Photo: Sawyer Baird Photography
Delaine Wingfield and Michael Williams were set up on their first date by her cousin and his best friend in June of 2008. They met at a local IHOP restaurant, and although Michael tried, the two didn’t connect again after that first meal. Nearly four years later, on New Year’s Eve in 2011, Delanie and Michael both found themselves at the wedding of the couple that first introduced them. After Delaine reintroduced herself, the two hit it off and Michael wasted no time in asking her on a second date the very next day.
Three years later (to the day!), Michael proposed to Delaine at the St. Petersburg pier on New Year’s Eve of 2014. The bride-to-be had already been dreaming of her wedding day for quite some time, so with the help of Royal Events & Services, this couple created their dream classic Southern wedding with a touch of glamour. Take a look at the gorgeous details of their October 4, 2015, wedding at The Lange Farm in Dade City, Florida, as photographed by Sawyer Baird Photography.
Just two days after getting engaged, this bride said “yes” to her form fitting lace wedding dress by Maggie Sottero. “My mom got teary eyed and the rest is history,” Delaine says. She also chose an incredible lace bolero made from the same delicate fabric as her dress. “It wasn’t ready until two days before the wedding. I was so stressed out. Kudos to the team at the bridal salon for saving the day!”
Her bouquet featured a mix of roses, anemones, dahlias, and succulents. A piece of fabric from the mother-of-the-bride’s own wedding dress was wrapped around the stem of her bouquet, adding the perfect sentimental touch.
Michael wore a three piece navy suit paired with a gray bow tie and gun metal cufflinks. The final touch to his look was a rose gold Fossil watch, gifted to him by the bride on the morning of the wedding.
The bridesmaids’ Belsoie dresses had lace v-neck bodices that were paired with flowing silk chiffon skirts. “I really wanted it to look like the girls were floating as they walked down the aisle,” Delanie says. The groomsmen coordinated with Michael in dark navy suits with gray ties and brown wingtip shoes.
When the ceremony began, the couples’ parents and grandparents walked down the lengthy aisle to “Ribbon in the Sky” by Stevie Wonder. The bridal party then made an entrance as “We Can Take the World” by Johnny Swim played. Finally, as a live singer began performing “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri, all eyes were on Delaine. “I wanted a dramatic walk,” she says. In order to include the two important men in her life, the bride asked her step father to escort her halfway down the aisle, where her father was waiting to walk her to the altar.
Once there, the duo exchanged traditional wedding vows. “We felt like the traditional vows summed up the covenant of marriage more deeply than we could have articulated ourselves,” the bride says. “We wanted our wedding day to be a reflection of our faith.”
At the reception, round and rectangular tables with white linens and gold sparkly table runners filled the room. Crystal chandelier centerpieces ranged in height from table to table and were topped with spheres of stunning ivory and burgundy flowers.
A DJ and live band kept guests on the dance floor all night. Because the bride and groom wanted to show their grandparents just how much they mean to each of them, Delaine shared her first dance of the night with her grandfather while Michael asked his grandmother to join him for a twirl. Then, attendees watched the happy couple share their own first dance to “Stay With You” by John Legend.
Photo: Sawyer Baird Photography
For dinner, there was no shortage of gourmet southern food including favorites like baked mac and cheese, fried chicken, cornbread, and biscuits. Attendees also enjoyed red velvet and key lime cake baked by Velvet Rose Cake Boutique.
Photo: Sawyer Baird Photography
All in all, some of the bride’s favorite memories of her wedding come from gathering all her loved ones together. Since it rained on the big day, the venue tried to move the ceremony indoors at the last minute. Luckily, the mother of the bride had her daughter’s back and stepped in to save the day. “My mother bolted out of the bridal suite and went a bit Momzilla, I love her for it!’ Delaine says. “I can’t get over feeling so loved by my family and friends.”
Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Lange Farm || Wedding Planner & : Royal Events & Services || Bride’s Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero, purchased at CC’s Boutique || Shoes: Badgley Mischka || Makeup: Lydia Dawn Makeup Artistry || Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Belsoie || Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse || Invitations: Papered Wonders || Music: DJ Earl || Catering: Simply Southern Catering || Cake: Velvet Rose Boutique || Rentals: Chair Affair Rentals || Photographer: Sawyer Baird Photography
Did you love this couple’s wedding day? Then check out another Florida celebration in the video below.