Backyard Lakeside Social Distance Wedding in Mount Dora, Florida

Although real bride Peyton had to turn to plan C when it came to planning a wedding during a worldwide pandemic, she said that she really could not have imagined her wedding day being any different than it was. This submission is a great reminder to all of our brides trying to plan their wedding right now that the details are not important, but really it is all about marrying the love of your life!

Keep reading for more of Peyton’s backyard lakeside social distance wedding, her love story with her husband Forrest, and how her wedding day ended up being such a magical day!

Name: Peyton

Message: The BEST Day of our lives. Side note: it is possible to plan a wedding in less than 7 days!!!

Partner's Name: Forrest

Event Type & Location (wedding, rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, bachelorette party, or honeymoon): Wedding-Mount Dora, Florida on Lake Gertrude

Event Date: April 18, 2020

Vendors & Their Instagram Handles : 
Hair & Make up: Paige Alexis & Jordan Edwards
Florist: Claudia’s Pearl Florist / @claudiaspearlflorist
Photographer: Tammy Rae Photography / @tammyraephotography
Dress: Monique Lhuillier / @moniquelhuiller

How did you & your partner meet?: At a house party the day before Thanksgiving on November 27th, 2013.

Where was your first date?: We went to a movie in Downtown Disney (Disney Springs) on Valentine’s Day.

How did your partner propose?: On a Hike in Cashiers, North Carolina on July 3rd, 2019. After, all of our family surprised us up in Cashiers to celebrate.

What was your dress shopping experience like? : The best & most amazing experience I could have wished for. The ladies at The Bridal Finery were all were very welcoming and made me feel comfortable! I wouldn’t have found my dream gown without you guys!

What did you wish you knew before you started wedding planning?: That nothing matters besides the union of marriage between two people. Also, to go with the flow because you never know what’s going to happen...

Where was your wedding? What did you decide on that space?: Our wedding was in a back yard in Mount Dora, FL on the lake I grew up on. It wasn’t our first two choices due to a Hurricane (Bahamas) & COVID - 19 (North Carolina) but I couldn’t have pictured our wedding anywhere else at the end of the day.

What's your favorite memory from your event?: Our vows to each other and our first dance under the pergola with everyone watching from boats. Also, our “reception” because we went around on a boat from dock to dock on the lake and everyone decorated their docks for us because we couldn’t have a “normal” reception due to COVID - 19. I loved the entire wedding it was so unique and special it’s hard to pick one thing.

What is a 'must have' for brides on wedding day? : A must have would be waterproof mascara. Although, a “must do” would be to take a moment with your dad or whoever is walking you down the aisle right before you do and take a deep breath/ moment and take it all in because one of the most important days of your life goes by so quick. That moment I shared with my dad was very special for the both of us and a memory we will always share.

How would you describe the overall feel of your event?: I would say very emotional, unique, and intimate.

What wedding planning advice do you have for other brides?: To not stress over the small details. None of that matters at the end of the day. What matters as I said above is the union of marriage between two people and two families.

Where was your honeymoon?: It was supposed to be in Italy, then Greece then finally Costa Rica but all of those got canceled due to COVID - 19 so we will be taking a honeymoon on our one year anniversary!