JACKSONVILLE For 36 years Jacksonville Magazine has told the stories of our city and all of Northeast Florida. Our publications are written and designed to help readers get the most out of living here.
PUBLISHER
Joseph White ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Amy Robertson EDITOR
Virginia Chamlee CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Jennifer Compton DESIGNER
Heather Kruse DIGITAL EDITOR
Emily Bailey SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Jessica Lindsay ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Vanessa Raola ACCOUNTING/ OFFICE MANAGER
Wendy Castro ADVERTISING COORDINATOR/ 904TIX SPECIAL EVENTS/ CIRCULATION MANAGER
Mandy Pettit PROOFREADER
Kathy Weedon STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Agnes Lopez CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
AmandaAllan,Jamie Borland, Flora & Fauna, Monika Gauthier, She Exposure CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Denise K . James,Josh Lester,Ashley Williams EDITORIAL INTERNS
Emily Gilmore, Nikki Schoenbeck SALES INTERNS
Maddie McMullin, Elizabeth Vodenicker SUBSCRIPTION REQUESTS/ INQUIRIES
circulation@jacksonvillemag.com
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JAC1KSO VILLE M··· ·GAZII E JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM
JACKSONVILLE OSSN 1070-5163), (USPS 749870), Volume 36 Issue 8. Published monthly with six supplements annually for $19.90 per year by White Publishing Co., 1650 Margaret St., Suite 302, PMB #379, Jacksonville, FL 32204. All editorial contents ©2020 by White Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Periodical postage paid at Jacksonville, FL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to JACKSONVILLE, 1650 Margaret St., Suite 302, PMB #379, Jacksonville, FL 32204. PRINTED IN THE USA.
Put a Ring on It S
SAVANNA & CONNOR
avanna Morrell and Connor Hayden had only met briefly before Connor secured a first date. He says he knew they'd be together as soon as they met, so for their first evening as a couple he treated her to dinner and drinks at Cowford Chophouse. Once Hayden decided to pop the question, he thought to go back to the destination where they fell in love. He acted as though it was typical dinner, but rented the rooftop and had it decorated for the occasion. Upon arrival, Morrell was none the wiser, thinking they were going to have a quick drink at the rooftop bar before settling at their table. "We got upstairs and as soon as we walked out and she saw the table setup with flowers and the photographer she started to cry. At that point all my anxiety left and I just wanted her to be happy and okay, so I was telling her to keep it together and I love her and she looks beau tiful," says Hayden. "I walked her to the table and who even knows what I said other than I'll love you forever and I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me."
Recently engaged? Jacksonville Magazine is looking for unique proposal stories with photos. Details posted at JacksonvilleMag.com. Or email maiL@jacksonviLLemag.com.
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BRIDEFALL 2020
GET THE LOOK 14 karat rose gold diamond accented solitaire engagement ring featuring an oval cut center diamond SPONSORED BY
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Words by Emily Gilmore // Photos by Monika Gauthier Photography
TOPE & ERIC November 16, 2019
W
hen Tope Leyimu relocated to South Carolina to work for a law firm, she needed a little bit of convincing that it was the place for her. But the charm of Charleston soon won her over, as did the charm of the man she met there. Tope met Eric Stallings after walking into her favorite coffee spot and they hit it off immediately. “I found him to be a refreshingly sweet spirit with the warmest smile. We had a great time chatting and he walked me to my car when we both left,” Tope reminisces. The two spent a great deal of time together as friends before falling deeply in love. When Eric proposed, Charleston was at the center of their relationship once again. He convinced Tope to come and have brunch with him, since it was such a beautiful day. Brunch turned into grabbing a bottle of wine and joining their friends for a photo tour of the city. As one of their friends was taking pictures of the couple, a crowd of their friends carrying balloons emerged from behind them. When Tope turned back to Eric the real mission of their outing was revealed. On one knee he asked her, “Will you marry me?” “It was a lovely, perfect, unassuming moment that incorporated the elements of our favorite kinds of days together,” says Tope.
