Congratulations Heather & Ellen!

It really does not get any cooler than having your engagement photo session in Hogwarts at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. Talk about a magical time! Heather and Ellen have some of the most fun ad unique engagement photos we have seen on the blog! We love providing brides with inspiration and new ideas for their weddings and engagement sessions! Keep reading to learn about Heather and Ellen and see their amazing photos.

Want to read about more of our bride’s engagement sessions? Click here!

How has COVID-19 and the pandemic affected your wedding plans?: We opted for health reasons on my end to postpone our wedding. And are hoping to hold a small gathering in the interim.

Trying to plan a wedding amidst the pandemic? Here are some more blogs from real brides planning their wedding despite COVID-19!

What advice do you have for couples currently planning a wedding with the current state of the world?: Just try to stay calm and breathe, weddings are very important but what is most important is the fact that you found the love of your life, and that should be enough to get you through anything. 

Your Name: Heather

Partner's Name: Ellen

Event Type: Engagement Session

Event Date: Dec 2019

Event Location: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL

Vendors:
Photographers: Rudy and Marta
HMU: Make up at home using Anastasia products
Wedding Planner: Anna Christine Events. 

How did you and your partner meet?: At UCF when we joined a medical outreach organization together. We fell in love over fundraising, trials, and tribulations of outreach in Haiti, and upon the eye-opening return to our state, we realized we knew each other on so many levels. We became true partners. While we finished our degrees at UCF we both managed to maintain a long term relationship while we earned our doctorates. It was an amazing few years, and we fall a little more in love each day. 

How did your partner propose?: On a hot air balloon over the city of Orlando where I could see all of my favorite things! The Epcot ball, Hogwarts castle, the Orlando Eye, even the outline of beautiful downtown Orlando, all backed by the sun rising over the horizon.

How was your shopping experience with The Bridal Finery?: Wonderful! They helped me find a beautiful Maria Elena crown to wear on my wedding day which truly makes me feel like a princess. Tali was patient, very helpful, and always pulling through with suggestions even on hairstyles and what matched my grandmother’s antique necklace the best. They make you feel at home. 

Why did you choose the location of your engagement shoot?: We chose the wizarding world of Harry Potter! We love all things Harry Potter! To us, it symbolizes rising up in the face of adversity in order to become something good in the world and to fight for good in the world. And also symbolized love was more important than anything else, and for us, that’s what truly makes the series magical. 

What tips do you have for engaged couples to know before booking an appointment with any of their wedding vendors?: Take your time, start about a year and advance, and don’t settle if somebody has a difference in cost, don’t let that be a deciding factor if it doesn’t push it outside of your budget. Quality is going to be the most important thing, because ultimately at the end of the day your photographs your gown, and even your paper goods are the kind of things that you’ll be able to hold onto forever. Make your choices purposeful and true to yourself! And then you’ll truly be happy with your options. 

What was your favorite memory from your event?: Having the surprise of fireworks going off over us at the end of the engagement shoot! It really felt like a spell was cast that day for it to be perfect!

What wedding planning tips do you have?: Definitely hire a planner, they have a multitude of packages and you will find a planner who is inside of your budget, but they will help make the wedding planning process so much smoother and much less stressful!

What is one thing you wish you knew before you started planning your wedding?: How far in advance we should’ve started!

Where was your honeymoon/Where do you plan to honeymoon?: We hope to honeymoon at a beautiful all-inclusive resort in the Keys~ We love the island vibes but the convenience and safety of being stateside!