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Laura and Robert
Bodden Town Church
Hair and Makeup: JoJo Cowin | Utopia Hair and Stephanie Ford
Flowers: Trishas Roses | Cascade All White Hybrid Lilies and White Dendrobium Orchids
Wedding Car: 1957 Chevy Belair
DJ: Sound Revolution – Pierre Foster
Live Band: JR Douglas Band
Wedding Designer: Oleg Cassini Limited Edition | Davids Bridal
Enjoyable! From start to finish the day was fantastic. We had so much support getting ready from food, to music, laughs and things being handled that we didn’t have to worry. I usually have anxiety about things being done and I totally relaxed knowing it was in good hands. We were able to enjoy each moment with our bridal party and our families before the church.
Cute Story
Shortly after we had made the official boyfriend and girlfriend status we attended a close friend’s brother’s wedding together. We enjoyed it a lot as it was light, fun and celebratory. We had already talked about our future a bit and joked on the drive up to the reception about how our wedding might be, where it might be etc. It was the first time for me that conversation like that just went naturally and nothing forced. As the evening went on it came time for the bouquet toss and also for the garter toss. Garter toss came first, Robert went up and without really trying he caught the garter. Then it was time for the bouquet, and low and behold it came straight beeline for me as if she knew exactly where I was standing. We laughed and joked about it being a setup but we could we each took it as a sign we were on the right path.
For our wedding we had the pleasure of riding in a 1957 Chevy Belair, it is one of Robert’s favorite cars. I did not tell him anything about it in case the weather heard me. So when the day came and my friend said it is a go, I knew it would be perfect. It was amazing to drive around top down with everyone taking pictures and also congratulating us. We also heard a little girl exclaim, look a prince and princess. Our little moment of fun with the car. We are very grateful to Anthony Echenique and his grand father, Brennard Watler for letting us have it for our special day. We also had creative hands in everything you saw. From the ring bearer’s pillow, made by Laura’s Nana, to making the mango jam favours and even the votives at the reception. Our family’s Labour of Love really helped pull everything together for our vision to come to life. It was truly a family affair and a great time getting everything together.
The vision of how you want your day is HUGE, it will help you a lot in the mix of all the emotions and decisions. Other than that make sure YOU (Bride and Groom) are going to have fun and celebrate!
I found it at David’s Bridal, Coral Gables Miami, it was a style I had not thought of initially when looking for dresses, which is trumpet. We had tried on several dresses and styles and I wasn’t quite sure what I did actually like. The sales attendant suggested this style and dress as it was an Oleg Cassini Limited Edition and the last one they had, so it would be unique. I like unique! From the minute it zipped right up I knew that something was different about this dress. I felt comfortable, confident and radiant. I felt like me and a bride at the same time. When I walked out I knew what the looks on my Mother’s and Sister’s face were, their emotions told me everything I thought was true.
For Robert he wanted a classic look at the church and a more relaxed look at the reception. We found his suit from Michael Strahan in the Navy colour he wanted. So he chose the 3 piece full suit for the church, and without the jacket for the reception with just the waistcoat. We got it ordered and custom tailored on island.
We met at a Lion Fish Culling event weigh in and we spent the next day diving for the culling tournament as a pair. I joined his team and enjoyed it a lot, he made me laugh. You know the kind of belly laugh and you can’t breathe? The best kind of laughter, he also opened my doors and made sure all my gear was setup and double safety checked. Our first official date outside the water and by ourselves is when he told me very honestly that he wanted to be a husband, a father and to build something with someone as a team, which Lady could resist that kind of honesty and a man who knew what he wanted and it was what I wanted.
Almost 4 months had gone by since we had gone looking at engagement rings, he wanted to know exactly what I wanted, so my thought process did not have it on the radar. Plus I had travelled a lot in March/April of 2017 and he had mentioned us doing something other than the usual take out/ Netflix/ cleaning the house, normal routine couple stuff like we had been doing the last few weekends I had been home. He suggested we go to Hemingway’s since I had mentioned it had recently re-opened. My week was busy and hectic so by the time Friday evening came around I was happy to be doing something other than the normal. Dinner was amazing, it was nice to connect again without our four legged daughter between us. I did notice that the waiter was acting a little strange and I could not possibly finish my champagne with how many times he topped it up. Robert did look a little off but I shrugged it off to it not being our typical Friday night. Near to dessert he asked if after I would like to walk down the beach to maybe Westin for a drink before heading home. I agreed, I love walks on the beach! So we headed out and off down the beach. I remember old 90’s music being played by the DJ outside Hemingway’s and me dancing like a silly girl underneath the stars and the palm trees to the right of Hemingway’s. I felt his hand join mine and turn me around, I turned and opened my eyes. He was on one knee and the rest was followed by YES!
