Some love stories I get to tell from the very first chapter, and Kori and Nick’s is one of them.
In July of last year, Nick asked me to help him surprise Kori with a sunset proposal on St. Pete Beach. I hid in plain sight while he got down on one knee, and I caught every second of her reaction. This October, they brought me with them to Canton, Ohio, to photograph their wedding at the beautiful Gervasi Vineyard.
Photographing a proposal is always an honor. Then getting to fly with that same couple to their destination wedding and be there for their “I do”? That’s extra, extra special. By the time the wedding day comes, I’m not a vendor anymore. I’m the person who was there when this part of their journey started and I love that so much!!!
Why Tampa Bay couples bring their photographer to their destination wedding
So many of my couples live here in Tampa Bay but get married somewhere else: back home where they grew up, at a family favorite spot, or somewhere they’ve always dreamed of. Kori and Nick could have hired a photographer in Ohio they had never met. Instead, they chose someone who already knew them, knew how they move together in front of a camera, and knew how important this day was to them.
That trust shows up in the photos. When you already know your photographer, you’re not warming up during portraits. You’re just being yourselves, and that’s what I love to photograph.
Scouting Gervasi Vineyard the day before
When I travel for a wedding, I always arrive early enough to walk the venue the day before. At Gervasi, I spent time exploring the Villa Grande, the vineyard rows, the gardens, and the lakefront so that on the wedding day I already knew exactly where the light would be and where I wanted to take Kori and Nick.
I’ll be honest, the minute I saw those hydrangeas I couldn’t wait to photograph Kori and Nick in front of them. We don’t have hydrangeas like that in Florida, and I’m a little obsessed. Big soft clusters in creamy white and blush pink lining the paths around the Villa Grande. Add the stone archways, the Tuscan-style buildings, and rows of vines, and the grounds at Gervasi are stunning from every angle.
Kori and Nick’s style was timeless: crisp whites, champagne neutrals, and classic black. Kori wore a gorgeous strapless gown with a long cathedral veil, her bridesmaids wore champagne satin, and Nick and his groomsmen looked sharp in black tuxedos. Against the warm stone and greenery at Gervasi, that palette looked elegant in every frame, in color and in black and white.
Just before the ceremony, I asked Nick’s mom if she’d like a quiet first look with him before he walked down the aisle. Her reaction was the sweetest thing. She held his face, she hugged him tight, and for a few minutes it was just a mom and her son before everything changed. Those are the moments I never want my couples to miss, and they only happen when you have the time and space to plan for them.
A ceremony on the back veranda of the Villa Grande
Kori and Nick said “I do” on the back veranda of the Villa Grande, surrounded by stone arches, potted ferns, and an aisle scattered with red rose petals. It felt like a little corner of Italy in the middle of Ohio. Having Kori’s brother officiate made the ceremony even more meaningful. He kept it personal, sweet and full of laughter.
After the ceremony, we gathered the wedding party and family, then I took Kori and Nick to every spot I had picked out the day before. First the hydrangeas, which are literally in the parking lot, then the garden paths, and then the vineyard rows. They were relaxed, laughing, and completely themselves. We ended under the iconic Gervasi gate at the entrance to the estate.
The reception was full of love from start to finish: a high-energy grand entrance, emotional parent dances, heartfelt toasts, and a dance floor that never emptied. Everyone had the best time.
Sunset over the lake at Gervasi
Then came the sunset. The sky over the lake at Gervasi turned into deep shades of orange, pink, and violet, and it reflected perfectly on the water. I pulled Kori and Nick outside for just a few minutes, and those are some of my favorite images of the whole day. Ohio you showed out! I’m pretty snobby when it comes to sunsets since we’re spoiled in Florida with daily gorgeous ones.
Kori and Nick, thank you for trusting me with your proposal, and then bringing me along to Ohio to be there for your wedding day too. Watching your story come full circle is one of the greatest joys of what I do. I love you two!
Planning a destination wedding? Bring someone you trust.
If you’re a Tampa Bay couple getting married out of state, or you’re planning a wedding at Gervasi Vineyard, I would love to come with you. Traveling for weddings is one of my favorite parts of what I do. We have photographed more than 700 weddings, and I handle the travel planning, venue scouting, and timeline details so you can focus on enjoying your day.
Schedule a discovery call and tell me where you’re saying “I do.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Tampa Bay photographer travel to my destination wedding?
Yes! Carrie Wildes Photography is based in Tampa Bay and travels for weddings across the U.S. and beyond. Many of our couples live in Tampa, St. Pete, Clearwater, or Sarasota and get married in their hometown or at a destination venue.
Do you visit the venue before a destination wedding?
I always arrive at least a day or 2 early depending on the location so that if anything happens travel wise there is extra time, We scout the venue, check the light, meet the wedding and/or venue planner, and plan portrait locations so the wedding day runs smoothly and I have all kinds of creative ideas in my head.
Where is the ceremony held at Gervasi Vineyard?
Kori and Nick held their ceremony on the back veranda of the Villa Grande, a courtyard framed by stone arches and gardens. Gervasi Vineyard is located in Canton, Ohio.
What are the best photo spots at Gervasi Vineyard?
My personal favorites were the hydrangeas near the Villa Grande. We were so fortunate that they were in full bloom in October! The north vineyard is very close to the Villa Grande, and when you get married there, you have access to the actual vineyard. It was so gorgeous. Other favorites are the stone garden paths, the Gervasi entrance gate, and the lakefront at sunset. The entire property is so stunning!
Creative Team
Venue: Gervasi Vineyard
Bridal Boutique: Noble Bridal
Wedding Gown Designer: Evie Young Bridal
Groom’s Attire: Jos. A. Bank
Makeup Artist: Becca Haines Makeup Artist
Hair Stylist: AG Hairstyles
Photography: Carrie Wildes Photography