Everything about this vintage-inspired minimony truly embodied all that Monica and Gabi wanted for their special day! I was in awe of their love and their thoughtful plans from their gorgeous style to getting ready together before the ceremony to romantic vows as the sunset on the lake. You could just feel the love and excitement in every moment of the day. It was really special getting to be one of just a few select people who got to witness these two tying the knot!
What I loved most was how unapologetically true they were to themselves. Monica found some amazing vintage pieces on Etsy and looked like such a dream, while Gabi planned a surprise first married date after the ceremony with Monica where they danced, drank wine, and had ice cream! They kept it intimate and simple so their day didn’t feel rushed or lose focus on the point of why they were all there!
We got to chase the sunsetting a bit to capture blue-hour portraits overlooking the lake and shot some really fun night portraits as their friends and family made their way back home!
I got connected with Mónica and Gabi through another sweet intimate Minimony I photographed in Bayonne, NJ of Gina and Sam! Monica, a close friend to them, was their officiant! <3
Their Love Story
Mónica & Gabi met online, and it was a match made in algorithmic heaven! Gabi knew she was the one for him from the first date! Mónica fully fell for him on their 4th date when they answered the New York Times 36 Questions That Lead to Love questionnaire on a stoop in Jersey City! That night ended in their first kiss!
From that day, they’ve been at each other’s side celebrating life’s joyful moments and holding each other during sad times. After a few years of practically living together, she officially moved to NYC to be with him permanently. Here they are almost 5 years later and still deeply in love and grateful to have met one another. Just as the pandemic started, they adopted their first furry child, Freckles, an affectionate Calico spotted bunny that has kept them on their toes and brought them closer during this crazy time!
Mónica told me all about the proposal!! She said, “Gabi is an MC in a band he’s been in since childhood with his best friends called Black Dragon and my brother is also in a band called Fiscal Cliff – they have performed shows together in the past in NYC & Jersey, but on November 22nd of 2019 at FM in Jersey City, what seemed to be a normal show with both bands, ended up with a full house of all our friends and family members. I was suspicious of a proposal but wasn’t totally sure. As Black Dragon ended their best performance ever and walked off the stage, I disappointingly released any anticipation of a proposal. Then after a roaring double encore from the crowd, the band returned to the stage and performed a surprise cover song they never had before, it was This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody) by the Talking Heads, the song Gabi sang to me on one of our first dates. Gabi sang beautifully and the band performed the song perfectly and just as I started to realize what was happening, Gabi called me up to the stage and proposed in the most spectacular way I could have ever imagined. I was totally surprised, in awe, and speechless with joyful tears. It was a perfectly orchestrated, year-long con as Gabi planned this all in secret, and turned out to be a truly perfect, dreamy night surrounded by friends and family – we couldn’t have asked for more.”
These two stayed active before the pandemic with surprise date nights at fun restaurants/jazz bars/music events/walks in parks around the city! Gabi would always keep the plans secret but gave hints by telling her how to dress! How cute?! In the COVID era, date nights have looked like ordering burgers, watching Bob’s Burger’s, and cuddling under a weighted blanket with their pet bunny Freckles. Ben & Jerry’s Half-Baked ice cream is their ideal nightcap, too! 🙂
Mónica & Gabi
Thank you two for trusting me to document such an intimate day in your love story! It was such a special honor to see you two get married and start your married lives together! I loved every second of your intimate vintage-inspired minimony! Congratulations, love birds!!! Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness! xo
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