Georgina and Sean’s Backyard Florida Wedding with a BHLDN Dress, By Dandy Details Events

Happy Monday everyone, I do hope you had a lovely weekend? I had a great one and am already looking forward to this coming weekend as it is Dexter’s 2nd birthday and we are throwing a big party for him! I can’t wait!
To start the week off in style we have this gorgeous backyard Florida wedding for you, courtesy of Rachael from Dandy Details Events and Ashley from Grind and Press. Georgina and Sean held the beautiful Boho styled day in their own backyard and the results are quite something.

‘Best day ever! If we could do the day all over again we would!’

Georgina and Sean were married on 4th April 2015 the ceremony was a backyard Wedding on the Lake in Lutz, Fl. ‘We really wanted a relaxed outdoor wedding and after buying our little lake house in 2014 we were set on having it in our backyard. It started with a guest list of 60, but we soon found we had so many loved ones we wanted to be a part of the special day that it changed to 120. Planning took on Pinterest, about 2 years! In real life, around 6 months.’

How they met
Our friends and family joke about how long we have been together. My father even commented on “the longest courtship anywhere” in his speech! We met in 2004 in college at the University of South Florida through a mutual friend. We were so young when we met, and far from thoughts of marriage.

The Proposal
Sean proposed in October 2013 in Yosemite National Park, on top of glacier point. We love the outdoors, hiking, and California! We hiked almost 12 inclined miles to 7000 foot elevation that day. I had no idea!! It was beautiful

How did you allocate your budget
Thankfully we saved a lot of money by having the wedding at our home. We also did a lot of landscaping and yard upgrades that we are technically still reaping the benefits.
We spent the most on food and booze, but still managed to save. I was a very thrifty bride.
We hired a food truck for the catering.
We bought all of our own beer, wine, and liquor and hired a bar tending company to serve it.
We also splurged on professional lighting, a dance floor, a wedding planner/day-of-coordinator, and an ice luge (per my husbands request!).
Other expenses included professional mosquito treatment to our yard (we live in Florida by the water definitely a must!), DJ, and Photographer.
We also saved by cutting back on centerpiece flower arrangements, instead we used lemons and potted greenery. My mother and I made all the table runners from fabric found at a local fabric store. I made my bridesmaids wrist corsages instead of bouquets.

How did you choose your photographer
Our photographer was Grind and Press. Ashley is a college friend with an excellent eye for detail. She has done many of my friends weddings and I’ve admired her work for some time

The Dress
My dress was from BHLDN, It was made by Dolce Vita. I searched high and low for something suitable for a backyard wedding, I ended up finding my dress online and on sale! I ordered it without ever trying it on. A risk, but it all worked out! My shoes were nude stacked heels from Topshop (suitable for walking in the grass), my jewellery was a simple pearl on a gold chain borrowed from my mother, (something borrowed). I also had a unique bangle that was gifted to me. I wore a fresh flower and greenery crown to complete the look.

The Suit and Bridesmaids
We really wanted to try to save our bridesmaids and groomsmen money and effort. So we went simple for their ensembles. The girls wore simple cotton dresses from lulus.com at around $30 each with nude heels. My husband got a beautiful navy blue suit and we found matching navy slacks for the men at Macys.com. Simple white slim fit Tommy Hilfiger shirts, Kenneth Cole ties, and light brown shoes to finish

Theme or Colour Scheme
As I looked at inspiration for a spring time wedding, I was so drawn to the traditional and classic look of cream and ivory paired with rich dark greenery. It seemed sophisticated and timeless

Flowers
The men wore white single roses on their shirts. I had a bouquets of white roses, wild flowers, and greenery. My crown was made from wax flowers and dark green leaves.

Decoration
We have some beautiful oaks that we hung a canopy of string lights from. We purchased large white pennant bunting and hung all around the entire property. I also found some smaller Union Jack pennants (inspired by the Downton Abbey Wedding). We were married in front of one of the oaks where I hung a simple green garland with white flowers. To liven up the screened in pool area we purchased 100 white helium balloons and four inflatable swans.

Food
We hired a food truck for the catering. Taco Bus provided appetizers and multiple different taco choices right out of the bus. We needed a caterer that wouldn’t require serving staff, didn’t have to use my modest kitchen, and would stay fresh in the outside setting. They pulled the bus right into our driveway. It was a big hit with our guests. We also got our guests some “drunk food” for the end of the night-Southern BBQ from a local restaurant

Wedding Cake
We skipped the wedding cake (my husband doesn’t really like cake either) for a more fun outdoors treat- ice cream!

Entertainment
We had a family member play the piano during the ceremony. A DJ for the reception. He played all our guests requests and we danced the night away!

Special Moments
The highlight of the day for me was the ceremony. Surrounded by all our loved ones in our beautiful little backyard, it felt surreal. Our sweet little dog also bought hilarity to the moment, by suddenly realizing me through the crowd and excitedly jumping up to greet me. He eventually had to be escorted away.

Advice to other couples
Something someone told me while I was planning my own. Remember most people will only recall the great food, fast drink service, and good music at most weddings. Unless they are planning their own wedding they are most likely not going to notice elaborate centerpieces and expensive decorations. Do things that make you and future spouse happy.
Remember to take in every second of the big day because it flies by!!

Biggest surprise
The Best Man’s hilarious toast! He had pictures of Sean and I from college and told stories all the way back to our first years of dating. We weren’t expecting it all, and it was so funny and heartfelt!

Supplier Shout Outs

• Planner – www.dandydetailseventsllc.com
• Photographer – www.grindandpress.co
• Catering – www.taco-bus.com

For more information on Rachael Planning’s work please go to:

www.dandydetailseventsllc.com / [email protected] / 407-591-9610 / FACEBOOK / I:dandydetailsevents / PINTEREST

Dandy Details Events & Design is a premiere event planning and design company specializing in weddings and social events in Central Florida and surrounding areas. Our services includes Day-of/Month-of Coordination, Full and Partial Planning, and Event Design.We handle the details so you don’t have to!