Nicole & Jeff’s rainy, heartfelt wedding at Villa Festa in DeLand, FL

Recent WeddingsKellyMichael K
Written By Amy Kuo

Historic home outdoor wedding at Villa Festa in DeLand, FL | Orlando Wedding Photographer & Videographer

Author Made team photographer Kelly and creative lead and co-owner Michael (on video) captured this rainy, heartfelt wedding at Villa Festa in DeLand outside metro Orlando, FL.

We firmly believe that rain IS good luck on your wedding day, and Nicole & Jeff’s unexpectedly dreary wedding day at Villa Festa is living proof. Just minutes before their outdoor ceremony was set to begin, the skies opened up and one of those classic Florida summer storms rolled through. And yet? It turned out to be one of the most emotional weddings we’ve ever had the privilege of documenting.

Nicole & Jeff met in college back in 2018, and from the moment we arrived it was obvious how much this day meant to both of them. Jeff may look like the stereotypical tough bodybuilder, but he wears his heart on his sleeve. Nicole matched that same emotion every step of the day, and together they created a wedding that felt incredibly genuine, filled with tears, laughter, and one unforgettable dance floor.

Villa Festa historic home wedding venue in DeLand, FL

Villa Festa is one of those venues that feels surprisingly tucked away despite being just outside downtown DeLand. It’s a great fit for couples planning a medium-sized wedding who want an elegant estate feel without the price tag of many larger Central Florida venues. The property offers separate getting-ready spaces for both wedding parties, beautifully designed interiors, fountains, scenic balcony, and lush walkways that all make excellent photo locations throughout the day. What makes this venue so unique, though, is the option to add on overnight accommodations for up to 15 guests either the night after your wedding or for a full wedding weekend!

One thing we especially appreciate about Villa Festa is how flexible the property is when Florida weather inevitably decides to do its own thing. Nicole & Jeff’s ceremony was originally planned for the lawn, but when heavy rain rolled in just five minutes beforehand, everything quickly shifted beneath the covered pavilion. The transition was smooth, guests stayed dry, and once the rain passed, we were still able to explore the property for portraits.

From a photography standpoint, the front of the house becomes especially beautiful later in the evening as the harsh afternoon light softens. Inside, the bridal suite windows create gorgeous natural backlighting, while the cypress trees and fountains offer some of our favorite portrait locations around the property.

Read our full wedding venue review of Villa Festa

The happiest of tears

The morning started with plenty of excitement. Jeff spent the early part of the day getting ready with his groomsmen, who kept things light with plenty of joking around, while Nicole and her bridesmaids enjoyed a much calmer, but equally excited, morning together.

Before the ceremony, the couple exchanged gifts separately, and emotions immediately took over. Nicole shared an incredibly sweet first look with her father, while Jeff had a touching first look with his eldest daughter. Later, the two found a private moment together on Villa Festa’s upper balcony to exchange personal vows. Jeff became so emotional he could barely get the words out.

Then the storm arrived. For a little while, everyone simply waited. Rain poured down, decorations were hurried under cover, and the original timeline disappeared. But as soon as there was a break in the weather, everyone adapted and the ceremony moved forward.

The ceremony itself carried even more emotion than anyone expected. In honor of Nicole’s brother, who had passed away less than a year earlier, a special song played before she walked down the aisle. You could feel the weight of the moment throughout the ceremony. Jeff cried; Nicole cried; their families cried. It was one of those ceremonies where nearly everyone in attendance found themselves wiping away tears.

Then the sun came out

After family portraits and bridal photos around the property in the newly-arrived sunlight, the celebration shifted into a completely different gear.

Once dinner wrapped up, the dance floor came alive. Nicole & Jeff clearly love to have fun together, and it showed. One of the biggest surprises of the night was a choreographed dance with Nicole and her dad that completely energized the room. Before long, guests filled the dance floor and stayed there for the rest of the evening. Despite the rain delay earlier in the day, the timeline never felt rushed. We even extended coverage so the couple wouldn’t lose any of the memories they had planned to capture earlier in the day.

Looking back, it’s hard to imagine this wedding any other way. Yes, the weather forced everyone to pivot. But none of that is what we’ll remember first. We’ll remember Jeff struggling to read his vows because he was overwhelmed with emotion. We’ll remember Nicole’s quiet confidence while everyone else worried about the weather. We’ll remember a family honoring someone they deeply missed while celebrating the beginning of a new chapter together.

Congratulations again, Nicole & Jeff! Thank you for trusting us to document such an unforgettable day. We wish you both a lifetime of joyful celebrations.

Special note: We do not share images that feature children in our public portfolio to protect their privacy. Some images and moments from this wedding do not appear in the selected gallery seen here.

Hi, we’re Author Made, a wedding photography & videography studio based in Orlando, FL & Columbus, OH. 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!

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Amy Kuo http://www.authorbrand.studio
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Villa Festa in DeLand, FL – Central FL Wedding Venue Spotlight