The Garten Verein
Galveston Wedding
Galveston Reception
Galveston Wedding Photographer
Historical Wedding Venue
Slava of SGI Photography is grateful to be a favorite Galveston Wedding Photographer. He has a long history of photographing engaged couples, bridals, weddings, wedding receptions, maternity and portraits on Galveston Island. He especially enjoys covering celebrations in Galveston’s Historical Wedding Venues. It was a privilege to photograph Katie and Cliff’s wedding and reception at The Garten Verein. They have their own unique love story which is now intertwined with the history of the Garten Verein and Galveston,Texas.
Katie and Cliff met during her sophomore and his junior year at Auburn University! WAR EAGLE! They met when we were chosen to be a part of a recruiting organization for the Auburn University football team. One year after their initial introduction, Cliff asked Katie out on their first date while working together at a recruiting camp on Memorial Day weekend.
“From that point on we have been pretty much inseparable. Even though the last 2 years, I have been in Texas at Physician Assistant School in Texas, and Cliff has been in Indiana working at a polymer company, we have made the distance work for us. We take every possible break we have to see one another.”
The Proposal
Imagine Christmas-time in Chicago. Cliff took Katie to the city for a weekend getaway during a beautiful time of year. They had plans to go to Hancock tower to see the city from the 95th floor at night.
“Cliff and I were some of the only people there that night, it was so romantic. Cliff and I started dancing to some Frank Sinatra, and he got down on one knee to ask me to marry him. I was blown away and said yes immediately.”
He even surprised her with both of their families being there to help them celebrate, including reservations at the original Morton’s in downtown Chicago. No wonder Katie described it as a ‘magical night’!
The Venue
Katie had spent a year in Galveston at UTMB in Physician Assistant school. Cliff had visited her many times while she was there, so Galveston was on their list of areas to research for wedding venues.
“We fell in love with The Garten Verein as soon as we walked in. We loved the historic aspects and character of the Garten Verein as it was built in 1880. We had people coming from all over the country and we both wanted to have a venue where people could be in any part of the venue and see everything that was going on. We loved the area around the venue with all the beautiful trees. We also loved that we could bring vendors of our choice into the venue.”
The Big Day
It may not be for everyone, but Katie and Cliff decided to do the first look prior to the ceremony. “It was very emotional and exciting for both of us. We loved having the intimate moment prior to the ceremony were we could spend together and reflect on the day.”
They had also chosen to do communion during their ceremony. That was also a very emotional part for both of them. “It was an intimate moment we were able to share together.”
There were so many things to love about their reception, but Katie and Cliff especially loved being able to enjoy their first meal together as a married couple at the sweetheart table. They also loved being able to talk to all of their guests at the reception. “The way the Garten Verein is set up made it so easy.” The DJ Premium Sound was also great. “We loved dancing the night way!”
The Details
Guests: 165
Gown : ‘Noelle’ by Maggie Sottero, Something Blue in Angleton, Texas
Cake: Carriage Caterer’s. The bride’s cake was vanilla with vanilla icing and the groom’s cake was Auburn themed to give homage to their alma mater and was chocolate
Flowers: Carriage Caterer’s
Honeymoon: Sandal’s resort Ochi – Ocho Rios in Jamaica
Advice
“Do not sweat the small stuff! Enjoy this time in your story together and everything will work out. No one will notice if anything does not go exactly as planned. It will be a beautiful day and one you both will remember for the rest of your life!”