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Real Weddings – Chelsea Yarnell and Drew Fahrenback

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 bride Chelsea Yarnell for graciously sharing her experience to benefit others.

BRIDE AND GROOM: Chelsea Yarnell and Drew Fahrenback

WEDDING DATE: August 8, 2021

VENUE: The Highland Manor

EVENT COORDINATOR: Bonny Bailey-Fink, Senior Wedding & Event Coordinator

VENDORS: 

Photographer: Jamie Leigh Photography 

DJ/Video Services: MissingLink Entertainment 

Dessert: Publix 

ONE YEAR OUT

How/where did you get engaged?

We got engaged at the University of Central Florida Arboretum. Our first date was a picnic at that location almost two years before, so it seemed only fitting to get engaged there! 

What are you most excited about for your wedding day?

We are most excited to be surrounded by family and friends. Sure, our wedding might be a celebration of our love for each other, but it's an opportunity to celebrate the love of all of our friends and family that have helped us grow into the people we are today.

What aspect are you excited to plan the most? (Ceremony, Food & Beverages, Photographer, DJ)

I think that we're equal parts excited and apprehensive about planning all aspects of the wedding, though I think planning the ceremony is going to be the most fun. We want it to be beautiful, but at the same time incorporate some things that are special to us. For example, we plan on having bouquets and flowers made from the pages of some of our favorite books.

A FEW MONTHS OUT

How do you feel the planning is going?

I feel like it's going surprisingly smooth. We've certainly had a few hiccups, but right now, most of the planning is done and we are just waiting for our guests to RSVP so that we can put the finishing touches on everything.

What have you found to be more difficult than you expected?

The waiting has been super difficult. Waiting for simple things like invitations to arrive in the mail and then waiting for our guests to RSVP. Then, of course, there's waiting for the big day to actually get here. I thought I would be much more overwhelmed with planning and decorating than I actually am right now (which is both a blessing and a curse), so sitting idly has not done me well.

What has been more fun about the process than you expected?

It has been really fun spending time with our families as well as the two of us working together on decorations and plans. Not only have we gotten to know each other better through the process, but we have also gotten to know each other’s families better too.

WEDDING DAY

What was the best, most memorable part of your big day?

Walking into the reception and getting to properly see all of the people who came to celebrate our big day! Seeing all those smiling faces surrounded by all of the things we had worked so hard to put together, it was just great. And knowing we would get to eat and dance and party the night away with all of those friends and family? That made it all the better.

If you could change one or two things about your event, what would they be? 

Honestly, everything was as perfect as it could possibly be. We had a Sunday wedding, so I wish we had done our ceremony and reception a little bit earlier so that people could have stayed for the full event. Many people left halfway through the reception because they had work, school, or other obligations for Monday morning, which was completely understandable. I just wish I had taken that into account when we were scheduling everything. Otherwise, everything was amazing.

Is there any advice you would give other couples planning their event that you wish someone had told you?

I think the biggest thing I wish I had taken more into consideration was that yes, it certainly is about family, traditions, and memories, but ultimately, it should be a day to celebrate hope for your future together. Just focus on yourselves and what makes you happy and satisfied, because you're creating your own family unit on your wedding day that will carry you into the future. In that sense, things said, opinions expressed, and any stupid family stuff leading up to it, well, I wish I would have put my foot down more and just said, “Stop, it’s not your day.” My wonderful husband reminded me of that on our wedding day, so when my mother complained about my tattoos showing in photos or how short I had cut my hair, I turned to her and told her to stop. Drawing that line truly made it our day, we were happy with everything, and that was the most important thing.

Photos courtesy of the bride and Jamie Leigh 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.