Hillary + Bruno | Dorothy B Oven Wedding

When I say Hillary and Bruno’s story is like a reflection of Tim and my story, it’s not an exaggeration. We’re like “kindred spirits” as Hillary put it. I knew I was going to love being their wedding photographer before we even met. And when she told me they were having a Dorothy B Oven wedding I couldn’t have been more excited! The park has a significant role in their love story making it a very special place for their beautiful modern garden wedding.

Dorothy B Oven Wedding

I met with Hillary and Bruno at Dororthy B Oven about a month before the big day. We got to know each other and I got to hear about their special connection to the park. They’re both in the Clinical Psychology program at Florida State University, and would use the space at Dorothy B Oven for their surveys. So needless to say, they’re very familiar with the Park as they’re there quite often.

Bruno says Hillary is good-hearted, elegant and poised, intellectually sharp and unreservedly funny. What amazing compliments you guys! And Hillary says Bruno is devoted and genuine, quick witted, and the perfect blend of fun-loving, sensual and adventurous. They love to “let destiny guide” their adventures and enjoy being active and cooking together. And these qualities really shown through on their Dorothy B Oven wedding day!

Modern Garden Wedding

One of the things I adored the most was their first dance, which was done to a song Bruno wrote himself called “Love Grows Wild”. It was a beautifully emotional moment, and if you know me, I’m a crier and I definitely cried during their first dance.

There were some truly amazing wedding vendors involved in their day. From Soleil 7 doing hair and makeup with Missy Gunnel’s providing the flowers (and that perfectly romantic hair piece). And I was over the moon when I walked up and saw kumquats everywhere! If you remember, I did a holiday tablescape featuring kumquats, which Hillary knew and was as excited for me to see when I arrived. Amy Forman with Papaya Planning did a stunning job making their mint, peach and light blue modern garden wedding theme come alive.

Tupelo’s Bakery provided the ridiculously delicious cake and mini’s. And Liberty Bar did a fantastic job with the food stations that highlighted Hillary and Bruno’s cultures, including one inspired by Hillary’s Phoenix, Arizona upbringing and one inspired by Bruno’s Peruvian culture.

Hillary was gorgeous in her Jill Jill Stuart BHLDN gown and perfectly-her Elehandmade shoes. Bruno wasn’t sure how he was going to style his hair initially but after our first meeting, Hillary and I convinced him to go with the tied-back man bun. Y’all, I couldn’t have envisioned a more gorgeous couple for a modern garden Dorothy B Oven wedding. They are a beautiful couple, inside and out and I’m honored to have been their Tallahassee wedding photographer.

“Emily! The photos are incredible! It was like experiencing our wedding day all over again, we both even had happy tears in our eyes. Thank you so much for capturing such beautiful moments!”

Hillary and Bruno