Nicole + Jesse were married in mid-July at the stunning The Powel Crosley Estate in Sarasota, FL. The choice of venue was a particularly meaningful decision for this beautiful couple – they actually didn’t just have a wedding day, they had an amazing full wedding week at Anna Maria Island. Jesse grew up visiting his grandparents on Anna Maria Island. His dad, sister, aunt and uncle all now live on the island. Not only was it a special place for him to visit, but it became a very special place for N + J to visit as a couple. These two lovebirds love to travel and travel as often as they can, but Anna Maria Island remains their favorite destination. Nicole describes the island as small, quaint, laid-back and relaxing, which fits N + J’s personalities perfectly. Nicole’s sister Danielle happens to be an amazing wedding planner and she is the one responsible for all of the amazing, romantic details of N + J’s day (you might remember Danielle from when we shot her own beautiful wedding!). We are so eager to share with you the unbelievable shots that our amazing Southeast photographer Anna captured of N + J’s wedding, but we love this couple’s first (and second!!) date story so very much that we really have to share it first. Here it is, in Nicole’s words:
Jesse and I were set up on a blind date by a mutual friend named Rachel. She had wanted us to meet for a while and finally the timing was right. Jesse called me one night and we talked on the phone for a long time. He invited me to grab coffee the next day and picked me up from my house at 2:00 in the afternoon. I remember trying not to let a giant smile just explode on my face when I opened the door and met him for the first time. We went to a local coffee shop on the Marietta Square called Cool Beans. It was a beautiful afternoon, so we sat at some tables outside and talked for hours. There wasn’t a single lull in the conversation and I enjoyed hearing stories of his experiences in Spain and New Zealand. We both lost track of time until the sun started to set and Jesse realized that he was late for Thanksgiving dinner at his friend’s house down the street. He asked if he could grab a bag of ice on his way to drop me back off at my house. We said goodbye and 5 minutes later I got a phone call from him asking if I wanted to come to Thanksgiving dinner. I remember him saying that he typically wouldn’t do such a thing, but that his friends were standing right there, so he hoped that I would say yes. I accepted his invitation and he came back by my house again (a few streets down) to pick me up for dinner. We had the best time. I instantly fell in love with his friends and they made me feel so comfortable. Midnight came, the dishes were washed, and we sat on the sofa talking to Tyler and Christie. They asked how we met. I laughed and told them that we met on a blind date at 2:00 that afternoon. November 23, 2011 was our first date. If you ask Jesse, it was our first and second date. Maybe that’s why he wasn’t too shy about kissing me when he brought me home (for the second time) that night. We’ve been together ever since.
Nicole + Jesse, we love you guys so very much and we are so grateful to have been a part of your beautiful wedding! xoxo
Ceremony and Reception: The Powel Crosley Estate; Florist: Danielle Emma Carney of Emma and Oliver; Cake: Publix; Caterer: Milan Catering; Entertainment: Scott Anderson (acoustic guitar) and Black Tie DJs; Officiant: Keith Gunter; Dress: Maggie Sottero; Shoes: Audrey Brooke; Wedding Planner: Danielle Emma Carney of Emma and Oliver
