There’s a certain kind of wedding day that stays with you long after the last song fades and the candles burn low. Not because everything went perfectly – but because love showed up stronger than the chaos.
Nadia and Robert’s Cavallo Estate Winery wedding in Lecanto, Florida was exactly that kind of day.
Cavallo had just reopened its doors to weddings again, making Nadia and Robert one of the very first couples to celebrate there since its return. I photographed a wedding at this venue a few years ago, before it closed, so being back on the property felt quietly full-circle – familiar, renewed, and full of promise.
A Bride Who Led With Grace
From the moment I walked on site Nadia was in the biggest shock of her life – on the phone – experiencing something in all my years of photographing weddings had never encountered before. But within literal minutes of that phone call she was steady, grounded, kind, understanding and resolute – not angry, or shaken.
Throughout the day, little things stacked up. Pieces came apart. Stains appeared where they weren’t supposed to. Unexpected interruptions happened. It wasn’t one big moment – it was an accumulation of small, strange things that could have easily unraveled the day.
But Nadia never did.
She met every unexpected turn with patience, humor, and grace. Watching her choose calm and joy, again and again, set the tone for everyone around her. She wasn’t just beautiful – she was present. Thinking back to the start of their day it just makes me really proud of the way she kept her composure and thankful that God connects me with the loveliest people who exemplify his character.
Robert: Quiet, Steady, and Deeply Grounded
Robert is a man of few words, but his presence speaks volumes. Thoughtful. Dryly funny. Steady in a way that feels safe.
Right before Nadia walked down the aisle, she recorded a special message just for him and it played over the microphone. Just her voice, just his heart. When he heard it, the weight of the day finally landed. His composure softened. Tears hovered.
It was one of those moments that reminds you how powerful intimacy can be – even in front of an audience. .
A Ceremony at CAVAllo Estate winery
Their ceremony unfolded outdoors in front of the beautiful venue, bathed in perfect Florida light, surrounded by close friends and a small circle of family – and it felt intentional in the best way. Every person there mattered. Every presence was chosen.
The setting at Cavallo Estate Winery in Lecanto felt peaceful and grounded, the perfect backdrop for a ceremony that focused less on perfection and more on meaning.
A First Dance on a Cloud
Nadia and Robert’s first dance was cinematic in every sense.
As they stepped onto the floor, a soft layer of fog rolled in beneath them — a true dancing on a cloud moment. For a few minutes, it felt like the rest of the world paused. The room grew quiet, not because it had to, but because everyone was fully immersed.
It was epic. Romantic. Unforgettable.
Pasta, Laughter, and Thoughtful Details
Dinner was a pasta bar from Kane’s Cattle co — warm, comforting, and communal. The kind of meal that invites conversation and lingering laughter.
Guests enjoyed thoughtful details throughout the evening, including a charming phone booth that they could leave voice messages on that added personality and playfulness to the celebration. Everything about the night felt personal, intentional, and unmistakably them. From the beautiful bookcase they made together to hold everyone’s seating arrangements to the bookmarks at their place settings.
A Dance Floor Full of Laughter
As the night went on and the dance floor filled, the celebration leaned fully into fun.
Guests grabbed poster-sized cutouts of Nadia and Robert’s faces, attached to tongue depressors, and held them up over their own as they danced. The result was absolutely hilarious – oversized smiles, exaggerated expressions, and a room full of uncontrollable laughter.
It was one of those moments that instantly loosened everyone up. People couldn’t stop laughing. Cameras couldn’t stop clicking. And the joy was contagious.
It perfectly captured the spirit of the night – lighthearted, unpretentious, and deeply joyful.
A Bouquet Toss That Stopped the Room
One of the loudest moments of the night came during the bouquet toss – when Robert Jr.’s girlfriend caught the bouquet.
The second it landed in her hands, the room erupted. Screams, cheers, clapping – the kind of reaction you can’t plan or recreate. Nadia beamed as the celebration unfolded, and the energy in the room skyrocketed.
It wasn’t just a bouquet toss. It was a shared moment of excitement, laughter, and collective joy that perfectly matched the heart of the day.
A Dance Rooted in Friendship
One of the most meaningful moments of the night came when Nadia shared a dance with Ricardo, one of the groomsmen and a longtime close friend/family member by marriage. Their connection was evident – not romantic, but deeply rooted in history, loyalty, and gratitude.
It was a quiet reminder that wedding days don’t just celebrate romantic love – they honor the friendships that helped shape the journey.
A Cavallo estate winery Wedding Defined by bliss
Nadia and Robert’s wedding wasn’t perfect – and that’s exactly what made it beautiful.
It was a day shaped by resilience, laughter, deep friendship, and a love that didn’t need everything to go right in order to be deeply right.
Being trusted to document one of the first weddings after Cavallo reopened was an honor and I hope to go back again soon. This day was a reminder that joy isn’t found in flawless timelines or spotless details.
It’s found in choosing each other – again and again – no matter what shows up.
With love,
Taylor
Venue | Cavallo Estate Winery
Photography | wombs to weddings photography
Wedding coordinator | Katie
Hair & Make up | Robert Hickey REH Styles
Dress | David’s bridal
Catering | Kane’s cattle co
Florist | Flower time
Cake | Publix
Invitations | zazzle
