Christina + Rob
Christina and Rob's destination wedding in Florida wasn't just any wedding - it was a New York styled wedding with unique features adapted to the unusual venue they chose to host their wedding weekend - The Great Escape Parkside near Orlando.
Christina and Rob grew up in the NYC area surrounded by traditional family weddings that boasted elaborate day-long celebrations. Most were held in beautiful all inclusive banquet halls where the cocktail hours included more food and fanfare than the main formal sit down meals themselves.
But as a couple, they had different ideas of how they wanted to celebrate! Rob was a big video game fan. Both families loved vacationing in Florida. So they sought a destination that addressed those preferences.
Selected Photos by Eva Photo Studio . Tampa
Some major searching led Christina to The Great Escape Parkside which at the time was under construction. But its location and affiliation with several other vacation rental locations owned by creative entrepreneur Andrew Greenstein, assured her that this was THE LOCATION for she and Rob.
Andrew is a genius in capturing the "inner child" of all who stay at his properties which now total five.
I met Christina and Rob "on location" several months into the remote planning process. I staged a mock sweetheart table complete with place settings fresh florals, tasting of their desired entrees, and a bottle of champagne. While the finishing touches were still "in play," Andrew took them on a tour to describe the final vision for his 4th entertaining vacation rental location.
From the billiard-designed swimming pool to all of the game themed bedrooms that would accommodate over 50 guests, Christina and Rob knew they had chosen the right location for their celebration. Surrounded by lots of Florida flora and trees, there was lots of privacy that other vacation rentals did not offer.
In the months that followed that initial visit, Christina gathered ideas and vendors that captured her vision for an elegant, yet fun destination wedding.
She hired one of our favorite photographers, Eva Photo Studio, and seasoned videographer, Randy Markham of Celebrations of Tampa Bay. She engaged the services of her family's long-time dj, Mike Linconti who traveled from NYC to host the reception.
With close to 90 guests anticipated, Christina and Rob chose the Hampton Inn in Clermont for additional guest accommodations. Close family and bridal party members would be staying with them at Parkside.
She also acquired the services of upbeat violinist, David Bathem, who we knew would create a unique ceremony and added energy to their reception.
West Coast Events and Rentals was our top recommendation for providing all of the outdoor provisions such as tent, lighting, chandliers, white garden chairs for the ceremony, farm tables, gold chiavari chairs, and large white dance floor. As Christina's ideas kept evolving into more classic New York styling, Greg of West Coast kept adapting acquisitions which included dual white wood bars, and a hedge wall display.
Bluegrass Chic out of Orlando provided fresh florals for both ceremony and reception, and our favored bakery, Goldies Goodies Bakery provided not only the wedding cake, but a huge assortment of miniature treats ranging from mini cupcakes and parfait delicacies.
Custom acrylic name plates along with a huge seating chart were secured from Chic Sign Designs out of Orlando.
Additional catered meals were added for a welcome party, and day after brunch in celebration of Rob's birthday from River City Catering.
We were excited to provide the coordination and rehearsal dinner food the night prior to the wedding. It had a tropical theme in contrast to the couple's somewhat traditional wedding day selections.
Closer to the wedding, Christina pulled out the stops with a surprise performance of a dancing robot on stilts from Orlando's Cirque Bishop troupe. Not to understate the amazing things Christina and Rob had already planned, but Rob's dad surprised them with a huge professional fireworks display from Orlando SPFX. We further coordinated this last minute addition as well.
Here are highlights of Christina and Rob's very unique Florida style celebration!
With so many outdoor games and activities available to guests, it was natural to host the Rehearsal Dinner around the pool the night before the wedding. We utilized much of the existing furnishings to keep the tropical themed event fresh and different from the next day's reception.
The menu included a fresh fruit display, Mandarin Orange Salad, a Seafood Saute Station, and Carved Ham and Beef.
The following day, those staying in the house relaxed and enjoyed the spacious gathering areas.
The first floor bedroom Christina chose for getting ready was perfect for special moments.
Christina's lovely gown was Eve of Milady from Kleinfeld's in NYC.
With so many fun themed areas available in The Great Escape Parkside, Rob and family members found plenty of places to finish getting ready and pose for the camera.
A first look was planned so Christina, Rob, and their bridal party could relax and enjoy being a part of the social hour. Photographer, Eva, captured a variety of poses prior to the ceremony.
When guests first arrived, our staff offered a glass of champagne as they made their way to the ceremony area.
Bluegrass Chic decorated our white pergola arbor which we positioned in front of an existing life-sized checkerboard game.
David Bathem provided all of the ceremony and social hour violin music.
The ceremony was held on the back side of the property.
The bride's father officiated
Instead of the typical New York wedding cocktail hour food of pasta and carving stations, Christina and Rob chose a more Florida-oriented fare that starred our popular Paella.
West Coast Rentals provided two white bars - one in the social hour area and then another inside the tent along with bar glassware.
Hand-Passed Appetizers included Mini Hamburger Sliders, Sesame Chicken Strips, Mini Brie Squares and Buffalo-Basil Pinwheels
Because formal pictures were done prior to the ceremony, Christina and Rob were able to preview the tented reception area.
They had chosen a Navy Blue, White, and Gold color theme utilizing wood farm tables, gold trimmed glass chargers, and gold chiavari chairs from West Coast. Catering By Robert furnished gold flatware, all china, and table glassware. Bluegrass Chic created alternating tablescapes featuring tall gold stands with hangng tear drop votive holders and a series of gold candlelabras - both with flowing white chiffon runners and fresh eucalyptus garlands.
Bluegrass Chic stayed beyond the ceremony to transfer the floral chandelier and arbor accents to the sweetheart table.
Goldies' Goodies Three Tier Cake was flanked with fresh greenery and buds atop West Coast's high top farm tables.
Chic Sign Designs teamed up with Bluegrass Chic to enhance West Coast's hedgewall behind the large clear acrylic guest table assignment sign.
With a few fleeting moments of sunlight available, photographer, Eva, took the couple out on the property for sunset pictures. Soon it would be pitch dark except for the vibrant illumination of the pool area.
While the cooler temperatures for a Florida November were kicking in outdoors, the party was heating up inside. The bride and groom did their their traditional entrance and first dance with sparkler fanfare.
First courses of Arugula Salad and Vodka Penne were served, but as guests finished up they got the surprise visit from the Dancing Robot from Cirque Bishop.
Everyone joined in the dancing that spanned another 45 minutes before the main entrees were served.
Christina and Rob chose four main course plated entrees:
Char-Grilled Filet Mignon with Italian Butter
Brushchetta Grilled Chicken
Salmon with a Champagne Sauce
Vegetarian Eggplant Parmesean
Our culinary staff fashioned an outdoor kitchen in a small tent next the main reception area.
The party continued until someone signaled a "disturbance" outside the tent. The groom's dad's surprise fireworks had started.
Planning, Design, Coordinating and Catering from Catering By Robert / Event Concepts. FL
