Priscilla and Brandon’s Luxurious Ballroom Wedding in Florida

From friend request to happily ever after… Brandon, after seeing Priscilla tagged in a Facebook photo by a mutual friend, knew he had to find out more about her. After sending a friend request the two began talking online. Within a few days they were on their first date and immediately became inseparable. Two years later Brandon would make their union ever lasting in a romantic surprise proposal…

Read all about Priscilla & Brandon’s love story, romantic surprise proposal, and experiences in their luxurious ballroom wedding in Orlando, Florida – beautifully captured by elite MunaLuchi Coterie photographer Stanley Babb of Stanlo Photography.

Bride & Groom: Priscilla & Brandon
Occupations: Communications Specialist & Surgical Sales Executive
Wedding date: November 12, 2016
Wedding location: The Crystal Ballroom at the Veranda, Orlando, Florida

Tell us how you met and all about the proposal. Brandon and Priscilla met in 2013 in Tallahassee, Fl. They were both attending The Florida State University but NEVER bumped into each other until their last semester of college!

(Brandon) –  “I was studying for a final exam prior to graduating from Florida State University, when I decided to take a social media break and saw Priscilla’s photo on Facebook. A mutual friend tagged her in the photo, so I decided to friend request her (which is unlike me). We began messaging each other and exchanged numbers shortly after. We went on our first date a few days after the social exchange. We have been connected ever since and never looked back.”

(Priscilla) – “In 2013, I was studying for an exam when I received a friend request on Facebook (from Brandon.) After clicking through a few photos of his, I HAD to call my roommate, Jasmine over because he was a cutie! After scrolling, she persisted that I message him but I was too nervous. After a while, I messaged him and said, “Hey! Do I know you from somewhere?” He messaged me back and said “Unfortunately not.” After a few exchanged messages via Facebook, we exchanged phone numbers and went on our first date three days later. We were inseparable and the rest is history!”

(The proposal) – After college, we moved to Orlando to start our careers. We fell in love with downtown Orlando and lived very close to a well-known lake (Lake Eola.) We would always take walks around the lake, go to local bars to watch the FSU game and it really just became our home. A few days before our 2 year anniversary, Brandon surprised me with tickets to see Dave Chapel (favorite comedian.) He told me to dress up and we went to the show. After the show, I figured we would go home but he then took me to dinner – bought a bottle of wine, 4 course meal, romantic setting – I then thought he was proposing! But he didn’t! My mood changed and he noticed and asked, what was wrong. I was honest and told him that I thought he was proposing to me and when he didn’t I was sad. He then asked if I wanted to take a walk around the lake to cool off. So we did. We reminisced on the past two years and once we got to the middle of the lake he said, “what would you do if I proposed right now?” I said, “I don’t know, you’re not going to do it.” Then he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.

What was wedding shopping like for you? My dress is very romantic, classic and modern, form fitting with sparkle all around the bust. I wanted something simple but had a wow factor. I tried on several different dresses but when I tried on my dress the first time, I knew it was the one. It screamed “Priscilla!” The way it fit me, allowed me to move – it was beautiful.

Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding? Both of us are Haitian. Well, I (Priscilla) am 100% Haitian and Brandon is ½ Haitian, ½ Jamaican. We really wanted to incorporate the Haitian culture into our wedding. On every table, along with the plated dinner, we served griot, pickles, and rice & beans. My father and I also danced to a Haitian song called “Pitit Mwen” and of course the DJ played Haitian music for us.
Favorite item on the menu: Chicken cordon bleu.
First dance song: “Ribbon in the sky” by Stevie Wonder

What is your best memory from your wedding? Our wedding was really full of love. Everyone was having such a good time. The dance floor was never empty. In the middle of our reception, Brandon came up to me and said that he was having so much fun and so was everyone else that he wanted to extend our time. We did it and didn’t think twice about the price because the memories meant so much more. So we extended it until 1 a.m. when it was supposed to go to 11. The next day, my cousins heard that we paid extra to extend it and they handed us an envelope covering the cost of the extension. That was probably my favorite moment.
Oh! And my sister and I have ONE song that we sing every time we see each other. She was my Maid of Honor and when it was time for her to make her speech, we organically started to sing “Sista Sista!”

What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples? Enjoy every moment. Fill the days up with family but don’t forget that the day is about you and your new spouse. Make sure to dance together, eat together and have fun. Take lots of photos! In the moment, you want to dance and have fun but don’t forget to take the photos with the people that mean the most to you.

Vendors:
Venue – Crystal Ballroom at the Veranda
Photographer – Stanlo Photography
DJ – M.A.D.D. Vybez Entertainment
Cake – Anna Cakes
Caterer – Corwin Cowart
Grooms Tux – Mr. Tux Styles
Groomsman Suit – Men’s Warehouse
Brides Dress – Demetrios
Brides Shoes – Betsey Johnson
Brides Jewelry – Givenchy
Bridesmaid Dress – David’s Bridal