Stephanie + Joshua Step Into The Limelight | Holy Ascension Greek Orthodox Church + Wyndham Grand Beach Resort | Clearwater, FL

November 21, 2019

Josh and Stephanie met working at North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville, FL during the month of February 2016. Josh worked nights as a nurse and Stephanie worked days as a nurse. Josh proposed to Stephanie at St. Augustine near the Castillo de San Marcos. After the proposal, it began to pour rain. Josh, Stephanie, and close friends ran to the No Name Bar to seek cover from the rain and enjoyed a couple of cold Dos Equis lagers. We were able to capture some amazing images for their engagement session, including pictures in the exact spot Josh planned to propose and the spot where it actually happened! You may see some of those here.

Josh loves that Stephanie is able to deal with his self-proclaimed “weirdness.” Josh shares, “I know I am an odd guy. I also love how patient she can be with me. I am amazed at how focused she is when she puts her mind to something. It is extremely difficult to change her mind. She is an extremely hard worker. She is putting herself through a lot of stress to give us both a better life in our future together. Working full time and going to grad school at the same time is extremely difficult but she is doing it. Stephanie tells me that she loves my oddness. My quirky little dances. She likes how I motivate her to go for her dreams and goals. That I am always there to support her no matter what the circumstance is. I love how I can come home and always know that she will welcome me with a smile and a kiss. She is everything that I have ever wanted.” Awe…talk about a true romantic this just melts my heart!

Together they enjoy outdoor activities such as nature parks, adventure parks, fishing, boating, paddle boarding, swimming, concerts, football games, tailgating, and traveling.

Josh, Stephanie, and the wedding party got ready at the Wyndham Resort in Clearwater, FL. All, except Stephanie, took the Jolley Trolley to Holy Ascension Greek Orthodox Church where the wedding ceremony will take place. Stephanie traveled with her parents and grandmother to the ceremony. Stephanie joined the gang and rode back to the Wyndham with Josh and the rest of the bridal party in the Jolley Trolley! Then we headed to the beach for sunset pictures!

Wedding location was selected in Clearwater, FL because it is close to Stephanie’s grandmother who lives in St. Petersburg, FL. Clearwater is also special to Josh because it is where he used to live. Wedding theme of dusty blue and blush pink was suggested by bridesmaid Stephanie Fitzgerald. Bride tribe went to Orlando, FL on November 25th in search of the bridal attire. Bride’s dress was found at Calvet Couture. Josh and Stephanie went to Men’s Warehouse on December 21st for the groom and groomsmen attire. Style of the wedding was traditional with a Greek theme and some Greek traditions.

Brides Bouquet: White Garden Roses, Quicksand Roses, Ocean Song Roses, White Ranunculus, Lavender, Succulents, Silver dollar Eucalyptus, Ruscus, Dusty miller (very loose and flowy, heavy greenery)

Bridesmaids Bouquets: Quicksand/Ocean Song Roses, Succulents, Dark Purple Lisianthus, Lavender, Dusty Miller, Eucalyptus

Sweetheart Table: Bride’s bouquet on table, along with Wisteria Backdrop mixed with Roses, Greenery, Stock, Wax Flower to go across backdrop with fabric hanging underneath.

Stephanie and Josh’s favorite part of the wedding was the reception dancing, eating good food, spending time with guests, and drinking the night away. They made their own Greek wedding favors known as a boubouniera, which consists of five candy-coated almonds (koufeta) in a bag. The five almonds represent five wishes for the bride and groom…health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity. A true highlight were the parent dances - Josh with his mom and Stephanie with her dad. You could truly feel the bond and love.

It really was the BEST day ever!!!!

Lead Photographers | Michael + Rebecca Zoumberos

Christina + Luis Step Into The Limelight | Tampa Marriott Water Street | Tampa Bay, FL

November 21, 2019

From our beautiful bride and groom:

Christina had been ballroom dancing with Arthur Murray Clearwater for two years before her teachers convinced her to try Latin dancing. It was much different from the smooth dancing she was used to but finally decided to give it a try. On the other hand, Luis, who is a natural Latin dancer, had not been out salsa dancing in quite some time until the night he met Christina. They were the first two people on the dance floor and the last people off the dance floor. Christina and Luis have been dancing ever since. They have taken many dance lessons together and continue to enjoy their time dancing anywhere and everywhere. They have taken Argentine tango lessons, Foxtrot lessons, and even Swing dancing lessons. Music and dancing brought Christina and Luis together and it is something they will continue to cherish doing together for as long as they can!

