Jess and Taylor’s wedding is seriously what dreams are made of! These two Disney loving sweethearts planned a beautiful wedding extravaganza at the Estate at Florentine Gardens, and it was one for the books. I was originally connected with these two through Michelle of Michelle Elise Artistry who did an absolutely incredible job on the hair and makeup! Amazing as always, and so much fun getting to work alongside my talented friends! I loooved Jess & Taylor’s subtle Disney touches throughout the day, like the Mickey ring box and Beauty and the Beast fireplace set up with clock and candelabra. Everything was so thoughtful, and it was so special how many unique ways they told their story and highlighted all the people important to them! These two are SO SWEET and have hearts of gold! They are seriously some of the kindest people ever and it was a joy to be a part of their wedding!
Wondering where their love of Disney stems from?! Well, in 2015 Jess was a character attendant AKA a character bodyguard at Disney, and Taylor was a bartender at Planet Hollywood. She said it was absolutely magical and one of the most exciting experiences of their lives. They spent date nights drinking around the world in EPCOT and Jess’s normal work day consisted of hanging out with princesses. An actual fairytale!
But back in NJ where they first met, Jess used to visit the bar that Taylor worked at every Thursday with her friends after work. One of the ongoing jokes between Taylor and his coworkers was that he would tell people he was a blimp pilot on the days he wasn’t working behind the bar. He asked Jess to go on a date with him and she began telling her family that she was going on a date with a blimp pilot. While they were hanging out, he spilled the beans about not actually flying a blimp, but she decided to let it slide because he was so sweet and very funny! She said that their families, however, still make jokes about that time she thought Taylor was a blimp pilot! She says, over the last few years that they’ve been together, Taylor “has filled my life with nonstop laughter and love and I’m looking forward to a lifetime of adventure with him.”
Here’s how he popped the question! “From the end of April to early May we planned a trip to go to Ireland for a wedding. It was a family wedding so my dad, sister, grandma, and two aunts were with us on the trip, my mom, unfortunately, couldn’t make it. After the wedding festivities, we spent another week sightseeing. Taylor, the jokester that he is, had me believing a proposal was out of the question for several more years but I was secretly hoping he would propose at some point on the trip. On May 4 we had plans to stop at the Cliffs of Moher which is one of my favorite places in the world. I was in a terrible mood that day because it was raining and we wouldn’t be able to see anything or take any cute pictures. We arrived at the Cliffs and sure enough, it was cloudy and raining more than it had at any other point in the trip. A proposal seemed completely out of the question. While we were taking a picture Taylor turned to me and told me he had to tell me something. All of a sudden he started saying all of these nice things and when he reached into his pocket I finally realized what was happening. That night he booked us a room at a converted abbey where we were treated like royalty and what started out as a miserable day turned into the best day ever!” A little rain can’t stop the best moment ever!! (and it surely didn’t stop it on their wedding day either! These two joked about how it was fitting to have a little rain on their wedding day since it always rains on those important moments for them!)
Oooh, Jess and Taylor, you two dreamy fairytale lovers, it was such an immense pleasure getting to capture this moment in your love story! Thank you for being so radiantly joyful and kind-hearted, you make my job so incredibly fun! Wishing you two the happiest, sweetest marriage and many many years of adventure! Congratulations!!! Love you both <3
Vendors
Second Photographer | Yumi Matsuo
Photography Assistant | Tori Kelner
Ceremony & Reception Venue | The Estate at Florentine Gardens
Wedding Planner | Creations by Christine Events
Dress Designer | Sophia Tolli
Dress Boutique | Bijou Bridal
Shoes | Jimmy Choo
Hair Stylist | Michelle Elise Artistry
Makeup Artist | Michelle Elise Artistry
Headpiece | Perfect Accent
Bracelet & Earrings | Harriman Clothing Company
Engagement Ring | Verragio Parisian – 129R
Wedding Rings | Elegant Designs Jewelry, Diamond Eagle Jewelers
Pillar Candles and Votives | Quick Candles
DJ | POSH Entertainment
Florist | Laurelwood Designs
Videographer | Studio 94, Tim Hillmann
Cake | Palermo’s Bakery
Catering | The Estate at Florentine Gardens
Bridesmaids Dresses | Bill Levkoff – Style 1266 in Pewter, Bijou Bridal
Groom & Groomsmen Attire | Biltmore Tuxedos
Invitations | Shutterfly – Dazzling Lace
Officiant | Reverend Joseph Ianiro
Favors | Hershey Kisses
Calligraphy | Calligraphy by Chris
Flower Girl Dresses | Etsy