Is it possible to still be on cloud 9 following a wedding? I somehow still am, every time I sort through images from Jeff & Jerri's wedding day! I realized this week I somehow never shared a "true" sneak-peek on Facebook, so I am making up for it with an entire blog post. Typically within 7 days of a wedding, I will share a handful of images from a couple's big day. While I did send a few to Jerri to share, I feel it is my due diligence to deliver a "proper" sneak-peek.
This wedding was special to me because I knew both the bride & groom separately going into the event, which is kind of rare. Sure, I'll usually meet the groom at some point before the wedding for an engagement session or bridal consultation, but this was different!
I met Jerri back in 2013 when we were both pursuing graduate school in the College of Education at UF. We had several classes together, and I vividly recall her being the student who had a passion for data & surveys & all things assessment. We actually graduated at the same time in 2015, because that's how the timeline played out.
Fast forward to fall 2017: Jerri contacted me after Jeff popped the question, and we met at Piesano's for lunch to discuss photography needs for their big day. Here's the kicker: I didn't meet Jeff until he strolled into the MBA office for an interview! Yep- Jerri's fiance just so happened to be applying for a position within our office. He got the job early 2018, and the rest is history!
Their wedding day was one for the books. I know I say that often, but hear me out. Family and friends flew in from all over: up north, down south, & overseas. Their bridal party brought the PARTY. This group brought so much love, energy, & fun to the entire day, and provided such a great vibe. From start to finish, Tara and I had so much fun photographing their details, getting-ready fun, bridesmaid portraits on UF's campus, & a happy-tear-filled ceremony. They tied the knot at the Thomas Center in Gainesville, FL, where they exchanged heartfelt vows and took first communion as husband and wife. There was zero rain chance for the day, and wouldn't you know it? It sprinkled during the ceremony. I totally chalk that up to good luck...
After some fun portraits, we all loaded up and headed over to the Senior Recreation Center for the reception, where Celebrations Catering was clearly hard at work all day. Ya'll- this space was TRANSFORMED. The linens, the floral arrangements, the lighting- the wow factor was present. The crowd- and I'm talking nearly every body there- danced to tunes from Mr Magnum. He did an awesome job at reading the crowd and playing the right songs at the right time but honestly, this crowd was so lit that someone could have plugged in an iPhone and it would have been okay. Jerri's sorority sisters performed their sorority sweetheart song, which was so sweet to watch.
Jeff & Jerri, it was so much fun to be part of your big day, and this is a wedding we will be talking about for a long time. These images were just a FEW of my favorites, so brace yourselves! :)