When I first met Melissa, I just knew we would mesh week. She was so full of energy, outgoing, and above all, loads of fun! The day her and her mom came to the studio I think we chatted for 2.5 hours, and I am not sure how much was even wedding talk- we all just instantly clicked! These are my favorite kind of wedding days, being immersed with the family, and this overwhelming feeling of connection. Its like watching two of my very dearest friends say their vows, which just makes it so much more spectacular when I photograph. The morning after the wedding I woke to an email from Melissa’s mom- it was the most heartfelt thank you, and it was the perfect touch to the end of their wedding. Melissa and Ethan told me they value family and friends above all else, and you could see that in all parts of this wedding. While the details and food were all amazingly GORGEOUS, for these two, it was all about having fun, and making sure that their friends and family had a blast too. They took special time to highlight their parents marriages {my favorite being the images of each of their parents slicing their own wedding cakes on the couple’s cake table} and the commitment that they had together- both over 35 years! They even included the fabulous champagne glasses from Ethan’s grandparents. Melissa and Ethan- you two are just divine! You two laughed together, cried together, and I know will share wonderful years supporting each other! I hope these images remind you of your amazing day, and how happy you two were! Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your love story!
Their Fabulous Team of Vendors
Reception and Ceremony The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens Gown Marisa from Solutions Bridal Gainesville
Ceremony & Reception Music The Cover Band Hair Mandi Adams of Once Upon A Stylist
Makeup Makeup by Paulina Perez Design Lighting by Mark Grandin
Coordinator and Design Christina Kreations Invites Christina Kreations
Catering The Chef’s Garden Catering & Events Cake Classic Cakes
Officiant Reverend John Palerine Floral Design Ann Evans of Cypress Floral Design
How did you two meet? Waka, world adult kickball association. But it turned out that we had a lot of mutual friends.How did he propose? He planned a suprise weekend get away planned up to the Williams house in fernindaia beach. We had a great dinner and as we walked back he proposed in the courtyard of the hotel. It was very romantic and thought out. The ring he gave me use his great,great grandmothers diamond.How did you choose your theme? Flowers? and overall wedding design? Oh man! I wouldnt say that our wedding really had a theme, i guess vintage… Ethan and i both love family and tradtion and we wanted to incorporate that, also we wanted it to be romatinic and comfortable. We made a chart with all the words we wanted to describe our wedding and I kept that in the back of my mind when making a lot of the decisions. I love the color purple so I knew that I wanted that to be a main color, but an also wanted to incorporate green and orange to tie in the fall and the beautiful botanicals, the cummer is so pretty and I wanted to do something that would complement the surroundings. when it came to floweres unstated elegance will never go out of style. I love hydrangeas and succulents and wanted to include those, but really Ann got my vision.What was the best part of your wedding day? When we both said the vows! I didn’t think that part would be as powerful as it hit me, but that really was great. Ethan really was moved when i choaked up when i said that i take this man to be my husband. I also enjoyed the band and signature drinks, made even more special because our friend Julie made all of the syrups by hand for us.What do you want to always remember from your wedding day? Seeing Ethan as I walked down the alise. (though I may also remember the server laughing at me as I shoved appetizers in my mouth after the ceremony!!’ who says you don’t eat at your own wedding??) ethan says that he will always remember the first look and seeing me in my dress.”IF I only I knew!” what is one piece of advise you would give to brides planning their wedding day? Stay true to your vision and plan early. Also, if you hav the opportunity hire an amazing wedding planner. I don’t know what I would have done without Christina.
And where are you going on your honeymoon? Iberostar in Jamaica. And Melissa’s Extras…. I loved being able to incorporate lots of family touches throughout the night, our toasting glasses are Ethans grandmothers, we had pictures of both my parents and his parents wedding around. And I just love the way it turned out. I was so relaxed and really able to have a good time, I even got to sit! It really is so amazing to have all of your friends and family around you. I said from the very beginning that I wanted three things, to marry Ethan, for our friends and family who love us to be there, and for there to be alcohol. We got all of theses and it made it a very special evening.
