February 5, 2022
Town Manor on the Lake B&B
Photos by Javier Reyes, @Sundial.Creatives
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Austin + Rachel’s Love Story
In the vows during their wedding ceremony, Rachel and Austin both referred back to their first date, at a park in Plant City, as a moment when a spark was first evident between them.
“He asked me at the time, ‘What animal has the best eyesight?’” Rachel recalls.
Without hesitation, she confidently responded: ‘A bat!’
“He was like, um, don’t they say ‘blind as a bat?’ After that I went home to my roommate and I remember closing the door and falling down and I was like, ‘I’m in love!’”
That first date signified the progression of a relationship that started on Bumble, a popular dating app, and included many FaceTime calls throughout the height of the pandemic.
They quickly determined they both desired to be married, and Rachel said she knew pretty quickly “he was the one” because he embodied a lot of traits she had rarely seen in men.
“He’s just such a good communicator and so genuine,” she says.
The couple is not only looking back at their wedding with starry eyes, they are looking at their future with great anticipation. They are expecting their first child later this year and they plan to name her Ala Rose.
Commentary on the venue and details
“The space is just beautiful, it’s kind of like a hidden gem…and it has breathtaking views and is just so peaceful.” – Rachel
- The cake baker for Town Manor used to work for Disney and she is a cake maker extraordinaire who designs custom cakes for couples.
- The couple found out Rachel was pregnant in November, they got engaged in December and they were married in early February. Rachel said it was a perfect spot that had everything they wanted and that could be planned quickly without losing grandeur.
Special moments from their day
“It was really just like a fairy tale. I’ve been to a ton of weddings and ours was by far the best I have ever been to!” – Rachel
- Their custom wedding cake was three tiers, and the filling in the middle tier was pink – to announce to friends and family they were expecting a baby girl.
- During their vows, it was special to see how they actually wrote in some of the same special moments – including a humorous moment from their first date.
Featured vendors for the Rivera Wedding
Venue: @townmanorweddings
Photographer: Javier Reyes, @Sundial.Creatives
Hair: @beautymarkedfl
Floral: Flower Cart Lakeland
Videography: James P
Bride’s dress: @thedressingroom_stpete