Just Married: Gabriel Schaefer and John Kovach V

The proposal
After having been together for about two years, Gabriel (Gigi) Gerda Schaefer and John (Johno) Joseph Kovach V got engaged April 13, 2014. The couple, along with their son, 2-year-old John Joseph Kovach VI, took a trip to visit Johno’s family in Cleveland. Johno’s parents planned a hiking trip after spending time telling Gigi stories about this special place where they used to take Johno and his brother as kids. They spoke of a “castle” at the state park, which was actually a gatehouse for an estate oil tycoon Feargus B. Squire was building in the early 1900s. The historical building and property was purchased by the parks department and dubbed “Squires Castle.” It was at that spot, surrounded by family, that Johno dropped to one knee, and Gigi screamed “yes” before he could even get the question out. Johno told Gigi he had been waiting to get his princess to a castle for this special moment.

Wedding and Reception
The couple was married April 11, at the Sanderling Beach Club. The bride wanted to treat her guests to the beauty of a Sarasota sunset. With the help of coordinator Marisa Merlino, the wedding featured an elegant nautical feel with a color palette of navy, spring green and touches of beige and white. The dining area was decorated with photos of friends and family members who have passed as well as wedding photos of the couple’s parents and grandparents. The dance floor, with live acoustic music during cocktail hour by Andrew Fagin, was outside on the patio and lit by café lights. The night was complete with a fireworks display.

THE DETAILS

First dance: "Talk is Cheap iTunes Session" by Chet Faker
Photography: Jacob Bennett Photography
Floral design: Hydrangeas, peonies, roses, succulents and budded eucalyptus by Beneva Flowers, which also created the wedding arch adorned with manzanita branches, hydrangeas and greenery.
Cake: The couple chose a strawberry/vanilla creme cake, which was made by family friends and master Swiss bakers Marcel and Patricia Gisin, who flew in from Tägerwilen, Switzerland, and gifted the couple with a handcrafted cake and cupcakes, left.
Dress: Maggie Sottero
Favors: Burlap bags of coffee beans with tags reading “Gigi and Johno, the perfect blend”
Something new, borrowed and blue: Gigi wore new earrings and borrowed Johno’s dress shirt to get ready for the big day. Her garter served as something blue.