1. Real Weddings

A Traditional Wedding in St. Augustine, FL

It really was love at first site for Taryn and Carlos. Their eyes locked at a party during their freshman year at the University of Florida and they’v

It really was love at first site for Taryn and Carlos. Their eyes locked at a party during their freshman year at the University of Florida and they’ve been together ever since. “After a night out, Carlos would drive me back to my dorm and we’d sit in the car talking so long, the battery would die,” laughs Taryn. The long talks and fun times lasted through college, graduate school and a long-distance stint. The Bride Taryn Manders, 28, a behavior analyst The Groom Carlos Hinojosa, 28, an electrical engineer The Date March 21 Eventually, with both of them living in Orlando, Carlos proposed after a surprise weekday meal at the super-fancy Victoria and Albert’s. “It was late so the restaurant was nearly empty, leaving us plenty of privacy to celebrate,” Taryn says.

The ceremony program was more like a tour book: The couple included stories about the history of the town, directions for a post-wedding trolley ride, local attractions, and more. It was a DIY project, designed by the couple and printed at Kinko’s. To bind it, they made book covers out of ivory silk moiré and ivory ribbons.
Drinks from the bar were accompanied with napkins and coasters that Taryn designed at ForYourParty.com.
As soon as the doors opened and Taryn’s dad took her arm, she got emotional. “When I finally saw Carlos, about halfway up the aisle, I lost it!” she remembers.
Retro white fondant flowers were randomly placed down the side of the three-tier cake. Taryn had bought a tall white pedestal but it was too windy so it was replaced with a shorter cake stand that she loved just as much.
The bride and groom had their own gold chiavari chairs reserved in a style that matched the table numbers.
The couple took a cue from their historical venue, the Casa Monica Hotel, and went for a timeless look with a touch of vintage. Hues of gold, ivory, and a hint of pale pink kept things elegant but not fussy.
Taryn cut out her and Carlos’ initials in cardboard and used a glue gun to cover them with faux white hydrangeas. They were hung at the reception on an ivy-covered wall and were the first thing guests saw as they walked in.
An unexpected shortage of peonies led to a last-minute flower change resulting in a mix of ranunculus, white lilacs, viburnum, green berries, and one single peony. “It was perfect,” says Taryn noting that her florist did a wonderful job adapting.
Carlos opted to buy a tuxedo, which came with a pocket square. He was torn between wearing a boutonniere or the square so he decided to wear both.
Taryn ordered 30 stems of fresh white hydrangeas online for just $100. They arrived the morning before the wedding and, within 20 minutes, Taryn’s mom and aunt whipped up six bouquets. This saved her about $500.
A candy buffet of white chocolate–covered pretzels, white petit fours and white meringues doubled as dessert and parting gifts. Guests could fill gauze drawstring bags as they left.
All six bridesmaids wore the same silk Priscilla of Boston knee-length dress with a sweetheart neckline and gold peep-toe heels. Some of the girls incorporated Taryn’s love of the ’60s and teased their hair in bouffant half up-dos.
Guests found their table assignments on a homemade display of cards hung from ribbons strung on a fabric-covered art canvas. Diamond and pearl appliqués told the wait staff which dinner entrée each guest had ordered.
A sprig of greenery tucked into each ivory napkin helped add some color to the golden tables.