REAL WEDDINGS
TABITHA + JAKE S T. AU G U S T I N E , F L O R I DA OC TO B E R 1 5 , 2 0 1 7 P H O TOG R A P H E D B Y S a va n n a h L a u re n P h o t o g ra p hy
Text by Samuel Naumick
“
It was December of 2014 and he was 6’7”,” Tabitha
one of the sweetest in her life.
recalls, not really remembering much of her f irst encounter with Jake except for the impression left
As time progressed Jake was more than ready to make
by his handsome stature. Their initial meeting took place
their relationship forever, and prepared for Tabitha’s
at an annual camp staff reunion in North Carolina - Jake
next visit to Florida. The day was perfectly planned with
had just recently moved to town from Florida to be closer
good food and drinks, great conversation, and the joy
to his sister’s family who were also employed at the camp.
of each other’s company. Following a trip to historic St. Augustine they made a quick detour to the Castillo de
It wouldn’t be until the following year, returning to the
San Marcos fort to watch the sunset before sitting down
camp for various events, that Tabitha and Jake had the
for dinner. As they were walking back, their minds full of
opportunity to properly get to know each other. She
beautiful tropical sunset scenes and their hearts complete
was impressed by how natural and pleasant it was to
with each other, Jake led Tabitha away from the path to a
communicate with him, and Jake was equally as smitten
private grassy knoll. Never more certain and never more
- asking mutual friends about Tabitha and making his
nervous, Jake got down on one knee, looked Tabitha - the
interest in pursuing her known.
love of his life - in the eyes, and asked her to spend the rest of her life with him as wife & husband.
December came around again and with it another camp staff reunion. Jake’s mind was set and this time he
Tabitha and Jake’s vintage elegance wedding incorporated
wouldn’t let opportunity slip through his f ingers. Tabitha
a rich fall colored palette. Tabitha looked stunning in a
was more than pleasantly surprised when Jake asked her
f it and f lare ivory lace dress with an illusion neckline that
out and expressed his future intentions. As Tabitha fondly
celebrated her natural curves. Jake was 6’7” of dapper
recalls, “Jake made it clear that he was pursuing me for
groom in a classic navy tuxedo. For Tabitha, wedding
marriage. We opened up to each other and asked all the
shopping was easier than she anticipated, knowing exactly
hard questions early so there were no surprises. There was
what she was looking for, and assisted by her mother and
no pretense and we grew closer and closer each day.
sisters - who all fell in love with the second dress she tried on.
Jake returned to Florida soon after and a long-distance relationship began, their hearts yearning for each other’s
BEST MEMORIES: "My best memory of the wedding
presence day in and day out. They knew it was love of the
was the amazing energy and love felt when we were
deepest kind but neither had yet made the leap. They both
introduced and entered the reception. Our dearest friends
remembered a moment when during one of their daily
and family were on their feet surrounding us and cheering
video chats, they “almost slipped and said ‘I love you.’”
us on and I could f inally relax and take in the rest of the
That emotional proclamation was being saved to be said
evening."
in person, face-to-face, in a moment Tabitha describes as
SUMMER.2018
|
24
