Offbeat partner: Nia
Offbeat partner: Ryan
Date and location of wedding: Paradise Cove, Orlando, Florida — July 15, 2017
Our offbeat wedding at a glance:
Our wedding theme was based on Square Enix's video game Kingdom Hearts. We both love the game and figured it would make a fun theme. After spending two years planning this wedding, I’ve rediscovered the very reason I fell love with this franchise. It’s a beautiful game with beautiful music and messages of love and friendship. It was the first game I ever fell in love with and it was so fitting to celebrate it with the first man who ever captured my heart.
Tell us about the ceremony:
During the ceremony, all of the music was coordinated with the game's soundtrack. Yoko Shimomura is an elegant composer and her music was perfect for a wedding.
My bridesmaids were made up to look like Disney princesses Jasmine, Aurora, Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, and Alice. The groomsmen were Donald and Goofy. Our cocktail hour was accompanied by piano covers of her work by Moises Nieto and the official Kingdom Hearts Piano Collection. I think my favorite part however, was my husband's speedboat entrance. We timed it with more game music and it was a fun moment for everyone.
Tell us about your reception:
Our reception started with my bridesmaid singing an acoustic cover of "Sanctuary" by Utada Hikaru for our first dance. It is the starting theme to the second game in the Kingdom Hearts franchise.
Since every table represented a different world within Disney, we started dinner with "Be Our Guest" and followed by other Disney classics.
We also had nitrogen ice cream provided by Private Island Ice Cream. Sea Salt ice cream is a special treat favored by the game's characters and the creator himself from his visits to Tokyo Disney. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to provide it to our guests.
What was your most important lesson learned?
When I told people I was having a video game-themed wedding, I was met with a lot of skepticism. Everyone imagined we would be in Halloween costumes and it would be overly childish. But I wanted to prove that making a video game themed wedding not look like an eight year old's birthday party was possible. I think every couple should have the opportunity and support to incorporate what they love into their celebration of love.
Vendors
- Photography: Cricket’s Photo & Cinema
- Ice cream: Private Island Ice Cream
- Wedding Coordinator: Ki
- Hair: Shannon with Faces by Shannon
- Makeup: Melissa Duran
- Floral: Atmosphere Floral and Decor
- DJ: Vinny from Soundwave Entertainment
- Catering: Cocktails Catering
- Cake: Sprinkles Custom Cakes
- Gown: Justin Alexander from Bowties Bridal
- Bridesmaids: Atom Attire
- Suits: Men’s Warehouse
- Ice Cream: John Eustace from Private Island Ice Cream
- Officiant: Chad Sulak
