Winter Park is synonymous with many things: unique cultural attractions, magnificent oak trees, charming (if bumpy) brick streets, spacious historic (and not-so-historic) homes, shimmering lakes connected by Venetian canals and a prestigious liberal arts college, among other very cool attributes.
But it’s also synonymous with weddings. Couples, regardless of where they live or plan to live, want to tie the proverbial knot here. That’s because—in addition to all the city’s other charms—it offers the most eclectic assortment of wedding venues imaginable.
From a soaring on-campus chapel to a rustic turn-of-the-century railroad depot and everything in between, there’s something for all aesthetics in the good old 32789. The only ceremony that usually can’t be accommodated is a spur-of-the-moment one—unless, of course, you’re willing to settle for City Hall. The major venues are generally booked for as long as a year in advance.
That’s why Winter Park Magazine’s annual wedding feature has always been more focused on where to get married rather than how to get married. This year, though, the “wheres” are in a directory and we focus instead on three entirely different but equally joyous ceremonies and the couples whom the nuptials celebrated.
So let’s meet Ryan St. Croix and Isabella Arjomand; Ben Coiner and Marissa Roth; and Sean van Zyl and Theresa Lucey—each of whom chose a different venue (and a different vibe) with the same happily-ever-after outcome in mind.
ISABELLA ARJOMAND & RYAN ST. CROIX
Knowles Memorial Chapel
Photographed by Megan Kay Photography
When Isabella Arjomand met Ryan St. Croix at a Fourth of July party in Jupiter, where Ryan lived, she noticed that he “showed some interest—we played a cat-and-mouse game for a while, and I chased him down.”
Well, probably she didn’t really have to do much chasing. In fact, that chance meeting marked the beginning of a two-year, long-distance relationship that culminated, happily, in the couple’s wedding at Knowles Memorial Chapel on the campus of Rollins College.
It didn’t happen sooner because when she graduated from UF, Isabella—a major college fashionista—was off to the Big Apple. There she interned for major brands, including Tommy Hilfiger, while looking for a way to break into the fashion industry.
Ryan, who was a finance major at Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York, returned to Jupiter after graduation and went to work as a sales representative for a utilities manufacturer. But, as the song says, love will find a way.
While still in New York, Isabella began a new career as a corporate recruiter for a national company that allowed her to work from anywhere. Soon she was back in Jupiter and making wedding plans with Ryan.
Isabella, who was raised in Winter Park and attended Bishop Moore Catholic High School, had Knowles Chapel (1000 Holt Avenue, on the campus of Rollins College) perched firmly atop her list of preferred venues. “I wanted a place that was classic, elegant and chic,” she says. “This was almost a no-brainer given my taste.”
For decades, chapel nuptials were available only to Rollins faculty, staff and alumni as well as their children. That all changed five years ago, when the venue was opened to those with no affiliation to the college.
Built in 1932 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the chapel seats nearly 500 and boasts dramatic towers arched overhead and sunlight filtered through stained-glass windows. A vintage pipe organ adds a majestic touch to this sacred space, designed by the legendary Ralph Adams Cram, which is the site of 60 to 70 weddings per year.
Isabella and Ryan’s wedding, attended by 166, went off without any hitches. Advises Isabella: Use a planner if you can, and in times of stress, “remember that this is just one day.” True—but this was a day more than two years in the making.
The Team
Planner: Lisa Lyons Events (Lisa Lyons and Jessica McKown); ceremony: Knowles Memorial Chapel; pre-ceremony reception: Hannibal’s On The Square; post-ceremony reception: The Alfond Inn; bridal gown: Ines Di Santo; groom’s attire: John Craig Clothier; rings: Bay Hill Jewelers (Isabella), family gift (Ryan); hair and makeup: LizUpdos (Liz Maldonado); photographer and videographer: Megan Kay Photography; florals: Fairbanks Florist; cake: Morgan Hunter Desserts; stationary: Lettering by Lee Ann; music: Zoe Lei (ceremony), Curate Entertainment (reception); dance floor: Get Lit Productions; specialty linen: Over the Top Rental Linens; draping: FyerFly Productions (Tabitha O’Neill); transportation: Mears Transportation (Kerri Ludwig); officiant: Deacon Dave Engasser, St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church.
THERESA LUCEY & SEAN VAN ZYL
The Garden Villa
Photographed by Maria Riboli Photography
You might expect a wedding between two artists to feature some, shall we say, quirks, that reflect the couple’s respective creative spirits. In the case of Theresa Lucey—a lecturer in drawing at the UCF School of Visual Arts and Design—and Sean van Zyl—a freelance animator who specializes in designing virtual environments and modeling such creatures as dinosaurs for use in gaming projects—you would not be wrong.
Theresa and Sean were married at The Garden Villa (1400 South Denning Drive, Winter Park), tucked alongside Mead Botanical Garden and owned by the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs.
Here, ceremonies may be held outdoors in a stunning exhibition garden anchored by a vine-covered arbor. The federation’s 3,700-square-foot headquarters, which can hold 125, is ideal for receptions (or entire weddings, for that matter).
But Theresa and Sean—who met when both were working toward MFA degrees at UCF—chose to have the ceremony outdoors and move inside for the reception. “This was the first venue we visited, and we fell in love with it on the spot,” says Theresa, who adds that she and Sean were amazed at how lush the gardens were.
The couple separately wrote their own vows, not knowing in advance exactly what the other was going to say. There were, as it turned out, the usual heartfelt romantic sentiments plus some playful extras—including Sean’s not-so-solemn promise to forever beat his wife playing Mario Kart, a popular console game from Nintendo.
At the reception that followed, centerpieces included animal skulls from the couple’s personal collection, and decorations featured carefully selected treasures from Prometheus Esoterica, a gothic boutique on Howell Branch Road packed with such oddities as taxidermized specimens, antique medical equipment and funerary items.
Seats were marked by gold-painted models of animals that were significant in some way to each of the 30 or so attendees. Even Sean’s unusual shoes (above) reflected the couple’s shared love of natural history.
Reception music gave off an “old-school, Rat Pack” vibe, says Theresa, who was determined that the proceedings should be “relaxed and enjoyable.” Mission accomplished in that regard.
The Team
Planner: SJ Events (Samantha Saint-Juste); ceremony: The Garden Villa (Florida Federation of Garden Clubs); caterer: Cocktails Catering; bridal gown: Lulus (online only); groom’s attire: Jos. A. Bank; rings: Stagehead Designs (online only); photographer: Maria Riboli Photography; videographer: Perfect Sky Productions; florals: the bride’s father, Dan Lucey; bakers: Nothing Bundt Cakes and the bride’s sister, Michelle Lucey; special decorations: Prometheus Esoterica; officiant: Pastor Heath Weddings (Heath Watson).