1908 Grand Wedding Gainesville, Florida
Jonatan + Mikaela
1908 Grand, Gainesville, Florida
A day full of love, family and friendship.
Jonatan and Mikaela’s wedding day was one for the books!
From the moment I met them for coffee at their wedding consultation, they felt like old friends. Their wedding was hosted at a gorgeous historic venue in downtown Gainesville, 1908 Grand. I was kind of fangirilng over this venue since they first opened and was so honored to have been asked to shoot their wedding at this location.
Upon arriving at the venue, I got started on the detail shots right away. This is something I encourage all my couples to put some thought into for their wedding day. You spend so much time planning beautiful details for your day, it’s important to have them photographed. If you’re planning your own wedding, check out this blog on wedding day details.
Some things that stood out to me was the strong sense of family. Mikaela wore her husband’s grandmother’s pearl bracelet, and Jonatan kept his grandfather’s rosary with him in his suit, both of which they put in their special details box and wore on their wedding day.
Mikaela had a first look with her father and bridesmaids which was SO sweet, and then we went downstairs for her first touch with Jonatan. I think this is the perfect combination for couples who don’t want to see each other before the ceremony but still want to share private vows or a prayer together before the ceremony.
At the ceremony, Mikaela had pretty much everyone in tears when she finished her written vows in Spanish, a nod to Jonatan’s Puerto Rican culture. Her vows with Jonathan’s expression and shock had everyone’s eyes, including mine, swell with tears!
Being Puerto Rican myself, I know how big important family and culture are. Jonatan and Mikaela celebrated that so beautifully. It was evident in the couple’s first dance, when they surprised everyone with a salsa dance at the end, to the dances with the parents. The toasts from the family and wedding party were so sweet and emotional. It was evident this couple is surrounded by God’s love and their strong sense of family. Such a beautiful thing to witness.
At the reception, I had the time of my life! The couple was reintroduced in their new outfits with matching Nike high tops and the music was blasting. A mix between Spanish and English music had everyone on the dance floor. All I can say is the Rodriguezes know how to party because even after an 11 hour day, I was so sad for their day to end.
VENDOR TEAM
Photography: Indie West Photo | Venue: 1908 Grand | Catering: Sonny’s BBQ | Florals: The Plant Shoppe Florist | DJ and MC: Elio Piedra | Planning: Always Eventful Planning