Wedding planning never tends to go exactly as it is supposed to. There are always hiccups. Especially now during these unprecedented times of the pandemic, brides and planners are kept on their toes anxiously waiting for the next wave of change. However, at the core of every wedding, there is a strong foundation of love that makes all the crazy that comes with planning well worth it.

Real bride Jessie and her husband Jeff may have had to turn to plan B when it came to celebrating their big day, but there was definitely no shortage of love and happiness, and that is what really matters. In their Florida Backyard Wedding, Jessie and Jeff were surrounded by family and wouldn’t have changed anything about their big day.

Jessie was styled by The Bridal Finery Owner, Tali. She wore ‘Bruna’ by Theia. Her wedding day look was completed with a veil from Girl & a Serious Dream and earrings by Maria Elena. We love Jessie’s style, perfect for a Florida Backyard Wedding!

Where was your Florida Backyard Wedding?

In the backyard of my childhood home on Lake Killarney!

Wedding Date: May 9th

Vendors & Their Instagram Handles
 Photographer - Jesse Walsh/DreamTown CO @jessew
Videographer - Lindsey Bynum Films @lindseybynumfilms
Florals - Katy Stuart/Gather Flower Studio @gatherwithjess
Invitations - Jaye Bird @shopjayebird
Calligraphy Addressing - Grace Ann Bayless @graceanncreative

How did you & Jeff meet?

 I have three older brothers who are all very close in age, so when they brought friends over to our house growing up, I, by default knew them too. Jeff was one of these friends dating all the way back since middle school! Although we didn’t technically “meet” I think I still crushed on him from afar. We grew up, both went to UF for undergrad, but our paths still never crossed even with our million mutual friends. It wasn’t until I moved back home to Orlando, a friend was having a rooftop dinner party that we both were invited to. Jeff said that was when things started, but I would say it was when he invited me to a pool party when we truly hit it off. I found out later he planned the pool party for the sole purpose of hoping I would show up.

Where was your first date?

 The Strand! Followed with a glass of wine and live music at Imperial.

How did your partner propose?

Jeff actually proposed in the morning (highly recommend), after we got some coffee at our favorite coffee shop here in town. We went to this massive oak tree next to a park we walk in often and brought a blanket and sat for about an hour under this tree just talking about life like we always do. I was totally expecting Jeff to propose in December/January, so when he got down on one knee the first week of November, I was genuinely SO shocked! We were able to just take it all in, facetime some friends, and have a celebration that night!

What was your dress shopping experience like?

I knew what I didn't like, but I didn't know exactly what I liked. I walked into The Bridal Finery, and they had picked a few dresses for me based on my personal style they thought I would like but encouraged me to look around and grab anything off the rack I wanted to try! I tried the first dress on and loved it, tried the 2nd dress on, and LOVED it. Then I tried the third dress on and loved aspects of it. I told Tali “I wish I could just combine the feel and fit of the 2nd and the lace and detail of the 3rd dress”, she looked at me and simply said “let’s do it!”. We spent about 30 minutes completely redesigning my dream dress, hand stitching lace onto a crepe gown, and I knew if I had gone anywhere else, my dream would have never come to fruition.

What did you wish you knew before you started wedding planning?

 Of course, I wish I had known there would be a pandemic that completely rearranged my plans... but to be honest, even with the initial disappointment, I truly wouldn't have wanted it any other way. I think I wish I would have known that wedding planning is what YOU make of it. If a certain aspect is important to you then make it happen, if it’s not, make the decision and don’t look back. Wedding planning is and can be really fun, but you gotta pick what are your non-negotiables and the things that are most important to you and your partner (hint: it can’t be everything).

What made you decide to have a Florida Backyard Wedding?

Even before the cancelation, the plan was always to get married in the backyard of my childhood home. Apart from moving away to college and graduate school, I have never lived in another house. I was born in that house and the fact I could say my vows in the same backyard I learned to play catch with my dad was hard to beat. Plus, we live on Lake Killarney, so you couldn’t ask for a better view!

What's your favorite memory from your Florida Backyard Wedding?

Apart from the sacredness of the ceremony, we were able to jump in our boat after we said "I do" and cruise around the lake right at sunset. Best part: our treasured guests were on several different neighbors docks all across the lake, cheering, waving, and popping champagne as we drove by!

What is a 'must have' for brides on wedding day?

FOOD, lots of water, and maybe a sip of a lil something strong to settle the nerves :)

How would you describe the overall feel of your Florida Backyard Wedding?

Sacred. The space, the people, the words, the covenant. All of it was just sacred. When all the plans were tripped away, we were left with just the bones. There is nothing more beautiful or more humbling than starting a marriage knowing those bones are good.

What wedding planning advice do you have for other brides?

My best advice to brides is this: hire people you actually like. There are so many amazing vendors out there, but you (and only you if you don’t have a planner) are the one dealing with them day in and day out. Not to mention, you are around them 24/7 on one of the most important days of your life, don’t you want to be around people you can enjoy? To me, this made all the difference. Once I found a few vendors that complimented my vision, I called each one. It’s amazing how much you connect with a voice rather than an email thread. I hired each of my vendors because they had a passion for what they did, valued my vision, and connected with me apart from “making a sale”. Not to mention, all my vendors were not only the sweetest humans but were just downright cool. And let me tell ya, when your entire wedding gets canceled because of a massive pandemic, you find out just how cool your vendors are. Never underestimate good-hearted people, makes all the difference.

Where was your honeymoon?

Of course it got canceled, but we got lucky and went to New Smyrna Beach and stayed in the honeymoon suite at the Black Dolphin Inn. It ended up being the perfect getaway!