Robert: Very happy and also relieved that the day was here and we had our future to look forward to. Laura: Walking down the aisle I was excited and trying to soak in all the moments. My Mother and Father walking me down the aisle was quite special to me as they are both a huge part of my life and where learned what love and partnership is all about. During the vows I was nervous to mess up or forget one of Robert”s names. He has four middle names, so I was listening intently to my words to say from the Reverend and excited with each moment. Also happy when I had not forgotten any of them, we both had a special moment laughing when I sighed with relief.
Yes, Arras (13 silver coins). The custom of the giving of wedding coins originated in Spain, and the belief is that the thirteen coins represent the 12 lunar cycles of a year, and the thirteenth coin symbolizes the couple’s honeymoon.The symbolism of the 13 silver coins in our ceremony is that the groom recognizes his responsibility as a provider, and pledges his ability to support and care for his wife. Acceptance by the bride means taking that trust and confidence unconditionally with total dedication and prudence. Laura’s parents, mother being from Spain, used this in their wedding so this is a tradition that comes from her side of the family.
We both enjoyed being driven by our good friend Anthony in his Grand Father’s 1957 Chevy Belair. Robert specifically enjoyed our first dance and seeing me enjoy and have such a good time (isn’t he sweet!). For myself without saying all of it, was when we walked out of the church with my Nana’s favourite song, Somewhere my Love being played on the organ and the church bells being rang to signal we were married! And the celebration with friend’s and family was about to begin. Another favourite moment was the entrance to the reception and seeing everyone there to celebrate with us. I as well enjoyed our first dance, that song is forever in our hearts. Receiving our gifts from each other was a special time as well.
Relax, the photographer’s know what they are doing. Trust them! It was amazing to just be us and to not have to worry about angles or how we looked. I knew that Rebecca would adjust us in anyway that we needed. Soak up all the moments and enjoy.
It was amazing, your eye for details, candid moments and creativity in shots was fun. We felt relaxed and enjoyed it fully to be ourselves and have a good time. At no point did we feel pressure or like you were doing something that we didn’t want. We kissed a lot so that was fun! You have an amazing ability to connect with everyone young and old.
No we chose not to. We went back and forth about a ‘First Look’ and decided to enjoy the more traditional way of seeing each other at the church. For us it made the exchange at the alter that more special, he had not seen my dress or had I seen his suit on him tailored and ready to go. We got to enjoy the reactions seeing each other after a while a part and in the presence of our commitment to each other. If we were to do it again we probably would do it the same. The time after the church with just us and Rebecca gave us time to soak in ‘ we are married…here we are’ moments together away from the excitement of everyone else.
The shot coming down the Bodden Town road we aredying to see as it was fun to stop traffic and have us be the centre of attention on that road for a while. Also seeing the joy on the children’s face and the love from them for us. It was great to relax and have fun with the bridal party during the shots.
Robert – I was most nervous about the First Dance, I wanted it to go smoothly especially with everyone watching us. It is different when everyone is on the dance floor. It was great, we simplified it and made it about us and our connection in that moment rather than a ‘performance’. Laura – I think I was most nervous about the names as I said above, which I got correct. Other than that the guest book being signed, which capture some but not all. We did receive a lot of cards which is a keepsake as well. We couldn’t have asked for better weather and setting for our special day.
We danced to our song that we connected over when I had first met Robert as he had the cassette tape, yes cassette tape. When I put it in the tape player in the car that song was the first song to play. UB40 – Can’t Help Falling in Love, it was great to dance to that and remember the many moments over the years it has played and we have danced. I tried not to cry, he tried not to step on my feet. Father – Daughter dance was 18 Yellow Roses by Bobby Darin. My father said years ago (probably 20ish years ago) that whenever my sister or I got married that this was the song we would dance to. It reminds me of our times together and that his love will never fade away, not your typical song with an upbeat rhythm and with meaningful lyrics to both of us. Mother – Son Dance was Mama by Boyz 2 Men, a memorable moment for Robert to thank his mother.
Cayman Islands is my home (Bride) and where my Father’s family originate from, our history as a family is deeply rooted in Bodden Town which is where we chose to have the ceremony and reception. I grew up on those beaches and on that land so it was deeply sentimental for me to celebrate in my district.
Mother of the Bride and daughter dance, I wanted to honour my mother for who she is and the woman she has helped me to become. I had not seen that at most wedding’s and when I found the song I jumped on the opportunity. Of course we are very unique, the mix of romantic and nautical theme was perfect and of course being at the family home helped set the tone of our beginning together.
