Sunken Gardens Wedding | Orlando Wedding Photographer | Mally & Ryan

How did you both meet?

We met in high school. We were always in all of the same classes but were just friends until Senior Prom. Then, the rest is history!

How did your husband propose?

Ryan proposed in Madison Square Park in NYC, where we used to live. He hired a band to play “I gotta feeling” by Black Eyed Peas, which is the same song he played to ask me to Senior Prom. All of my best friends and some family were hiding throughout the park waiting to celebrate.

What was your wedding inspiration? (think decor, overall theme and feel of the day, etc.)

We got married in a botanical garden, so I wanted the decor to fit the leafy outdoor and secret garden vibe. Everything was super laid back and very Boho fall tropical!

What was your favorite design element of your wedding?

We had a long 24-person head farmhouse style head table. I chose to spend a portion of our floral budget to create a suspended arrangement over the entire table. It turned out so well! Also, I splurged on a clear tent, which made the ambiance so dreamy!

Describe some of your favorite wedding details and how you came up with them.

First, I gave a custom-made Tervis to each of my bridesmaids, as well as to my mom and dad. I also gave each girl a “getting ready” embroidered night gown with my nickname. I wanted to give them things they’d use well after the wedding and that would remind them of the day. 
During the Reception, Ryan and I chose to introduce our wedding party to the crowd; after all, they are each so important to us and we wanted them to be a major part of our big day.
Finally, I wore the same veil that my mother and aunt wore on their wedding day. It was special knowing I was wearing a piece of the outfit my mom wore to marry my dad.

What was the most memorable moment of your wedding day?

Oh gosh … all of it! But probably seeing Ryan for the first time and spending 15 minutes with him alone taking first look shots.

Please describe your cake (if any):

We kept our cake simple. It had 3-tiers with white buttercream frosting and some tropical florals. We focused on the flavors – the bottom tier was a lemon chiffon with lemon cream and vanilla buttercream, the middle was chocolate case with raspberry jam and chocolate buttercream, and the top was carrot cake. So yummy!

Can you please list your vendors:

Photographers: KV Photography, Planner: Kimberly Hensley Events, Video: Tampaniac, Venue: Sunken Gardens, St. Petersburg, Getting Ready Venue: The Vinoy St. Petersburg, Florals: Florist Fire, Band: G.W. Southern, Catering: Olympia Catering, Cake: Cassis Bakery, Dress: Flora , Makeup: Femme Akoi, Rentals: Treasury Rentals

Any advice for those planning their wedding now?

Make sure you get organized and prioritize your must-haves versus your smaller details. Book the vendors for the things that are most important to you ASAP!  Also, if you can, hire a planner! Do your research, and pick a planner that has good reviews and that you mesh with well. If you do that, I promise it’ll be a great investment in your day.

What was your biggest surprise on your wedding day?

Ryan’s vows. They were SO incredible. He had the entire place in tears.

What one moment will last with you both forever?

The moment I said “I do” and Ryan said “yes!” Apparently, he needed to practice that part!

What song did you walk down the aisle to?

“More of You” by Chris Stapleton

What song played for your first dance?

“Green Eyes” by Coldplay. We listened to that song a ton the first summer we were dating, so it brings back a lot of emotions and is very special to us.

What are you most looking forward to as a married couple?

Just doing life together! The lazy Friday nights cooking in and opening a bottle of wine, hosting holidays together with family, buying a house, expanding our family.

What did you like the most about working with KV Photography?

Val and Ed are the best! It was so fun working with a couple that is so happily married. They know exactly which moments to capture and play so well together. Hours of nonstop pictures on your wedding day can get tiring, but Val and Ed kept the energy high, and the laughs going.

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