Today we’d like to introduce you to Savannah And Alex Esquivel
Hi Savannah and Alex, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Alex and I attended our friends’ wedding in Des Moines, IA, where we were first introduced to our Volkswagen Photo booth. The Photo booth was featured as part of the entertainment that night. We had so much fun with family and friends, laughing and capturing photos; we thought it was such a unique concept. It was owned and operated by a couple who were leaning into their event rental company and looking to sell. We returned home and the what ifs and day dreaming started to unfold. Over the course of a few months, we ended up purchasing the bus and trailered her from Des Moines to Minnesota.
Fast forward through all of the planning, strategizing, marketing and networking, we had our first season of community events, weddings, photo shoots, and grad parties in 2024! We named her Lynorah after our whimsical, wonderful daughters and we are so excited to continue sharing her magic.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We purchased the van in December 2024 and did not hit the ground running as intensely as necessary to have a robust first season. Business is a learning curve and most of it you learn while you are in it. We didn’t understand the need for creating visibility in the off-season, something we are still learning and getting better at.
Another challenge has been learning the ins and outs of operating new technology that we had not worked with previously. Working hard to create muscle memory and finding ways to set ourselves up for success has been crucial. Being a 1968 VW, we have also needed mechanical support – we are so grateful for our trusted auto shop who has been able to respect the integrity of our van while providing the care and guidance we need.
As you know, we’re big fans of Gather and Groove. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Gather and Groove is more than a Photo Booth; it is an experience. Located inside of our ’68 Volkswagen bus (Lynorah), guests gravitate toward the fun and magic she creates.
We are known for our high quality bar of overall client experience and excellence in our service. The events we are lucky to be a part of are some of the most precious days of our client’s lives and we take that very seriously. We want communication to feel thorough, easy, and seamless with the understanding that clients (especially in the wedding space) are juggling so many logistics.
Our Photo Booth prints on demand photo strips with customized branding to capture the client vision. We strive to come alongside our clients to understand their vision and how they see us elevating their guest experience. We are open to working with other event vendors to incorporate florals, balloon arches, etc. to bring dreams to life.
Branding wise, our name is what we are most proud of. It emphasizes two key things: bringing humans together and having fun while we do it. Working primarily in the events industry, we have the opportunity to help people create and capture a special moment that turns into a keepsake. And we think that’s pretty beautiful.
Our packages are based on duration of services as we wanted to create realistic options to serve a variety of event types, needs and budgets.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
As technology continues advancing, we will likely be able to leverage new ways of capturing photos and the deliverables (print, digital, etc.). We are hopeful that technology will continue allowing us to improve our services and quality over the next decade.
Pricing:
- 2 hours, $750
- 3 hours, $950
- 5 hours, $1,250
- Additional hours: $175
- Additional travel fees outside a 25 mile radius
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gatherandgroovemn.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gatherandgroovemn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Gather-Groove/61556467696224/
- Other: https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/gather-and-groove-saint-bonifacius-mn-2084434
