STAR WARS ENGAGEMENT PARTY

 love to see my couples have as much fun as possible during their celebrations .  What could be more fun than a Star Wars themed engagement party. Alyssa surprised her fiance Jonathan with Darth Vader and the Stormtroopers; they siege the place and took everyone hostage.

Alyssa and Jonathan decided that instead of doing a traditional wedding they would do a destination elopement instead. Before their elopement though, they also wanted to throw a party with their friends and family to celebrate their engagement. Alyssa planned the party perfectly including the surprise she gave Jonathan. A lot of love and dedication went into the planning of this party. It was truly a celebration of friends and family. This really said a lot about who they are as individuals and as a couple.

Their engagement party was a combination of different stations with games and attractions that fit their personality perfectly; they even wore Mickey and Minnie matching Disney hats.  It was truly a ton of fun for everyone who attended. They had all kinds of fun ideas; there was a map of the world and pins so everyone could pick where they should go on their honeymoon, which of course meant that they were sent off to Antartica and other extreme places in the planet several times. There was a photo booth, polaroids, fake tattoo station and even Legos to build their dream home. In addition, there were card games and a Mario Kart tournament where the top three people were awarded with metals. They catered some great food, desserts topped with characters from Jurassic Park and a even a Coffee Bar with baristas.

They hosted the party at The Artist Loft 66 in Largo, Florida where Alyssa shares a photography studio with other talented photographers and artists. Alyssa thought of every detail from the traditional things to posters of their favorite movies including Star Wars, of course. It was a sweet celebration and it really showed how caring Alyssa and Jonathan are with everyone in their circle and how much they are loved.

I am looking forward to their elopement in Chicago and their engagement session. I am sure the rest of their journey is going to be pretty epic too.

CYPRESS GROVE ORLANDO FLORIDA WEDDING

It feels like the kind of love that will last a few lifetimes.

Cassie and Chase’s wedding day started at The Grand Bohemian in Downtown Orlando with the bride and her bridesmaids getting their hair and makeup done. The excitement was obvious as everyone was eager to help and make sure that everything went well for the bride. They were lots of laughing, nervous butterflies, drinking mimosas, Instagraming and the final touch... ironing Cassie’s veil.  

After that I was supposed to met up with the groom, Chase, at his home. But as a last minute change he wanted to have a beer with his groomsmen at a local dive bar. It was a great and personal touch. Chase said it best when he asked me if it was okay to meet at a bar instead of the getting ready at home. He said to me, "We all know what putting on a jacket looks like." He rocks!

I left the boys at the bar and headed to Cypress Grove Estate House in Orlando to capture Cassie getting dressed. Cassie’s wedding gown was a gorgeous Bliss by Monique Lhuillier that she wore with some blue platform wedge shoes. She looked and all her bridesmaids looked stunning. Her sister and both her mother and Chase’s mother assisted her while getting ready.

Cypress Grove is truly a unique location. The vintage feel is both stylish and timeless, perfect for a modern bride.

Cassie and Chase had a first look and it was perfect. Chase was nervous and excited to see his bride. They had an intimate and quiet moment together. They exchange letters they had wrote for each other. It’s always wonderful to see a couple take this time to themselves plus it really opens the opportunity to enjoy the rest of the day in a much more relaxed way.  It is perfect for the nervous groom who might hold his emotions during the ceremony. It allows him to feel and express his emotions  in private with his bride to be.

After a short family portrait session, I decided to send the bride and groom to enjoy their cocktail hour so I could capture the amazing wedding decor that the RW Events had designed for them, along with Cheryl Special Event Floral and Sweets by The Yum Yum Truck.

I really wanted to do their portraits during the twilight hour. I love the light once the sun hits the horizon. The light is warm and cool at the same time and it adds a powerful and romantic feel to the portraits.

Their reception was just an incredibly fun party. Cassie and Chase are loved my many. They have tons of close friends and there family adore them.

It truly is easy to love them.  I am glad I got to witness their beautiful day in the sun and I am honored to have been the one to capture their story. I hope you enjoy these frames from their wedding day.

VENUE: CYPRESS GROVE ESTATE PARK

PLANNER & DECOR: RW EVENTS

WEDDING GOWN: SOLUTIONS BRIDAL

FLORAL: CHERYL SPECIAL EVENT FLORAL

SWEETS: THE YUM YUM CUPCAKE TRUCK

HAIR & MAKEUP: JENNA CAREY STYLIST

DJ:  THE RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

VINTAGE FASHION BEACH STYLE SHOOT | CAPE CANAVERAL FLORIDA

When I decided to do a vintage fashion inspired style shoot, I had in mind the perfect store. It was a cute little vintage fashion clothing shop in the Orlando Design District called Retromended Vintage. I knew that I wanted to do something very simple that focused on the timeless beauty and softness that is reflected in vintage fashion. I wanted to accomplish something that was soft and stylish but also real and natural.

