Rebekah + Chris Step Into The Limelight | Hyatt Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa | Clearwater Beach, FL

November 12, 2020

Rebekah & Chris met 8 years ago through mutual friends and they hit it off!

First becoming the best of friends, they both never thought anything would happen outside the friend stage. Little did they know they would start falling for each other.

As time went on both these two “fell in love, and he fell in love with my children” as Rebekah says.

Chris made sure that Rebekah’s children Seth and Shannon took part when Chris proposed. Being that the one thing they’ve all been wanting, is to be one big family.

Being best friends has definitely carried into their relationship as they continue to laugh together just as they did when they first met. Their wedding was a perfect example of what “being in love with your best friend” looks like!

Rebekah & Chris love watching football, hockey and golf. They also love to go boating and to be outdoors and we LOVED meeting them both! They know how to have fun and their wedding day was a “good time”. Once they saw each other it was clear to us that they adore each other… we could not be happier for Rebekah & Chris and we wish ALL the good in world for this stunning couple. Cheers!

Lead Photographer | Dafne Spencer
Associate Photographer | Kara Lerchenfeld
Assistant | Chloe Dennis

Suzanne + Alex Step Into The Limelight | The Rusty Pelican | Tampa, FL

December 12, 2019

Suzanne & Alex’ Love Story

How They Met…

From Alex: May 18, 2013 is where this love story began. As I walked in nervously into what was my first day working as a Summer Camp Counselor at Hunter's Green Country Club in Tampa, all I was worried about was trying not to sweat through the only shirt they had given me to wear for the summer (do not be alarmed - soon after, I received a 2nd shirt). After walking through the front door, any shot I had at my nerves disappearing (and the sweating stopping) was gone, as I laid eyes on the most beautiful girl I had even seen. From that moment, I knew this girl was going to be someone special in my life - and when I saw her in her (mandated) one-piece bathing suit during swimming time, I knew she was the one for me. 

The Proposal…

From Alex: Soon after we officially began dating (not until summer of 2016), I knew how I was going to do it. If and when we got to that point, I was going to take her back to summer camp at Hunter's Green. Thanks to a lot of planning (with the help of my mother, Matt Hilts, and plenty of friends along the way), I was able to convince her to visit our old stomping grounds with me, to check out the renovations. As we walked towards our old camp gathering area in the back of the club, I remembered an old conversation we had about six months earlier.

SC - "You nervous?"
AW - "I don't get nervous"
SC - "What about if you ever ask me to marry you, will you be nervous then?"
AW - "No"
SC - "I'll make sure to ask you in the moment"
AW - "I'll hold you to it"

As we stopped in front of the building, I turned and looked into her eyes, she seemed confused on what was going on. I knew at that point, I had pulled it off.

AW - "Aren't you going to ask me?"
SC - "Ask you what"
AW - "If I'm nervous"

It took a couple seconds for it to click with her, but before it did, I started to go into a rehearsed speech I had prepared 1,000 times leading up to this moment. When she finally sensed what was going on, and I saw the tears starting to form, and her face lighting up - I lost it. I no longer remembered what I was going to say. I'm not entirely sure what came out the rest of the way, but all I know is it ended with pulling out a small box from my back pocket (thanks, Jake Ninko, for the wallet-looking box - highly recommended) and I was on a knee, ready to give the love of my life the only secret I've ever had to keep from her (other than birthday presents). Obviously, you know what happens next.

Ready Or Not Here They Come!

From Alex: Life is hard. That's an understatement. Life is full of ups and downs. Isn't that the truth! I always loved the song, "Ironic" by Alanis Morissette - "It's like 10,000 spoons, when all you need is a knife", definitely my favorite line in the song. Life is most certainly - ironic.

How ironic it is, that in what I consider the greatest time of my life (my journey with Suzanne), we would also each go through our most difficult moments. Life hasn't been particularly kind to us in the past couple of years, but that's how I know we were meant for each other - I knew we were made for each other. I will never be able to put into words just how much support Suzanne has shown to be throughout my pain. She's been a shoulder to cry on, the Wall (pun intended) to lean on, and my best friend to vent to. She assures me that everything is going to be alright - and I believe her. This is why I pledged to her parents (and the rest of her family) that I'll work every single day to make sure I am everything to her, that she has been to me. I know that no matter what comes our way, as long as we both support each other, we can take on the world.

Fast forward through all the tough times, we think it's time for a celebration. Through a recent move, new jobs, and all the joy of planning a wedding, I think it's time to throw a big party to show just how far we have come.

