Emily knew Park Winters was the one the moment she saw it—she never toured another venue. That instinct paid off: the estate’s romantic architecture and lush gardens set the stage for a day filled with warm blooms, heartfelt details, and a couple who, by their own admission, let go of the small stuff. “Everything works out in the end,” Emily says. “I was so stressed about everything looking and feeling perfect when all I really needed to worry about was making it down the aisle to my husband.” The moment she saw Matthew waiting for her, she says, everything else—the florals, the DJ set, all of it—faded into the background.
That same feeling carried through to the reception dance floor, where the couple’s first dance to “It’s Been a Long, Long Time” by Kitty Kallen became the highlight of their day. Matthew has hummed Emily the tune and surprised her with impromptu dances throughout their whole relationship, so hearing it played as husband and wife made the moment even sweeter. Elsewhere at the reception, Emily’s grandmother—who has ten grandchildren and was seeing her first get married—danced the night away with glow sticks, a memory Emily now holds especially close as her grandmother has since passed. Wedding planner Mae of Beyond Smitten Events kept the day running seamlessly (even sourcing a kitchen staff member to save the groomsmen when not one of them knew how to tie a tie), while Dixon Florist’s stunning arrangements brought the garden setting to life.
We’re thrilled to feature their wedding in the Summer/Fall 2026 issue of Real Weddings!
Read on to see more of their love story, their wedding vendor dream team, plus more details, tidbits and wedding photos by Alicia Parks Photography.
