Summer House on the Lake

Rehearsal Dinner

Paradise Cove

Wedding Day

Ceremony + Reception

Spring

Our Wedding

You have an accent... - Emma O'Neil, June 17th 2023. Those were the first romantic words Emma said to John. Like every good love story, they met at a bar. John's friend offered Emma and her friend drinks (Banana Shots... how Florida) using John's credit card. Cheers Jimmy! ;) Mr Banana Shots shot his shot that night but missed. Emma was more interested in getting to know the man with the British accent and the credit card. Luckily John was also interested in her and together they danced the night away. Emma and John hung out every day for the next week, going on cute dates and adventures. John even met Emma's brother, Liam. Things were moving quickly, and they didn't slow down. The happy couple had one immediate problem. Emma had just finished college and had to move back to Minnesota at the end of the week. The relationship changed to daily Facetime calls across the country, until John decided to fly to Minnesota for a casual 2-week visit, staying with Emma while she house-sat for a friend. Emma and John quickly realized they wanted more time together, and 2 weeks wasn't enough. Luckily, the universe was on their side, as Emma was offered a job back in St Petersburg. A few weeks later, John flew to Tennessee to meet Emma halfway so he could drive her across the USA to live with him temporarily... ...she never left. Fast-forward past many trips, adventures, and fun times together, in November 2024, John took Emma back to her favorite Key West resort for a surprise proposal. If that wasn't enough, Emma's friends flew in from New York, St Pete, Canada, and England to make the proposal extra special. They have since made the exciting move of buying a house in sunny St Petersburg and are excitedly planning the rest of their lives together. We can't wait for a wedding with all our family and favorite people in one place for the happiest celebration of our lives!

Our Story

Photos

Lindsey and Emma met freshman year of college. They share many memories throughout their four years, including many themed parties in the apartment they shared both junior and senior year of school. Now, Lindsey is working as a registered nurse in New York City where Emma is lucky to visit often! 

Lindsey Greenman 

Since Emma met Molly, she has watched her grow from a college freshman into a woman that literally brings babies into the world working as a labor and delivery nurse in Calgary, Canada. Emma suspects she is able to thrive in the cold climate due to her warm and generous heart.  

Molly Blake 

A friendship that started in the women's bathroom of a bar, the relationship between Emma & Yazzy answers the age old question of why women take so long in the bathroom - they are meeting their future best friends! Yazzy and Emma now spend many weekends doing things Florida girls love to do, chillin on the beach and enjoying the sun. 

Yasmine Diakite

Rachael & Emma first met the day they moved in together in St. Pete, and were inseparable for the year they spent doing their Dietetic Internship. Ending the totally NOT codependent relationship was tough, but now Rachael is thriving working as a Dietitian in San Diego, CA.

Rachael Brunsworth 

Emma Freeman has a beautiful name, beautiful daughter, and a beautiful heart. The original Emma Freeman from the Freeman clan, John's sister makes motherhood look effortless as the mother to John's niece, Mila, We are sure that John is very excited to answer to not one, but TWO Emma Freemans in the near future. 

Emma (Jayne) Freeman 

Mariel is another one of Emma's Saint Petersburg friends she met her first year in Florida. Luckily, Mariel is here to stay as both Emma & Mariel now have homes in Florida! Emma is honestly just trying to copy everything Mariel does, from buying a house to getting married!  (Maybe getting cats one day too?) 

Mariel Santos 

John met Scott when they started college in September 2007 and have been the bestest of boyfriends ever since. This was also the same month Halo 3 was released, so that was a pretty big month for the boys. Scott's calm, introverted, and non-chaotic personality always puts John at ease, so, naturally, Scott was the obvious choice to be by John's side as the Best Man. 

(For anyone that doesn't know Scott yet, he is the opposite of the above description, but John wouldn't have him any other way.)

Scott Rose

Dave and John have been best buds since meeting in college. They had a shared love of music, the Call of Duty and Metal Gear Solid video games, and having big emo flaps for a haircut back in the day. Even bigger than their hair flaps were the fun times and adventures they shared together over the years.

David Morgan

Chris met John in 2016 while Chris was visiting the London office from Florida where he worked for the same company. An employer wasn't the only thing they shared on the day they met, as they even shared a hotel bed same night! Nothing romantic happened, of course, but it did lead to the birth of a beautiful friendship and the creation of many wonderful memories along the way.

Chris Philips

Only one of the nicest people you will ever meet on this planet. Tech nerd, gamer, HUGE heart, owner of samurai swords. John met Laura through Chris and immediately knew she ticked all the boxes for being a beautiful soul and a great friend. Thanks to Laura and her beautiful family's kindness and open hearts, John has many amazing memories and things to be thankful for.

Laura Seletos

Emma's brother and the first of Emma's relatives that John met. This was especially scary as it was only 2 days after meeting Emma, and Liam was in town to help Emma move house. Luckily for John, Liam is an all-around awesome human. Liam also didn't talk Emma out of dating John, which seemed as good an approval as any!

Liam Oneil

Wedding Party

What time should we arrive?

Please arrive at the venue by 3:45PM to receive your welcome drink and to begin seating.

What does Tropical-Semi Casual Entail? 

Think linens, floral dresses, and button downs. The venue feels like a resort and we encourage guests to dress as such! For footwear, tasteful sandals or heels for women and closed-toed dress shoes or loafers for men (no flip-flops, John Freeman!).

Can we bring children?

This is an adult-only celebration. There will be plenty of childish behaviour from our friends and family, which unfortunately leaves no space for real children. Sorry!

What time does the wedding finish?

The Grand Exit will be at 10PM.

Where is the afterparty?!

