4.20.18
Photography by Lauren Morris of Photography & Design by Lauren
OUR STORY
How we met.
We met at a bar called Uptown Larry’s in Fort Myers, Florida. Phil was born and raised in Fort Myers, and I lived there while attending Florida Gulf Coast University and for a few years afterward. We were each “wingmen” to our friends who were meeting up that night at Larry’s, and we hit it off so well that we stayed in touch and hung out every now and then, but our job and school schedules were completely opposite of each other. I worked at a Hyatt at the time as the evening shift lead and full time at FGCU, and Phil worked at FedEx and UPS starting at 4 a.m., so there were not a lot of chances for us to spend time together. Fast forward to after graduation and I had a lot more free time, and Phil got a new job at 84 Lumber, so we started to see more and more of each other to really start dating officially.
Our first date.
We went to the Naples Zoo. I had a rare afternoon off on a Sunday, and we had so much fun. We fed the giraffes and rode the boat for the tour of the monkey islands and had a blast all day. We still love going to zoos together and do our best to visit the zoo in any city that we visit on vacation (the few and far between times that I’m able to have time off to travel!). Phil says he “remembers going to the zoo one afternoon and that I had so much fun and we went to dinner – or maybe you cooked for me?”
Our engagement story.
It was a few days after Christmas, and I was working in the morning at Huber’s Plantation Hall (at Huber’s Orchard, Winery & Vineyards, which Allie’s family owns). I took the afternoon off. It was a really nice day for late December. Lots of sunshine. So, I came home and Phil was all antsy and in a jittery mood, saying he wanted to go back out to the farm to get a picture in the vineyards for his mom. I was a little skeptical because who wants to take a picture in some dead vines for their mom? And he was acting all weird, so I kind of got a hint of what he was up to and took my time getting ready, curling my hair, doing my makeup and picking out a cute outfit – just in case! It turns out I was right. Phil remembers being very nervous and sweating a lot for it being December. He chose the location because he thought it was very romantic and it would be a place that we could always revisit. It was the blackberry patch where the wooden post walkways between the rows are, which is where I have always wanted to have professional photography pictures taken. But we didn’t do an engagement photo session, so we’ll save it for another life achievement.
Our wedding day memories.
For Phil, the best memory from our wedding day was having all of his friends and family come to Southern Indiana for the first time to visit and see our new life up here, and it was very important for me to have them all here as well. It’s so hard to explain Huber’s Orchard, Winery & Vineyards to people who have never been here, and they were all very much impressed. We had everyone visiting from Florida out for a wine tasting and tour of the entire farm before our rehearsal. It was so fun to have our worlds combined like that. Phil said he will always remember our first look in the peach orchard and thought that was a very nice location with the trees blooming on our wedding day, and how pretty I was in my wedding dress.
I will always remember the love, support, and (of course) attention I received as a bride. We have such a wonderful group of friends and all of our family there to celebrate with us. It is really hard to put into words how much it meant to us to have all of that pouring in on one day. I think my most memorable moments are from the ceremony when I walked through the doors with my dad and was overwhelmed by all the love and smiles and happiness for us. Exchanging vows, rings and promising to love each other and be there for one another every day for the rest of our days is obviously something you aren’t going to forget very soon.
VENDORS
Wedding Venue: St. John’s Catholic Church in Starlight
Reception Venue: Huber’s Plantation Hall
Officiant: Father Winifred “Sonny” Day
Photographer: Lauren Morris of Photography & Design by Lauren
Dress: Laurel Wreath Bridal
Bride’s earrings: Koerber’s Fine Jewelry
Rings: Engagement Ring from Shane Co.; Wedding Bands from Koerber’s Fine Jewelry
Other accessories: Bride’s grandmother’s bracelet and father’s wedding band
Hair Stylist: Suzanne Motsinger and Shelby VanArsdale from Hair, Nails & More
Makeup: Angie Maxwell
Groom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse, Black by Vera Wang
Décor: Nance Events and Huber’s Plantation Hall
Flowers: Nance Floral Shoppe
Invitations: The Funky Olive (an Etsy Shop)
Catering: Huber’s Plantation Hall
Cake: Adrienne & Co.
Music: Endless Summer Band
Acknowledgment from the bride: “I have known Debbie Adams at Huber’s Plantation Hall my entire life. She is a staple of what the farm represents to ourselves, as well as the community. Debbie is a very committed and hardworking woman, and I know for a fact my wedding (and honeymoon – she covered my responsibilities while I was off) would not have been half of what it was without her helping and guiding hand. Almost everything I know and have learned about managing events comes from Debbie, and I want to take the opportunity to thank her for all that she’s done for me personally, as well as my family and our brand.”
