K I R S T E N + M I C K E Y

{Part Two}

There were way too many beautiful moments and sweet details to fit into just one blog! Kirsten and Mickey wandered through green pastures for their natural, romantic wedding photos. After, they celebrated at their elegant reception decorated with hydrangeas, gold tableware, festoon lights and a checkerboard dance floor.

Reception décor...

I wanted the tables to be the focus of the room. The decorations on each table varied, some being small tree branches with petite glass globes and flowers hanging, and others being tall, large glass vases with flowers. The same flowers used for our bouquets were also used in the table arrangements.

Every place setting was a full formal dinner setting: Gold chargers, a personal course menu, wine glasses, water glass, champagne flutes, champagne coloured linen napkin, and silverware for each course. The table cloths were champagne with a midnight blue runner across the centre and the tables had small gold/silver detailed candle globes. Each table number was also placed in a small gold frame.

There was a mantel/fireplace just behind the head table, where greenery and marquee letters "K & M" decorated. The cake table had a bold, gold sequined table cloth and a circular mirror that lay under the cake.

Beautiful glass French doors were all around the room and made the outdoors feel one with the garden-like atmosphere inside. Cocktail hour had high-top tables with wine bottle vases bearing flowers!

The flowers were done by Miguel's Aunt Elsie Morales. The decorations were the collaboration of many different individuals such as: Zaida Calderon (groom's mother), Elsie Morales, my family/friends, and myself. The delicious coffee, mocha, butter-cream cake with gold leaf detailing was created by Michael Bump of Forking Amazing Restaurants in Jacksonville, FL.

On the menu...

We had both a cocktail hour and a reception. The cocktail hour contained assorted cheeses, meats, and Sangria. The reception was a three-course formal sit down meal.

1 ^st course - Fall Squash Bisque (garnished with candied pumpkin seeds and local micro greens)

2 ^nd course- Pumpkin Risotto with Duck Breast (garnished with Greek Olive oil and Nasturtium petals)

3 ^rd course - Red Wine Poached Pear (accompanied with crema, Florida citrus, and pomegranate seeds

All of this was created by Chef Chason Spencer of Jacksonville, FL.

Bomboniere...

We wanted to give something that each guest could take home and use. So the table was set with a champagne flute at each guest's spot, and that was their favour! The glass had a clear sticker which looked similar to embossing, and said "Merci M&K 11/13/15"

We also had glow in the dark gear for everyone to take and enjoy while outside during the dance party! Even those that weren't dancing were decked out in glow!

Memorable moments...

When we exchanged gifts before the wedding Miguel wrote me one of the most beautiful letters I've ever received, brought me to tears and made me so excited to see him at the end of the aisle. And then walking down the aisle and looking into his eyes as I walked towards him was a moment I'll never forget. Also, our first dance (not only was it romantic) while we danced he picked me up and twirled me under the stars to our favourite song. It made my heart absolutely melt.

Wedding soundtrack...

During the ceremony/cocktail hour Chris Thomas performed. Some of my favourites were: La Vie en Rose, Unforgettable - Nat King Cole, Beautiful Girl - William Fitzsimmons (was my bridal march song), Fall Afresh - Jeremy Riddle, Everything- Michael Bublé.

The wedding reception and dance was led by White Tie Events. Chadwick Sorensen was our DJ. Some of the favourite songs during the dance were: Make You Feel My Love - acoustic cover, Europa - Gato Barbieri, Sugar - Maroon 5, Suit and Tie - Justin Timberlake, Turning Page - Sleeping at Last, Let's Get it On - Marvin Gaye. We also included lot's of popular Spanish songs to dance to because Miguel's whole family is Puerto Rican!

M A R R I E D L I F E

The honeymoon...

Paris, France

Future plans...

We have very exciting plans this next year. February we purchased one-way tickets to Spain!! We will be traveling around Europe for the next 6 months to a year with two of our best friends! My husband and our friends are all chefs. We will be working at restaurants and learning about foods unique to each country as we travel. One day we hope to eventually open up a fine dining restaurant together. We are thrilled to pursue our passions and not let anything hold us back from what we want to accomplish in our lives!

In 40 years you hope to...

That is quite a ways in the future. Well, we both would love to have a couple kids, hopefully have multiple restaurants that we have built in place and running, to be travelling the world together and always seeing something new, never be complacent but constantly seek out how to make a difference in the world and to those around us.

W E D D I N G W I S D O M

The engagement...

Have fun with it! It's a short period, but a special time! Have fun in the moment and try to continue building a deeper relationship with your significant other. Take time for yourselves and remember to stay connected through the whole process. Allow yourself time to bask in the engagement glow... it is a beautiful time to see your relationship begin another chapter together!

Planning...

Focus on it being about you and your spouse and no one else. Ultimately the day is only what you both want! There are so many people out there telling you all the dos and don'ts. Don't listen. You can create a wedding however you would like! Keep it unique and fresh! Keep it about your personalities! Add touches that make the day special for you and about you as a couple! Also, give yourselves enough time to plan for the style of wedding that you want. The more formal the wedding the more time you may need.

Looking back on it now, we wished we would've hired a wedding planner to help keep everything organised. It's a lot to juggle sometimes, and extra hands always help. It is challenging if you do not have a lot of family in the area to help, or just don't have the finances needed. The more time you have ends up giving you more leeway to find discounts and wait for prices to drop on certain items. We got married on a Friday to cut down on some of the costs, and we also tried our best to find people around us that wanted to help.

On the day...

Make sure you have someone to run the day of details, that way you can make the most of the days festivities. Just focus on each other and forget about the stress also. The best moment is when you see each other down the aisle. It is a moment that you will literally always treasure. Everything melts away in that moment. Take a deep breath and savour these intimate moments throughout the day. The wedding day truly flies by, so take a minute to notice what is going on around you and enjoy the little details of all those gathered with you. Enjoy the celebration of your new marriage and dance your heart out!

Take a look at the first half of Kirsten and Mickey's special day here.

Photographer: Viktoriya Chuprov / Musician: Chris Thomas / DJ: White Tie Events / Caterer: Chef Chason Spencer / Cake Baker: Chef Michael Bump / Dance Floor: Luxe Party Rentals / Florist and Decorations: Elsie Morales / Videographer: Dale Vanleer / Officiate: David Charles / Venue: The Ribault Club