CREDITS PHOTOGRAPHER: Monika Gauthier Photography • CEREMONY & RECEPTION LOCATION: Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens WEDDING PLANNER/COORDINATOR: Daughters Flower Shop • BRIDE’S ATTIRE: Le Trend Boutique • GROOM’S ATTIRE: Jos A. Bank HAIR: Angel Delicia • MAKEUP: Kimmy’s Touch • CAKE / BAKERY: Biscotti’s • FLOWERS: Daughters Flower Shop • INVITATIONS: MInted CATERING, BAR SERVICE & RENTALS: Cummer Museum–Chef’s Garden • LIVE MUSIC: Tranquility & the Brown Suga Band • DJ: DJ Natty Heavy
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A THOUGHTFUL VENUE The couple chose the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens as their venue. The museum is a sentimental place for Tope, as she used to visit in high school with her friends. This, combined with the art, lush gardens, and scenic river views, made the museum the perfect venue.
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BRIDE FALL 2020
At Nigerian weddings, guests shower the happy couple with money, expressing their happiness and best wishes for the new beginning.
ATTENTION TO TRADITION Tape's parents were born in Nigeria, making Tope a first-generation American. "Incorporating my Nigerian culture was incredibly important to us," she says. Tape's aunt made a traditional Nigerian outfit for her to wear at the reception, and Eric coordinated with a flowing agbada, a wide-sleeved robe worn by men in much of West Africa.
BRIDE FALL 2020
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Words by Emily Gilmore
// Photos by Jamie Borland Photography
OLIVIA & NARJ IT November 30, 2019
T
his Southern-born, Colorado-based couple is the epitome of a dating app success story. It was at the end of one of the couple's many Colorado hikes, while Olivia Taylor was preoccupied packing up and untangling dog leashes, that Narjit Aujla got down on one knee and asked her the question, "Would you want to keep doing this?" "We were overlooking a canyon as the sun was setting and it couldn't have been more perfect," she recalls. When Narjit proposed to Olivia, he wasn't just proposing marriage between two people, but two cultures as well. While both Olivia and Narjit were raised in the South, Narjit's Northern Indian heritage was a vital part of the wedding. The couple combined their two cultures by participating in Sikh traditions as well as having a Christian ceremony. The wedding weekend kicked off with the Sangeet celebration on Friday night, where everyone gets to know one another and spends the night dancing. "It's generally bright and colorful with incredible outfits to match," Olivia explains. "No little-black-dresses here." On Saturday, the Sikh ceremony was held in the morning and the Christian ceremony at dusk.
CREDITS PHOTOGRAPHER: Jamie Borland Photography• CEREMONY & RECEPTION LOCATION: HAIR & MAKEUP: Nie Studios• CATERING: Ponte Vedra Inn & Club• MUSIC:
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Ponte Vedra Inn & Club Bay Kings Band
SPECIAL DETAILS Narjit's Sikh religion is full of meaningful details, and the couple made sure to pay homage by participating in many of them. Olivia received mehendi, the traditional henna pattern that is inked all over the bride's hands and feet two days before the wedding. Narjit rode into the Sikh ceremony, which was almost completely in Punjabi, on a white horse draped in colorful garb. During the reception, the couple and guests danced to Indian folk music known as Bhangra.
