Interview with the awesome couple:
HOW DID YOU MEET? We have known each other since we were teenagers. I, (Cheryl) have been good friends with Jason’s sister since we were 13 years old. Jason and I have a 4 year age difference, so we knew each other in passing. Of course, I always thought he was cute ☺. We didn’t actually start dating until after college, when we were both at a mutual friend’s birthday party.
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU THE MOST TO YOUR HUSBAND/WIFE? There are so many qualities that attracted me to Jason, so this is hard! But my top 3 would be his sarcastic humor (although this sometimes can drive me crazy), intelligence, and he is extremely kind.
From Jason: Cheryl has many wonderful qualities but I never thought I would meet someone that was so physically attractive as her. Then to be completely surprised that she was even more beautiful as a person.
HOW DID HE PROPOSE? We went to Napa Valley, and he proposed at this beautiful winery, Schweiger Vineyards. The location is gorgeous, on top of Spring Mountain. I was actually taking a photograph of our wine glasses on a tree stump in the middle of the vineyard, when I turned around he was down on one knee.
WHAT INSPIRED YOUR VISION FOR YOUR WEDDING? My goal was to have it be classy and unique; but laid-back and fun. I loved the idea of having some fall elements (the pumpkins for example), but I didn’t want to overdo that – especially in Florida where we don’t really have a fall season. I had a day of planner, who was also my florist, Alexis from 2 Birds Events. When we first met, we were shooting ideas back and forth, and I got really excited. I knew she got what I was after. I would HIGHLY recommend her!
TELL US ABOUT FINDING YOUR VENUE: One of my friends recommended Palmetto Riverside Bed & Breakfast. I looked at a LOT of venues before I found this one. As soon as my mom and I pulled into the venue I just needed to know where to sign the contract. This was one of the best decisions with the wedding that we made.
WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST PLANNING CHALLENGE? Relaxing! Honestly we had great vendors. Our caterer, florist/wedding planner, the owners of the B&B, SG Mobile, officiate and of course our photographers were absolutely wonderful and it all flowed so nicely the day of.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE DESIGN ELEMENT OF YOUR WEDDING? Too many! I loved our cake stand (from an oak tree), the branches for the arch, the flowers were unique and beautiful with pops of color, the pumpkins, I could go on and on.
DID YOU HAVE ANY DIY DETAILS? We made the entrance sign, the Mr. & Mrs. on the back of the chairs, the favors – my dad’s “secret” oatmeal cookie recipe. Our wedding card holder was a vintage suitcase that Jason altered. One of our good friends, Brad Casanova, designed our wine box for our ceremony.
WHAT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OF YOUR WEDDING DAY? Walking down the aisle and meeting that guy I married.
Jason: Knowing that the stress that was built up so much from the expectation of the wedding was over. Then knowing that Cheryl and I could finally start our life and journey together.
DESCRIBE YOUR CAKE: Our cake was provided by our caterer Harry’s Continental Kitchen. Jason actually came up with the recipe! It was a spice cake with cream cheese frosting, pecan pie filling, and a bourbon sauce
HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER? Sara and Jason were perfect! I’m not the best in front of the camera. I blink with the flash and I find it hard to relax. Sara and Jason are great coaches, and funny! The engagement shoot especially!, Jason and Sara’s relationship and their interactions, made it easier for Jason and I to show ours in front of a camera.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND AS A COUPLE? Enjoy each other, maybe make some additions to the family? ☺
CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR VENDORS:
Venue: The Palmetto Riverside Bed and Breakfast
Florist/Day of Planner: 2Birds Events, Alexis
Caterer: Harry’s Continental Kitchen
DJ: SG Mobile
Officiant: A Perfect Witness, John
Dress: Jon’s Bridal
Guitarist for ceremony: Jon Williams
Wine Box: casanovacigarcarvings.com
Photography: Concept Photography

Interview with our BEAUTIFUL bride, Samantha:
HOW DID YOU MEET? Malik and I met at auditions for “Romeo and Juliet” at my university. I think we noticed one other immediately. I like to remember it as this unspoken understanding we had, that someday we’d end up together.
