Charlotte & Craig | Dr. Phillips Center | Orlando Wedding Photographer

How did you both meet?

We met a Commercial Real Estate Networking event.

How did your husband propose?

Craig planned a weekend gateway to York City. The actual proposal took place in our NYC apartment. It was just the two of us, and it was perfect. We then had an intimate dinner at One if by Land, Two if by Sea, which is often cited as the most romantic restaurant in the city. We had seen Hamilton on Broadway the night before for the first time, so it was cool to experience a space formerly occupied by a pivotal member of US History.

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

An Enchanted Garden. Our reception was held in the DeVos Room at the Performing Arts Center. Craig and I had attended multiple events in the space, and so had many of our guests. It was very important to me that the moment our guests walked through the doors, they were taken to a place they had never experienced. The environment needed to transport our guests away from their daily routines to celebrate life, love, and friendship, if only for a few hours. I wanted to play up the juxtaposition of our guests feeling like they were in a garden somewhere, yet they were inside a glass box looking out at the City Beautiful.

What was your favorite design element of your wedding?

The garden we created and the intricate details we included that told our story. For example, Craig’s mom’s side of the family (the Chicone’s) were in the Citrus business, and my mother worked for Dr. Phillips Charities for over 20 years. So, the Citrus industry has always held a role in our lives. We included cut oranges on the table scape to pay homage to our citrus roots. Craig’s dad’s family (Ustler) were foliage growers from Apopka. They helped introduce the Boston Fern to Central Florida. The Boston Ferns hung from the ceiling represented the history of the Ustler family. I’m a huge fan of cardinals, and since I was a little girl, I’ve been visited by cardinals regardless of where I’ve lived. We placed 13 cardinals throughout the room, each representing a family member that is no longer with us.

What was the most memorable moment of your wedding day?

Craig and I had already been legally married for over a year #covidbride, so my experience was a little outside of the “typical” bride.  I think the most memorable moment for me was the happiness and joy that surrounded us on that day. You could just feel the love in the room.

Can you please list your vendors:

Lisa Lyons, Fairbanks Florist, KV Photography, KEJ Productions, Two Peas Designs, Get Lit Productions, Inpulse Entertainment, and the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center (they also handled all the food which was phenomenal and very well executed).

Any advice for those planning their wedding now?

Remember to breathe and be present in the moment.

What song played for your first dance?

When you say nothing at all by Keith Whitley.

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

I felt comfortable with them from our first shot, and so did Craig. They have a way of seamlessly weaving into your story that day. They are intuitive and know how to read people and the room. I’ve used other photographers in the past and would recommend them HANDS DOWN to anyone looking for a team to capture their special moment, whether it be a wedding, baby shower, birthday, etc.

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