One summer, a young man and his family refused to let a boy walk home alone in the dark. Glendaly was painting the entranceway to her family’s home when unexpected visitors arrived. She may have been shy, but Angelo’s easy-going personality won her over from the start. The result: two families met, and this past April, joined together as one. As summer turned to winter, Glendaly and Angelo’s relationship continued to grow. The young couple became official one Valentine’s Day morning. Glendaly opened her door to find Angelo, who lived in Rhode Island, at her doorstep in Florida! The first step to planning any proposal is to know your girl. Does she like hiking? Theater? Concerts? Romantic dinners? For Angelo, the answer was clear: museums. After enjoying a day at the High Museum of Art, Angelo told Glendaly they were going to a relationship conference at the Vines Garden where all the women would be blindfolded. One walk that felt like an eternity later, Angelo pulled back the blindfold. A camera flashed, and Glendaly opened her eyes. There, spelled out in candles and surrounded by flower petals, were the words “Will you marry me?” And right before her was a man on one knee, ring in hand. It was a fitting proposal for a relationship that started with a surprise encounter and two families meeting. “Four Oaks Manor had everything we were hoping for.”After combing through venue after venue on The Knot, Glendaly and Angelo decided on Four Oaks Manor for their big day. While the natural beauty of the gardens drew them in, the staff sealed the deal. “The staff here at Four Oaks made us feel at ease with the whole process. We were a nervous wreck before we found this place. Once we arrived, we knew right off the bat, ‘this is us.'” Glendaly’s day started with a trip to All Jhaz'd Up Makeup Studio in Duluth, GA, where professional makeup artist and educator Jhazmin Thomas waited to greet her. The bride relaxed in a plush chair in her bridal robe as Jhazmin worked her magic. Photographer Kabevic Herod came along to snap shots of the bride. By capturing these intimate moments, the couple can always look back at fond memories with their wedding party. Glendaly and her bridesmaids then headed to Four Oaks Manor to finish getting ready. The girls enjoyed refreshments while chatting and laughing together in the bridal suite. They spread out between three rooms reserved for their use: a large bathroom where the party touches up makeup and hair, a sitting room with refreshments, and a bedroom that’s perfect for getting dressed and taking natural-light photos. Meanwhile, Angelo and his groomsmen arrived and set up in the groom’s room downstairs. The men joked around near the TV while eating snacks, and the groom made sure he looked his best. As guests entered from the back pathway, they stopped to take Polaroid photos for the couple’s guestbook. They turned down the path where a sign encouraged them to “pick a seat, not a side.” Fresh flower petals lay scattered down the pathways and aisle to the altar. Every other row, hurricane vases with floating tea lights sat on stumps to act as pew markers. Gentle greenery and soft white chiffon across the top of the arbor completed the romantic atmosphere. And then it was time. Setup had been completed hours before, guests were being seated, and it was time for the wedding party to be lined up. After the venue’s event coordinator, Morgan, made sure everyone was in the correct order and prepped to walk outside, the beautiful bride made her way down the farmhouse stairs to take her place The groomsmen and groom entered first from the side path to take their places at the altar. Then the groom's parents entered, followed by the bride’s mother with her younger brother (the same one that Angelo’s family drove home that summer night). The bridesmaids began their walk down the aisle from the farmhouse, followed by the ring bearers and flower girl. As everyone settled into position, the music changed, and Glendaly began gliding down the aisle on the arm of her step-father, Frank, to Stringspace Orchestra’s instrumental cover of “Young & Beautiful'' by Lana del Rey. Angelo’s face demonstrated the range of emotions he felt: adoration for his beautiful bride, excitement for the step they were about to take together, and tears of joy to be blessed with this moment. As Frank passed Glendaly to Angelo, Reverend Jose Renato began to speak. The guests and wedding party bowed their heads for a blessing before the ceremony began. The couple incorporated their families’ heritage by having the entire ceremony done in Spanish. “Your Love” by Christ Encounter played as the couple performed a sand ceremony. The ceremony represented two people and their families joining as one, and the couple sealed and kept the glass to remind them of the depth of their union. As the bride and groom exchanged vows, neither could stop beaming at each other. Were anyone’s eyes dry by the end of the ceremony? After Angelo and Glendaly finished the ceremony with a kiss, they led the wedding party out to the gentle melody of “Estar Contigo” by Un Corazón. The guests were dismissed to the smokehouse bar and reception area for light hors d’oeuvres and beverages. They mingled and played an assortment of lawn games through cocktail hour. While guests enjoyed the refreshments, the wedding party and family gathered for group photos and portraits. The photographer made use of the sunset lighting and natural greenery around the property to create photos that captured the romance of the couple. And then it was time for the couple to be officially introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Morel. DJ Juan had guests take their seats. "Amores" by Juan Luis Guerrra played as the wedding party entered, followed by the newlyweds. Guests remained seated as Glendaly and Angelo made their way to the gazebo for their first dance. The couple shared an intimate moment as they swayed to "Conversations in the Dark" by John Legend. As the audience clapped, the DJ announced that dinner was ready. Tables were invited one-at-a-time to take their plate to the buffet line where servers stood ready to dish out the meal. Guests then sat down to enjoy a creamy chicken alfredo pasta with roasted potatoes and Four Oaks' signature salad. Guests talked over good food and their choice of sweet tea, water, lemonade, or wine. As dinner came to a close, best man Diom gave a toast in honor of the couple. After toasting to the couple’s journey and future, the party moved indoors for cake cutting and dancing. A small round table decorated with a lace overlay supported the two-tiered cake on a wood slice cake stand. The happy couple worked together to get the first slice of cake before taking to the dance floor. Guests gathered on the dance floor while family and friends congratulated the newlyweds. Photographer Kabevic had the couple slip away for a few portraits under the lights and the night sky. The party came to a pause as the DJ announced the next big event: the bouquet toss. Hopeful competitors lined up to see who would walk away with the bouquet, but only one lucky lady would catch the prize. The party continued until the final hour. Event staff lined guests up on the back path. Arms up and sparklers in hand, they created a tunnel for the newly weds to exit through. "We’re happy and we get to be happy together forever. That is priceless to us."We followed up with Glendaly and Angelo to get their thoughts on married life and their wedding day. For them, life has never felt more blessed, and they’re ecstatic to share that happiness together in the years to come. Looking back on her wedding day, Glendaly says, “Four Oaks Manor had the best of both worlds. The wedding was modern and modest, but it had the natural atmosphere we wanted most.” Even though this couple’s relationship may have been built on surprises, it’s no surprise to us that they’re an amazing match. Congratulations, Glendaly and Angelo! Venue & Coordination: Four Oaks Manor Makeup: Jhazmin Thomas Photographer: Kabevic Officiant: Reverend Jose Renato DJ Services: DJ Juan Bartending Services: Elite Bartending Interested in having your wedding at Four Oaks Manor? Come tour our venue and see if we're the right fit for you!
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