This session was shot by GMP founder and Principal Photographer Elizabeth Millar
I captured Hans and Leilani’s unique and personal micro wedding at St. James Cathedral and 1010 West Orlando.
This special couple had their Catholic wedding ceremony at St. James Cathedral in downtown Orlando, followed by a micro wedding reception at 1010 West—a popular micro wedding venue in Orlando. But what made this day mean so much to me started long before the wedding itself. The summer before, I photographed their courthouse elopement at the Orange County Courthouse. We even made our way to the courtyard of St. James Cathedral that day for their vows, knowing that one day they’d be back to say them inside.
Getting to be the one who came back with them? That’s not something I take lightly. Oh—and it was my birthday. I didn’t tell them. But I’ll say this: when you love your work as much as I do, spending your birthday with two people this remarkable, surrounded by a family this warm, is not a sacrifice. It’s a gift.
From Orange County Courthouse to Cathedral
Leilani and Hans are something special. They met working at Animal Kingdom, and they have a book club centered around Harry Potter (check out their themed wedding cake!). They have a dog named Diana, who they call The Monster, and they dream of moving to England someday. None of that is incidental. All of it shows up in who they are as a couple, and all of it showed up in how they celebrated.
I was so excited to be back with them after their Orange County Courthouse elopement the year before. There’s a stillness to them—individually and together—that’s rare. They’re deeply present with each other, with the people around them, and their family reflected that. Everyone in that room was genuinely tight-knit, genuinely happy, genuinely there.
A Catholic Micro Wedding at St. James Cathedral Orlando
The Cathedral of St. James sits in the heart of downtown Orlando, and it is genuinely one of the most beautiful religious ceremony spaces in Central Florida. Soaring vaulted ceilings, ornate altar flanked by candles, stained glass that throws color across everything—the architecture does real work here. The aisle shot alone is something.
What I’ll also say about St. James is that the staff and volunteers are exceptional. Every person I’ve encountered there is warm, unhurried, and seems genuinely excited for each couple they serve. That energy matters on a wedding day.
Leilani came down that aisle in a stunning gown and veil, and the family gathered close. It was a Catholic sacramental marriage in the fullest sense—meaningful, intentional, and beautiful to photograph.
The Portraits: Strong Light, Bold Shadows, and Some Film
We got out for portraits in that window just before golden hour—when the light is strong and directional and the shadows are long and bold. A lot of photographers shy away from that light. I love it. It’s honest and dramatic and it forces a kind of intentionality in how you position people that I find genuinely fun to work through.
Some of these images were shot on film with a Nikon point and shoot. There’s a warmth and grain to film that digital just doesn’t replicate, and for a couple like Leilani and Hans—who are deep and still and cinematic in their own way—it felt exactly right.
1010 West Orlando Reception: English High Tea & Movie Trivia
1010 West is a converted airplane hangar on West Church Street in downtown Orlando. Its varied history gives it a character that newer venues can’t manufacture—raw, warm, unexpected. String lights glow across the ceiling, the bones of the space are industrial, and an excellent blank canvas to personalize with your decorations.
For their reception, Leilani and Hans included an English high tea service from Houses of Windsor—tiered stands, delicate cups, a sweet and unhurried afternoon pace that fit this couple perfectly. And then there was the trivia game. They’re both huge cinephiles, and they put together a movie score game for their family: play a score, guess the film. Watching their family dig into that—laughing, arguing, absolutely delighted—was one of those reception moments that tells you everything about a couple and their family.
1010 West: One of Orlando’s Unique Micro Wedding Venues
If you’re looking for unique Orlando micro wedding venues that don’t feel like every other ballroom in Central Florida, 1010 West belongs on your list. The hidden airplane hangar on West Church Street is steeped in downtown Orlando history and has a character that photographs beautifully. This intimate venue accommodates up to 125 guests, with adjustments possible for larger groups. One important note: a certified day-of planner is required for every event, and 1010 West can provide one for an additional cost if needed.
See More Orlando Micro Weddings I’ve Captured:
- Orlando Micro Wedding at 1010 West and St. James Cathedral
- Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire Wedding near Orlando, FL
- Sun-Soaked Autumn Micro Wedding at Maitland Art and History Museum
FAQ: Planning Your 1010 West Orlando Wedding
1010 West is a unique event and wedding venue housed in a converted airplane hangar in downtown Orlando. It’s known for its industrial character, Edison market lighting, and warm, intimate atmosphere.
Pricing varies based on day of week and month of the year. Visit 1010 West’s rental page or contact their team directly to get current rental rates.
The base rental accommodates up to 125 guests. Pricing adjusts for 125–150 guests, and larger events can be discussed with a 1010 West representative.
A standard rental includes 8 hours of venue time, 22 sixty-inch round banquet tables, 12 cocktail tables, 5 rectangle tables, 150 mahogany chairs, Edison market lighting, a built-in bar location, venue staff, and valet parking for up to 100 guests.
Yes—a certified day-of planner is required for every event at 1010 West. If you don’t have one, the venue can provide a planner for an additional cost of $1,200.
1010 West is one of the best and most unique micro wedding locations in Orlando. The space has a warmth and character that works especially well for smaller, more intentional celebrations. The Edison lighting, the industrial texture, and the built-in intimacy of the hangar layout all lend themselves to micro weddings and intimate receptions beautifully.
Looking for a Micro Wedding Photographer in Orlando?
I loved hearing Hans and Leilani’s kind words about my work after their big day: “It’s hard to put into words how good her work is. She is an absolute artist. We have worked with her twice. One civil ceremony and one Catholic ceremony. Both shoots were incredible and unique from each other. She is also incredibly efficient and a great communicator. Whatever I write will not do her work justice. Just know if you book her you will have the photos you dreamed of and the photos your imagination could not even contemplate.”
If you’re planning a micro wedding in Orlando—whether that’s a ceremony at St. James Cathedral, a reception at 1010 West, or something else entirely—I’d love to talk. Browse more of my micro wedding work here, or fill out my inquiry form and let’s start the conversation.
Wedding Team:
Planning: Ring & Rose Events
Reception Venue: 1010 West
Photography: Gracie May Photography
Videography: Shoreline Filmmakers
Tea Service: Houses of Windsor
Catering: Tikka Bowls and Tacos
Cake: The Glass Knife
