Formal Wedding Meets Biblical Marriage | Gigi and Alex
Photographing Gigi and Alex’s wedding was like walking into my own personal daydream where formal wedding meets biblical marriage, all at the boutique Highgrove Estate in North Carolina.
Their vision for a black tie wedding rooted in faith and holiness was truly a masterpiece that elevated classic elegance and the beauty of a gospel-centered marriage. They made so many intentional decisions when planning their November wedding, including special religious rituals in their ceremony, special music at their reception, and a handpicked team of wedding vendors that shared their Christian faith, which resulted in the timeless, God-honoring wedding of my dreams.
Gigi and Alex envisioned a formal wedding style, an elegant aesthetic that would stand the test of time, and the Highgrove Estate served as the perfect backdrop for this destination wedding.
Tucked away in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, a suburb of Raleigh, their 7-acre property is a picture of rolling hills, rustling treetops, and a lush oasis of natural beauty. It boasts all the southern charm and small-town hospitality you’d imagine, plus the added character of a bespoke estate with a parlor room, bridal suite, an 18-foot wooden pergola, an outdoor fireplace, and scenic views of Lake Laurel.
They worked with an amazing team of Raleigh wedding vendors, who truly made their day *chef’s kiss* –
Venue: Highgrove Estate
Florals: Flowers on Broadstreet
Wedding Boutique: Something New Bridal Boutique
Wedding Gown: Isabella Talya
MUAH: Renata Esteban
Groom’s Attire: Men’s Warehouse
Cake: Bestow Baked Goods
With timelessness top of mind, Gigi and Alex opted to infuse tasteful color into their day, leaning into warm, earthy tones.
Decor was kept to a minimum, but their florals, bridal party attire, and reception styling were infused with dusty rose, burnt orange, and rich undertones of copper, terracotta, and brown. Paired with the lovely fall foliage that they scored on their wedding day, their day felt not only sophisticated and upscale, but intimate and cozy. The earth was aflame with hues of red, orange, and yellow, and the fall foliage shone in a kaleidoscope of color.
A formal wedding, however, was not Gigi and Alex’s only priority.
Because faith has been such a pillar within their relationship and a foundational anchor to them each individually, they were very intentional in curating a faith-filled wedding with the gospel at the center, celebrating the start of a richly biblical marriage. I was honored that this was one of the reasons they chose me as their wedding photographer: my faith! “I really want to support Christian wedding vendors who are living out their lives for Christ,” Gigi told me in her inquiry form. “Marriage is one of the most sacred moments in my life, and I want to be surrounded with fellow believers… I want it to be a holy moment.” When I tell you I was shook after reading this… 🙌🏼
With faith as her North Star, Gigi incorporated so many thoughtful touches and religious rituals within her ceremony, praying that Christ would be magnified above all. These are a few of my favorite ways she prioritized faith and a deeply personal, biblical marriage at her wedding:
Pastor officiated: Gigi and Alex opted to be married by their pastor, Pastor Howard, who played an instrumental part in their marriage by providing marriage counseling and strengthening their spiritual walk for years. He also baptized Alex several years prior to their wedding, and it meant the absolute world to Gigi and Alex that he traveled all the way to North Carolina to marry them.
Cross Wedding Arch: They selected a cross as their wedding arch instead of a traditional floral arbor, and it stood beautifully behind them – symbolic and powerful. (Low key, made me think of Psalm 92 and the cedar of Lebanon. 👀😆)
A Cord of Three Strands: Gigi and Alex prioritized a special moment in their wedding where they braided the Cord of Three Strands to symbolize the joining of one man, one woman, and God into their marriage relationship.
Special Music: Gigi and Alex hired a live quartet to play special hymns and Christian songs during the ceremony. They also partnered with her brother for all-things wedding music. Music was especially important to Gigi as a singer and music-lover herself, and she wanted the music to be a reflection of pure worship to God. Her vision was for her’s and Alex’s love story to be put on display with God at the center, and for the music to capture that in a rich and melodious way. Cheeeeeck. ✅
A Live Painter: Since the wedding ceremony was such a holy moment for Gigi, she wanted it captured real time. She hired an artist to do a live painting during the ceremony, and it was just the best👏🏼idea👏🏼ever!!👏🏼
Gigi’s vision for a formal wedding put every “black tie” Pinterest board to shame.
But more than that, Gigi’s heart and posture towards marriage inspired me so much and reminded me of the true meaning of marriage: to reflect the gospel. In giving Himself up for us by going to the cross, Christ painted a picture of sacrificial love in action by paying the debt for our sins and paving a way for us to be united with Him. Through his life, death, and resurrection, we can better understand the essence of marriage – a living, breathing picture of Christ’s redemptive love for His church.
Marriage is such a richly thematic part of the Bible and is summarized so perfectly by Allie Beth Stuckey (host of the “Relatable” podcast):
“God’s design for marriage is rooted in creation, reiterated in the New Testament, represented in the gospel and reflected in Christ and the church.” Marriage is a preeeetty big deal, and I’m pretty sure I’ll never get over the fact that I get to tell meaningful, powerful, and deeply impactful love stories like Gigi’s and Alex’s for a living. 🥹
To read more about Gigi and Alex’s story, check out their Intimate Engagement Shoot at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Miami, Florida here. For more inspiration on formal wedding meets biblical marriage, then a couple must-sees are Nicole and Truett’s Modern Wedding at The Monroe on 415th in Nashville, Tennessee and Rachel and Sam’s Timeless Stone Tower Winery Wedding in Leesburg, Virginia!