Sophia & Daniel’s Monet Inspired Harmony Gardens Wedding | Corner House Photography Blog

Sophia and Daniel tied the knot this April during their beautiful, whimsical wedding at Harmony Gardens in De Leon Springs. Harmony Gardens is a private, 35 acre estate of Aragon Ranch filled to the brim with natural Florida foliage. The venue has many pockets of spaces from a tented dining hall to a games section for life size jenga. Sophia and Dan envisioned an impressionist themed wedding focused mostly on Monet. The great painter loved pastels and vibrantly capturing florals, which were depicted everywhere throughout the venue from my couple’s centerpieces on their dining tables to Dan’s tie. Even the bridesmaids had beautiful, pastel dresses that matched perfectly with Monet’s favorite colors.

The pastels, florals, and foliage truly translated into a light hearted, airy themed wedding. Other beautiful wedding decorations that tied in the day included a guest seating chart backed by a beautiful Monet print, wildflowers perfectly placed in vintage, colorful glass bottles, sweet potted plants as guest favors to take home and grow, Samaria Marvin’s (MOB) floral dress, and my oh my Sophia’s hand painted Aubrey Brook heels.

My sweet couple actually met back in March of 2011 and engaged in September of 2013. After months of planning grandiose plans that unfortunately fell through, Dan spent the day going to all of Sophia’s restaurants getting her absolute favorite foods from each menu to surprise her with the best dinner she would ever have. Finishing up the incredibly thoughtful meal, Dan proposed to Sophia and the two celebrated in downtown Disney.

Our day started off at the Hampton Inn with Sophia getting ready. Afterwards we headed over to the venue to capture their lovely ceremony and reception area pre-guest arrival. Dan pulled up at the perfect time and we were able to grab a couple of groom shots before it was time to exchange vowels.

Underneath a beautiful, wooden arch adorned with flowers by Cloud 9, Sophia and Dan read their vows to each other as family and friends looked on. Dan loves the way Sophia’s smile can light up a room and her self-awareness, while Sophia loves how Dan sees the absolute best in everyone. The ceremony was incredibly sentimental, as their officiant was actually Dan’s brother Michael Brown, Sophia’s brother Alex Bennett played the most beautiful melody as she walked down the aisle, and their pup Penelope was the cutest furry flower girl I have ever seen. I just love how the inclusion of family made the love of their family that much stronger.

Following the ceremony, we captured family portraits at the arch and wedding party portraits in the grassy field. The girls truly were troopers walking through the woods and field to the beautiful spot. Sometimes it is just worth the trek to get the right shot that goes with the theme of your wedding. While I love the silly shots of Dan and his groomsmen, I just adore the shots of Sophia and her bridesmaids. It is almost as if they are beautiful, wildflowers among the cascading field.

If you know me well, you know how much of a brunch fanatic I am. I just love waffles, eggs, biscuits, and jams. Sophia and Dan must have the same love, as they had the most delicious brunch meal catered by Wishful Concepts Catering and a sweet coffee bar as well.

Dessert was just as amazing as brunch and seriously just as beautiful. Sweeter Than the Rest Cakes created the most stunning naked cake adorned with fresh fruit ranging from strawberries to blueberries. The cake was truly a work of art in itself and looked right out of a magazine. While fruit graced the top tier, Sophia and Dan still had the cutest cake topper of the two of them with the groom picking up his bride.

Music by DJ Maria Schafer with Celebration Expert had guests dancing the day away on the mosaic tiled dance floor centered in the middle of the venue. The sendoff was truly just as fun as the whole wedding had been all day long. My silly couple put together bubble guns to shoot tons of bubbles off and for guests to take home. Wishing these two and their gorgeous pup Penelope a sweet life together and a beautiful journey ahead.

Venue: Harmony Gardens Tropical Wedding Garden

Catering: Wishful Concepts Catering & Personal Chef

Makeup: Karen Caballero

Florist: Cloud 9 Wedding Flowers

Videography: Brian Bazala with SugarPopFilms

Cake: Sweeter Than The Rest Cake Boutique

DJ: Maria Shafer with the Celebration Expert

Dress Designer: Mikaella Bridal by Paloma Blanca

Dress Shop: The Collection

Shoes: Audrey Brooke

Shoe Artistry: Brit Little

Party Favors: Joissu Products