Non-traditional wedding with old Hollywood flavor after pandemic civil ceremony in Orlando, Florida

Real Weddings: Earlene & Gene

Getting married in a year when there’s a global pandemic forces brides and grooms to be a bit unconventional. This worked out perfectly for Earlene and Gene, who sought to have a non-traditional wedding in the first place. “We wanted it to be very us,” Earlene said. Something else that could be seen as the silver lining in times like these? Getting to have two or more celebrations, which is what many couples are opting for in the wake of Covid. Earlene, a pharmacist, and Gene split their wedding events, having their ceremony in May of 2020, attended by seven guests, and then having a reception in June, with 60 guests. Gene, a senior manager of social responsibility, is also the founder of a non-profit community organization called Route 7 in Orlando, which seeks to unite and rally Black men to promote growth within their community. He met Earlene while the two attended University of Florida. And while weather derailed Gene’s original hot air balloon ride proposal plan, he put his plan B into gear and got his “yes” from a joy-filled Earlene after a morning boat trip, lunch out, then a celebratory dinner for their dating anniversary.

Wedding Details

LOCATION: Orlando, FL

TIME OF YEAR: Spring

WEDDING STYLE: unique, old Hollywood, memorable

CEREMONY: Saint Mark AME Church

RECEPTION: The Acre Orlando

MENU: Welcome cocktails of French 75 were presented, then passed hors d’oeuvres of dates stuffed with honeyed goat cheese and chorizo, beef tenderloin brochettes with baby potato and gorgonzola cream sauce, and grilled chorizo-and-shrimp skewers with sherry oregano marinade; displayed hor d’oeuvres of BBQ pulled pork atop corn cakes with tangy slaw served in palm bowls, and mini beef empanadas with roasted jalapeno-cilantro sour cream; beverages included flavored water station, gourmet coffee station and stocked bar

DESSERT: cake, mini chai and buttercream cupcakes

INSPIRATION: the bride was inspired by old Hollywood icons, specifically Audrey Hepburn and her iconic pink Givenchy ensemble from her feature on the cover of Vogue

SPECIAL FEATURES: the bride and groom entered their reception via a Soul Train line composed of their guests; a gourmet coffee station with Jamaican blue mountain coffee in honor of the bride’s late Jamaican father; a Jenga game served as the guest book; favors were shot glasses and stemless wineglasses

HONEYMOON: postponed due to Covid; the couple had a minimoon in Longboat Key, FL

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