Photos: Christopher Huston Photography

"Christopher was wonderful! He was very patient yet efficient, on time, worked within a small ceremony space, was a ton of fun, and remembered all the names of our family and friends – I can’t say enough about how impressed with were with him, his beautiful photos, and his professional style. Being in the wedding business since 1997, I could have chosen many talented photographers – but I am so happy I chose Chris for our special day!"

Riana's daugther, Stephana Ferrell of Sona Photography/Orlando Florida, also shot many of the photographs at the reception (not featured in this article of local vendors).

Hair Stylist: Ashe Stephens, Esthetica Salon

"Ashe was a hairstylist recommended to me when I wanted a hair color correction. Immediately we hit it off, and she bent over backwards to get my color right, my cut amazing, and match the hair extensions that I bought. No one could tell where my hair stopped and the extensions started. People just raved about my hair, it was so pretty, and the style lasted the whole day into the next. She came down to my room at the resort by 7am with no complaint, and even gave Jim a quick trim on the spot! I get my color done now monthly, with cuts every two months. I am very picky about my hair, because when it’s right, you feel wonderful! Ashe is really terrific!"

About Our Wedding:  Our wedding was held within the movie theater room, 7th floor, of the Flagship Resort. Riana approached Manager Victor McElroy to see if she could create an "Alter area" and romantic room that seated 35. Their theme was "Forever My Love", a piano song that Jim wrote and played for Riana often. Riana was a prior Model & Talent agent, so she loved the Broadway stage and often created productions for her own model and talent school and agency. Using a Broadway and movie theme, their wedding production included three mini-movies before the wedding, and a Broadway style music opening for the both of them.  Jim entered to the song, "It had to be You" by Harry Connick, Jr. (with big band sound) and Riana entered to the dramatic song, "Il Mondo (My World)" by Patrizid, the Italian.  The movies and the music captured the passion and romance of their 5 year courtship.  The Theater was decorated with soft, romatic candle light, white roses, tulle wrapped around mini white lights and Grecian columns.  Riana created two movie posters of her and Jim throughout their five years together, to place over the movie posters that were within the room already.  Victor loved the results and now wants to promote wedding ceremonies in the Flagship theater!

Flowers: Pocket Full of Posies, Smithville, NJ 

"Jim and I had a modest wedding budget because my daughter Stephana just got married April 2, 2011 in Orlando (featured in Jan. 2012 issue of Florida's "The Knot" magazine).  We wanted to have a small ceremony that really just brought our children, two families and a few good friends together. Bethann was very understanding of exactly what we wanted. All our children (our attendants) lived out of town, so they would not be bringing their flowers home with them. So Bethann created something simple, yet elegant for all of us. We were really pleased."

Cake: Luscious & Sweet Gourmet Bakery

"Paige did a great job in designing a simple, elegant cake – I brought her the topper, and wanted rhinestones to fit our theme. Since there were only 35 of us, two tiers was large enough. I found the base for the cake at Marshalls, and bought the serving set at Things Remembered. It all came together nicely. The filling was a lemon cake with butter cream icing – everyone loved it – and there was no waste, people took the extras home!"

Officiant: Rev. Elizabeth McGlinn – Positively Yours, Inc.  
(Ceremony written by Riana; Rev. Riana Milne of Ceremonies by the Sea, LLC) 

"Rev. Elizabeth and I have known each other since year 2000, and we began doing wedding ceremonies about the same time. We respect each other’s ceremonies – both in their delivery, the creativity of the words, and we share a similar fun and easy-going style. We will refer to each other when we are not able to take a wedding ceremony booking, knowing that a client will be in good hands. Jim and I just love Rev. Elizabeth, and she delivered my Ceremony copy with fun, flair, and sincerity!"

Their attendants: Riana had her two daughters, Alexi  and Stephana, be her Maid and Matron of Honor, with her good friend, Dr. Robin Barnett-Scott, as her Honorary Attendant. The girls wore a black cocktail dress of their choosing, and Riana wore a silver silk satin halter gown, which was embellished with crystals. Riana wore a crown of Swarovski Crystal and Pearls. Her shoes were silver sparkled sling-back pumps.

Jim had his two children, Heather and Eric, be his Best Woman and Best Man, with his dear friend, Phil, being his Honorary Attendant. The four adult children participated in the sand ceremony. Riana, who wrote their wedding Ceremony (of Ceremonies by the Sea, LLC), included a Wine Ceremony using one glass of white champagne for Jim and her to share, and also a Wine Box Ceremony; creating a yearly celebration of sharing a toast and Love Letter every Anniversary.

