(Photos by Norma Molina)
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Susie Dyer went from an unexpected meeting to a strong friendship to love, marrying in an intimate ceremony at City Hall.
The couple met in 2012 in Susie’s hometown of Austin, Texas. Buddy was on a best practices trip with the Economic Development Council and Susie was invited to attend some of the delegation’s events.
The two initially bonded over football — Susie’s alma mater being Texas A&M and Buddy being a University of Florida alumnus.
“The Aggies were scheduled to play the Florida Gators in our first home game of the season,” Susie said. “Buddy and I made a bet on the game, which unfortunately I lost.”
Their paths crossed again a few years later when Buddy came back to Austin to present at a mayors’ panel at SXSW. He and his staff remembered Susie and invited her to dinner.
“We struck up a lasting friendship that obviously blossomed into love,” Susie said. “And here we are today!”
Their love of college football continued to bring them together as they began dating. Buddy even proposed to Susie at a Texas A&M vs UF football game on the A&M campus in October 2020.
“This time, the Aggies and I both won!” Susie said.
They didn’t tell anyone about the engagement — not even their families. They wanted to wait until they had a timeline and plan for the wedding.
They waited until January to tell their families and close friends. They didn’t tell the rest of the world until they sent out an announcement after the ceremony.
Buddy and Susie were married by Maryanne Downs in February 2021 on the balcony of City Hall. It was a small ceremony, with Buddy’s sons, Buddy’s mother, the couple’s dog Sammie, and a few close friends in attendance. Susie’s family was there over Zoom.
The two of them loved being able to get married in the same place where a historic wedding ceremony happened just a few years prior.
When same-sex marriage was legalized in Florida on January 6, 2015, Buddy officiated the Vowed and Proud ceremony on steps of City Hall. Over 40 couples were married on that day.
“Having the wedding ceremony outside on the balcony at City Hall, overlooking the spot where wedding history was made was pretty special for both of us,” Susie said.
After the ceremony, the wedding party made its way over to Maryanne’s house, where she hosted a dinner in her backyard for them.
They were thrilled to be able to share their special day with their closest loved ones.
“The day and the evening were just perfect,” Susie said. “But our favorite memory will always be that we were fortunate enough to be among the people (and dog) we love.”
Engagement Date: Oct. 10, 2020
Wedding Date: Feb. 12, 2021
Officiant: Mayanne Downs
Venue: 3rd Floor Balcony at City Hall
Wedding Musician: Michelle Jones from Violectric
Florist: Lee Forrest
Caterer: Cuisiniers
Bakery: Se7en Bites
Photographer/Videographer: Norma Molina
Makeup: MarjorieRobinson
Hair: Brooke Kehoe of Lambs Eat Ivy
Rings: Adams Jewelry and Almut Belote Jewelry
Do you have an interesting wedding or engagement story you’d like to share with Watermark readers? If so, email the details to Editor@WatermarkOnline.com for consideration as a future feature on this page.
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