Just a few of our favorites — you'll find the rest in the full gallery.
Mark Your Calendar
Sunday
October 3, 2027
–Days
–Hours
–Minutes
–Seconds
The Setting
A Glimpse of the Setting
De Leon Springs, Florida
Towering oaks dressed in Spanish moss, an open-air chapel that lets the light spill in from every direction, and a wooden terrace tucked right into the trees — it's a little slice of Florida magic, and we can't wait to share it with you.
❦
Formal invitation, plus all the details you'll need, to follow. For now — save the date and start planning your trip to the springs.
A Preview Reel
Under the Arches
Just Us Two
Stealing Glances
Head Over Heels
Hand in Hand
So It Begins
Under the Arches
Just Us Two
Stealing Glances
Head Over Heels
Hand in Hand
So It Begins
We can't wait to celebrate with you
#EllieAndCarlo2027
Ellie & Carlo · October 3, 2027 · De Leon Springs, Florida
Our Story
How It All Began
Every good love story has a beginning worth telling — here's ours.
How We Met
Chapter One
How We Met
April 26, 2024
Ellie and Carlo met at a game night hosted by Mallory — a friend of Carlo's, and Ellie's sister — with Ellie in her pajamas, ready for a low-key night in, and Carlo strolling in fashionably late. Between the laughs and the games, neither of them thought much of it at the time, or so Carlo thought…
Not long after, they started crossing paths again — this time over pickleball. Games turned into more games, and somewhere in between, they found themselves gravitating toward each other, growing closer with every match. Before either of them quite realized what was happening, a stray pickleball caught Carlo square on the knuckle mid-rally and drew blood right there on the court. Ellie, always prepared, had napkins in her car and offered to walk it off together instead of finishing the game. They talked for a while, and Carlo — never one to miss an opening — slyly asked for her number under the guise of trading Christian music recommendations. As the texts kept coming, Carlo knew he had to make a move — and asked Ellie on a date out on the clear blue waves of Florida.
The Proposal
Chapter Two
The Proposal
November 22, 2025
That November, Ellie planned a trip to St. Augustine to see the Night of Lights. What she didn't know was that Carlo had been planning something of his own. As they walked through the glowing streets, Ellie's eyes weren't the only thing sparkling that night — hidden in the pocket of Carlo's trench coat (worn, bravely, through 89-degree Florida humidity) was a ring, and a growing case of nerves a run-in with a wandering Grinch somehow managed to calm.
They reached their final stop: a fountain in front of an old building wrapped in Christmas lights, the crowd around them snapping photos of the scene — including one photographer Ellie had no idea was actually there for them. Carlo got down on one knee. “Ellie, I swore to your family I didn't deserve you,” he said, “but I'll spend my life proving that I do. Will you marry me?” Ellie said yes — loudly, hands in the air, in front of everyone. The two walked off with smiles that would last a lifetime, Ellie proudly showing off her new ring to anyone within arm's reach. The night ended with a surprise dinner with both of their families, celebrating the two newest fiancés in the room.
Today
Chapter Three
Today, and What's Next
August 30, 2026
These days, we're looking ahead — surrounded by the people we love, and our two dogs. We're planning a ceremony that means everything to us, promising ourselves to each other for as long as we're both breathing, with God as our witness. Next up: finding the home that will hold our family and all the memories still ahead of us.
Gallery
A Few Favorite Moments
A running collection of our favorite moments together — from the everyday to the unforgettable.
The Save the Date
The Proposal
Us, Being Us
The Setting
Wedding Party
The People Standing With Us
Meet the friends and family who'll be standing with us when we say I do.
With Love
Our Wedding Party
We're still finalizing who'll be standing with us — check back soon to meet everyone!
Coming Soon
Bridesmaids
Mallory Duarte
Maid of Honor
Hallie Oldham
Bridesmaid
Franchesca Lu
Bridesmaid
Hanna Saylor
Bridesmaid
Paige Paul
Bridesmaid
Addison Wakley
Bridesmaid
Julia Wayman
Bridesmaid
Tori Woodwyk
Bridesmaid
Groomsmen
Sam Wayman
Best Man
Martin Lu
Groomsman
Han Lu
Groomsman
Gavin Sibley
Groomsman
Frankie Ward
Groomsman
Dominic Batara
Groomsman
Zach Jones
Groomsman
Andrew Perry
Groomsman
Dress Code
What to Wear
The dress code is formal / semi-formal. If you'd like a few style notes: a suit or sport coat (tie or bow tie, your call) works beautifully for the guys, and a floor-length gown or a cocktail or midi dress are lovely options for the ladies — add a bit of sparkle with your favorite jewelry.
Dapper & Darling
Semi-Formal — Him
Semi-Formal — Her
Formal — Him
Formal — Her
One Small Ask
Please leave white, ivory, and champagne for the bride. Beyond that, wear what makes you feel great — a color palette for the wedding party is still being finalized, and we'll add it here once it's set.
