The Proposal

Thirteen years ago, under the glow of a bonfire, Allison and John crossed paths for the first time. What began as a simple friendship slowly deepened into something more. After dating for a while, life led them in different directions, and they parted ways on good terms. But sometimes, love has a way of finding its path again when the time is right.

Years passed, through ups and downs and life’s unpredictable twists, Allison and John’s friendship remained strong. “After several years had passed we revisited our relationship. We have seen each other through ups and downs and relationships with other people but our friendship remained solid and that grew into our love and commitment we have now.” When the timing was finally right, they knew their story was meant to last.

For them, the moment of saying “yes” felt like, deep in their hearts, they were exactly where they were meant to be. “It was a feeling that all was right in the world,” Allison recalls. “A sense of calmness mixed with joy.” It’s the kind of moment that’s hard to describe, but they both knew it in their hearts.

The Wedding

From the start, they knew they wanted a micro wedding, something intimate and deeply personal. Planning was effortless as every choice they made felt right. The Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens in Port Orange, a place they had visited before, became the perfect backdrop for their vows. Their reception lunch at Norwoods in New Smyrna Beach was the very place where they had their first date nine years earlier. Every detail of the day felt meaningful and authentic, from ordering their wedding attire online to DIYing the rest.

Their ceremony was a beautiful reflection of their family, made even more special by their 6-year-old son, John’s stepson, who participated in a lock and key ceremony to make their promises to one another.

Not everything went exactly as expected, though, and that’s what made it even more memorable. “Our wedding day was warmer than expected so when we arrived at our reception lunch everyone was thirsty. As we were waiting on water glasses, John grabbed a carafe of water and chugged it down all at once. Our photographer captured this funny moment perfectly.” It must be a perfect memory of the lighthearted joy that filled their day. “The whole day itself was so filled with joy, ease and happiness from everyone,” Allison adds, remembering the easy-going vibe that made it all so special.

Life After "I Do"

Marriage, they’ve found, isn’t just about love, it’s about partnership. “We have felt that being married changed the way we approach every task.” Allison shares. “It strengthened our commitment to each other and building our life and family.” Through every decision and challenge, they move forward as a team, knowing they are always by each other’s side.

Love in Three Words

For Allison, their love is: “Deep, fun, strong.” A love that is filled with laughter, adventure and an unbreakable connection.

Advice for Future Brides & Grooms

Wedding planning can be overwhelming, with expectations and comparisons at every turn. But Allison’s advice is simple and comes from the heart: “Be authentic to yourselves. There is a lot of comparison and ‘shoulds’ when it comes to wedding planning, but if you make choices based on what feels best for your relationship, you can't do wrong.” 

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. It’s a refreshing reminder to stay true to what matters most: the two of you and the love you’re celebrating together.