A 25+ Year Love Story and a Historic Celebration: Dexter & Gale’s Wedding at The Treasury St. Augustine

Every wedding photographer knows the feeling: you get a text, read the message, and immediately think, “Okay, is this a bot, or is this real life?”

I definitely get my fair share of fake inquiries, so when I first connected with Gale asking if I was available for her wedding date, my spam radar immediately went up. Why? Because right after I replied that I was open, she sent me a link to her fiancé’s Instagram.

The fiancé? Dexter Jackson. The 2008 Mr. Olympia.

I immediately Googled, “Is Dexter Jackson from Jacksonville?” When the search results came back with a resounding yes, I realized this was the real deal.

The Facetime (and a quick flex)

When she FaceTimed me, this gorgeous woman just full of light popped onto my screen. We chatted for a few minutes and instantly clicked. Then, Dexter got on the line.

Naturally, I did what any sane person would do: I immediately grabbed one of my weights and started flexing. Because of course I did.

I looked right at him and asked if he even worked out. He burst out laughing, and the three of us kept laughing for the rest of the call. I still couldn’t believe they had waited until a month out to book their wedding photographer, but I was just incredibly lucky to have that date open.

Over Two Decades in the Making

Gale will be the first to admit she is beautifully “over the top,” which meant the entire day was a masterpiece.

• The dress? Stunning and over the top.
• The flowers? Breathtaking and over the top.
• The vibe? Absolutely magnificent.

She looked incredible, and Dexter was rocking a flawless custom suit. Their families were radiating pure joy because these two have actually been together for over 25 years.

How They Met: They were in the gym (obviously). While Gale was working out, one of Dexter’s friends called him: “You need to get down here right now. This woman is here and she is perfect for you.” Dexter showed up, and they’ve been inseparable ever since.

Because of their history, there were a lot of “It’s about time!” jokes during the ceremony and reception. Their blended daughters and son, their families, and their guests were so tight-knit, it felt like one big happy family. My witty personality fit right in, and I loved every single second of it.

Magic at The Treasury

They tied the knot at The Treasury in St. Augustine, which provided a gorgeous, historic backdrop for their day. I did make them hike a bit to get their portraits after the ceremony, but looking at these shots, I’m going to go ahead and say the workout was worth it!

Dexter and Gale, thank you so much for trusting me to document your perfect day. I am so glad we crossed paths, and even more glad to call you guys friends from now on!

Enjoy a look into their beautiful wedding day below:

Want to see another gorgeous Treasury Wedding? Check out Kinedy and Parker’s Treasury St. Augustine Wedding