If you are still twirling that new diamond around your left ring finger and smiling from the recent proposal, congratulations!! We are so excited for you! And we have a small piece of advice for you. People will soon tell you that “Your wedding day is going to be the best day of your life!” I want to tell you… I hope that it’s not. Ok, let me back up. I truly hope that your wedding is insanely beautiful, perfectly successful, and an insanely fun party. But ultimately, I hope that you will have even better days after the wedding.VIEW POST
Behind the Scenes in 2015
Personally, 2015 was an epic year for us. We rang in the new year on the freezing streets of NYC and spent all of January finishing up David’s rotation in the Big Apple. Then, on Valentine’s Day, we flew across the Atlantic to our temporary home (but forever in our hearts) Milan, Italy. We spent the Spring exploring Europe and traveling every weekend. Still can’t believe all of the countries we visited! This summer, we embarked on a three-week Western USA road trip to Utah, Nevada, and California. The Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Pacific Coast Highway, Napa. #murica. Finally, in August, we settled back into our home and life in Tampa. It was a surreal year for us. This was definitely the year of travel but of course, we still found time to get our hands on our cameras and document beautiful places and people! This is one of my favorite posts of the year – the Behind the Scenes photos of us working!
Here’s a look back at 2014 and 2013. Enjoy!
Full disclaimer: If you hire me as your wedding photographer, I will take advantage of your dance floor!
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Vendors You Should Know – Rialto Theater in Tampa
What is one thing that EVERY engaged couple needs to research, visit, discuss with the family, read online reviews, etc to find the perfect match? The venue, of course! There are so many different options for venues in Central Florida – in a church, garden, museum, beach, on a boat, under a big oak tree, or even in a beautiful refurbished building. Everyone has their own style and preferences and that’s the beauty of each unique wedding. I am so excited to share some valuable wisdom from the owners of the gorgeous, built in 1925, Rialto Theater in Tampa. When I walked through the bright blue doors for the first time recently at the Tampa Indie Flea, my jaw dropped and my eyes could not peel off of the gorgeous, gigantic arch and the surprisingly high ceiling over the stage. It is such a pretty and unexpected sight. Hope and George have a unique background and knew they were the perfect match to purchase and renovate the theater. Read below for more information about the Rialto Theater and Hope’s helpful tips to all you engaged couples.
Leah and Greg – Lake Mary Events Center Wedding
Leah and Greg, high school sweethearts, were destined to become husband and wife. Their natural, easy relationship led to a calm and joyful wedding day in October at the beautiful Lake Mary Events Center. Leah and Greg contacted me a year and a half before their wedding date. Leah was such a great planner! After having their wedding on my calendar for 18 months, I was so excited to finally document their beautiful day! A few of my favorite moments were the beautiful floral arrangements, the sweet bridesmaid gifts, the first kiss smiles, the incredible first dance on a cloud, and a night FULL of awesome dancing! Enjoy their love story.
Venue: Lake Mary Events Center
Dress: Aurora Bridal
Bouquet Florist: Blossoms Orlando
Floral Centerpieces: Florida Flowers and Orchids
DJ: Our DJ Rocks
Caterer: John Michael Events
Make Up: Kristy at Primera Salon and Spa
Getaway Car: VIP Transportation of OrlandoVIEW POST
Vendors You Should Know – Kristin – Our DJ Rocks!
Dear ladies and gents, get ready to meet one of the coolest and badass DJs in the Central Florida wedding industry! This is Kristin of Our DJ Rocks. She is the founder and Senior DJ/MC of this incredible business. I got to meet and work with Kristin and Gaby (and their signature sparkly Toms) at Leah and Greg’s wedding at the Lake Mary Events Center last weekend. I was SO excited to spend the reception with two fun, energetic female DJs (such bossbabes!). I was so impressed when Kristin got every. single. guest. out on the dance floor during the beginning of the reception. The guests were dancing all night! If you are engaged or have any need for a DJ/MC in the future, read on for some super helpful advice from this passionate wedding vendor.
Lauren and Jarrod – Downtown Sanford Engagement
When Lauren mentioned they wanted to do the second half of their engagement session at their favorite microbrewery in downtown Sanford, all I could think was “YES YES!”. Lauren and Jarrod are two of the sweetest people that I’ve had the pleasure of photographing. Their love for each other is gentle and natural. Their two personalities match perfectly. Their style is just plain awesome… those tattoos?! I love it. Lauren and Jarrod, thank you for showing me your adorable town and for allowing me to capture this special time in your life. Enjoy your year of engagement, it will go quick!
Thank you Wop’s Hops in Sanford for allowing us to shoot in your brewery. You were awesome!
2015 Holiday Mini Sessions
I am so excited to be offering Holiday Mini Sessions to couples and families in Tampa this year! These sessions are designed to be short and sweet: grab your family, coordinating outfits, meet me at your favorite Tampa spot (or I can give you location suggestions), and let me capture your family’s adorableness. Within one week, you will receive 20 high-resolution photos in an online gallery and then you can download the photos straight to your computer. These photos are perfect for holiday cards, family newsletters, Facebook profile pictures, etc! If you are interested, email me ASAP because spots are limited.
*Holiday Mini Sessions will take place on weeknights from now until mid-December.
October 12 – October 29 sessions will start at 6pm.
November 2 – December 17 sessions will start at 5pm.
Family sessions are limited to 6 people.
Send me a message on the Contact page or email me at hello@michellestoker.com.
Katie and Ryan – Kraft Azalea Gardens, Orlando Engagement
I love when photography allows me to reconnect to old friends. I met Katie in college at UCF in a teaching math class and she always had a smile on her face! Fast forward a few years and I was able to see Katie’s smile grow even bigger while taking her engagement photos at Kraft Azalea Gardens. Katie and Ryan, your love and joy is contagious and photographing you was just so easy. We can’t wait to photograph your wedding in April!
Kelly and Eric – Kraft Azalea Gardens, Orlando Engagement
I am always so honored when friends ask me to photograph big life moments, such as their engagement session! David and I have been friends with Eric for years (he is such a good guy!) and we are so happy to see him so happy with his beautiful bride-to-be. Eric and Kelly are getting married in Winter Park in May and very recently just bought their first house! These two are doing big things! On their wedding day, I will be leaving my camera at home and will be enjoying their wedding as a guest… can’t wait! Eric and Kelly, wishing you many years of wedded bliss!
Briana, Paige, and Tim – Orlando Newborn
One of my greatest memories from college is joining Sigma Phi Lambda, the Christian sorority at UCF. The very first person I met was Paige, who just happened to become my Big Sister months later. My favorite things about Paige are that she is so compassionate and kind. She loves well. She makes my heart feel happy when we spend time together. It has been such a joy to watch Paige fall in love with her college sweetheart, Tim, and get married and start their family. They welcomed their sweet baby girl into the world on August 16th and they couldn’t be happier. I got to meet little Briana Michelle just 6 days after she entered this world and I think she is the most darling, squishiest, precious little baby – and I LOVE that her sweet parents wanted us to share our name.
I really love these types of sessions – relaxed, slow-paced, full of love (and tears, poop, milk breaks) but I mostly love that it’s in the comfort of their home. This is where little Briana will call home. This is where she will rest her head at night. This is where she will learn to crawl, walk, and run. This is where she will feel most safe. Paige and Tim, I hope that you treasure these photos for many years and that one day, little Bri will see how much she was loved from her very first days.
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