Weddings Unveiled 
Central Florida Bride staffer gets hitched in the country
Jennifer & Gary were married on
November 14, 2009
Jennifer & Gary’s Wedding Vendors:
Planner: Day of, Brandi Zrallack
Caterer: The Damn Smoker BBQ
Cake: Party Flavors Custom Cakes
Ceremony & Reception Music: Accent Entertainment
Ceremony & Reception Location: The Hammock House
Dress: Formally Yours Inc.
Flowers: Weddings by Carly Ane’s Floral Studio
Hair and Make Up: LeJeune Hair & Make Up Artistry
Invitations: The 2U Collection
Lighting & Décor: Kaleidoscope Production Services
Linens: BBJ Linen
Officiate: Sensational Ceremonies, Reverend Glynn Ferguson
Photographer: Jeff Hawkins Photography
Videography: Cinematique Films
Briefly describe your first date, courtship and engagement. 
We met at Jesse Black’s in Orlando on his birthday. I walked in with my friend Tina and saw Gary immediately. He just looked so familiar to me; I even convinced myself that he was someone I knew and I couldn’t let it go. I had to talk to this guy which is so unlike me. We later ended up in the same circle and I had my chance. After a great night we had our first date and I cried on the way home because I knew he was the one and it freaked me out! Two and a half years later, while we were exchanging presents on Christmas Eve with our families and best friend, Tina (he made sure she would be there), Gary gave me my gift, which was very small, and he was acting weird. Well, it was the ring, and as I was opening it, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. The whole family knew he was planning it, my mom had been helping pick out the ring and his mom, who I had spent the day with and complained to about him wanting to build a mud truck when I wanted to build a life! I had no idea he was planning on asking me that night and loved the surprise.
How did you pick your reception site? 
We wanted an outdoor country wedding so needed just the right place to fulfill that vision. The Hammock House was just that. I log cabin nestled in the middle of the woods, the ceremony was along the Wekiva River and the reception took place under big mossy oaks with a bon fire in the background.
What is the one thing you had to have at your wedding? Cowboys boots & denim. I wore red cowboy boots and my bridesmaids wore brown. The groom and his groomsmen all wore Wranglers and boots – it was great!
What was one thing that you splurged on?
The invitations and stationary. I had a vision and could not find it anywhere, so only custom invitations would fit the bill. Amy, from The 2U Collection brought my vision to life, I was amazed at her creativity. She made beautiful invitations, menu cards, place cards & table numbers that all had that elegant country design. They added such an elegant touch to the wedding. Guests got a sneak peek at the feel of our wedding when they received the invitation; we received so many comments on how beautiful they were and how they couldn’t wait to see the rest.
Did you have a theme to your wedding? The theme was elegant country. I wanted a beautiful wedding that showed my country lifestyle and made my future husband and guests feel comfortable. Our colors were cranberry, brown & cream and they ran through every detail of wedding. All of the décor was designed to fit the country theme, from the bales of hay for ceremony seating, to the mason jars and burlap linens on the tables, and even the stationary all tied together and made the event feel very intimate.
What was the best part about planning your wedding? Spending time with my mom. We were always on the hunt for baskets, mason jars, candles, chargers, linens and all the specific wedding items I just had to have! We spent many weekends shopping and designing and building elements for the wedding. I even had a my good friend/coordinator, Ashlie scourer over many many Targets to find all the chargers!
How did you find and/or choose your vendors? I am fortunate to work for Central Florida Bride & Perfect Wedding Guide and having this position, have met and worked with many of the wonderful wedding professionals in the area. When it came time to plan my wedding, I was lucky to have the insider view on each vendor. It made some choices no brainers and others tough because there are so many talented people in this industry, but couldn’t work with everyone! 
Which vendor was the most important to you? Each vendor went above and beyond for my wedding and I am forever grateful. They made the planning so easy for me because I was able to put my trust into their talent. The details were amazing, from the floral décor and lighting, to the invitations and stationary I was in love with the end result. As we were standing there waiting to be introduced to the reception, I was admiring the market lights and up lighting and the beauty of it brought tears to my eyes, it was exactly what I envisioned. The photos were so much fun to look at; Jeff captured that lighting and all the important details of the night. It was fun to relive it all and see everyone out on the dance floor having a blast. I can’t wait to see the video!
Do you have any advice to new brides?
On your wedding day, relax and enjoy the day. Stop a few times, take a breath and look carefully around you; these will be the moments you will remember most. Things will not go perfectly, but at the end of it all you will be married!
Thank you to Jeff Hawkins for these amazing photos
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