A Surprise Rustic Backyard Wedding at a Private Residence in Lauderhill, Florida

About one year after Maria Quintela (29 and a retail manager) and Jason Wilson (38 and a bar manager) met through a mutual friend, he popped the question with a round-cut diamond ring in front of Walt Disney World’s Cinderella’s Castle. In six weeks, the couple changed their planned tiffany blue and neutral-accented engagement party into a rustic backyard wedding. Instead of telling their 45 guests about the change, they kept it a surprise! Maria and Jason decorated their tented celebration with string lighting, white chiavari chairs wrapped with burlap sashes, family-style tables, white linens and baby’s breath centerpieces in burlap and lace-wrapped mason jars. One hour into their "engagement party," the couple  told their family and friends to stay put, as their  wedding ceremony  would begin in just 30 minutes. “The look on everyone's faces was priceless,” says Jason. A friend of of the couple presided over Maria and Jason’s service as their dog, Piglet, served as the flower girl. After they said “I do,” all were treated to a reception complete with pink lemonade cocktails, baked ziti, mini empanadas and a two-tier burlap and lace accented wedding cake. Maria, Jason and their guests celebrated by dancing to the couple’s custom playlist. “Simply put, it was an amazing day,” says Jason.