1. Real Weddings

A Sophisticated Garden-Themed Wedding at the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando, Florida

Shayna Goldman, 27, manager and social media marketing director for Daniella Ortiz Designs and Nick Wacker, 32, a deputy sheriff, exchanged vows at th

Shayna Goldman, 27, manager and social media marketing director for Daniella Ortiz Designs and Nick Wacker, 32, a deputy sheriff, exchanged vows at the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando, Florida. They wanted a fairytale garden-themed wedding and completed the look with a lush color scheme of pink and ivory with crystal and gold accents. “Our theme fell into place when I saw a figurine of two pink lovebirds in our florist’s studio,” Shayna says. “They were small, a little bit chubby and nestled up against each other–it made me smile and reminded me of Nick and I when we sit down next to each other.”

Nick gave Shayna a cushion-cut engagement ring while he wore a black band with a beveled finish. The bride also wore a pinky ring, her childhood best friend’s birthstone, which was given to Shayna as a gift before her friend lost her battle to cancer when they were 14. “It was extremely special to me,” Shayna says.
“I wanted comfort with a lot of height,” Shayna says. The bride wore ivory heels with crystal embellishment.
The bride wore her hair up in a simple low bun with a side sweep for the ceremony, and wore it down in loose curls and a The bride wore her hair up in a simple low bun with a side sweep for the ceremony, and wore it down in loose curls and a teased crown for the reception. For her makeup, Shayna wanted to look like herself with a little added drama, so she went with a subtle smoky eye with a bright pink lip. “I felt like me, but still looked classic,” she says
For a little twist during the ceremony (and to feel like a princess!), Shayna added a detachable, full-length Monique Lhuiller tulle and lace skirt to her Inbal Dror fitted gown. “There was so much detail from the pearl buttons, the scalloped lace finish on the sleeves, the blush lining underneath the ivory lace,” the bride says. “It was magical.” She added a little sparkle with a cathedral-length tulle veil adorned with Swarovski crystals
“I didn’t want your typical rose bouquet,” Shayna says. “I wanted it to be big and fluffy.” She carried a loose round bouquet with pink peonies, white miniature calla lilies, white sweet peas, pink dahlias, pink ranunculus and champagne roses accented with ivy and wrapped in an ivory satin ribbon.
The bridesmaids wore gray, beaded Basixx black couture short cocktail dress with a three-quarter length sleeve, boat neck and flared bottom. “It had an Audrey Hepburn meets Carrie Bradshaw feel,” Shayna says. “That’s what I loved about it.”
Originally, the ceremony was supposed to be outside, but, due to weather, they had to pull it inside. Despite the last-minute change, the ceremony was decorated with ivory drapery, amber lighting and lush flowers with lit pillar candles framing the aisle.
The chuppah was borrowed from the bride’s aunt whom had it handmade in Budapest. “We hope that this chuppah will now become a family tradition,” Shayna says.
The chuppah was decorated with natural branches, ivy vines, pink roses, white hydrangea and crystals.
The flower girl wore a 10-layer gray tulle empire waist dress with a crochet top adorned with a large silk flower, which was custom made from Etsy.
The flower girl carried a basket with wedding dress pieces sewn onto the top from three generations, and she threw ivory and pink rose petals.
Shayna and Nick met on St. Patrick’s Day through a mutual friend when they were both invited on a pub crawl.
“Our reception décor was designed to feel like an enchanted forest,” Shayna says. The room was lit with a warm pink amber color and the chandeliers were dimmed to create a romantic feel from the candles.
The centerpieces on the round tables were six-foot moss-covered structures made of tree branches embellished with fresh greens, ivy, hanging crystals, votives and nests of pink lovebirds.
Hanging from the six-foot tree-like structures were vases of pink and white roses, votive candles and crystal garland.
For the family-style tables the centerpieces were birch tree trunks covered in moss and ivy with glass bowls of floating candles.
“The Christmas after we got engaged Nick surprised me with a new cell phone and told me we were on a family plan together now,” Shayna says. “There was a note inside the box that said, ‘Go to iTunes and hit play.’ There was only one song on the entire list. I, of course, started crying when I heard it because the words are so beautiful and real.” The newlyweds danced to “Tangled Up in You” by Aaron Lewis.
Shayna and Nick enjoyed a five-tiered fondant cake altering between ivory and gold with the top tier displaying the couple’s monogram and topped with two white lovebirds.
“Since we were all here on the property, but still wanted a grand exit, we got a little creative,” Shayna says. The couple exited down the grand staircase leading to the golf course while guests held four-foot sparklers making a pathway. The couple drove a golf cart around the property before returning to the party.
They newlyweds exited to a golf cart with a big Just Married sign attached to the back. “Nick and I got to enjoy a few moments alone and got to see the beautiful property at night while still being able to enjoy the rest of the night with our guests,” Shayna says.
Guests went home with custom-labeled miniature bottles of pink champagne. They were displayed on a table outside the Grand Ballroom around a magnum champagne bottle with a crystal “W” on it.