Mekdes & Wayne's Hilton Bonnet Creek Wedding

Just in time for Spring, we’re bringing you Mekdes and Wayne’s garden-inspired wedding! The Hilton Bonnet Creek served as the idyllic setting for bold colors and vibrant blooms. Hues of hot pink, fuschia, orange, and blue danced around the venue- causing a spring awakening in August!

Springs meets Summer

Mekdes wanted her big day to be fun and to exude energy. Therefore, her day-of stationery and her bridal look were abuzz with lively colors and sparkly details. She donned a sweetheart neck ball gown accented with rhinestones by designer, Eddie K. Her bride tribe wore floor-length, tangerine dresses and looked amazing in all their finery! Each bridesmaid wore a pair of blue shoes as an ode to Mekdes’s ‘something blue.’ Spring met summer in the form of the bridal party bouquets: beautiful, summertime florals that looked as if they were freshly picked from a garden.

Mekdes’s other half, Wayne, wore a blue suit from Sacino’s- paired with a white button-up shirt and a white tie. He looked dapper as ever! Wayne’s groomsmen complemented Mekdes’s bridesmaids in blue suits from Sacino’s and sported tangerine ties along with, white Keds sneakers. They wanted the attire to be tailored & fitted, and the accessories to be kept minimal, allowing for a more polished look.

Jetsetters in love

A week prior to the Hilton Bonnet Creek ceremony, the couple actually tied the knot in Ethiopia! There, they sealed their ‘international love-story’ with a ceremony fit for a king & queen. Jet setting back to Orlando, Mekdes and Wayne incorporated their heritage and rich, cultural elements into their American wedding.

Primping & Preening

Mekdes and Wayne’s wedding day began in the morning with the ladies getting ready in the Hilton Bonnet Creek’s bridal suite. Music was filling the suite, as was laughter and anticipation! Meanwhile, the groom and his boys were performing the finishing touches on their ensembles in Sir Harry’s Lounge.

Once ready, the couple’s First Look took place outdoors- in perfect weather, we might add! Mekdes and Wayne walked hand-in-hand around the property, while Rhodes Studios snapped some amazing portraits.

Golden-Hour Vows

Mekdes and Wayne spoke their vows in Central Park Gardens, surrounded by family and friends. Rose petals were strewn across the aisle and filling the corners of the Altar were four floral arrangements. As guests walked into the ceremony, a guitarist strummed along with soft tunes. Our stunning bride was escorted by her brother and the nuptials were officiated by a friend of the groom. The bold, yet delicate, details of the ceremony came together in a divine palette, brightened by the golden hue of the sunset.

A lively, garden-esque Reception

While guests gathered for cocktail hour, the couple and their wedding party took photos throughout the surrounding areas of the hotel. A slideshow of the couple played throughout cocktail hour showing the couple’s love story throughout the years.

The reception embodied a lush garden that could rival Versailles. Bright tones of fuschia, orange and blue decorated the room along with, metallic accents, and natural-wood Chiavari chairs. Guests enjoyed dinner at round tables with ivory linens, orange napkins, rattan charger plates, and gorgeous high-low centerpieces.

The sweetheart table stood out from the rest with its ivory Wedding Bliss linen. The wedding party was seated at two estate tables set on either side of the sweetheart table.

The reception room was alive with a warm, amber glow courtesy of pin lights focused on the centerpieces. A custom monogram gobo lit up the cake table topped with a three-tier, semi-naked confection. The cake was decorated with fresh floral that tied into the bold color scheme of the wedding. Oh, and each layer was a different flavor- Lemon, Pina Colada, and Coconut. We can tell you, they were all delicious!

The details keep coming!

On one side of a greenery hedge wall, flowered with fresh blooms, held the guests’ escort cards via an orange ribbon. Later on in the evening, the same ribbons were used to hold favors for the guests- which were small packets of sunflower seeds saying, “Let Love Grow!” In addition to the sunflower seed packets, guests were treated to homemade rum cakes! The other side of the hedge wall was kept clean to be used as a photo-op. It’s little details like these, that make wedding days even more memorable!

A King found his Queen

Royalty was in the air as Mekdes and Wayne were introduced to the tune of Game of Thrones. Their first dance was effortless and certainly melted our hearts. They swayed around the dance floor to Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect,” featuring Beyonce.

The evening flew by without a care in the world! The toasts were fun & adorable, the cake-cutting was sweet (pun intended), and the dance moves were epic. The couple made their royal exit with a staged sparkler tunnel. With the sparkler exit photographed, guests could head back inside for more dancing and celebration. Mekdes and Wayne were inseparable the entire night and seemed to camp out on the dance floor all night!

Designing the Story

There’s nothing we love more about the planning process than digging deep into the design process and helping our couples design the story of their day. We were able to do just that for Mekdes & Wayne! We loved seeing the wedding process come to life on an incredible day filled with friends and family.

To Mekdes and Wayne,

Congratulations, to you! It was an honor to have designed and coordinated your gorgeous wedding. Best wishes on your wonderful journey as husband & wife, and as you build your new life together. May you always have love, happiness, and commitment to one another!

Much Love xoxo #peacocksquad