1. Real Weddings

An Outdoor Wedding in Orlando, FL

Yvonne didn’t need her friend to “save her” after Rene started chatting her up at a party; the two had plenty to talk about, including their shared lo

Yvonne didn’t need her friend to “save her” after Rene started chatting her up at a party; the two had plenty to talk about, including their shared love of dogs. The pair were about to part ways when they discovered that Yvonne’s friend’s parked car had been hit by a bus! Rene hung around with the women until the police came; then he asked Yvonne for a date. The Bride Yvonne Montalvo, 30, a research analyst The Groom Rene Plasencia, 36, a teacher The Date November 22 Three years later, Rene had another date planned: dinner at the posh Citrus Club in Orlando. The waiter brought out what Yvonne thought was just her dessert, but was actually an engagement ring on a platter! Soon after, the two began planning a lighthearted, late-autumn wedding celebration.

The couple’s initials personalized the candy tins that waited for guests at their place settings. Each one was filled with M&M’s.
Guests’ seating assignments were on tags attached to favor boxes with ceramic birds inside. Outside, polka-dot ribbon played up the wedding’s whimsical vibe.
Yvonne loved romantic, all-lace gowns -- but not their high prices. So she began to scour the web, where she found her affordable, pre-owned Christos gown.
Lovebirds -- decked out in a veil and a bow tie -- were perched in a nest on top of the wedding cake.
Wedding Party Dog
Lime-green flowers, including cymbidium orchids, button mums, bells of Ireland, hydrangeas, and tricillium, popped against the bridesmaids’ dark dresses.
River rocks lent a natural look to the low arrangements of orchids, hydrangeas, and roses. Votive candles wrapped in eyelet paper dressed up the tables even more.
Outdoor Wedding Ceremony
Green Bridal Shoes
Green, Yvonne’s favorite color, showed up in many shades, from lime to mint. Birds and polka dots, two more of the bride’s favorite things, kept the outdoor wedding’s mood lighthearted.
Cutout clay table markers pushed the wedding’s bird theme. They appeared to be flying over nests and candles that matched the day’s signature color palette.
Earthy yet elegant, the bride held cymbidium orchids, roses, freesia, peonies, lady’s mantle, hydrangeas, and seeded eucalyptus.