially began. There were plenty of tears and laughter as the soon-to-be husband and wife reached out to one another. We absolutely loved it!
The work of a wedding planner is never done! We are here to help on your wedding day in any way possible, and sometimes, that includes helping carry your dress as you head to the ceremony. Ellie experienced this firsthand -- as did her gorgeous gown!
Additionally, Ellie & Daniel got us for our extended planning package. This means they got six meetings and unlimited time on their wedding day from us. It is a great option for anyone who wants us to be there at all of the fun and detailed meetings along the way!
Our florist, the Graceful Gardener, truly outdid herself when she made Ellie's bridal bouquet. Not only were the flowers stunning and the perfect pop of color, but the bouquet also had a secret up its sleeve -- the toss bouquet! Wrapped in a separate ribbon, the toss bouquet sat nestled in the actual bridal bouquet to be unwrapped and used later. How genius is that?
The reception took place at the Country Club of Ocala, a stunning venue with beautiful outdoor landscapes, a fun entry room, and a spacious, decorative ballroom. Guests were greeted first by this piece above. Florals from the Graceful Gardener mixed with pinned lace really made the wooden backdrop pop.
Ellie and Daniel made good use of signage at their wedding. Signs were placed around the venue to add both a hint of personality and warmth to the space. We also loved the photos of themselves that sat alongside them. We always encourage couples to include bits and pieces of their love story into their decorations because it really does impact the venue space and atmosphere.
To add some variety, Ellie and Daniel chose two different centerpieces for their big day. The first was a floral arrangement filled with white and light pink flowers. The second was an assortment of floating candles surrounded by greenery. Each centerpiece was surrounded by navy blue napkins and silver chargers. Everything turned out so elegant and really filled the space in an earthy way.
Before the night's festivities, the couple took a walk through the country club's golf course for some intimate photos. The timing was perfect, as the dim lighting of sunset made the couple shine. That is the beauty of choosing a picturesque venue like this!
After a night full of dancing, it was time for the couple to head off to their new journey as husband and wife. As a special gift, they rode off in this stunning set of wheels. A trail of sparklers and their wedding guests led the way for this absolutely radiant send off!
We had the best time getting to witness the love and joy shared between Ellie, Daniel, and their families and friends. Ellie and Daniel, may you experience happiness and many blessings as you start this new chapter together. We loved helping you!
Thank you to our vendors:
Flowers: Graceful Gardener
Photography: Carolyn Ann Photography
Cake: Betty Cakes
Hair: Graceful Strands
Makeup: Cynthia McMillian
Photography: Carolyn Ann Photography
Cake: Betty Cakes
Hair: Graceful Strands
Makeup: Cynthia McMillian