Bella Collina Wedding

Oh my! Lora + Michael’s Bella Collina wedding was a very fun semi intimate wedding at the beautiful Bella Collina. Here’s the amazing story in photos.

Montverde, Florida provided the perfect backdrop for our travel themed wedding at Bella Collina. Nine years of dating my high school sweetheart provided us with many adventures. We wanted our wedding to embody this sense of adventure, and we strived to show this in our travel inspired location and decor. The event was perfect and I couldn’t have asked for a better day, only t hat I could have savored it a little longer. -Lora

Well be prepared to see a beautiful wedding comprised of  blush pink, peach, sage greens. Lora what she loved about the venue. I agree:

Everything! What’ s not to love? I was swept away from the very entrance. Bell! a Collina’s entrance is lined with Tuscan inspired Cypress trees, and the roads lined in cobble stone. Rolling hills transform this Florida venue into an Italian getaway; perfect for our travel theme. The Atrium with its’ fountain served as a beautiful ceremony site with brick arches lit by romantic chandeliers. The club house served as the perfect reception site for my small wedding (52 people). The brick arches and romantic lighting continued into the intimate dining rooms. I was sold the moment I set eyes on the place.

 

 

Being star wars fans, I had to come up with some poses, and some fun that would allow for some Jedi inspiration later on! They even had a unique exit song:) Lora describes it here:

Star Wars Main Theme song for our exit at the wedding ceremony. It was an unexpected element for our wedding guest, and a tribute to my groom who is a huge Star Wars fan. We also bought toy light sabers as a wedding photo prop and they were a huge hit on the dance floor for our wedding guests.

So the story begins…

What made your wedding location decision? It’s breath taking! Michael and I wanted a semi-outdoor ceremony location that did not have a beach theme (we were both born and raised in Florida, so the beach is a bit played out for us). Bella Collina’s atrium met all the criteria, semi-covered in case of rain or to shield direct sunlight, beautiful with a Tuscan inspired grounds, and surprisingly private for a golf course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Words of Wisdom for future brides from Lora:

Budget extra time for photos. The cocktail hour was a race for family photos. Trying to get everyone coordinated eats up a lot of time even when they are planned ahead of time. I am thankful we budgeted extra time during dinner ! to sneak away for bride and groom sunset photos, and before our last dance for a few more starry sky photos. It also gave us time to breathe and enjoy each other.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

You will see the theme of travel within their wedding from the details, to the head table with the globe!

 

 

 

 

Lora was asked what was the biggest challenge? And how did you overcome it?

Time! This is how celebrities must feel. Sticking to the time line was tough while trying to make rounds to greet the wedding guests. The groom and I scarfed down our food in 15 minutes and made some quick rounds to the tables to say hello before sneaking out for some sunset photos. We also made a point to greet guests on the dance floor. We knew time was going to be tight, so we used the rehearsal dinner as a chance to catch up with out of town family and friends in case we didn’t get the chance at the wedding. – Lora

  

 

 

  

  

It’s up with the stars.

So Lora and Michael are starting their life, they’ve moved to Hawaii, and have a honeymoon to take place in Australia, this coming winter.

Some of the amazing team that worked on the wedding below! (vendors please share the blog on your page or website, do not screen shot images please or email us for copies)

Photography: MDP

Ceremony and Reception: Bella Collina

Makeup and Hair: KyleLynn Weddings http://www.kylelynn.com/weddings

CAKE: Publix

GROOMS CAKE: Publix

TRANSPORTATION: Apollo Chariots http://apolloschariots.com/

Suit/Tux: Men’s Warehouse Calvin Klein suits with Peridot color bow ties

BRIDESMAID GOWNS: Davids Bridal “Petal” pink in various styles

BRIDAL BOUQUET: Blossoms; Arrangements of Distinction (http://www.blossomsfl.com/
European hand wrapped torch style design of peach toned garden roses, soft pink peonies from Holland finished with hints of cream colored peonies wrapped with French ivory ribbon

BRIDAL GOWN: Allure 8955

BRIDAL JEWELRY: Pearl necklace, pearl earrings, rhinestone bracelet

SHOES: Stuart Weitzman “Gemex” in Gold from Nordstrom

WEDDING PLANNER: Day of Coordinator: Vangie De La Concha

BRIDES RING: Platinum Channel set band and 3/4 carat platinum solitaire in a tulip setting

GROOMS RING: Titanium

SOMETHING OLD NEW BLUE:  Old: my veil ( I bought it at a Brides Against Breast Cancer shop),
New: My Dress, Borrowed: My Bouquet (at the end of the night, it would be one of my single ladies’ bouquet).
Blue: a Martha Stewarts blue bow pin on my bouquet

SPECIAL CEREMONY EVENT:
We had a knot tying ceremony, where the groom and I tied a “Lover’s Knot” to symbolize our marriage commitment.

GUEST BOOK:
A photo booth scrap book courtesy of Funny Faces Photobooth

Altar Design Details:
Floating Candles in tall glass vases surrounded by multi-colored rose petals lined the altar space and down the aisle.