The Epic Lakeside Wedding of Kayli Benjamin & Timmy Coleman
Paradise Cove Orlando 3.17.18
(Happy One-Month Anniversary!)
We’re always delighted to provide wedding catering services at Paradise Cove Orlando - an utterly unique place with wonderful natural Florida beauty, picturesque unspoiled lake and shoreline vistas, charming architectural event structures and great staff. Though but a quarter-mile from Route 535 and a half-mile from 1-4 as the crow flies, this cozy outdoor venue on the edge of Lake Bryan offers peaceful solitude without noise or visual intrusion from the outlying hustle and bustle.
When we learned from Kayli Benjamin over a year ago that she and longtime beau Timmy Coleman were planning to marry, we were thrilled for them. Kayli and her new husband met at Paradise Cove as co-workers. She manages events at the venue while he handles many operational activities. The Benjamin family created and developed the venue in the early 2000s.
It has been our great pleasure to work with these wonderful people over the last several years and we could not have been happier in working with them as their wedding caterer. This was a wedding event of special significance that we won’t forget - brilliantly planned and executed - and certainly Kayli did and amazing job with everything. This included assembling a terrific team of vendors for the wedding and reception. It was a pleasure to see all the moving parts in action.
*Incidentally, if you haven’t seen the brilliant short event video created by some very talented photographers and videographers (Castaldo Studio), see this:https://vimeo.com/261489910
**To view our event Pinterest board, with many candid images of the wedding and reception, you will find it here:https://www.pinterest.com/pluscateringorl/kayli-timmy-a-grand-lakeside-wedding-near-lake-bue/
It was a near-perfect warm and clear St. Patrick’s Day at Paradise Cove Orlando for Kayli and Timmy’s wedding. On this March afternoon, Lake Bryan shown a deep blue beneath a pale blue sky. Many of the 300 attendees were ferried across the scenic lake to the venue from a nearby hotel. After arriving, guests mingled around the venue's lakeside brick terrace, which lies beside a pristine little white sand beach and features a thatched-roofed tiki bar. The area is shaded by numerous palms and cypress trees. On this beautiful afternoon a talented singer/guitarist provided live entertainment on the terrace.
Our counterparts at Cocktails Catering provided excellent pre-wedding and pre-reception bar services (including a separate pina colada bar) and tasty appetizers. Additionally, the people from Sushi 101 offered their freshly prepared seafood creations.
THE WEDDING
The couple’s celebrated their marriage with a beautiful ceremony in the dappled afternoon sunlight. The semi-formal outdoor ceremony included family members and a coterie of pretty bridesmaids in full length burgundy gowns and groomsmen in navy blue suits. The radiant bride wore a glimmering and richly laced full-length sleeveless gown that in floor length. It was completed with a long cathedral veil. Bridegroom Timmy, who arrived by speed boat with his team of groomsmen, wore a mid blue three-piece suit, white shirt and burgundy tie. They looked great together, and the chosen were harmonious with the deep blue lake as a backdrop.
To symbolize their union, Kayli and Timmy chose a very tasteful tree ceremony. Their excellent wedding officiant for the Big Day was classy Kevin Knox.
Since our business is food and beverage, we won’t wade too deep into the fashion realm, but it should be noted that both moms looked really fine - Kayli’s wore a detailed teal blue gown, and bridegroom Timmy’s mom wore shimmering silver. We were struck by how right they looked in this setting.
Super-meticulous Marsha Campbell and Events by Seven handled the event coordination for the entire production in stellar fashion.
THE RECEPTION
To accommodate their 300 attendees, Kayli and Timmy brought in an immense, undulating white tent supported by teak posts. From a distance and set against the water, the whole of it made us think of the sails and masts of a large sailing vessel. It was placed on a large, open tract of land just next door to the main event venue, and offered wonderful, unobstructed views of beautiful Lake Bryan. What was done inside the tent took it to a whole other level, with amazing table setting and flower displays. The fantastic flower arrangements were created by : Atmospheres Floral and Decor - Debra Shea Robertson (reception), and Blossoms - Amy Gregg Lambert (ceremony). Kayli chose farmhouse tables for the reception - which were right on.
Working with the couple, we planned an extensive reception menu, with appetizers of Thai chicken salad in martini glasses, freshly plated salads, bowls of pene pasta with sauce Bolognese, an Thai/Asian station, a New England themed area with lobster rolls and clam chowder, and roasted prime rib of beef with wine reduction sauce, roasted potatoes and creamy spinach. To prepare and serve it all, we came with a staff of 25 and set up a remote kitchen complete with ovens, stove and a 15-foot refrigerated truck which we used for salad plating. On the north side of the tent we created a full bar with premium liquors, beer, wine along with a featured Scandinavian liqueur for a toast, in deference to the groom’s side of the family.
There were a number of great speeches and remarks made in honor of the newly-minted couple. Timmy’s best man deliver a series of great, humorous family anecdotes and was cool as a cucumber in the process. Also, Kayli’s maid-of-honor (and wedding dog bearer) hit the mark with some funny personal tales, and her sister offered some moving and heartfelt remarks that were impressive. We were very taken with her father’s recounting of the family’s great entrepreneurial story of how they developed the Paradise Cove Orlando venue, beginning with their watersports business. It seemed to put the event into a larger light - a wedding celebration - but also a celebration of family perseverance and success. And it made us think about how the event was populated by entrepreneurs - none of whom would have been there had the Benjamins not created this special place.
On this St. Patrick’s Day, the couple served up a wonderful Gaelic surprise: a squad of high-stepping Irish dancers did their magic on the dance floor for a very appreciative audience. And a beautiful color-themed cake and cake table were created for the reception, which of course was the setting for a splendid cutting ceremony.
The biggest surprise of the night - and what a fitting conclusion - was the truly dazzling fireworks display that erupted over Lake Bryan. It was a sublimely appropriate way to conclude with a “bang” - this unforgettable wedding event 🔺
*Thanks to all of the Benjamins, members of both families, staff of Paradise Cove Orlando, children, dogs, Mother Nature, amazing vendors and most of all - Kaylie and Timmy! Our most sincere best wishes!
*MC and DJ services by the exuberant Les Kopasz and Soundwave Entertainment (with Wendy Goelz Kopasz). They did a fabulous job, as did so many others - who are listed below...
The great vendors:
Photo & Cinema: CASTALDOstudio.com :: Photo + Video Venue: Paradise Cove Equipment Rental: Orlando Wedding and Party Rentals Runway Events Tent: West Coast Events and Rentals Lighting & Carpentry: Classic Event Decorating Event Coordinator: Marsha Campbell - Events By Seven, Inc. Reception Floral: Atmospheres Floral and Decor - Debra Shea Robertson Ceremony Floral: Blossoms Orlando - Amy Gregg Lambert DJ/MC Services: Soundwave Entertainment - Orlando Wedding DJ & LED Lighting - Les Kopasz & Wendy Goelz Kopasz Officiant: Kevin Knox Hair & Makeup: Kristy's Artistry Design Team - Kristy Alonzo Food & Beverage: Cocktails Catering & Plus Catering Orlando
Fireworks: Fireworks By Santore, Inc Champagne Dress: KEY ARTIST GROUP VW Photo Bus: Gus the VW Bus Photo Booth: Photobooth Rocks Irish Dancers: Finnegan Fitzpatrick Academy of Irish Dance Ice Sculpture: Ice Pro Ice Sculptures Sushi Station: Sushi 101 Orlando Valet Services: RTA Valet Cake & Desserts: Cut The Cake & Three 2 Oh - Liquid Nitrogen Ice cream Knightly Spirits