GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Alyssa McAlpin and Ihsan Nairne started planning their wedding in August. They meticulously worked through the details and quickly learned that there seemed to be more questions and doubts than answers.

“I will definitely say I learned that we need to plan everything out,” the groom said. “As much as you might feel like you can do this later, you need to do it. Now. You need to do it before everything needs to get done, so when it comes down to that crunch time, you’re ready.”

When Nairne graduates, he knows the level of planning and hard work that awaits if he continues his interest in hospitality and tourism.  

“I would say one of the things I’ve learned, I could probably speak for us both, is preparation,” he said. “I feel like that’s everything. I mean, as much as we thought we were prepared, I guess it finally came down to the last week when we were good to go.”

The event was magical and picturesque. The nuptials were on the shoreline of the St. Johns River last Thursday in a historic stretch of homes and towering oaks.

When told he could kiss the bride, Nairne and McAlpin formed a heart shape with their hands. After greeting guests and taking photos, the young couple went their separate ways.

Career and Technical Education programs at Fleming Island High staged the event. The Hospitality and Tourism class was joined by photography, television production, American sign language students and members of the school’s chorus to create the perfect mock wedding.

Students spent six months gaining practical experience in their related fields.

“So for the hospitality students, this is their event,” said CTE instructor Laura Kirk. “I am just here to answer their questions. This is a student-led project. This is their grade for the third quarter. They get to see the logistics that goes into something this big.”

Students had to secure a venue, find a gown, formal wear, music, a “minister,” photographers, snacks, and cake, and set up a “mocktails” station. There also was a rehearsal, setting up and taking down the event and planning transportation.

Nairne said this year’s seniors added more elements to the annual CTE event, including the chorus.

“I think we pulled it off,” he said. “We’re pretty happy with the results.”

Two students, Ray Araujo-Tee and Taylor Collins, were the wedding planners. Collins had a clipboard with instructions and a headset to ensure everything went smoothly and on time.

“There’s a lot that goes into a wedding,” Kirk said.

McAlpin said the most important thing she learned was planning. Those lessons will be invaluable when she attends the University of North Florida next year as she adjusts to a college schedule.

“The main thing is to stay within a plan,” she said. “This is our senior year. You prepare yourself for a wedding, but then you also need to look at these things, prepare yourself for college, and take what you learn in a different aspect.”

Principal Thomas Pittman walked McAlpin down the aisle. He said the mock wedding has become one of his favorite school year projects because students use real-life skills without a real-life marital commitment.