Downtown Orlando Church Wedding Seth & Melanie

8 Secrets to Throwing a
Firework-Worthy 4th of July Party

July 2, 2018

Published by Paige Nethers at August 11, 2018

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You know that feeling you get when you meet someone and it just clicks? That’s how Melanie and I felt from the moment we started planning her wedding stationery. Melanie told me all about her plan for a sweet Orlando church wedding ceremony filled with pink peonies, her love for Seth and their family, and her devotion to the Lord. How could I not jump on board for coordinating their gorgeous day, too!?

I just LOVED Melanie’s shoes and dress – and they made the perfect honeymoon shoes after the wedding! #weddingwin

Custom mirrors, signs, and stationery were what brought Melanie to me, but once we got to talking and she realized I also plan and coordinate weddings, we added that to her package as well! And y’all, I’m SO glad. I feel like the luckiest wedding planner in the world, in that I truly have become friends with my couples long after their big day. So if a custom program is what it takes to bring me sweet brides and friends, I’ll take that as the icing on the cake 😉

I just love seeing my brides and grooms surrounded by their favorite people as they get ready to say “I do”! There’s nothing like standing next to your family and friends on the most important day of your life.

Alicia at Flawless Faces lived up to her name (as always!) and knocked it out of the park with Melanie’s wedding day look. Isn’t she just stunning!?

I’m not sure how you feel about a first look, but it’s probably one of my favorite parts of a wedding – and that might be partly because I loved my own first look so much! It’s a perfect opportunity to get rid of those pre-ceremony jitters and take bonus photos with your boo bear (ugh I know I’m such a dork. It’s been one of our nicknames for each other since we were 18, so that makes it acceptable right? ;)) Nervous about doing a first look because you don’t want to lose out on that epic “walk down the aisle” moment? I promise I won’t ever discourage you! But if you’re considering a first look and still want those perfect wedding butterflies, I’ve listed some advice I think Melanie & Seth would also attest to:

Have your fiancé look for something that you’ve changed or added since the first look to when they watch you walk down the aisle. Maybe you choose not to wear your veil until that special moment, or you take photos without your bouquet; anything new to look for will keep them excited.
Use those private moments to share a devotional, or read your own vows to one another. My husband didn’t want to read his own vows in front of all our guests since he’s a bit shy – so this was a perfect opportunity for us to share private vows together.
If you do a first look and plan your timeline just right with your wedding planner, you should be able to enjoy some of that delish cocktail hour food you paid for since you’ll already have gotten bridal party photos in. I’m just full of #weddingwins today, huh? 😉
I pinky promise you will not regret having the pre-ceremony photos. Every couple I’ve worked with that does a first look says that those are some of their favorite photos of the day – I can attest to that, too! Just look at these love birds <3 Angela June Photography captured every first-look-moment beautifully!

Seth and Melanie chose to tie the knot at their home church, Delaney Baptist near downtown Orlando. It’s lined with gorgeous stained glass widows and holds that beautiful southern charm – a stunning backdrop for their day.

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktail hour and dinner from Black Bean Deli. I absolutely loved their wedding menu, and the decor from Dishie Rentals and A Chair Affair truly transformed the space!

Can you practically smell that fresh eucalyptus!? Because I’m MELTING from that fragrance over here! Paired with the gorgeous vintage mismatched china from Dishie and agate place cards, who can resist this head table?