For anyone wanting to continue the party with us, we have a few options to choose from: either the Sports Club or Rum Bar at the Caribe Royale Resort, or we can get a little more down and dirty at either of the Irish pubs around the corner, Kitty O'Shea's or Paddy Wagon's.

What's for dinner?

Dinner will be buffet-style, and service will begin at 6PM. Appetizers:ISLAND CHICKEN KABOBS (Mushroom options available for vegan guests)glazed with a pineapple whiskey sauce CHICKEN EMPANADASDelicious stuffed pastry filled with chicken and vegetables offered with our cilantro aioli dipping sauce CHIMICHURRI SKEWERSjuicy grilled steak skewers drizzled with a savory chimichurri sauce Entrees:CARIBBEAN JERK CHICKEN (GF)chicken quartered with thighs marinated in traditional jerk seasonings. Grilled and topped with a mango salsa. PIG ROAST CARVING STATION (GF)offered with hawaiian rolls and butter with your choice of two sauces. CAULIFLOWER STEAKtopped with mushroom and onions | Finished with a Marsala wine Side Dishes:FRIED YUCAseasoned to perfection and fried until they reach the ideal crunch. Served with cilantro aioli. SPANISH STYLE YELLOW RICE WITH BLACK BEANS ROASTED BROCCOLI (GF)broccoli florets roasted then tossed in olive oil, minced garlic, and fresh herbs CITRUS SALADSpring mix salad with cranberries, wedged mandarins, candied walnuts, and croutons with a Raspberry Vinaigrette (croutons and nuts served on the side) Deserts:Wedding Cake will be served S'mores (available for everyone at the fire pit, located on the beach)

Timeline and Q + A

ACCOMODATION

Feel free to book any hotel local to Paradise Cove, Orlando. We are in the heart of the Disney area, so there is no shortage of places to stay! Here's the Google Maps link for the wedding venue:<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/8DMA1G6bb5m5qoLZ6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://maps.app.goo.gl/8DMA1G6bb5m5qoLZ6</a>

HOTEL ROOM BLOCKS

We are also in the process of securing hotel room blocks with discounted rates. Details below!

$139.00 Standard Rooms Rates&nbsp;-&nbsp;one king bed or two queen-sized beds. Guests may extend their stay and enjoy the same group rate up to three nights before and after wedding block dates This room block includes a waived $30 resort fee and waived $20 parking fee. Please do not be alarmed seeing the rate being higher, if you select the little “i” icon next to the Freeman Wedding Party it reflects these waived fees. Please note that you will not be charged until check-in. Additionally, this hotel will include a free shuttle to and from the venue. LINK: <a href="https://www.ihg.com/redirect?path=asearch&amp;brandCode=RS&amp;localeCode=en&amp;regionCode=1&amp;hotelCode=DISBV&amp;checkInDate=27&amp;checkInMonthYear=012026&amp;checkOutDate=01&amp;checkOutMonthYear=022026&amp;rateCode=6CBARC&amp;_PMID=99801505&amp;GPC=FWD&amp;cn=no&amp;adjustMonth=false&amp;showApp=true&amp;monthIndex=00" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FREEMAN WEDDING PARTY </a> OR CALL &amp; use code "FWD" to book a reservation

Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Lake Buena Vista by IHG

This hotel Includes: Free Appetizer valued at $12 - NEW Resort Credit - NEW&nbsp;$10 daily resort credit Disney Shuttle Transportation&nbsp;Scheduled transportation to and from Walt Disney Theme Parks, Disney Springs®, Epcot®, Hollywood Studios®&nbsp;&nbsp;Magic Kingdom® , Universal Studios® and Sea World® Amenities&nbsp;Access to all the Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort and Spa amenities including the health club, two resort pools, jacuzzi, recreational games and equipment summer pool activities, Lounge Chairs, Umbrellas and Pool LINK: <a href="https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1754938241326&amp;key=GRP&amp;app=resvlink" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">O'Neil/Freeman Wedding </a>

The Sheraton Lake Buena Vista 

Travel

Does this activity even warrant an explanation? Disney World is literally the "Happiest Place on Earth" and comes highly recommended from the wedding couple who are also annual passholders. They have a laundry list of recommended rides &amp; restaurants, so do not hesitate to reach out for recommendations! One thing is for sure, the nightly firework show at Magic Kingdom is a must!

Walt Disney World

Shopping, eats, and Disney merch without the cost of a day pass? Yes please! Disney springs has a wide variety of restaurants, stores and shopping with the cleanliness and attention to detail that feels less like a shopping center and more like a Disney park. Check out Raglan Road for some incredible Irish pub food or wait in an inevitable line for some huge &amp; delicious cookies from Gideon's bakehouse.

Disney Springs

Disney's more action-packed rival, Universal Studios is coming in hot as another activity. Universal Studios boasts the Wizarding World of Harry Potter as well as more thrilling roller coasters for those that love adventure. Universal Studios recently opened Epic Universe, a new theme park almost double the size of the other two combined, with a brand-new Nintendo World and additional How to Train Your Dragon and Harry Potter areas.

Universal Studios Florida

All-inclusive resort with animal encounters, snorkeling, a lazy river, and chill pools; this option is great for animal lovers offering up-close encounters, swimming with dolphins, and snorkeling options with fish. Unlimited snacks &amp; non-alcoholic drinks are available along with a lazy river and lounge chairs to provide the ultimate relaxation experience.

Discovery Cove

Swim or relax in the natural spring, or rent some kayaks/paddleboards to paddle down the river. Enjoy some time in nature with birds, bears, turtles, otters, and 'GATORS, or simply paddle down to Wekiwa Island for beers/drinks, lawn games, and a restaurant serving great food for carnivores and herbivores!

Wekiwa Springs State Park