Mikayla and Andrew had been together for almost seven years when he proposed, so being engaged was easy! **Checkout this fairytale proposal Andrew planned with the photographer waiting nearby!!
The real challenge when the wedding planning began, was agreeing on a venue.
Mikayla wanted all the whimsy of an outdoor garden wedding in the springtime. Andrew imagined a classy modern ballroom where they could dance the night away. However, they easily agreed on one important detail: they wanted to get married in their hometown, where friends and family lived or could easily travel to.
Their differing “visions” for their wedding posed a bit of a challenge for me as their planner, but I was confident we could find the perfect spot for them.
After several venue tours, they decided on Mission San Luis in Tallahassee. The venue offered everything they were looking for, plus a few added bonuses! Today, Mission San Luis operates as a museum and event venue. But originally, the site was a Spanish Franciscan Mission built in 1656. It was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1966.
Mikayla and Andrew were married on a beautiful Spring afternoon in April under the grand oaks outside.
Mikayla sewed pearls from her mother’s veil into her new veil, and Andrew surprised Mikayla with a bottle of one of her favorite perfumes the morning of their wedding.
Getting Ready
As a surprise to her groom, the bride wore Aquamarine earrings, his birthstone.
Mission San Luis has so many amazing areas for photos. The couple chose Kylene and Ryan Studios to capture their wedding day and what a wonderful addition to the wedding day they were! Kylene and Ryan make everyone feel comfortable in front of the camera and are just so much fun to be around!
The bride’s mom helps her get into her dress.
The couple decided to incorporate a “ring-warming” ceremony, an old Irish tradition in which the couple’s wedding bands are passed among the family and prayed over before placing the rings on each other. It was the sweetest way for them to include their families in the ceremony and unite them with a shared purpose. First, the wedding party, then the family later during the ceremony.
No first look, but a “first touch” around the door!
Andrew wore his dad’s cufflinks that he wore when he got married.
The Ceremony
Everyone commented later that their ceremony under the oaks was like a fairytale. It was breezy and quiet, and all you could hear were the birds chirping in the background as they read their perfect vows to each other.
Sara Michaels officiated the ceremony, weaving together the most heartfelt and beautiful moments as she shared stories about Andrew and Mikayla, reflecting on what she had learned from them both during her time getting to know them.
Passing the rings, praying for a lifetime of happiness together.
Cocktail Hour
The bride and groom chose to go straight to cocktail hour to greet their family and wedding party with a champagne tower, before they were whisked away for photos.
Delicious passed appetizers by Catering Capers and a full bar in the courtyard for cocktail hour, complete with signature drinks by Top Shelf Events.
The perfect light!
Andrew’s childhood friend, Matthew, took some fun video on his 8mm camera!
The Reception
The bride and groom’s lyrics to their first dance song on their sweetheart table.
Grand entrances and party time!
First dances
Generations dance! Newly married and longest married, Andrew’s grandparents were the first to join the newlyweds on the dancefloor at 64 years married!
Toasts and thank you’s!
The bridal cake, made by J. Cameron Cake, was a light champagne strawberry cake with a vanilla bean Italian buttercream, covered in handmade petals and leaves made of sugar to match the bride’s dress.
Cake cutting!
The groom’s cake was a red velvet cake made by his younger cousin, Chloe, complete with a world-cup soccer trophy on top! Both cakes were gone in a flash!
Our amazing DJ with Amplify Entertainment, kept the dancefloor packed all night long while Top Shelf kept the drinks flowing.
A Photobomb
They also had a super-fast, crazy photobomb session with the bride and groom! This was so much fun! The guests had only a couple of minutes to run up and take a picture with the bride and groom before the song was over! Our photographers absolutely crushed it!
The Sendoff
Mikayla and Andrew are honeymooning in Japan, so of course we had to end the night with a paper lantern send-off!
Thank you to everyone who made this wedding everything Mikayla and Andrew dreamed of!
- Photography: Kylene & Ryan Studios
- Planning & Coordination: Dulce Events
- Venue: Mission San Luis
- Officiant: Sara Michaels
- DJ: Amplify Entertainment
- Catering: Catering Capers
- Cake: J. Cameron Cake
- Bartending: Top Shelf Events
- Florals: Stem Social Florals
- Content: Magnolia Coast Media
- Hair & MU: Laura J. Artistry, Artistry by Jen
- Rentals: Terri Smith Details
- Linens: Over The Top Linens
- Transportation: Five Star Limo
- Dress: Uniquely Yours & The Couture Seamstress
Dulce Events is based in North Florida and offers full planning, design, and rentals for weddings and events of all kinds. We create beautiful events all over Florida and Georgia and will travel to your destination! Contact us for availability.
