Diana & Ricardo’s traditional casual wedding at Saint Augustine Catholic Church & The Yardery in Sanford, Florida
Traditional Catholic Church Wedding with Casual Outdoor Reception at Saint Augustine Catholic Church & The Yardery in Sanford, FL | Orlando Wedding Photographer & Videographer
Author Made creative lead & founder Michael and team videographer Rob captured this high-energy wedding in Sanford, FL.
As an Orlando wedding photographer team, one of the things we love most about documenting weddings across Central Florida is how wildly different every celebration can be, with Diana and Ricardo’s wedding as the perfect example. Their day was unapologetically high-energy, deeply personal, a little chaotic in the best way, and completely true to who they are as a couple.
Diana and Ricardo met at a UCF tailgate in 2023, which honestly tells you almost everything you need to know about their dynamic. Diana is all vibes, living fully in the moment and ready to celebrate at all time, while Ricardo is more type-A, organized, and steady. Together, they balance each other beautifully, and that contrast played out across every part of their wedding day.
Getting ready: calm meets chaos (in the best way)
The day began separately, with Ricardo getting ready in a relaxed, low-key environment while Diana’s prep was… the opposite. Diana’s getting-ready space quickly turned into a full-on party when a Colombian band surprised her and filled the house with music, dancing, and energy. There was singing, laughing, and even a few annoyed neighbors, but it was still unforgettable.
One of the most emotional moments of the entire day happened before the ceremony even began, when Diana’s father saw her fully dressed for the first time. He prayed over her, surrounded by music and family, and it was raw, meaningful, and incredibly moving to photograph.
A Catholic ceremony at Saint Augustine Catholic Church in Casselberry, FL
Diana and Ricardo were married at Saint Augustine Catholic Church in Casselberry, the parish they regularly attend. Hosting around 150 guests, the church was a natural fit for both their faith and the size of their celebration. The ceremony took place indoors, offering a traditional setting though the couple made it their own in meaningful ways.
They chose to write their own liturgy and vows, creating a ceremony that felt deeply personal while still honoring their Catholic roots. From a photography perspective, it was a reminder that even within traditional spaces, couples can shape a ceremony that reflects who they truly are.
The Yardery in Sanford: a casual, outdoor reception space
After the ceremony, guests made their way to The Yardery in Sanford, a casual, outdoor reception venue that matched the couple’s desire for a relaxed, fun-forward celebration. The Yardery is entirely outdoors, with lots of open space, yard games, and a laid-back atmosphere that encourages guests to mingle, move, and participate.
The reception setup leaned into that casual charm: wood tables, interactive games, and plenty of space for dancing and activities. There’s no formal rain backup plan here, but on this sunny October day with temperatures around 80°F, the weather cooperated beautifully. Golden hour light filtered through the trees, giving the space a warm, inviting glow as the evening progressed.
For couples planning a similar reception, The Yardery works especially well if your priority is guest experience, entertainment, and a less structured flow.
Downtown Sanford portraits: the best decision of the day
From an Orlando wedding photography standpoint, the best portrait locations weren’t actually at the reception venue. Instead, we headed into Downtown Sanford for couple portraits to take advantage of the beautiful town charm.
Sanford’s tree-lined streets provided natural shade that softened the light well before golden hour, making it possible to shoot comfortably despite the crowds. Even with Oktoberfest happening that weekend, people were incredibly accommodating, and we simply waited for clear moments to step into the street.
One of the standout moments from portraits was borrowing a stranger’s motorcycle for a few photos — a spontaneous, very “them” decision that resulted in some unforgettable images.
Photographer Pro Tip: If you’re getting married at The Yardery, plan your portraits elsewhere. Downtown Sanford offers far better variety, shade, and visual interest.
A reception fueled by games, dancing, and pure energy
By the time the reception kicked into full swing, the party energy was already sky-high. Guests played scavenger hunt bingo, scratched off lottery tickets, danced nonstop, and fully leaned into the interactive nature of the evening. We’ve photographed a lot of bouquet and garter tosses and can confidently say we’ve never seen adults fight harder for them than at this wedding.
Speeches from Diana’s father, Ricardo’s mother, the maid of honor, and Ricardo’s sister brought heartfelt moments into an otherwise fast-paced evening. As the sun dipped below the trees, we snuck away again for golden hour portraits in Sanford before returning to the celebration.
Capturing the chaos (and the joy) as an Orlando wedding photographer
Diana and Ricardo’s wedding wasn’t about perfection or rigid timelines: it was about energy, culture, family, and celebration. While the day moved very much on “Latin time,” that unpredictability was part of what made it so memorable to photograph.
From the emotional moments in the morning to the high-energy reception and sunset portraits downtown, this wedding was a reminder that the best images often come from letting go and leaning fully into the experience.
If you’re looking for an Orlando wedding photographer or Orlando wedding videographer who’s comfortable navigating high-energy days, big guest counts, and weddings that don’t fit into a neat little box, we’d love to hear from you. Every wedding deserves to be documented exactly as it unfolds.
Vendors:
Author Made Team Photographer: Michael Kuo
Author Made Team Videographer: Rob Shannon
Venue: Saint Augustine Catholic Church in Casselberry, FL & The Yardery in Sanford, FL
Hi, we’re Author Made, a wedding photography & videography studio based in Orlando, FL. If you’re looking for a wedding photographer or wedding videographer who believes weddings of all sizes and budgets deserve stunning images to cherish forever, we’d love to have the honor of capturing your wedding day.
If you’re interested in capturing your wedding photography or videography with us, please contact us - we would love to help your special day be all it can be!