I met Brandy from Retromended at another shoot we did together. She carries a beautiful selection of vintage fashion clothing, including Vintage dresses, shoes and jewelry.  She also carries a very limited but incredibly gorgeous selection of vintage fashion wedding gowns.

When we first talked about doing our own shoot, we had a very similar vision for it. We decided to focus on the wedding gowns, the light, the location and the girls. So we went without the traditional floral details or other accessories including shoes.

I met one of the girls who model for us at a local coffee shop where I normally hang out. I gathered the courage to ask her if she would be interested in doing a photoshoot. Luckily, she agreed and also invited her friend to join us.

I also reached out to one of my favorite make up artist here in town, Jenny Satin. Jenny was incredibly gracious to donate her time for this fun project. She worked hard to have the girls make up and hair ready. The hair preparations particularly presented a big challenge since we did not have a place to get ready except for a bench near the beach that had no access to power.

In spite of this, Jenny made the girls look gorgeous.  Brandy styled them perfectly and I ended up using every little bit of light that gorgeous afternoon had to offer. I shot until it was too dark to shoot anymore.
It was truly a project of passion and it was all for the love of  the art of making pretty things. It was nothing short of inspiring.

I would love to find a blog to feature this shoot… but for now, I hope you guys enjoy it first.

— GC

Vintage Gowns & Styling Retromended Vintage
Hair & Make Up : Jenny Satin Hair and Make up Artistry
Photography: Gian Carlo Photography

BELLA COLLINA WEDDING

Before I begin I think is important to say that I am one of those blessed photographers. I have incredible couples who trust me and believe in my vision to tell their story. But, what is sometimes even more impressive to me is that more than 90% of all my couples book me before they even meet me for the first time face to face.

They see my work online, we exchange a few emails and a phone call or two… then, BAM! They book me. That has always blown my mind in hindsight.  Maria’s wedding was on my birthday this year. I have a rule for not shooting weddings on birthdays, unless of course there is a reason to make an exception, which has to be approved by my wife :) It was easy to accept Maria and Ryan’s wedding. We had a brief first conversation on the phone and it was like talking to an old friend who was getting married and wanted you to photograph her wedding.

I always set up at least one coffee or lunch date before the wedding to meet my couples and to get to know them. I believe this is the best time to meet, once there is no more business talk needed. I met Maria and Ryan at one of my favorite coffee shops. Maria was as lovely as I imagined her to be and Ryan was a super dapper and handsome guy whose sweetness and kindheartedness showed right through. We chatted and made plans for the big day.

Their wedding was a very intimate and private gathering of their closest family and friends. There were many attendees who flew from England and up North where Ryan and Maria live. Bella Collina was perfect their sophisticated and classic taste. Maria is a big fan of the 1920’s style of fashion and glamour. She shared with me so many incredible illustrations and photographers from the Art Deco era  she used as inspiration for her wedding decor. Everything was minimal, gorgeous and timeless. Her wedding gown was as stunning as a Jenny Packham gown. Packham might just be my new favorite designer. Everything from her wedding gown to the gorgeous Art Deco decorated cake was just a perfect backdrop to their perfect day.

I am sure if you know me as a photographer you must be wondering why I am talking about all these  wedding details and designers. I love wedding details. I also photograph them a lot but share them very minimally.  I believe that details alone do not make a wedding. It’s never about the things; its always about the people.

I love people. I love photographing them. I love their emotions and their vulnerabilities. Their connections with others and their need for love.   Weddings are just a perfect canvas for this, one of the most incredible human spectacles. So, it was not the extremely stylish bride and groom that I loved the most but it was them. Who they are? They are kind, humble and caring.   It’s easy to see why they are loved so much by many.

Their wedding day was easy going and went so smoothly. Alison from Blush made sure that everything was perfect for them. She even moved the wedding ceremony location from the Atrium to the Lawn on a very short notice. It was beautiful and sunny. It made sense to have the ceremony under the sun. It over looks the gorgeous and very rare hills found only in Montverde, Florida. It also faces the gorgeous Bella Collina Club house.
   
I was so impressed by Alison for doing this. She was incredible to work with.
Overall, it really was a memorable day. The bride and bride looked gorgeous.  They had plenty of time to enjoy their day. To laugh, cry, and dance. It was a perfect way to spend my birthday.  I even got a shout out from the bride during her speech, thanking me and wishing me a happy birthday.

I hope you enjoy this collection of my favorite images from their day. Feel free to tell us what you think and wish the couple love and prosperity.

XOXOX
GC

Venue & Chairs: Bella Collina
Wedding Coordinator: Blush
Make up Artist: Alaina D Artistry
Hair Stylist: Autumn Chia
Wedding Gown: Calvet Couture
Gown Designer: Jenny Packham
Florist: Lee Forest Design
Linens: GBS Linens
Lighting: Get Lit Productions
Cake and sweets: Party Flavors Custom Cakes
Ceremony Musicians: Classern String Quartet
DJ: JC Productions