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU THE MOST TO YOUR HUSBAND? Malik is very outgoing and always happy. Who wouldn’t be attracted to that? He’s also a proper gentleman. He opens doors, never lets me carry anything, and treats me with respect. Oh, and he’s also got these big green eyes that are absolutely adorable.
HOW DID HE PROPOSE? We went to a bridal expo across the street from his apartment. When we got back to his place I was pouting because we’d been talking about getting married for so long and we still weren’t engaged. I fell asleep on the couch and woke up to Malik all dressed up and acting very nervous. It turns out he’d had the ring for quite a while but never felt it was the right moment.
WHAT INSPIRED YOUR VISION FOR YOUR WEDDING? I envisioned the day being very romantic and ethereal; like something out of the Secret Garden. Most importantly it had to be about family and close friends.
WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST PLANNING CHALLENGE? We had to plan the entire wedding from Dubai (where we live). Every detail was a huge challenge because I wasn’t here to physically see anything or look around. There was lots and lots of Skype and looking online. It was a destination wedding for us!
TELL US ABOUT FINDING YOUR VENUE: We had our wedding at the Lake Mary Events Center. Our planner, Christy Subler from Anna Christine Events, found it and suggested it to me. I wasn’t at all impressed with the website, but the venue was absolutely perfect for us. I was very particular about what I wanted. It had to have an outdoor area on the water for the ceremony (with a backup ceremony location indoors in case it rained), a lawn for the cocktail hour and a reception hall indoors that had high-ceilings and a stage. I also wanted something with big windows and neutral décor. Oh, and we had to have options for caterers instead of being stuck with one choice, and I wanted to be able to rent the venue out for the entire day. With such a tall order, I am shocked that we actually ended up with exactly what I wanted. The venue was perfect.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE DESIGN ELEMENT OF YOUR WEDDING? The soft blush colors and candlelit tables really created the atmosphere I had hoped for. We also had draping on the stage and full room lighting that really softened the room.
DID YOU HAVE ANY DIY DETAILS? All of my stationary was DIY and it was an enormous feat. A co-worker and very good friend of mine spent endless hours making everything from my save-the-dates and invites to the place cards and menus. Another co-worker printed everything for me on card stock and a third co-worker spent hours cutting everything perfectly with an exacto knife. So, so nice of them considering they live in Dubai and weren’t even able to attend the wedding!
WHAT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OF YOUR WEDDING DAY? These are my top 10 favorite moments;
1. Giving my parents their gifts (a locket for my mom and a pocket watch for my dad)
2. Making the walk towards Malik and seeing him for the first time on our wedding day
3. Signing the kitab (Islamic marriage contract)… I’ll never forget the way Malik was looking at me as he repeated after the Imam.
4. Hearing my little sister perform “Lullaby” by the Dixie Chicks for our ring warming and watching her twin brother pass the rings to the guests.
5. When the officiant read letters that Malik and I wrote about eachother. We laughed and cried and it was amazing.
6. Speeches! We had a lot of them and we really felt the love.
7. Dancing along with the traditional Palestinian debkah/zaffa troupe. Dancers, drummers and lots and lots of fun!
8. My first dance with my dad (where my sister performed again)… oh jeez. Waterworks!
9. Smashing cake in my new husband’s face and running for the hills so he couldn’t get me back.
10. At the end of the night during our sparkler exit, seeing all the faces of everyone who came to show their love. Malik dipped me and gave me a big Hollywood movie kiss, and that was it—we were off!
DESCRIBE YOUR CAKE: Yum. Four-tier, chocolate, carrot, red velvet and banana with butter cream frosting!
HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER? Um… FAB! You guys were so awesome and (shhh) my favorite vendor ever. When I get preggo you guys will be shooting my big belly for sure!
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND AS A COUPLE? We’re trying to act as young as possible for the next few years since being married does make one feel a bit older! Our plan is to keep on as we’ve been—enjoying each other and going out with our friends, working hard and making lots of time for our families.
CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR VENDORS:
Venue- Lake Mary Events Center
DJ & Lighting- Soundwave
Photography- Concept Photography
Video- Shutterlife Productions
Linens- BBJ Linens
Bride’s Dress- Watters
Cake- Delightful Treats
Planner- Anna Christine Events
Entertainment- Firqet Zaatari (Dabkeh Troupe)
Catering- Levan’s Catering
Flowers- Flowers by Lesley
Hair & Makeup- Makeover Maven
Rentals- Hitched Rentals
Stage Draping- Quest Draping

..hope I didn’t miss anyone!

Interview with our STUNNING bride, Shelby:

HOW DID YOU MEET? Alex and I met the first day of my freshman year of high school. Our sisters (who were both seniors at the time) thought it would be fun to play matchmaker with their younger siblings, so they put our lockers next to each other. As it turns out, their plan worked, and by the end of the first week Alex had asked me out on a date.
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU THE MOST TO YOUR HUSBAND? His caring personality and genuine love he has for the people closest to him.
HOW DID HE PROPOSE? (Alex’s side of the story): I asked Shelby to come over and have dinner on my dock by the lake a few days after she had gotten home from her six week trip to Italy. At that point, we had known each other and dated off and on for about six years and I knew that she was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I set up a romantic setting on the dock with champagne, candles and a lobster dinner. While she was outside eating, I ran in to fill up her champagne glass and put the engagement ring in the bottom (hoping she would notice before she swallowed it or it fell into the lake somehow). When she took her last sip, it made a clinking noise and she finally noticed that SOMETHING was in her glass. I quickly got to one knee and don’t remember a word I said after that other than the infamous, “will you marry me.” Luckily, she said yes, and the rest is history!
WHAT INSPIRED YOUR VISION FOR YOUR WEDDING? Our theme was vintage, romantic with an Italian flare. We wanted to incorporate the whole Italian theme since we were getting married at a venue that looked like it was straight out of Tuscany. My love for purple also played a big role when making decisions on flowers, dresses and decor.
TELL US ABOUT FINDING YOUR VENUE: Since Alex popped the question right after I came home from Italy, we thought that Bella Collina would be there perfect place for us. I always dreamed of having an outside wedding on the lawn, and Bella Collina really was everything I could have imagined!
WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST PLANNING CHALLENGE? Thankfully, we didn’t run into a lot of problems while planning the wedding. I guess our biggest challenge was trying to reduce the guest list and dealing with the possible complications of Hurricane Sandy.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE DESIGN ELEMENT OF YOUR WEDDING? I loved the ambiance of the night with all of the candles lit and the market lights strung outside. It was such a magical night!
DID YOU HAVE ANY DIY DETAILS? Yes – we actually had quite a few DIY projects. But, my mom and I are both designers so we enjoy being creative and putting things together ourselves. I designed and printed the programs, menus and place cards, as well as put together our favors for the guests, which were little s’mores packages for them to use down by the fire pit.
WHAT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OF YOUR WEDDING DAY?
Shelby: The most memorable moment for me was the ceremony. I’ve always dreamed of walking down the isle with my dad in my wedding dress. I will never forget the big grin that Alex had on his face when I first saw him – he was so happy! It was also special to have my Grandfather marry us. For a few months there, we weren’t sure if he was going to be able to do the ceremony, but he did it and did such a wonderful job!
Alex: My most memorable moment was looking into my future wife’s eyes and reciting our vows to each other.
DESCRIBE YOUR CAKE: Our cake was simple, but it tied in with the rest of our decor by incorporating the lace and lavender.
HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER? AWESOME!! Ever since we met Sara & Jason (which was about a year and a half ago) they have felt like friends that we have known forever. They really take the time to get to know each couple that they work with, and that really means a lot. Our experience with them will be unforgettable and I hope to keep in touch with them over the years!
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND AS A COUPLE? Alex and I are getting ready to buy a house on a lake in the Orlando, FL.
CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR VENDORS:
Photographers: Concept Photography
Wedding Planners: An Affair To Remember
Band: Leonard Brothers
Cake: It’s Tasty Too
Florist: Vintage Vines
Linens: Over the Top
Ceremony Music: Strings N’ Things