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Venue: Sunset Bay
Planner: Juliette Ebanks | Five Star Events
Cake Maker: The Cake Studio
Hair and Makeup: Christine Valerie
Videographer and Virtual Wedding: Wild Love Artists and Hollins Films
Wedding Gown: Bridal Gallery in New Westminster in BC
The Dress
My dress was bought 2 years before the wedding as we had to push back the wedding due to COVID. I got it in Canada with my mom and 3 best friends. I had originally thought I would wear a ball gown-type dress or something poofier. I wasn’t sure about a form-fitting dress as I felt like a sausage in the previous ones I had tried on. But when I put this one on, I knew this was the one I wanted to marry Mike in. I didn’t feel like a sausage, I felt really confident and the dress was not overpowering me. I absolutely loved my dress. We got it from the Bridal Gallery in New Westminster in BC.
How did you meet
We knew of each other from uni but never had any interactions with each other. We maybe had 1 or 2 classes together. I thought he was weird and maybe a little full of himself, he thought I was a shy girl that only wore baseball caps that covered my eyes. One night, we happened to be at the same bar and had mutual friends we were hanging out with. Mike asked the group, who wanted to take Tequila shots, and I love Tequila, so naturally shot up and said me. We went to the bar, did 7 Tequila shots and that was it.
We went on our first date a few days later to the movies to watch Beauty and the Beast. Our second date, was me driving him to a hand specialist because he had hurt his hand on a rugby tour and needed to get his hand fixed and his nose fixed. When we walked out, he had a metal case on his nose and his fingers wrapped up. Needless to say, I fell in love right then and there.
The Grooms Outfit
I actually had a dream that Mike was wearing a grey suit and he looked so good in it in my dream. I asked him how he felt about wearing grey and he was excited about it. We went to Canada a few times to try on my dress and for him to try on his suit. He looked so handsome in it. My dream was right!
How did he pop the question
We had planned a trip to go to the Brac one week when I was down visiting from Canada. I was finishing up school and planning to move down after. We had spent the whole 5 days fishing, eating and exploring the island. The Brac is a special place for Mike, and now me, because that is where his family is from. His grandmother’s house is still there, where we stayed, and the history of the island is very close to Mike’s heart as it holds a lot of family history. One night, we were on the beach having a bonfire, roasting marshmallows and talking with his uncle, watching the stars. Mike said he needed to go wash his hands then he would be right back.
I had a small feeling he might be getting something but I didn’t want to think too hard about it. When he came back, I sat between his legs and leaned up against his chest to look up at the stars. He started talking about how much he loved me and wanted to spend his life with me. All this time, while he was saying that, I was saying “yeah yeah, but look at the stars!”, not really paying attention. Then, he rested a box on my stomach and asked, “will you be my wife?”. I froze, then jumped up and obviously said yes! All this happened on a private beach, with us, his uncle and his uncle’s dog. It was the best moment and I wouldn’t want to change it.
Were there any unique items at the wedding
The earrings I wore were over 100 years old from my mom’s side of the family. They were a really special family heirloom that I wanted to wear to honour my grandparents who could not make it from Canada. I also wore a necklace my best friend Adrian gave me. He was supposed to make it but couldn’t sadly. He has always been a huge supporter in my life and that was a way for him to be with me even from afar.
Was was memorable about the bridal party pics
The laughs we had and how supportive they were. I loved knowing that I had my friends with me on this really important day. They know I am really awkward in front of a camera, and they even made it more comfortable for me and fun.
How did you choose your venue
Our first venue got taken out by Tropical Storm Grace (but really Hurricane Grace). We were kind of happy about it as we were not that sold on it anymore given we had to move our wedding date back a year. Sunset Bay was the perfect setting for us. I was so happy we were not on the beach as I really didn’t want a beach wedding anymore, and the openness and views were amazing for our families to experience. Unfortunately, it is no longer a venue, but we are so happy we were able to get in there while we could.
How did you feel before you walked down the aisle
I was so nervous. I felt like I was going to pass out. I think I had half a bottle of bubbles before walking down the aisle. My dad was telling me dirty jokes to help me calm down and make me smile as we started walking. Thank goodness for my parents both holding me up, because the combination of my shoes being so high, and my nervs, I would have fallen over if they weren’t there.
What was your favourite part of the wedding
Christine: For me it was the speeches and the ceremony. I was so happy to see Mike at the end and holding his hands during the ceremony. When I saw him and was finally holding his hands, my nerves melted away and I was so focused on him. I didn’t even look at the people sitting down watching us. I was honestly trying not to think about them as I really don’t like all the attention on me, but Mike made me feel calm and ready to say I do. When it was time for the speeches, I cried in almost all of them. My dad and moms were the best and I am so so happy they made it as it was a little touch and go there whether or not they would make it to Cayman. Mikes family has embarrassed me over these past 5 years, and I truly felt like all my family was there.
Mike: Seeing Christine walk down the aisle, dancing with family and friends and the speeches.
What was your first dance song
Our dance was yet another awkward thing for us as we didn’t know what to do. We wanted there to be a blend of two songs for our first dance. The first part was I like me better, by Lauv, the acoustic version. Then it transitioned into Everything Beautiful by Clever. We love both those songs and it shows both our personalities. I am sure when the Clever song played, our families were a little surprised!
How was your experience with your planner
How was your experience with your wedding plannerJuliette was amazing. She handled everything really well and on the day of was calm, and got everything done. I cried when I saw the venue all done up with the decor and people enjoying themselves. We are so blessed to have had her.
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