Aynsley and Brock's Lake Alfred wedding was a homespun affair featuring a monochromatic palette of classic black and white hues accented with greenery and white flora for a timeless motif. The bride and groom exchanged vows on the waterfront dock before spending the evening in a tented reception surrounded by string lights and a live band.
“I wanted an outdoor garden wedding. It was a beautiful mix of ‘Father of the Bride' backyard wedding meets ‘Garden Bougie.' We had a blast, and everything was perfect,” the bride shared. “We chose black and white. I wanted it to be classic.”
The Winter Park high school sweethearts hosted a large November celebration for 230 of their friends and family. They sought a photography and videography team who could document their love story and entire day in a way that felt enjoyable and intentional. Upon their first conversation with Evoke Photo and Film, they knew their creative visual team was the perfect choice.
“We were looking for love and partnership, everything that Garry, Stacy, and Ryan at Evoke Photo and Film embody. We wanted to capture our fun, our love, and our story. They made it so easy!” Aynsley beamed. “They are the absolute best and were one of our favorite parts of the wedding process. From our first call with them, we knew we had to go with them. They create art, but they do it by having fun! They were easy to work with and like friends we have had forever. The team is awesome and easygoing, and they just care! We love them! They went above and beyond to make our experience unforgettable.”
The pair hosted a sentimental celebration at their family estate, and with outdoor festivities in the works, they turned to a historic tradition to keep away inclement weather. The result was blue skies and shots of bourbon!
‘Our wedding was held on our family property, a place that has hosted so many amazing memories for our friends and family. It was where my parents were married too! We used to run a summer camp on the ranch where my husband's family went as campers. This location has so much meaning for us, our family, and our community,” Aynsley revealed. “We did a Bourbon Burial ceremony before our wedding. This is done one month to the day of your wedding; you bury a bottle of bourbon on the grounds of where you will be married. We had a blast doing this, and my grandparents and parents were able to join us. By doing this ceremony, it wards off the rain! It rained every day leading up to our wedding, but on our wedding day, there was nothing but blue skies. It worked! We were able to dig up the bottle before we walked down the aisle and enjoy it with our bridal party and photography/videography team!”
Aynsley relied on the artistic experts at Femme Akoi Beauty Studio to create glamorous wedding day looks for her and her bridal party. Face-framing soft curls and natural-toned shades for eyes and lips created timeless and elegant looks.
“I wanted a soft glam look, and Femme Akoi was beyond fabulous,” the bride raved. “Ana and Cassidy were so knowledgeable and made everything a blast! They are true artists!”
The ladies struck a pose against a luxurious sequin backdrop courtesy of The Gala Photobooth, smiling alongside fellow guests and enjoying photo prints as special keepsakes. Although the entire day will remain a treasured memory for Aynsley, it was the intimate first look with Brock, along with being surrounded by their closest friends and family on the dance floor, that stood out as her favorite moments.
“I loved our first look. It was so special and a time for just the two of us to really take it all in together,” the bride reminisced. “The dancing and the party were a blast! Each moment of our special day holds a special place in my heart.”
“One of the most valuable pieces of wedding advice I've come across is to create a wedding day that truly resonates with both partners. Anysley and Brock took this concept and implemented it to the highest degree. Every detail was planned with care and intention, from an easy relaxed morning getting ready, to a heartfelt first look in the bamboo garden to unearthing the buried bottle of whiskey the couple had saved for years. Every moment was special and packed full of meaning, Stacy Boyce, owner of Evoke Photo and Film shared. “Their wedding backdrop was Aynsley's childhood home where so many of their friends and family also have core memories, and needless to say, the estate was stunning. The photos really do speak for themselves. A live band kept the party alive until the very end, a reception to remember for sure.”
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
Vegas BABY! It was such a fun time hosted by the best maid of honor and the coolest bridesmaids/best friends. As a girl group, we had never done Vegas, so we thought, “Hey if there is any time to go, it's for Aynsley's bachelorette!” I'm so glad we did! Lots of great memories were made!
The Proposal:
Brock proposed at Arabella's in Winter Haven, Florida. He was a complete trickster, as I thought we were going to a family anniversary party. However, upon arrival, it was clear the anniversary was a proposal, and that proposal was for me! I was completely shocked but beyond excited as our whole family was there to cheer on this special moment!
What were your hair and makeup inspiration?
I wanted a soft glam look, and Femme Akoi Beauty Studio was beyond fabulous. Ana and Cassidy were so knowledgeable and made everything a blast! They are true artists!
What did you look for in a wedding photo and video team?
We were looking for love and partnership, everything that Garry, Stacy, and Ryan at Evoke Photo and Film embody. We wanted to capture our fun, our love, and our story. They made it so easy! They are the absolute best and were one of our favorite parts of the wedding process.
From our first call with them, we knew we had to go with them. They create art, but they do it by having fun! They were easy to work with and like friends we have had forever. The team is awesome and easygoing, and they just care! We love them! They went above and beyond to make our experience unforgettable.
“We were looking for love and partnership, everything that Garry, Stacy, and Ryan at Evoke Photo and Film embody. We wanted to capture our fun, our love, and our story. They are the absolute best and were one of our favorite parts of the wedding process. They create art, but they do it by having fun! They were easy to work with and like friends we have had forever. They went above and beyond to make our experience unforgettable.”
-The Bride
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
I wanted an outdoor garden wedding. It was a beautiful mix of ‘Father of the Bride' backyard wedding meets ‘Garden Bougie.' We had a blast, and everything was perfect.
What were your colors?
We chose black and white. I wanted it to be classic.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Bangkok and Krabi, Thailand. It was the most amazing trip ever. Although the flight from Florida to Thailand is long, it is so worth it! We wanted to go somewhere that was new for us both, filled with adventure, and a spot where we could really unplug to be together as we started our life as a married couple.
Why did you choose to have a photo booth?
It is so much fun for the guests! We love seeing everyone being goofy and happy in the photo booth!
The Gala Photobooth was awesome, and have a great product! And they were so professional.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Evoke Photo and Film went above and beyond to make our experience unforgettable. They were easy to work with and so much; like friends we have had forever.
Our wedding planner/florist was an extraordinary visionary and such a great partner to us the entire process. The amount of care she put into us was unmatched. Our caterers were the bomb. Our band was the most fun ever, and all of our friends want them at their weddings now. All of our vendors were beyond phenomenal; from makeup to photo booths to rentals, we had the best people!
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Don't let the planning overwhelm you! Make sure to find fun moments.
Take the dance classes! Whether online or at a studio. It is so much fun, and even if you don't do a choreographed dance, it really makes the moment flow with ease. We love dancing together any chance we get now!
