An Omni Grove Park Inn Wedding- Gabrielle + Jack

This may be the craziest story ever when it comes to how we were chosen to photograph this wedding! Michael and I were in an airport in Venice last July leaving an amazing Mediterranean cruise. Michael, being a social butterfly, struck up a conversation with the people in front of us while we were waiting in customs. It just so happened to be Jack’s mom! When we told them where we were from they said that their son was getting married the following May at the Omni Grove Park Inn. Assuming they must already have a photographer we told them we were wedding photographers and had done several Grove Park Inn weddings. They asked for a card. I just so happened to have one in my wallet. (Moral of this story… always have a business card, even on vacation!) Jack called me later and well, the rest is below in this blog!

Gabrielle and Jack were a little less than excited about the rain on their wedding day. And we get it! As Omni Grove Park wedding photographers we know how gorgeous this venue is with it’s amazing views. Gabby and Jack wanted their “mountain photos” and wouldn’t you know,  just before ceremony, the rain STOPPED, the view cleared, and the sun even popped out for a minute. God smiled upon this couple and we got a HUGE break in the weather that simply wasn’t in the forecast. The clouds nestled on the mountains and made for the kind of amazing views that ONLY happen on rainy days.


Maybe it really is good luck to get married on rainy days!

We interviewed Gabby and Jack about themselves and their big day. Here is what they had to say!

A bit about Gabrielle: I grew up in Murrells Inlet, SC with my little brother JT (who totally stole the show on the dance floor at the wedding). I studied biology, chemistry, and studio art at College of Charleston and went on to study dentistry at Medical University of South Carolina. I actually just received my D.M.D the weekend after the wedding.

A bit about Jack: I grew up in Columbus, Ohio with my little sister Margot (one of Gab’s bridesmaids). I studied biology at James Madison University. After school I moved down to Charleston to start my own small business which I ended up selling to begin my career in real estate. The southern lifestyle suits me well.

How did you meet? We actually met during Sunday brunch at a local bar after we had each attended church service. Jack being the natural extrovert that he is had no problem initiating conversation when he saw me.
Describe your first date? Perfect. We are both obsessed with sushi so what better way to spend a first date than to eat a bunch of sushi and go catch the sunset at one of the best places to watch it in Charleston.

How long have you been together? About two years and seven months
Who popped the question and HOW? Jack did. We went to “A Night of a Thousand Candles” at Brookgreen Gardens with my mom and brother. It’s an annual tradition and my family has tried to go every year for as long as I can remember. It is truly beautiful as they decorate the entire plantation in Christmas lights and candles. Jack wanted to take a picture in front of the largest tree in the gardens and as we were posing and my mom was acting like she was taking our picture, he got down on one knee. It was magical.



What tangible detail of your wedding day did you love the most?

Gabrielle- besides Jack’s snazzy suit and the venue itself; the wedding planner and PRI did such a fantastic job putting everything together. Everything just looked so beautiful.
Jack- I LOVED Gab’s dress, it was stunning
What adjective best describes your spouse on your wedding day? Jack about Gab- B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L, lost my breath seeing her walk down the aisle (hope y’all have a photo for that, haha). Overall sense of happiness even through some interesting parts of the day (which Meriah saved with the needle and thread)


What adjective best describes your spouse on your wedding day? Gabrielle about Jack- Dapper, thoughtful, and inspirational (he kept reassuring me about the rain and had such an optimistic attitude the entire time).




How many guests attended the wedding? Somewhere around 110


We caught your reaction Jack. 🙂 It was lovely!

We caught her reaction too! We love Mom tears! 🙂











Why did you pick Asheville and the Grove Park Inn? I (Gabrielle) actually visited Asheville with my family one year to see Biltmore decorated for Christmas. It just so happened to be when the Grove Park Inn was having their Gingerbread House Competition, so we went to go see it. I instantly fell in love. The stone everywhere, the waterfall, the mountain views, I was absolutely enamored with it. I remember saying to my mom, “this is where I’m going to get married.” Then I met Jack and the rest was history. He also fell in love with it the first time we visited it together.



What are your favorite hobbies and activities to do as a couple? Eat (no, seriously. Charleston is the perfect city for foodies). We both really enjoy working out together in the gym, taking our dogs on walks, and spending the weekends on the beach or a boat. We also just binge watched the entire Game of Thrones series right before the new season was released. No shame.


What was your first dance song and why did you pick it? “Prayed for You” by Matt Stell. We wanted to choose something that meant a lot to us and this song hits the nail on the head. We believe that God brought us together at just the right moments in our lives.

Gabby and Jack had signature drinks for their guests! We just had to get photos of them in front of those mountains.



What was the flavor of your wedding cake? We had two flavors: Vanilla cake with lemon curd and fresh blueberries with vanilla buttercream.  Chocolate cake with raspberry marmalade and fresh raspberries with vanilla buttercream.


What did you and your guests eat at the reception? Hand harvested greens salad with port-poached baby pear, candied pecans and goat cheese served with white balsamic vinaigrette. Braised short rib and jumbo lump crab cake with roasted red pepper aïoli, potato galette and garlic spinach.



What is the one of the funniest things that happened on your wedding day? Probably the impromptu speech from the ring bearer- he ended up getting too nervous and handed off his letter for Jack to read. He and his dad also photobombed a bunch of the Photo Booth pictures and it was hilarious!



What stood out to you the most when you think of your wedding? Just how fun it was. Between the Royal Suits, the Photo Booth, and the S’mores station it was just everything we had hoped for and more. Loved seeing everyone we love and care about in one place having a good time.






What is on your “bucket list” to do together as a married couple? We want to be able to travel to some really cool places before we begin the adventure of starting our own family.

Congrats Gabby and Jack!!! Thanks for allowing us to share in this chapter of your story. It truly was an honor.

Shout out to these professionals that made this day so amazing.

Venue coordinator – Annie with Omni Grove Park Inn
Wedding coordinator- Sarah with Verge Events
Dress Designer – Martina Liana
Dressed purchased at – Gowns Boutique of Charleston
Suits by- Bonobos Suits
Makeup artist – Glam by Christine (Christine Aprile)
Hair designer – Amy Elizabeth (AE Studios)
Floral designer – PRI Productions
Caterer and Cake- Omni Grove Park Inn
Band – Royal Suits booked through East Coast Entertainment
Officiant – Ryan Kirkland
Rental company – Classic Event Rental and PRI Productions
Videographer – byDesign
Wedding hashtag- #newlynockowitz

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