Interview with one of our FAVORITE couples, Toni + Troy:
HOW DID YOU MEET? We met through mutual friends at a house party. One hug and we were done!
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU THE MOST TO YOUR HUSBAND/WIFE? Toni: Just about everything, from the way he wore his clothes, to his personality, his musicality and of course, those undeniable baby blues 😉
Troy: She had the most adorable smile I have ever seen and the sweetest personality I have ever met.
HOW DID HE PROPOSE? He brought me to the site of our house (that we got married in) while it was in the process of being built and proposed at the end of the now driveway! He brought champagne for me and sparkling cider for Sidney.
WHAT INSPIRED YOUR VISION FOR YOUR WEDDING? We decided we wanted something artsy, yet simple. Something that reflected us and most definitely wanted it at our home that we bought together and was later proposed to at. We googled “unique backyard weddings” and stumbled upon southern California wedding blogs..we loved almost every one we saw! Green Wedding Shoes was the biggest influence. A lot of DIY, when you do it yourself it has more meaning to it and can be customized to make it more special.
WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST PLANNING CHALLENGE? The heat, which we did NOT overcome..clearly since everyone left within an hour…but the heat, the races right down the road and hoping to have enough room for everyone. But at the end of the day, the races didn’t effect anyone, we couldn’t hear them – The heat is just a fact of life in Florida, there was PLENTY of room for everyone and the last person left right as the play list ended…It couldn’t have worked out better! Also time. So many fun ideas and finding the time to make them all happen.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE DESIGN ELEMENT OF YOUR WEDDING? Toni: I loved it all! We only purchased pieces that we absolutely loved. We didn’t get anything just for “filler” but I think our favorite décor piece was the typewriter, which actually turned out to be very functional and something that people loved using! But also one of my favorites was the mason jars with old photographs of our families. It was such a neat element that made both sides of the family feel special and a way to include those that could not be with us.
Troy: Little things like the brides shoes saying home sweet home and the grooms shoes saying the wedding date and the homemade family of penguins cake toppers.
DID YOU HAVE ANY DIY DETAILS? The entire wedding pretty much other than the rentals!
• We made our own play list for music and Dj’d ourselves via iphone – wedding march arranged by groom
• All food was made by friends and family
• All glass decorations purchased by bride and placed by friends and family
• All photos for mason jars donated by family
• The invitations/signs & Guestbook paper done by groom
• Bouquet – all broaches picked out by bride and put together by bride’s sister
• The Card box was put together by 3 or more people believe it or not.
• Paper lanterns hung with care by many many people.
• Twine picture frames
• The beverage tubs were big planters from walmart!
• The table for the glasses was made by family friend father
• Cake toppers made by groom!
WHAT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OF YOUR WEDDING DAY? Toni: I have two. Seeing each other for the first time after being apart all day, and including Sidney in the wedding vows.
Troy: The kiss after officially being married to my best friend.
DESCRIBE YOUR CAKE: it was small, yet it was the focal point of the desert bar. It was a vintage blue with ivory scrolling. It was a strawberry swirl cake that was delicious! The best part about it? It supported the three penguins that Troy made as our cake toppers!
HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER? Toni: We could not have chosen a better photographer. They grabbed on to our personalities immediately and did a wonderful job at portraying who we are with every shot. They seemed to have a personal connection to us and what we were trying to accomplish with these priceless photographs and it was very evident in their work! We love them both as people and professionals and could not be happier with any other wedding decision made than we are with choosing them as our photographers.
Troy: It was great. It felt more like having new friends around than photographers! The shoot at McDonalds for the pre-wedding dinner was the best!
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU AS A COUPLE? Getting baby Max here safe and sound and moving ahead with our typical nuclear family, one boy, one girl, one cat and one dog.
CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR VENDORS:
The Pastry Studio (dessert bar)
Above All Tent Rental (The tents, tables and chairs)
Concept Photography (☺)
Every thrift store in Volusia County! Haha.