Amanda & Chris

April 10, 2021

Wedding Venue

Blessed Trinity Catholic Church (ceremony)
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Devos Family ballroom (reception)

bride and bridesmaids get ready before wedding at Dr. Phillips Center — Bride and Bridesmaids get ready before wedding at Dr. Phillips Center

Vendors & Their Instagram Handles

Photographer - @rhodesstudios
Florals - @gatherandgracedesigns
Rentals - @oceanhawkrentals
Chair rentals - @orlandoweddingandpartyrentals
Cake - @sprinklescustomcakes
Transportation - @vipweddingtransportation
Transportation - Coles Classic Cars
DJ - @colesclassiccars
Photo Booth - @djshane_florida
Tuxedos - @menswearhouse
Bridesmaids dresses - @azazieofficial
Makeup - @dna_cosmetics

How did you & Chris meet?

The year was 2014. It was a Saturday night in October. My friends and I were at Cowboys, the usual spot for drinks and line dancing. After a few Boot Scootin’ Boogies, but not yet to the Watermelon Crawl, a friend of mine and I stop at the bar for refreshments. While waiting for our drinks there was this tall handsome chatty guy at the bar waiting too. He introduces himself as Chris, and let’s us know all his friends call him Slack. Next thing you know, he has me cornered against the bar and we’re showing each other pictures of our pets and past Halloween costumes. In the middle of conversing Shania Twain's voice comes over the sound system saying “let’s go girls”, one of my favorite songs to dance to, so I bolt to the dance floor, saying I'm going to dance! Chris was very offended and thought he’d never see me again.
As fate would have it that same night we were reintroduced, this time in a group of friends finding out my best friend knew him and his friends from society/fraternity events. A fraternity brother of his made sure to get my number along with all of my friends’ phone numbers that night. Our two friend groups start hanging out.
Fast Forward to the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving and with a few bottles of liquid encouragement, Chris asks me out, and immediately tells me I’m too young for him. A few more bottles and Chris forgets he asked me out. I figured he changed his mind.

Our groups of friends continue to hangout downtown, cowboys, New Years Eve, Superbowl watch parties.
One cool February night everyone is out celebrating a friend's birthday on a Mardi Gras pub crawl. I had to leave early to finish a paper, I said my goodbyes to everyone and started to head out. Chris sighs and asks who is walking me to my car. I look around at everyone enjoying themselves and shrug. Sighing again, he says hold on, and he puts his drink down and he tells me he’ll walk me. Chris is silent for about a block. I tell Chris thank you for walking me to my car, his response is "I’m sorry it had to be me since you hate me". So confused all I could say is “what??” Chris told me how he was under the impression that I just tolerate him since he is friends with everyone. The rest of the walk is full of clarity and understanding. When we get to the car he stares at me straight in the eyes and gives me a quick pop kiss on the lips, and stares at me again. I asked him if he was going to give me a real kiss and he said yes I just wanted to make sure you weren’t going to try and punch me. I laugh and we have our first real kiss. He asks me to text him when I get home, but he starts messaging me before I got there. From that point on Chris never stopped looking out for me or kissing me.

Black and white wedding portrait before wedding at the Dr. Phillips Center

Where was your first date?

Our first date was super nerdy and sweet. We took a drive over to Cocoa where he grew up. There we went to the space and history museum planetarium. We watched a movie on the big dome screen and went up to the observatory to look through the telescope.

Bride and Groom kiss at Dr. Phillips Center Wedding

How did Chris propose?

Chris was working out of state for the majority of 9 months. I was done with it and not happy. He promised when he got back he would make it right. He comes home for Christmas, and as soon as a local shop opens he takes me there to pick out my ring.

What was your wedding dress shopping experience like?

I am a girl that loves dresses.The fancier the better. I am a girl who grew up and still watches “Say Yes to the Dress”. I went to many many many bridal shops in Florida. I found lots of nice dresses. It came down to two dresses that were opposite in style. One was a full lace mermaid tight fitting dress while the other was an illusion v-neck top with a full tulle skirt. I was never the type to want two dresses, I wanted one dress that I loved so much I didn’t want to take it off. Entering into the Bridal Finery, I was asked questions I had not been asked at other shops, and I feel they really understood my personal style. The Bridal Finery was my second to last shop I was scheduled to go to before I HAD to make a decision. There was about 15 minute left in my appointment and I was feeling fatigued. I was asked “what would a dress need, for me to put it on and show my family and friends?” All I said is it would have to be something special. I get the dress to about my waist and shout over the curtain, “okay, well we got something special”. I put it on and forgot about all the other pretty dresses, this was my dress and it made the decision easy.

Bride and Groom married in church ceremony

What bridal accessory was your favorite?

Each piece of jewelry I had was more fabulous than the last. The earrings were an easy pick, they were classic and I will undoubtedly wear them in the future. The difficult part was choosing my hair/headpiece. There were many beautiful options. But I had never worn anything like it and I did not know what I was doing at all. After careful consideration I finally picked one and probably at the last possible moment. The hair/headpiece ended up looking like a piece of artwork, it was absolutely stunning, and I could not have been happier.

Wedding Party poses at Dr. Phillips Center Wedding

Bride and bridesmaids pose for wedding in Downtown Orlando

What do you love most about your wedding venue?

The best part about getting married at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church is it is the church I grew up in and everyone there is pretty much family.
There were so many things to love about getting married at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Everything is so picturesque in this downtown location. The variety of backdrops and opulent views were enhanced as the night went on.

Reception Layout at the Dr. Phillips Center Wedding

What is one thing you wish you knew before you started wedding planning?

I wish I had asked someone to pack a banana or bagel in the limo or car or near by after the church ceremony and before the reception. I personally have a very nervous stomach, having a “safe food” on hand during pictures would have been nice.

How would you describe the overall feel of your event?

Classic and Fun!

What was your wedding color palette?

Blues, neutrals, and pops of metallics

What wedding planning advice do you have for other brides?

It will all work out, no need to stress.

Bride and Groom stand with family at church wedding ceremony

Where will your honeymoon be?

For our honeymoon we went to Savannah Georgia right after for a long weekend of eating, drinking, and ghost tours. Hopefully in the not too distant future we can do something overseas.

Bride and Groom kiss after wedding ceremony at church

What are you enjoying most about newlywed life?

The best part of married life is getting to be with your person. Having your perfect puzzle piece that helps you when you are weak and stands with you when you are strong.

To read more about Amanda’s Bridal Store, click here!

Amanda wears a lace trumpet gown to the dr. phillips center for the performing arts