An Intimate, Casual Wedding at a Private Residence in Orlando, Florida

This wedding was almost two decades in the making and couldn't have been more sweet or personal. Paul Armstrong (46 and a restaurant supervisor) and Stephen Mathis (55 and an event operations manager) were dressed in matching blue shirts and neutral pants as they started the ninth anniversary of their domestic partnership with a trip to the County Clerk’s Office for a legal wedding proceeding, then went to work for a romantic occasion: their outdoor, religious ceremony. “We both work at the Orlando Airport Marriott Lakeside and love the scenery of the Chef’s Garden beside the lake, so we knew this was where we wanted to celebrate our union,” Steve says. String lighting was hung overhead as their 36 family members and friends took their seats in rows of white folding chairs. Once Paul and Steve exchanged their platinum rings and Steve’s father declared them wed, all moved a few blocks away to celebrate in Paul and Steve’s home. Friends and family met for the first time as they swapped stories and enjoyed dinner made by the hotel’s chefs. Bowling-inspired decor accented the space to acknowledge Steve’s favorite sport. Another detail that caught our attention was the two-tier wedding cake. It was topped with Garfield and Tigger Pez dispensers to represent Paul and Steve’s nicknames for each other. (How sweet!) “The entire day, while low-key and casual, was amazing,” Steve says. “Who could have asked for a better wedding day? It went just as planned.” Steven Miller Photography captured every detail, below.