1. Real Weddings

An Intimate Wedding at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Orlando, Florida

Dieudonne Thomas (37 and an event planner) and Michael Wilson (40 and a pilot) met in college and spent more than a decade apart before reconnecting t

Dieudonne Thomas (37 and an event planner) and Michael Wilson (40 and a pilot) met in college and spent more than a decade apart before reconnecting through long-distance phone calls between Florida and the Bahamas. By Valentine’s Day in 2012, Michael popped the question in Pointe Orlando. Over the next 10 months, Dieudonne and Michael planned their intimate wedding. “We decided on a travel theme because of our long-distance relationship and Michael's love for flying,” says Dieudonne. Shades of pewter, navy and green were used throughout the couple’s wedding. The ceremony was held outdoors at the Eagle Creek Golf Club. "We chose the venue because it was naturally beautiful," says Dieudonne. Letting the natural landscape be their main decor, the couple accented their ceremony space with white sheer fabric sashes upon lucite chiavari chairs and white flower petals along a white aisle runner. After the couple said "I do," all moved inside for a cocktail hour and reception overlooking the golf course. Dieudonne and Michael's 50 friends and family members found their place listed on a luggage tags. Each was seated upon a lucite chiavari chair wrapped with sheer white fabric at a blue linen covered round table. Low arrangements of white and green tea roses were used as the centerpiece. The couple served a seated dinner before opening the dance floor to their friends and family with American and Bahamian music. Each guest left with a personal wedding favor from the Bahamas made by Michael's 92-year-old grandmother.

Dieudonne complemented her Billie Holiday inspired look with blue suede heels and a custom birdcage veil.
Dieudonne carried a white tulip and rose bouquet accented with green dianthus and green hypericum berries.
Dieudonne and Michael decorated their outdoor ceremony space with white sashes along lucite chiavari chairs, a white aisle runner, white fabric on their archway and white flower petals along the aisle.
Dieudonne and Michael were wed at the Eagle Creek Golf Club in front of 50 family members and friends.
Dieudonne’s wedding day attire was inspired by Billie Holiday. She chose a white mermaid wedding dress with off-the-shoulder straps by Vera Wang for David’s Bridal. Michael complemented her with a charcoal gray tuxedo, light gray tie and white shirt.
Dieudonne and Michael’s Recessional
Each table was set with a low arrangement of white and green tea roses in a clear glass breakaway vase. “We wanted the travel theme to be present but with a touch of elegance,” says Dieudonne.
Dieudonne and Michael accented their indoor reception with blue linens, lucite chiavari chairs, low white and green tea rose centerpieces and pewter napkins.
Dieudonne and Michael accented each table with a name that resembled their different cultural backgrounds.
The couple chose a pewter and navy accented three-tier wedding cake from Party Flavors Custom Cakes. It was composed of both strawberry swirl and amaretto cake.