Riana chose Rev. Elizabeth McGlinn to officiate the ceremony she had written, and was quite honored that Rev. Elizabeth did agree, and had done such a wonderful job for them. Gifts were given to both the mothers, and Riana’s and Jim’s sisters (Bobbi Milne and Cindy Zuk) read for them, as well as did her brother and his wife (Jack and Laurie Milne). Charles Ferrell, Riana’s step-son, Alexi's boyfriend Rick and her nephew Troy Milne also helped with music, production, announcing and other details.  All four of Jim and Riana's children helped throughout the Rehearsal dinner and entire wedding day.  This was truly a wonderful family event!

Table Favors: Everyone loved our table favors. I searched all over to find something to fit our theme of black and silver,and either something to tie in with the sand or wine ceremony. I found these wonderful Murano Italian glass – heart shaped wine bottle stoppers in black and metallic silver from favorfavor.com. They came in an ivory satin lined box with a sheer ribbon and gift card. There was no minimum order, and they cost only $2.49 each! What a great favor!

I also ordered custom M&M’s with our names, date, For Ever My Love, and our photo on them – everyone got a kick out of them. They were bagged in a chiffon tie-bag, and I added a heart shaped crystal to decorate. Black and crystal candles (ZGallerie.com), white roses and petals also decorated the tables. Our crystal and silver champagne set was ordered from Things Remembered.

First Dance:  Our first dance was to the song, "Contigo Aprendi" by Luis Miquel.  This was the very first song Jim heard playing when he entered my home for the first time and said, "This feels like paradise."  Then, off the cuff, we started dancing to this song and we haven't stopped dancing together yet!

DJ: Since this was a small, family wedding, they didn't see the need to hire a DJ. Since Riana has a large music collection from having a Romantic Talk Radio show at one time, she suggested they put together a play list/CD's with their favorite Love songs, from around the world; spanning from the 50's to current times. Five CD's later, they had an incredible mix of Romanic Favorites that they continue to enjoy. "Everyone just loved the music, and it reflected our many romantic memories of the various areas around the world we have traveled together."

Video: Alliance Video Productions 

"Tom was extremely professional and easy to work with. I chose him to do our wedding video because I really loved his work that I had seen at one of the bridal shows. He and Chris worked fabulously together, to create a beautiful love story for Jim and me! I can’t wait to see the final video, and will place some of it on my web site when it is ready!" (www.RianaMilne.com ; Ceremonies by the Sea, LLC) 

Their Honeymoon took place in Cancun Mexico, at the Sun Palace Couples Resort. They had a "Blessing of the Vows" Ceremony that Riana wrote for the two of them, explaining the significant spiritual meaning behind the day of 11.11.11. Originally meant to be private and just for the two of them, much to their surprise, about 20 friends they met along the way that week chose to attend their ceremony. They had a private wedding dinner with an ocean water view and full moonlight afterwards in the resort's beautiful Italian restaurant.  The honeymoon dinner featured lobster and champagne served on the beach by moonlight the next night.

The Palace Resorts Wedding Coordinator, Mario Alberto Yam Castillo, was absolutely amazing! From the very beginning he emailed me regularly, answered my questions quickly, and accommodated all our needs. Mario checked in on us at the resort, and guided Jim and I every step of the way to ensure a perfect wedding for us! Everything was just beautiful – a perfect honeymoon in an absolutely Gorgeous resort! Jim and I became members of the Palace Resorts just last year, and we got the Royal treatment! I highly recommend this resort chain for your destination wedding or Vow ceremony, and ask for Mario for a flawless, romantic, and PERFECT wedding experience!

Honeymoon Photo Courtesy: Yaqueline Garcia Moreno of Smile Market De Mexico

Tip for Brides to Be: Make this a day that is special for both you and your Groom. Remember to share all the details together, and don't be afraid of a small budget or a day time wedding - it just takes a little more creativity! Be sure you really take the time to have a beautiful ceremony, as it sets the tone for the entire event. All our guests said they never saw such a romantic, and emotionally moving wedding! We included love letters to each other in the ceremony, which told our personal story. Our ceremony reflected who we were as individuals, and as a couple. I perform a lot of wedding ceremonies (since 1997) and what a year -- to hear my own written words at both my daughter's and my own wedding ceremony, meant the world to me! Have a beautiful day, and don't let anything, or anyone bring you down - it is truly a day of Blessing and Celebration.