Shared from Carla Gates Photography BlogYou may remember Jessica & Gavin from their travel-themed Engagement Shoot with me last fall! I have to tell you, from the very first time I spoke with Gavin I was excited to discover that he is from South Africa! SA is so close to my heart because it was there that I not only fell in love with the African people, it also marked the beginning of my pursuit of photography as a career. What a joy to see it come full circle (thank you Lord!)…but even more, while watching the love of these two sweethearts through my lens!Having both lived abroad, Jessica & Gavin love to travel and decided to make it the theme of their day with SUCH a unique vision for it all! They did many of the details themselves including Gavin making small wooden plane seating assignments for each guest which hung from trees in front of a giant vintage map (SO COOL!) and hand-making each menu! And they didn’t stop there, but decided to bring in one of the best…Danny Wilson and his team at The Savage Garden in order to bring their vision to life -and my GOSH did they! SHUT THE FRONT DOOR AH-mazing! *pun intended* ; ) Seriously, there aren’t words to describe the brilliance of the intricate details and Alice in Wonderland dream-like world that they created at every turn!! I’m pretty sure Nina had to pick my jaw up off the floor when we arrived at Country Club of the South and first saw it all! This was my first time working with Savage Garden and I have to say, I can’t wait for the next – they are so detailed, talented, kind, and fun to work with! And of course I can’t go without mentioning the lovely cake by Baker’s Man Inc. set atop a fabulous rustic stump surrounded by vintage suitcases, as well as the other beautiful personal touches that J&G laced throughout the day! From the Star Wars Darth Vader music that played as the guys walked down the isle, to the girls each dancing their way in, to having a little “pilot boy” drop paper airplanes down the aisle instead of rose petals, it was all such an experience!However, even with all of the beauty around, none of it means anything without a couple in love to give it all purpose….and I can’t say enough about the love and sweetness between these two. It’s pretty incredible to see a groom adore his bride with such beaming delight and the whole day was filled with such joy as we were all just bathed in the warmth of their ease and love together! Be sure to watch the “short and sweet sneak peek” of Jess and Gavin’s day done by Sterling Cinematics HERE -so awesome! J&G – it has been SUCH a joy to be a part of this process, to get to know you two along the way, and most of all, to have the joy of capturing your love on one of the most special days of your lives! I’m so thrilled I had the honor! Nina- thank you again for all of your wonderful help second shooting!
