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Wedding Planner: Amanda Jane Pennington | Direction Event Planning
Officiant: Brett Basdeo | Simply Weddings
Hair and Makeup: Jackie Soriano & StyleBar | Sonia Sajnani
Shoes: Giuseppe Zanotti
Flowers: The Flower Dell | Bacarra blood red roses, safari sunset, dark hypericum berries, hanging amaranthus & quick sand roses
Videographers: Wild Love Artists | Noah Hollins & Janet Jarchow
DJ: DJ Cardiac | Jason Rankine
Dress: Grace Loves Lace | Honey Silk Gown finished with fresh water pearls and the Gabriela Veil
Grooms Suit: Hugo Boss | NKY (Thanks Nikki)
Tell us about your dress…
I saw it on Pintrest and didnt even entertain another dress. I looked up the designer, booked a virtual viewing (this was the height of covid) and within half an hour I said yes to the dress. It is the epitome of classic beauty, silk cowl neck all hand made in Australia to my exact measurements finished with fresh water pearls. It’s not how I imagined saying yes to the dress but I am a no fuss woman anyway so it actually worked out perfectly not having to try on a thousand gowns and seeking others approval- I knew what I wanted and I got it.
Cute Story…
The proposal. I (the bride) have an uncanny way of reading people, so in February 2020, I noticed friends and family were acting strange whenever I mentioned I did not want to go on a trip to the Bahamas due to the fact that I was feeling unwell. Everyone kept saying ‘just get on the plane and have fun’, ‘this trip is for Lewis’ birthday you have to go’, ‘you’ll feel fine when you get there’. I found this odd because usually I would be met with, ‘stay home and rest’ or ‘you shouldn’t travel if you’re unwell’. The incident that put the final puzzle piece together for me was when my 70 year old father, who does not even know how to turn on his iPhone, WhatsApped me to tell me to have a good time in the Bahamas. Unbeknownst to me, he wrote me this AFTER Lewis had asked him if he could marry me. Anyway, I went on the trip and still noticed that my friends would go quiet when I approached them (looking back it was because they were wondering when Lewis was going to propose) and Lewis was drinking WATER yes WATER at the casino which I found odd as well considering this was his birthday trip! Fast forward to the second night at the resort. I went up to our room to get ready. I’m in a bikini with half of my hair blow dried dancing to music from my phone when in the mirrors reflection, I looked up to see him holding the ring of my dreams (a beautiful yellow diamond) with tears in his eyes. He didnt actually ask me to marry him but we embraced each other cried together and knew from that moment on this was it. Para Siempre (which means always or forever)
Unique moment…
The moment the wedding planner probably thought I was a runaway bride! I have planned and managed events my entire life so on my special day I just couldn’t wait to see the setup so when everyone left the suite (bridesmaids, moms, photographers, wedding planner) I decided to sneak around to the other side of the hotel to see if I could get a glimpse of the setup. At the same time Amanda (my wedding planner) was banging on the door of the suite I was supposed to be in and panicking because she didn’t know where I was or what had happened to me LOL. We found each other at the elevators and had a good laugh.
Any unique items…
Definitely the decor. I personally selected and ordered almost everything for my wedding. My dad and I even made the backdrop for the sweetheart table out of chicken wire, wood, silk flowers and a custom neon sign I got made which said ‘The Wilsons’
How did you choose the grooms outfit..
I didn’t. He had two jobs – show up and organize his suit and the groomsmen. I had one stipulation, NO funny stunts. My husband loves to take the piss so I was happily surprised when he showed up in a perfect Navy suit rather than flamingo suits with hot pink socks.
How did you meet…
We met when we were kids. He went to Catholic School when he moved here from the UK and I went to Cayman Prep. Through the years he went back to England to live twice, I went to boarding school in Canada and in 2009 we finally ended up together after knowing for 3 years before that we were meant to be.
How did you feel before you walked down the aisle…
Emotional…even though we had been together for 11 years, I was a mess, overwhelmed with emotion due to the year we just went through, the friends and family who couldnt be there and of course his dad not being there.
A favourite moment from the wedding…
When I screamed out ‘I won’ before the vows. The night before the bridesmaids and I made a bet if Lewis would cry or not- he did and I felt the urge to let them know I won. We also LOVED the downtime in the AC with the bridal party where we could relax, enjoy a glass of champagne and CHANGE OUR SHOES lol.
Any traditions…
nope- we are far from traditionalist. We did create our own vows though- to love and honour our doggos which we had written in to the vows. Tango and Lola are our family. Two beautiful Rottweilers that we adore.
Any photography advice…
Just go with it…stop trying to get perfect shots, stop forcing it, just go with it – a good photographer will capture your love no matter what you’re doing.
Did you do a first look…
No. I spent the night at the hotel the night before and we only saw each other when I was walking down the aisle. I highly recommend it, especially if you’re already living together- it adds to the suspense and emotion of the day
What were you most anxious about..
Falling and eating sand while I was walking down the aisle. This thankfully didnt happen but there were a few times my spanx came out from the back of my dress to say hi! Ladies make sure and secure them – my final piece of advice.
First dance songs….
Bride & Groom – Bryan Adams – Please Forgive me (classic) Father & Daughter – Stone Blind Love – Bob Seger Mother & Son – Waterloo – Abba
Tell me about your planner….
Amanda is a girl boss and I adore her. She left me speechless with how well she handled everything and it was probably the first time in my life I trusted someone else to get something done for me.
How did you choose your venue..
It required so little to make it spectacular. Plus after the food tasting I was sold – the food chef Jake created for our custom menu was spectacular and everyone who attended agreed.
How did you find your photographer…
Rebecca is part of all of my friends lives so word of mouth. She’s followed them from saying I do to saying ‘crap I’m pregnant again’ and I hope she’ll follow our journey with us as well.
How was it working with me…
Amazing – I can only describe you as the kindest, quirkiest and patient person I’ve ever met. It felt like you were family and that meant the world to us.
ME: awwww bless your cotton socks… that means the world to me… you guys rocked it and were so much fun to work with !!!!!!