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Real Weddings – Shannon Wiessner and Christopher Kelly

At Dubsdread Catering we love being dedicated members of the team that makes your big day your best day. While we are masters at the planning and executing the behind-the-scenes work, we know our clients have their own unique perspective on their event. We thank recent Morgan Randazzo and Christopher Shaw for graciously sharing their experience to benefit others.

BRIDE AND GROOM: Shannon Wiessner and Christopher Kelly
WEDDING DATE: March 20, 2021
VENUE: The Historic Dubsdread Ballroom
EVENT COORDINATOR: David Osmola, Senior Wedding & Event Coordinator

VENDORS:
Photographer: Southern Honeybee Photography 
Florist: Linens & Flowers Design 
DJ: Our DJ Rocks 
Dessert: 4R Specialty Cakes 

ONE YEAR OUT:

How/where did you get engaged? 
We got engaged on June 17,2019 at Epcot in front of the fountain that is no longer there where you can see Spaceship Earth in the background. Two weeks prior, we had moved to the area from New York and had just gotten back on a week-long cruise. Chris asked if I wanted to take pictures with the photo pass which I had always wanted to do. We were taking the pictures then he started to shift his position and the next thing I knew he was down on one knee. I was not expecting it all and was a complete surprise. 

What are you most excited about for your wedding day?
I am most excited to finally be married and celebrate the day with the most important people in my life. My fiancé is most excited to see me in my wedding dress walking down the aisle for the first time.

What aspect are you excited to plan the most? (Ceremony, Food & Beverages, Photographer, DJ)
We are most excited to plan our food and beverage menu along with finding the perfect DJ to bring the night together.

FOUR MONTHS OUT:

How do you feel the planning is going? 
Since we are getting into the final months of planning it is getting a little stressful, but we are reminding ourselves that this is supposed to be a fun and exciting day. We booked all the large aspects – venue, catering, DJ, and photographer – early on so that makes everything at this point a lot easier. It's all the small little details right now that need to be sorted out. 

What have you found to be more difficult than you expected? 
Honestly, what I was surprised to find being more difficult is picking out wedding invitations. There are just so many options out there and then there are all the pieces that go with it, not just the invite, but the extra cards and additional pieces to consider. It was completely overwhelming.

What has been more fun about the process than you expected?
For me, I would say the day I found my wedding dress was more fun than I expected it to be. My fiancé would say anything food related to the wedding day.

WEDDING DAY:

What was the best, most memorable part of your big day? 
Best moment of my day for both Chris and I was the ceremony. I was walking towards the ceremony area right before I walked down the aisle and really took in the moment and noticed as many faces as I could and realized how loved both Chris and I were. As I got to the aisle to begin my walk, I saw my soon-to-be husband waiting for me and that is when it really hit me that I was marrying the love of my life. The ceremony was short and sweet the way we wanted but we felt so much love and it was exactly what we wanted. We will forever remember that time.

If you could change one or two things about your event, what would they be? 
Don’t stress so much! I stressed over the smallest things, and it really made me upset. No one is going to notice most of those things anyway. Also, you do not need crazy large decor or crazy cakes. Just do what you want and not what others want as this is truly your day. I also would have started getting ready earlier, I felt like I was racing the clock the last few moments getting dressed and getting to the venue on time. Take an extra half hour for those pictures at your home/hotel so you won’t be in a rush. 

Is there any advice you would give other couples planning their event that you wish someone had told you? 
I was constantly told by friends this was our day and I knew that, but I cared so much about others’ opinions, and it stressed me out. It took me to the last month of planning to really be on the mindset that this is our day and that’s when things felt easier. This is a day you will never forget and is so special, so make it special to you and your significant other. Also, just serve the most amazing food and great drinks and everyone will be so happy.

 Photos courtesy of the bride and Francine Castro Photography.

When you book a wedding with Dubsdread Catering at one of our exclusive venues, we provide wedding coordination at no additional charge. Our coordinators become dedicated members of your team bringing experience and expertise to help you execute your vision. Contact them today via our Contact Us page to make our team your team in making your dreams come true.