Travel
Getting to De Leon Springs
We're getting married at our Wedding Venue in De Leon Springs — a quiet stretch of oak-canopied ranch land about 35 minutes from Daytona, and roughly 50 minutes northwest of Orlando. Exact address and directions will go out with the formal invitation.
Nearby Hotels
Hampton Inn & Suites DeLand
≈ 20 minutes away
Familiar, comfortable rooms in downtown DeLand, close to restaurants and shops.
Courtyard by Marriott DeLand Historic Downtown
≈ 15 minutes away
A historic-downtown setting with easy walking access to dinner spots.
The DeLand Hotel
≈ 15 minutes away
A charming 1925 boutique hotel in downtown DeLand, with vintage decor and an on-site restaurant.
Flying In
Orlando Sanford (SFB) and Daytona Beach (DAB) are both the closest airports, about 30 miles / 35–40 minutes from the venue. Orlando International (MCO) is roughly 65 miles / 70–80 minutes and usually has the most flight options, so it's worth comparing fares across all three.
Where to Stay
We aren't holding a room block, so book directly whenever works best for you — a few nearby options are below. If your group wants more space, an Airbnb or Vrbo in DeLand or nearby Lake Helen is a great option too — search early, since Central Florida weekends book up fast.
Getting Around
A rental car is the easiest way to get around, since the area is rural. Uber and Lyft do operate out here and work well for a straight ride to and from the venue — just know wait times can run longer than in a big city, especially late at night, so it's worth requesting a ride a little earlier than you think you'll need it. If several of you are staying at the same hotel, carpooling is an easy backup.
Weather to Expect
Early October in Central Florida runs warm, with highs around 84°F and lows near 67°F, easing toward drier, less humid air as the month goes on. It's still Florida rain season, so afternoon showers or a passing storm are possible — pack light, breathable layers, comfortable shoes for grass, a compact umbrella or light rain jacket, and a backup pair of shoes just in case the ground gets damp.
Q&A
Good Questions
A few answers to the questions we've gotten most — if yours isn't here, just reach out.
Can I bring a plus-one?
We've thought carefully about our guest list, and if a plus-one is available to you, they'll already be included on your invitation. Thank you for understanding as we keep our celebration intimate!
Is this an adult-only wedding?
We adore your children, but we've decided to keep our wedding an adult-only celebration. We hope this gives everyone a chance to enjoy a fun night/weekend out!
What's the dress code?
Formal / semi-formal, please — you can find all the details on our Dress Code page.
Is the ceremony indoors or outdoors?
A little of both — we'll say “I do” beneath an open-air chapel with the trees and sky as our backdrop, then move into a glass-walled space for the reception, where the evening light lingers all night long.
Where should we park?
There's a dedicated guest parking lot on the left side of the chapel — you'll see signs directing you there when you arrive.
By when should we RSVP?
Please respond before July 1, 2027, about three months before the big day. RSVP details will go out with the formal invitation closer to the date.
Registry
If You'd Like to Give a Gift
Your presence is truly the gift — but if you'd like to give something, we've put together a few favorites on our registry below.
With Love
Ellie & Carlo's Amazon Registry
We've added a mix of everyday favorites and a few little luxuries — thank you for helping us start this next chapter.
For Our Adventure
Honeymoon Fund
If you'd rather help send us on our first trip as newlyweds, we're setting up a Zelle and Venmo for that too — links coming soon.
Things to Do
While You're in Town
A few good spots if you're making a weekend of it — mostly in and around DeLand.
Eat & Drink
Downtown DeLand has a great little food scene — a few of our favorites are below, from fine dining to easy, laid-back spots.
See & Explore
Our wedding is an adult-only celebration, but if your trip extends beyond the weekend, here are a few favorites nearby, from a quick outing to a longer day trip.
Where to Eat
Cress Restaurant
≈ 15 minutes away
Globally-inspired fine dining.
Santorini Greek Cuisine
≈ 15 minutes away
Mediterranean classics.
De La Vega
≈ 15 minutes away
Wine, tapas, and sangria.
Urban Brick
≈ 15 minutes away
Easy, laid-back favorite.
BakeChop
≈ 15 minutes away
Casual and relaxed.
Nearby to Explore
Old Spanish Sugar Mill Pancake House
≈ 5 minutes away
Cook your own pancakes right at the table, then swim or paddle the spring after.
Blue Spring State Park
≈ 20 minutes away
A great spot to see manatees in the cooler months.
Athens Theatre
≈ 15 minutes away
A beautifully restored 1920s theatre in downtown DeLand, with live shows year-round.
Daytona Beach
≈ 30 minutes east
The boardwalk and beach, an easy add-on to your trip.
Orlando Theme Parks
≈ 1 hour south
A longer day trip if you're making a full weekend of it.
RSVP
Let Us Know You're Coming
We can't wait to celebrate — please respond before July 1, 2027.
The Proposal
Engagement Session
Before the Vows
A Glimpse of the Setting
Under the Arches
Just Us Two
Stealing Glances
Head Over Heels
Hand in Hand
So It Begins