The wedding day…

The day was finally here and both Christina and Luis began their day at Tampa Marriott Street. This beautiful venue would host their guest during the cocktail-ceremony and reception. As soon as both bride and groom were ready, it was time to see each other for the first time that day. They decided to see each other before the ceremony just to get the jitters out of the way - they were so happy seeing each other!

The ceremony was unique since the couple did not want it to be to routine-like and wanted it to be short and sweet and during cocktail hour. They had no chairs, and no bridal party. It would be just them, their little ones, and family gathered around. It was touching to see how happy their little one’s were once Christina and Luis were pronounced husband and wife. Reception time came around and Christina and Luis opened up the dance floor with a choreographed dance as their first dance! It was truly a happy and lively group which made the night feel just right.

Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs!

Lead Photographer | Carlos Rello
Associate Photographer | Alexa Rodriguez

Elizabeth + Mark Step Into The Limelight | St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church + Longboat Key Club | Sarasota, FL

November 21, 2019

Elizabeth & Mark met in 2014 at a bar in Fayetteville and the rest is LOVE!
They spending time with their dogs, they love the beach, craft beer, traveling and grilling.
Elizabeth loves how funny & easy going Mark is and Mark loves how fun, strong and beautiful Elizabeth is.

They both envisioned a classy (yet) fun beach wedding, small and low key with the people they love the most… I think they nailed it!
Their classic and elegant details made their wedding a breath of fresh air, plus they are both so gorgeous so everythaaannng looks gorgeous!

We truly loved being a part of their day and we were so honored to capture such amazing memories for Elizabeth & Mark ❤

People… truly, enjoy the gorgeousness!

Lead Photographer | Dafne Spencer
Associate Photographer | Alexa Rodriguez

Liz + Joe Step Into The Limelight | Marco Beach Ocean Resort | Marco Island, FL

November 13, 2019

Joe planned a surprise trip to Disney World were he made plans to propose during dinner in Cinderellas’ Castle. Obviously, to keep it a surprise, Joe told Liz that he had made dinner reservations at Epcot. While walking around the park Liz kept reminding Joe that it was getting close to dinner time and they needed to make their way to the exit of the park. Instead of leaving, Joe continued to take his time and as it was getting closer and closer to dinner time Liz kept getting more concerned. Joe continued to ignore Liz’s desire to be on time and she started to get grumpy because she was starving. That is when Joe then told her that they were going to have dinner in Cinderellas Castle, Liz then got mad because she knew he planned this trip just a few short weeks prior and knew there was no way he got reservations for the Castle! Liz started to walk away when Joe went up to the hostess. She then overheard the hostess say that their reservation would be ready in a few minutes! Liz couldn’t believe it or even describe the excitement that was playing in her head...when they got to their table he ordered a nice bottle of champagne and Liz automatically got suspicious. Something big was about to happen! They ate the most lovely dinner and when dessert came out it was a plate covered by a glass dome. Under the glass dome was red rose petals with a glass slipper. Joe got down on one knee and had the ring in a special rose ring holder and asked Liz to marry him! The whole restaurant went silent, you could hear a pin drop. As soon as Liz said yes a man yelled "she said yes!” And everyone started cheering.

Liz’s engagement ring was Joe's grandmothers 40th wedding anniversary gift. Joe and his grandfather (that has passed) picked this ring out together when Joe was 12 years old! Liz’s father passed when she was 8 years old. Her dad had a gold ring that was very special to him and Joe will be using that ring for his wedding band.

Joe and Liz’s wedding date and location has a special meaning for them because on October 27, 1985...34 years ago was the day that Liz’s mom and dad got married. Since Liz’s dad had passed away when she was younger she wanted to pick a special day that included him. When Joe's mom asked what Liz was thinking for where to have the wedding, Liz automatically told her destination and that she would like to have it in Marco Island. Joe and Liz went back and forth on where they wanted it in Marco. When they went to Marco Beach Ocean Resort they knew almost instantly that it was ‘the place.’ Marco is also a special place for Joe's family; when Joe's grandfather got diagnosed with ALS he moved there to live out one of his dreams. When Joe’s grandfather was first looking at places on the island he had stayed at Marco Beach Ocean Resort. When they stay here they say they feel his presence.

