TROPICAL SUMMER WEDDING IN ORLANDO

Real weddings are extremely inspiring! To get you within the mood to plan, we asked real brides to spill the facts on from getting engaged and finding their wedding gowns to the special touches and surprising moments that made their celebrations completely one-of-a-kind. Keep reading for many tropical vibes and warm wedding inspiration from Alecia & Jesus' summer wedding in Orlando, FL.

BRIEFLY TELL US HOW YOU AND YOUR FIANCÉ MET!

We met in the school I was working at. He was your fourth and fifth-grade teacher and I was the Art teacher. It's ironic since the first time we met, I didn't want almost anything to do with him. At that point during my life, I wasn't searching for new friendships or relationships. I felt I needed to become alone, however, the minute I allow him to in, everything turned out to become better than I expected.

TELL US YOUR PROPOSAL STORY!

We had made intends to go out for lunch that night, but I have been pretty emotional during the day. It felt like nothing was going suitable for me on that day and I wanted to stay home. He thought with all the ups and downs during the day, it might be a good idea to get free from the house and obtain some outdoors.

And it had been a good idea! We visited a restaurant at Disney Boardwalk and we had a pleasant walk around afterward. It was the place of one on our first dates, so it had been nice to revisit the region. One of the bridges around the boardwalk overlooks the France pavilion at Epcot. It has a beautiful view and we stopped as it were to go ahead and take sights in.

That was where he surprised me and also got down on one knee and proposed. I was so in shock that I immediately said, "Yes," but I needed to ask him to repeat his proposal because I couldn't wrap my head around that which was happening.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SHOPPING ADVICE FOR FUTURE BRIDES?

Remember to choose what's good for you. Please do not get peer pressured into obtaining a dress you're not deeply in love with because of social networking, friends, or family. Also, don't be afraid to become open-minded. I tried on several slim-fitted, vintage wedding dresses because which was the only idea I had in my head. The dress that I was left with wasn't even my choice. It was suggested by my consultant at feeltimes and turned out to become the perfect choice.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR WEDDING DAY!

To start our special day, we flipped the script by not doing the standard walk-down-the-aisle. We had some members in our wedding party lead guests down a road to our outside ceremony space. Once there, we'd the rest of the wedding ceremony open up curtains to where they were surprised to determine that I was already standing at the altar, prepared to greet everyone instead. It was fun and intimate, which helped to calm the nerves and go ahead and take extra pressure from us.

Our reception afterward was energetic and engaging. Because it had been a brunch wedding, we were built with a mixture of breakfast foods served, together with bottomless mimosas. We closed the reception with trivia, sorbet, bubbles, and dancing. The trivia game was hilarious with questions regarding our love story, and that we even had prizes for that winner of every table. We passed out sorbet to the guests as one of our wedding favors. I even reached help design the cups that included our dog, Suki who had been also a member of our wedding party.

We wanted the festivities to continue during the day and invited our guests to meet up with us at Epcot later in the afternoon. Even though I was exhausted, it had been an incredibly fun time!

WAS THERE A HIGHLIGHT OR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OF THE DAY?

I had made sketches of my vision based on how our entire wedding would seem like (as soon as guests stepped into the lobby, towards the cocktail area, towards the ceremony space). Seeing these designs become more active before other people was all we could've ever wanted. We had an incredible crew and hang of vendors. All their time and effort in setting up for the wedding should never be forgotten. They truly outdid themselves.

DID ANYTHING FUNNY OR UNEXPECTED HAPPEN?

The weather has been on our minds for a long period before the wedding since I was going to come with an outdoor ceremony. On your day, the temperature would be a lot warmer than we'd expected it to become. We were definitely "glistening" throughout the ceremony, but thankfully it wasn't lengthy.

IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WISH YOU HAD KNOWN WHILE YOU WERE PLANNING THE WEDDING?

This was all completely new to us, so we needed to learn everything. Since I was doing the marriage ourselves, I wish we'd have known just how much work, time, and energy would require people beforehand.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE DIY OR PERSONAL TOUCH?

There was a lot of to count! One example is at our flowers. We were built with a wonderful florist who discovered our fascination with Disney and placed hidden Mickey’s within the corsages as well as on our arch. I also loved that I reached design we save the dates myself. That felt much more personal since I could add my very own skills for the special day.

WHAT'S YOUR BEST WEDDING PLANNING ADVICE?

Do not procrastinate! Once you're engaged, take a moment, perhaps a week, to savor the feeling and excitement to be engaged, after which start planning immediately. Pinterest and Instagram will be your friends, however, you also need to set some boundaries. These sites can assist you to create how well you see board, but once you nail down your theme, stay with it.

Your wedding is supposed to become uniquely yours. Make time to rest even when that means you need to schedule it inside a planner. Remember to remain hydrated! Trust me. You don't wish to look just like a zombie the week of the wedding.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR BRIDES THAT ARE PLANNING THEIR WEDDINGS RIGHT NOW?

It's very easy to get overwhelmed with planning your special day. Just remember your day is not for some individuals. It is about you and your spouse first and foremost. Have fun!