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BRIDEFALL 2020
While the groom wore a navy suit, his groomsmen wore traditional, knee-length jackets known as achkan.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE Food and culture go hand-in-hand, so it's only fitting that this wedding had a diverse menu. "The chef at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club was so incredible," Olivia says. "He kept everybody full and delighted with traditional Northern and Southern Indian fare, Thai noodle and fish dishes, Southern staples, and no wedding cake, but instead 1 O different flavors of pie!" +
BRIDE FALL 2020
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BEAUTY Aesthetician Patrick Basile PlasticSurgery Brida air xtensions Brittany Karol at PrimSalon Br'da U pdos Blush and Mane Br'da Ma eup Artist Lia Croke acia Center for Modern A esthetic Medicine arge Party airsty ist NicStudios arge Party Makeup Artist Makeup by Paulina Perez ashes LASHJAX Mani/Ped' PROSE Spa for Br'da Party TheSpa at Ponte Vedra Inn & Club Spray an Bronze Bliss Wedding Shoes Debra's BridalShop
JEWELRY Anniversary Jewe ry Gregory's Jewelers ngagement Rings Beard's Diamonds
WOMEN'S FASHION
MEN'S FASHION
Accessories Rachel Ann Bridal
Bowties Rosenblum's
A terations Bridals & More
Custom uxedo The TailorShop
Bridesmaids Gowns Bella Bridesmaids
Men's ormalwear Men's Shoes Men's Wearhouse
Guest Appare Lulu's
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BRIDEFALL 2020
Renta uxedos Michael's Formalwear
Statement Jewelry Underwood's Wedd'ng Bands Diamonds Direct
FAVORS Custom/ and Crafted Party avors Market31 Party avors Beau-Coup Party reats Taylor'd Flair
ntimate Appare Beej Lingerie
GIFTS
Mother's Appare1 Dillards
TRANSPORT
Gifts for Br"desmaids Ellie Bing
'mo Serv'ce Dana's
Wedding Gowns Love, A Bridal Boutique
Gifts for Groomsmen Beau Outfitters
Party Bus East Coast Transportation
VENUES
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Banquet a Venue Jacksonville Public Library
Modern SpaceVenue Brick&Beam
BarnVenue The Barn at Cottonwood Ranch
OutdoorVenue La Venture Grove
Budg etVenue CoastalOccasions
P ace to Get ng ag ed The Beaches
Centra y ocatedVenue Hyatt at Town Center
Quick Wedd"ngs The Walk-in Wedding Chapel
ChurchVenue Beaches Museum Chapel
RestaurantVenue River Club
CityViewVenue TheOmni
RusticVenue BowingOaks
Country C ubVenue TPC Sawgrass
Sma Venue Riverside House
Garden/ParkVenue Cummer Museum of Art&Gardens
SunsetVenue Epping Forest Yacht Club
·storicVenue San Marco Preservation Hall
hemedVenue Clay Theatre
ote Venue Sawgrass Marriott
UnexpededVenue Jacksonville Zoo&Gardens
ndustr·a Venue The Glass Factory
v;neyard /W"neryVenue Tuscan Rose Vineyard
arg eVenue Ponte Vedra Inn&Club
WaterfrontVenue Casa Marina
oca Resort/ ote for Guests Hampton Inn Jax Beach Oceanfront
Wedding Nig ht B&B Club Continental
MansionVenue Manor at 12 Oaks
Wedding Nig ht ote OneOcean Resort&Spa
CATERING Bartending Services The Unbridled Bar
Covers A1 the Dietary Restridions Executive Food Service
ewer than 100 Guests The Perfect Pear
Nontraditiona Catering Mojo Bar-B-Que
More than 100 Guests Chef's Garden
Rehearsa Dinner Orsay
PHOTOS ngagement Photographer Evan Hampton Photography Photobooth Tin Can Photo Lounge Photographer Dan Harris Photography SefieWa s Shutterbooth Videographer Joseph Hardin Films
CAKES & FLOWERS Cakes Creme de La Cocoa Cupcakes Alleycakes Custom Cookies Cinotti's or¡st Liz Stewart Floral Design 20
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PRODUCTION Backdrop Decor Mugwump Productions Ba oons Zig + Zag Balloon Custom/ and Crafted Decor Aura Staging & Design ·rewor PRI Productions Party P anner Coastal Coordinating Rentals Beachview
OVERILOOK A Ft SCEN OF• ·.·RD N . :AVES. AND ,oN YOU WElDD G
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ENTERTAIN & DANCE Acoustic Musician Wehner Weddings Band The Chris Thomas Band Dance essons A Social Affair
DJ The Jeff Bell Experience Musica rio/Quartet Adagio Weddings 24 I
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Destination Wedding Location nclusive Resort Sandals Resorts Bache or Party ocation Savannah Bache orette Party ocation Nashville Honeymoon Destination Hawaii rave P anner Riverside Tours & Travel
OTHER SERVICES Officiant Ann Eastwick
Pre-Marita( Counse ing Serv'ces/ ega Advice Family Therapy Associates of Jacksonville Wedding Coordinator Monica B Weddings & Events Wedding Dress Preservation Services Oceanside Cleaners+