Congratulations Liz and Joe on the best day ever!

Lead Photographer | Stephanie Duffany
Associate Photographer | Audrey Clifford

Ifie + Obi Step Into The Limelight | Opal Sands Resort + Duval Banquet Center | Clearwater, FL

November 7, 2019

A beautiful love story from our Bride & Groom:

FROM OBI:

On a bright weekday afternoon in October, I remember a beautiful slim girl accompanied by her sister entered the computer training center to inquire about taking computer courses. After speaking to my boss, she got enrolled and received a start date for the following Monday.

Monday morning dawned and so did a new chapter in our lives. She had caught my attention and I found myself drawn to her and distracted over the course of the computer training sessions. We cultivated a beautiful friendship that morphed into a budding new relationship and it added a lot of excitement to my otherwise boring student life.

I introduced her to my extended family that I lived with in Lagos and she was loved by everyone. I knew that I had found something very special. After three incredible months, I completed my internship and returned to my University in another city hours away. We kept in touch by letters, periodic phone calls (sometimes with pay phones, no cellphones at the time!) and saw each other again on my occasional visits to Lagos. Ifreke ultimately completed her course and became proficient in computer use, a necessity for her upcoming immigration to the United States...

August 4, 2000.. a day I would never forget. Ifreke was leaving Nigeria to the United States to begin a new life there with her family. I was not prepared for the void it would leave in my life. With the love we had for each other, we parted with promises to stay in touch and keep the flame of our young love burning, until we can meet again...

... but distance, time and life eventually took a toll on us and we broke up after several months. It brought great pain and sadness to my youthful heart. I held onto memories of our love for comfort and continued to hope that we may someday reunite. We subsequently both moved on with our lives and had little to no contact for some time. Then Facebook happened...

FROM IFREKE:

From 2006 - December 2016, indeed thanks to Facebook we began communicating again albeit sparsely about once or twice a year. We were both involved with other people and busy with school or work but exchanged a few messages periodically. I learned that he had moved to London, England in 2006, completed a Masters in Information Technology and working at an energy firm Orsted. I shared about the stresses of my long journey to a career in medicine and he was ever the caring gentleman I knew. Little did we know what the future had in store for us...

On New Year's Day 2017, I received a Happy New Year message from Obi, as he had done every year since Facebook started. This time, we both happened to be single at the same time. Then came February 14, and I got a lovely Happy Valentine's Day message. Just like that, we were talking again and it was a breath of fresh air given our history.

These chats soon led to deeper conversations that revealed that he was not over me! :) We reminisced about our time together during our youthful days in Nigeria and rekindled our friendship. We realized that we still had a lot of love for each other and within a few months, I was on my way to London.. we saw each other again after 17 years! It was quite a happy moment for us! We got back together shortly after and found ourselves reopen the chapter we had left behind, this time as two mature adults learning more about each other. We have shared good and bad times, including a period of grief after Obi's father passed away in September 2017, just few months after we reunited. Through it all, we found support and strength with each other. On March 5, 2019, Obi proposed and I said YES!

Our love story has spanned two decades from 1999 - 2019 and three continents, Africa, North America and Europe. It has not been easy but we have made it here and are looking forward to creating a great life together. We have enjoyed a lot of wonderful experiences together such as traveling, outdoor activities, spending time with family, friends and my cute little dog Lily.

http://www.ifreke-obi.com/

WEDDING DAY:

Ifie and Obi were simply gorgeous together on their wedding day and even when the weather was not in their favor, their love and happiness together outshined any darkness! The wedding day started off at the Opal Sands where the pair got ready. They got to see each other during first look and they couldn’t be happier to see each other again. Although the ceremony changed locations, this was okay to them and they were just happy to be able to say their I-Do’s. It was definitely a beautiful moment when they shared each other’s vows. Once reception started, the fun began and all they did all night was laugh, have fun and dance with each together! It was truly a day full of surprises but they were simply at peace within each other’s arms!

Lead Photographer | Carlos Rello
Associate Photographer | Alexa Rodriguez

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