THEIR LOVE STORY:
How did he propose to you?
Michael and I got engaged on September 28, 2009; also known as my 25th birthday! Michael planned a "surprise" birthday party for me at our favorite restaurant, The Funky Monkey Wine Company in Orlando, FL. To my complete surprise, we were greeted by 20 of our closest friends and family.
After we ordered dinner Ashley, the wonderful event manager at FMWC, announced to the table they had a "special birthday toast" for me, and would Michael mind reading the instructions for the toast. Michael read the card instructing everyone to find the numbered card under their wine glass, and please read them in order of the numbers.
Here are a few highlights of what they said...
Instructions: Instructions for this celebratory toast: Everyone is to read their card aloud in order, starting with 1 to 25. Once the card is read, the server will fill your glass with Champagne. Will the person with #1 please start, then #2 and so on...
Card 1: This story begins in February 2008: Michael and Kim meet on Match.com
Card 2: March 13, 2008: After weeks of talking online and on the phone, they finally meet in person, First date at The Funky Monkey Wine Company.
Card 3: March 27, 2008: Four dates later, after overcoming Michael's shyness, they finally have their First Kiss.
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Card 7: May 4, 2008: Kim and Michael host their First dinner party together; "Quatro de Mayo"
Card 8: June 2, 2008: Kim and Michael enjoy his First birthday together.
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Card 10: July 3, 2008: Kim and Michael exchange their First "I LOVE YOU"
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Card 13: September 7, 2008: Kim and Michael enjoy their first NFL game together at the Superdome.
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Card 15: October 2008: Michael takes Kim to her first UCF tailgate party. Kim is taking baby steps, a game is forthcoming.
Card 16: October 2008: Kim and Michael carve 8 pumpkins for their first Halloween together
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Card 19: February 2009: Kim and Michael enjoy the scenery at Bok Tower, their first historic site together.
Card 20: February 2009: Michael takes Kim to Daytona for her first speedweeks, next year we are going to a NASCAR Race....
Card 21: March 13, 2009: They spend their First Anniversary at The Funky Monkey Wine Company.
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Card 23: July 2009: They spend their First 4th of July together. Michael's favorite holiday, Fireworks!!! August 2009: They start to plan their move to Jacksonville and view numerous homes in the area.
Card 24: September 2009: Kim and Michael celebrate their 18 month anniversary. The band accepted their bid on their future home together on South Swimming Salmon Place in Jacksonville.
(Michael read this one) Card 25: On September 1, 2009, I asked Theresa and Chris for their daughter's hand in marriage. After a discussion of their expectations of me in our life ahead, they said "Yes!"... This story does not end here. Kim, over the last 564 days we have gotten to know each other. I have fallen in love with you; I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you.
And then Michael said some very nice things to his parents and mine, and then *drumroll*
Got down on one knee and asked me to marry him!
Needless to say, the answer was a resounding YES!
This was such an amazing way to ask me to be his wife, and I was so happy and touched that our friends and family could be there to share it with us.
Good one, babe! :^)
Describe your wedding dress?
My dress was very sleek and simple, with off the shoulder straps and delicate rouching on the side. My mom and I hand stitched a scalloped beaded trim to the bottom of the dress to add a little more sparkle and vintage flavor to the dress!
Describe your wedding cake?
We opted for a very simple wedding cake with a bird of paradise motif handpainted on the bottom layer, and our monogram on the top. Even more special was our cake topper, made by our friend Mary. The paper dolls are called her Who-Doo Dolls and she even made who-dogs for us, too! We took the dolls with us on our honeymoon and have a ton of pictures with them popping up all over New Orleans.
Describe your flowers?
My flowers were gorgeous! My auntie (also my florist) brought flowers with her from California to make sure we had the perfect ones for the big day! Our bouquets had pincushion protea, orange gerber daisies, brazillia, miracle and circus roses, monkey tails (those awesome spiral-y things!) and green orchids.
What is your favorite wedding detail?
I surprised Michael with a pair of locket cufflinks with a picture of his grandpa inside a few hours before the wedding when we saw each other for the first time. He told me later that he kept his cufflinks open during the entire night so his grandpa could watch. It still makes me tear up!
What was the biggest challenge you had (if any) to overcome while planning your wedding?
My biggest challenge was making time to spend with my almost hubby! In the midst of the planning process, it was important to take a step back and make sure the most important part of the whole wedding wasn’t being left out.
What advice would you give to a newly engaged bride?
Weddings can be really overwhelming if you let them. Identify early, with your groom-to-be, what elements of the wedding are the most important, or “non-negotiables”, to you (a fancy dress or a full bar? Expensive venue or a lavish honeymoon?) and that will really help your decision making process.
WEDDING INGREDIENTS:
- CEREMONY LOCATION - Chet's Creek Church
- RECEPTION LOCATION - Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens
- CATERER - Anthony's Gourmet Catering
- WEDDING COORDINATOR – “Day-Of” coordination by Kim Flowers
- VIDEOGRAPHER - Doug Lewis from Take One Jax
- CAKE - Choux Bakery
- FLORIST - Happy Daisies by Kathy Johnston
- OFFICIANT - Spike Hogan
- HAIR - Brett Stalnaker and Kayla McDonald
- MAKE-UP - Paulina Perez Sylvestre
- ENTERTAINMENT (DJ/BAND) - Herman Nazworth (DJ) and JB and Lisa Kelly Scott (Dixieland Jazz Band)
- WEDDING DRESS - Alfred Angelo
- BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES - Alfred Angelo
- GROOM AND GROOMSMEN WEAR - Men's Warehouse (Town Center)
- Photobooth – PhotoMagic of Florida
