1. Real Weddings

Cheri & T.R.: A Black and White Wedding in Orange Park, FL

With all the palm trees, beaches, and sunsets in their midst, most Floridians might fail to recognize the romance of the Midwest, let alone the state

With all the palm trees, beaches, and sunsets in their midst, most Floridians might fail to recognize the romance of the Midwest, let alone the state of Michigan. But Jacksonville residents Cheri Rinne and Theodore T.R. Wickman know better. THE BRIDE Cheri Rinne, contract manager for a physical therapy company THE GROOM Theodore (T.R.) Wickman, manager for a staffing firm THE DATE August 19 Both are natives of the Wolverine State (T.R. moved to Stuart when he was 13; Cheri moved to Orlando for a career opportunity after college) and it was their shared midwestern roots that forced their first connection. In the summer of 1999, Cheri had attended a Harry Connick, Jr. concert with some pals, and was capping off the night at Café on The Square, a San Marco nightspot that, sadly, closed down last year. T.R. was also enjoying dinner out with friends. T.R. knew one of Cheri's friends and approached the ladies to say hello. My friend introduced him to all of us, and T.R. and I began chatting, says Cheri. I found out he was from Michigan, too. He cracked some jokes, Cheri tossed him a handful of witty retorts, and a charmed T.R. asked her out for a dinner date the following week. And then, says the bride, we danced! They were engaged the following January: After a day of picnicking and hiking in and around the old Spanish fort in St. Augustine, T. R. proposed at the ultra-romantic, canary yellow-colored Raintree Restaurant.

With help from their families, Cheri and T.R. displayed childhood photos on a table near the reception entrance, alongside of a card box (for gift envelopes) decorated with flowers and dragonflies.
I was trying very hard not to cry, says Cheri, remembering the ceremony. The interior of Southside Baptist Church in historic San Marco packs quite a visual punch, but has no center aisle. I came down the left-hand aisle, and since T.R. wasn’t dead center, I couldn’t make eye contact with him, remembers Cheri. I couldn’t really see him until I was right up front, and when I did, my heart just skipped a beat. A family friend sang formal wedding music throughout the sermon, performed by Pastor Mark Wilbanks. Several guests felt as though he was speaking directly to them, says Cheri. He stressed the importance of community and family, urging them to be custodians of our marriage, to be there for us and provide support. Afterward, when the newlyweds emerged from the church, their guests met them with a shower of soap bubbles.
The Transportation
Though it was a daytime wedding, the dance floor never wanted for exuberant participants, and there were teary moments, too. The best man gave an incredibly heartfelt toast, recalls Cheri. I don't remember the words, but I remember the warmth.
Our cake was very simple, describes Cheri. Just a few polka dots and some borders. The florist garnished the all-white confection with ferns and calla lilies of bright yellow and garnet.
Upon arriving at the club, the newlyweds danced, appropriately, to a Harry Connick, Jr. standard. That was the best dance we've ever done, says Cheri.
The Flower Girl
The Reception
At first, I actually wanted to elope, admits the bride with a laugh, but I'm glad T. R. never gave in. The goal was to keep the styling simple and the expenses minimal. You can have a spectacular wedding on a very small budget, says Cheri. No matter what your budget, though, an extraordinary location is key to establishing the tenor of your event. Everything inside was so ornate and beautiful, says the bride, on what it was like to step into the Club Continental, where the reception took place. The historic mansion overlooks the St. Johns River and features European landscaping, fountains, and fishponds. Even though the club's aesthetic is well suited to incredibly luxe affairs, it never forced this money-savvy couple to cut corners or compromise the parameters they'd established.
The Exit
The formal luncheon fare included shrimp and smoked salmon, stuffed mushrooms, pasta, and chicken in a spicy Thai coconut sauce. The centerpieces were equally as understated. Multi-colored calla lilies in small glass vases adorned the tables, quietly illuminated with little fanfare -- just a trio of teeny tea lights.