For the wedding of Mandy and Ben, wedding photographer Michael traveled to The Acre Orlando inside Orlando’s College Park district! This venue offered Mandy and Ben the chance to add their own DIY flair into an already unique and fun venue!
We started the day capturing Mandy’s bridal details while she was putting the final touches on the rest of the venue. We love capturing these details because they usually have a story and a sentimental value attached to each item. Mandy wanted to bring her mothers wedding dress to her wedding and so we thought it would be perfect to get a picture of both of them hung up next to each other! Mandy also had a handkerchief that was passed down a few generations that came in handy a few times to wipe away the tears! The most sentimental detail though was the locket Ben gave her, she wrapped it around her bouquet she designed and placed a picture of her late father in it.
By the time Mandy was in her dress it was time for the I-do’s! Their long time friend officiated their short, yet personal wedding ceremony. We loved that Mandy’s mom and Ben’s dad were the best man and maid of honor! We thought the picture frame of Mandy’s dad placed next to the couple during their ceremony was a very sweet touch as well.
We then took everyone around the property for some portraits and just like in the engagement session, their dog April made and appearance! This property has so much to offer so we really tried to take advantage of it! Mandy and Ben had some fun dancing to the cocktail hour music, playing on the playground equipment and posing with their favorite Crooked Can beer! The venue even had a bus that was used later in the night to record personalized congratulations videos, so of course we had to pose next to it!
We then enjoyed a tasty meal from Tijuana Flats and dessert from GiGi’s Cupcakes! And with the sun setting later now, the party was just getting started! Mandy’s brother and fiance sang and played guitar as the couple danced for the first time as husband and wife! It was such a sweet moment and it kicked off the fun eclectic reception to follow!
The couple wanted to offer more than just dancing at their wedding reception so they created a fun atmosphere that allowed everyone to join in the fun! Even their guest book was colorful and unique! Guests could place their thumb prints in a blank square and created comic book style drawings centered around each persons unique thumbprint! Guests who didn’t want to dance were given the opportunity to play an enormous game of jenga, take selfies at the “selfie station”, sing some karaoke, play bag toss, or sit by the fire and relax! The guests were even encouraged to throw darts at blank canvas filled with balloons. Each time a balloon was hit, the paint inside the balloons would splatter everywhere, creating a unique and fun art piece the couple would hang on their walls! With so many options, it kept guests busy and it looked like everyone had a great time before we had to send off the newlyweds with a sparkler exit! We had such a great time with Mandy and Ben and we hope they have many more happy years together!
The Acre Wedding Photographer: Michael of Steven Miller Photography Orlando
Orlando Wedding Venue: The Acre Orlando
Wedding Desserts: GiGi’s Cupcakes
Orlando Wedding Catering: Tijuana Flats
Tags: College Park, DIY, GiGis Cupcakes, The Acre Orlando, tijuana flats wedding catering