Monica & Matthew’s sentimental micro wedding at Haile Plantation in Gainesville, FL
An Intimate Micro Wedding at Haile Plantation near Gainesville, FL | Orlando Wedding Photographer & Videographer
Author Made creative lead & founder Michael captured this short & sweet micro wedding in Haile Plantation near Gainesville, FL.
A short, sweet, sentimental micro wedding
Monica & Matthew’s wedding day was small by design, but the emotions, meaning, and personal touches made it an incredibly heartfelt and sentimental day. These two tied the knot in an intimate micro wedding surrounded by close family and friends in Gainesville, FL, with a beautiful church ceremony followed by a cozy reception in the charming little town of Haile Plantation.
Monica & Matthew first met while pursuing their master’s degrees in college. What started with a board game night (painting Warhammer 40K miniatures!) turned into a love story filled with game nights, shared dreams, and stargazing. When Matthew proposed in December—ring hidden in his jacket pocket—he already knew this was forever. With Monica preparing to return home to Panama due to her student visa, the couple chose to have a quick but intentional celebration that focused on their commitment to one another. “I just want to commit to each other,” Matthew had told us during their consult—and he meant every word.
Prayers & personal touches
The day began with nerves as Matthew was feeling every bit of the weight of the moment. Fortunately, their officiant—who also happens to be their worship pastor!—stepped in and offered a moment of prayer with him before the ceremony. That small gesture helped center him and set the tone for what was to come.
Meanwhile, Monica arrived at the church through the back entrance to avoid being seen too early, her excitement and anticipation building with each moment. While guests waited for the ceremony to begin, the soundtrack was anything but ordinary. In a sweet nod to their shared careers in the video game industry, they played orchestral versions of music from their favorite games—Tifa’s Theme from Final Fantasy VII Remake filled the air, a tribute to their professions and their nostalgia (and for anyone else, like us, who’s a Final Fantasy fan!).
As the bridal party lined up and made their entrance, Matthew caught sight of his bride—and his whole face lit up. The ceremony was short, sweet, and incredibly emotional. There was a palpable sense of purpose and presence in the room. These two weren’t just getting married; they were promising to keep showing up for each other, even from different sides of the globe.
A small town with deep history
After the ceremony, we quickly made our way from Gainesville to Haile Plantation for their reception. Monica and Matthew had visited this quaint village-like community during a date early in their relationship and said, “Wouldn’t it be nice to get married here someday?” That dream came full circle today!
Haile Plantation has a unique charm—it’s built like a little colonial-style town with winding streets, tree-lined walks, and a peaceful vibe that feels like a world away from the bustle of the city. Despite its troubled past as a working plantation, the town’s committee opted to keep its namesake as a reminder not to repeat the mistakes of the past. Nestled just outside of Gainesville, it's the kind of place that makes intimate weddings and small-town receptions feel cozy, unique, and memorable.
A family-focused reception filled with laughter and tears
Once we arrived, we got straight to work on family portraits while Matthew’s mom finished setting up the reception space. After that, we stole the couple away for a quick bridal portrait session around Haile Plantation’s charming streets.
Back at the reception, toasts began—and oh, they were something special. Monica’s father shared a touching tribute that had everyone on her side of the family in tears, especially when he mentioned Monica’s abuela. The emotional wave was real, heartfelt, and deeply moving.
Matthew’s best friend followed with a speech about their years of friendship, filled with laughter and memories of their time together. For dinner, they kept things simple and delicious with food brought in from a local Brazilian café just next door—another perfect touch for their cozy, heartfelt day.
Now that Monica & Matthew were on their way to happily ever after, our work here was done!
Many congratulations again to Monica & Matthew, may your life together be filled with joy, love, and many game nights!
Vendors:
Author Made Team Photographer: Michael Kuo
Venue: Haile Plantation, Gainesville, FL
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