From Suzanne & Alex’ wedding blog | https://www.zola.com/wedding/suzanneandalexander   

Lead Photographer | Dafne Spencer
Associate Photographer | Kara Lerchenfeld
Intern | Tara Zimmerman

Shelby + Kyle Step Into The Limelight | Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort | Clearwater Beach, FL

June 5, 2019

(Sweet) Shelby & (Hugger) Kyle met their senior year at Purdue University. Shelby worked as the athletic trainer for the Women's Volleyball team and Kyle played as a practice player. Kyle would fake injuries in order to talk to Shelby and get her attention. Shelby would stay professional and was clueless that Kyle was interested in her. Two months later, Shelby saw Kyle out at a bar, and he had Arby's sandwiches. Kyle offered Shelby a sandwich and they have been together ever since.

Kyle proposed on New Years Eve at 9:00PM (12/31/17) in The Villages, FL. They were out dancing in the town square with Shelby's parents. When the band wrapped up, Kyle got down on one knee and proposed. The band saw the commotion and pulled back out their instruments. They called them both on stage and played Buddy Holly's "True Love Ways" as they danced.

Shelby loves Kyle fun-loving personality and the fact that he can always make her laugh. He has taught her to not take life so seriously and to enjoy the little things in life. She loves his ambition and how he always goes above and beyond expectations. Kyle will always go out of his way to try and make someones day.

Kyle loves that Shelby is such a kind, loving, generous, athletic, and sweet person. What's not to love! She is always there to put a big smile on his face, and always knows how to pick him up. She's extremely supportive in his my crazy ideas, and he knows she will always be by my side.

They both enjoy hiking, traveling, wine-tasting, and cheering on the Purdue Boilermakers.

Uncle Toby officiated their wedding, and cousin Jeff played the guitar as they walked down the aisle. We could not has dreamed of a more perfect wedding day for Shelby & Kyle. Every moment was gracious and oh so sweet. The ultimate goal was a beautiful destination wedding to celebrate their love with close friends and family ending with one big party. Success!

Shelby & Kyle… you both are in for a treat! Life together is the BEST! Enjoy it all 💕

#SchwedesinParadise

Lead Photographer | Dafne Spencer
Associate Photographer | Kara Lerchenfeld

Katie + Giorgio Step Into The Limelight | Powel Crosley Estate | Sarasota, FL

April 5, 2019

In September 2010, Giorgio's fraternity was hosting an event. After the event ended, there was an after party that Giorgio was going to. Katie also ended up going to this same party through some mutual friends. Later on that night, they met and it was history since.

The two officially started dating on November 12, 2010. Giorgio had invited Katie to join him in Marco Island for the weekend. He had also arranged to have dinner at Da Vinci's and then to watch the Sunset at Resident's Beach. On the beach Giorgio officially asked Katie to be his girlfriend.

Katie was just finishing up her last couple of weeks of nursing school. For the longest time, She was told they were going to go to Marco Island that weekend. Unfortunately, Katie had to cancel the plans last minute. Little did she know, Giorgio had planned to propose that weekend on April 29, 2017. Giorgio quickly figured out a backup plan. That week, Katie had officially received her first job offer as a registered nurse. Giorgio took this opportunity to plan something and told her they were going out to dinner to celebrate the new job.

That Friday before dinner, Giorgio told Katie to go to the mall and he would buy an outfit for her for dinner the next day. On the way to dinner, Giorgio told Katie they were going to some cool place for drinks. They went to Oystercatchers, which is right on the water in Tampa. Both of them ordered drinks at the bar and then Giorgio stated he wanted to go outside. Before going outside he "went to the bathroom" aka gave his phone to the hostess to take pictures. Little did Katie know, Giorgio had gone to Osytercathces the day prior to tip the hostess and to take pictures the following day.

Katie was so confused as to why Giorgio wanted to go outside especially since it was the first hottest and most humid day of the season (about 95 degrees out). He said “come here I want to show you the view”.

As they were walking to the water, Katie could not even figure out what was happening until She turned her head and Giorgio was on one knee asking marry Katie!!!

What an amazing day we had with Katie and Giorgio in mid March 2019. Their ceremony and reception was fully decorated with floral and green foliage. Katie wore a stunning gown that made her look spectacular. Giorgio wore a blue suit that made him look sharp. The two said their I-Do’s at the Powel Crosley Estate in Sarasota FL. It was a great wedding day for the two fully of laughter and dancing. Congratulations to the newlyweds!!!

Lead Photographer | Carlos Rello
Associate Photographer | Alexa Rodriguez