PHOTO CREDITS CLASSIC CAR ELOPEMENT - page 73 & 85 HAIR
PHOTOGRAPHY Flora & Fauna
Sara Jane Maples
Union Design House
Lia Croke
The Wilding Collective
Jana S. Tarr & Matthew Tarr
COORDINATION FLORALS DRESS
Love Bridal Boutique
MAKEUP
MODELS
PROVIDENCE CANYON- page 86 & 90 PHOTOGRAPHY
DRESSES
Flora & Fauna
Carol Hannah
Casey Powell
Moonstruck Florals
Lia Croke
Edwin & Gabrielle Garcia and Zeppelin
HAIR
MAKEUP
FLORALS MODELS
THE GOLDEN HOUR - page 88 & 94 PHOTOGRAPHY
BALLOONS
She Exposure
Zig + Zag Balloon
Love, A Bridal Boutique
J. Turner & Co.
Anything With Plants
Miriam"s Jewelry
DRESSES FLORALS MAKEUP
Lia Croke
MENSWEAR
Rosenblum's
FURNISHINGS JEWELRY MODELS
Devona Taylor & Joseph Fisher
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Casey Davis
250
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Cara Bowyer
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Kimberly Gutierrez
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Mandarin, 600-5172
Jacksonville Beach, 270-0025 Riverside, 356-6857
ELLIE'S GARDEN
Jacksonville, 502-1099
EPPING FOREST YACHT&COUNTRY CLUB
San Jose, 739-7200
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Linda Henry
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Jeff S. Tawney
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HAMPTON INN OCEANFRONT
Sierra Perambo
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150
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177
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HYATT PLACE JACKSONVILLE/ ST. JOHNS TOWN CTR
Carrie Tawney
3
120
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320
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250
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Ashley Sanford
125
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Linda Henry
240
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Robin Robinson
80
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LA VENTURE GROVE
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Atlantic Beach, 270-5313
ONE OCEAN RESORT&SPA
Atlantic Beach, 853-2330 RIVERSIDE HOUSE
Riverside, 387-9927
THE RIVER CLUB
Downtown, 354-1111 SAN MARCO PRESERVATION
San Marco, 537-2696
Brooke Sandiford 2
Libby Swim
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250
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150
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Orange Park, 264-6070
CLAY THEATRE
Orange Park, 710-0911
CLUB CONTINENTAL
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THE MANOR AT 12 OAKS
Green Cove Springs, 657-2290
THRASHER-HORNE CENTER
Orange Park, 276-6815
WINTERBOURNE INN
Orange Park, 264-2114
NASSAU COUNTY AMELIA HOTEL AT THE BEACH
JaylaAwa
50
50
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no
no
no
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89
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Jane Moore
299
299
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no
yes
yes
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3
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Dorry Taylor
600
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no
yes
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60
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133
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Coordinating Staff •
50
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yes
no
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HORSE STAMP INN
Pamela Ahrens
500
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no
no
yes
yes
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5
JEKYLL ISLAND CLUB RESORT
Patty Henning
250
300
yes
no
yes
yes
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200
KING & PRINCE BEACH & GOLF RESORT
Scarlett Starr
4
270
350
yes
no
yes
yes
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195
Caroline Grogan
13
400
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yes
no
yes
yes
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Robin Monosa
2
200
250
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no
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yes
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200
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Amelia Island, 321-5045
RESIDENCE INN AMELIA ISLAND
Jenna Moore
THE RITZ-CARLTON, AMELIA ISLAND
Joe Murphy
Amelia Island, 277-2440
Amelia Island, 491-6765
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Cumberland Island, 261-6408
Waverly, (912) 882-6280 Jekyll Island, (855) 787-3857
Saint Simons Island, (912) 268-501O
SEA ISLAND RESORT
Sea Island, (855) 714-9201
WESTIN JEKYLL ISLAND
Jekyll Island, (912) 635-4545
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Life Intitates Art PHOTO BY FLORA & FAUNA @LOVEFLORAFAUNA
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abbie and Edwin (a real-life couple who model on the side) were asked to pose for a styled shoot at Providence Canyon in Georgia, a four-hour drive from Jacksonville. As fate would have it, Edwin had already been thinking about asking Gabbie to marry him, so he took the opportunity to let life imitate art. In the midst of the shoot, Gabbie turned to see Edwin down on one knee, ring in hand. Gabbie said yes and, the moment was captured on film forever, thanks to Flora & Fauna photographers Jenn and Derrek. After their wedding date was rescheduled due to Covid-19, the two eventually tied the knot at the Clay Theatre, in a small ceremony that took place this June.
*
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