On July 21, 2018, we tied the knot at Langford Park in Orlando with our families.
The park was such a beautiful location for our wedding.
We loved all of the natural decorations that the trees & greenery provided, and the gazebo was perfect for our small group of guests.
Alexis made the sign that sat on our wedding-certificate-signing table.
Ryan’s parents made this lovely welcome sign for our ceremony.
Alexis made the ceremony programs, which also doubled as fans – very handy, considering how hot it was during the ceremony.
Alexis’s handmade bouquet
We wrote our vows in these little handmade notebooks.
Before the ceremony, we decided to do a first look. We honestly did not think we’d be very emotional during it; we thought we’d laugh a little and squeeze each other tight. That’s not quite how it happened.
Going to find her groom.
The first look.
It got really emotional, really fast, as you can see from the photos (and these aren’t even the most emotional shots). We were not expecting it at all, but we’re so glad we decided to have this moment before our ceremony together.
When we finally stopped crying we were able to check each other out a little bit. This first look was Ryan’s first time seeing Alexis’s dress.
After the first look, we took a few pictures together before heading back to the gazebo to get ready for the ceremony.
Alexis wore floral sandals with sparkly green nail polish on her toes, and Ryan wore brown dress shoes with Star Wars Rebel argyle socks.
Off to get hitched.
These next few photos on the bridge – where Ryan is facing away from the camera – were supposed to be a bit of an inside joke, but they actually turned out pretty nicely, because of course they did.
We took a couple more pictures together, and then it was showtime.
One more kiss before we’re hitched.
Ryan headed into the gazebo to greet our families and get ready for the ceremony to start. His mom used what was left from Alexis’s bouquet (which was a lot – we could’ve made a few bouquets and even more boutonnieres!) and created this lovely boutonniere for Ryan. Ryan’s mom asked him if he wanted a big boutonniere or a small one, to which Ryan replied, “go big or go home.”
Ryan’s sister, Sarah, helping him put on his boutonniere.
Ryan’s mom stepped in to assist.
Alexis & her dad, waiting at the end of the aisle.
While waiting for the ceremony to begin, Ryan and his parents got a few lovely photos together.
Waiting for his bride.
Alexis walked down the aisle with her father to “The Wedding March” by Queen.
Alexis was very excited to be walking down the aisle, but she forgot to smile. Thankfully, her father didn’t.
The moment he’s been waiting for.
Hand in hand, we were ready to start the ceremony and get married.
Our officiant prepared such a lovely ceremony for us. We had spent the prior few months working on it and we were so pleased with how it turned out.
“Love is what we’re doing right.”
We didn’t have a traditional wedding party, per se, but we did choose Ryan’s sister, Sarah, to be our maid of honor, and Alexis’s brother, Thomas, to be our best man. Their role in our wedding was simple: to sign our marriage certificate as witnesses to our union. We were honored to have them participate in our ceremony in such a meaningful way, and we will cherish their signatures on our wedding certificate for the rest of our lives.
Maid of Honor, Sarah, signing the marriage certificate as a witness.
Best Man, Thomas, signing the marriage certificate as a witness.
After the wedding certificate was signed, it was time to exchange our vows. Ryan read his vows to Alexis first. We didn’t share our vows with each other until the ceremony, so this was our first time hearing them.
Alexis was feeling all the feels as Ryan read his vows.
The part of Ryan’s vows that made Alexis laugh: “The 13 year old me would never believe that on this day we were getting married. That I get to wake up in the same bed as you. That I get to cook you dinner, and that if dinner wasn’t ready by 9 you would order pizza. Even if we had pizza yesterday.”
Next, Alexis read her vows to Ryan.
The part of Alexis’s vows that made Ryan laugh: “I promise to rub your back, fold your laundry, and suggest pizza for dinner more than you probably want.”
After we read our vows, it was time to exchange rings. Ryan’s younger brother, Matt, kept our rings as ring-bearer and presented them to the officiant.
After the ring exchange, the ceremony was just about over. There was just one thing left to do.
“You may seal your vows, and confirm your commitment and love for each other with a kiss.”
And just like that, we were married! We exited the gazebo to the sounds of “You’re My Best Friend” by Queen.
After exiting the ceremony, we took a few photos together.
The rest of the family soon joined us outside the gazebo for some family photos.
Rebecca & Liz, who helped us plan & coordinate the whole wedding. We couldn’t have done it without them!
Our amazing officiant, Kelly Hunsberger.
Our parents.
The siblings all together!
Best Man & Maid of Honor.
Ring Bearer.
After taking some family photos, the guests headed back into the gazebo for the traditional first dance, father-daughter dance, and mother-son dance. Ryan and I took a few more photos together while we waited for everyone inside the gazebo to be ready.
And then we headed back into the gazebo for our first dance. We chose to dance to “La Vie En Rose” by Louis Armstrong. Not only is it a precious song, but it is featured in the movie Wall-E – which is the movie we saw in theaters on our very first date in 2008.
Alexis then danced with her father to “The Luckiest” by Ben Folds.
Ryan danced with his mother to “Have I Told You Lately” by Rod Stewart.
Following the dances, there was one final send-off before our guests headed out.
After that, our guests left to change into some non-sweaty clothes and get ready for the reception.
Meanwhile, Ryan and Alexis stayed at the park to take some more pictures.
Alexis wore the promise ring that Ryan gave her when she was 16 on her pinky for the wedding.
Alexis’s necklace was given to her by her parents when she was a kid.
The morning of the wedding, Ryan opened a card from Alexis which included this tie clip. The front is stamped with Ryan’s initials, and the back with our wedding date & a tree.
Our wedding day was absolutely incredible; it was a day we will never forget. We are so grateful to all of the amazing people in our lives who helped made it happen, especially our parents. There was so much love & happiness going around that weekend and we will remember it for the rest of our lives.
We didn’t have a professional videographer, but if you would like to watch the full video of our ceremony, you can view it below.
Photographer: Emma Shourds
Officiant: Orlando Ceremonies by Kelly
Venue: Mayor Carl T. Langford Park