Featured Links
Cayman Islands Beach Wedding for Kristen and John was the perfect location for this incredible couple. Palm Heights wedding
Wedding Planner: Celebrations | Brianna Kane
Officiant: Ms. Joy | Simply Weddings
Hair and Makeup: Jackie Soriano bridesmaids makeup and Amanda Rosati (John’s daughter) did the Brides makeup
Live Music: Olujimi (Jimmeh) La Pierre
DJ: DJ Cardiac (Jason Rankin) of POP Events
Dress: Chosen by Khya
Grooms suit: Armani
The Dress
I fell in love with this Chosen by One Day dress in 2018 during my first wedding trip to go dress shopping. But, the price was way too far out of my range. So I ended up buying a more affordable option from Anthropologie …. fast-forward to six months before the wedding, and I could not get the original Chosen by One Day dress out of my mind. The Anthropologie dress was beautiful – but it didn’t feel “me” — so I started shopping for a reception dress option. As I was searching a wedding dress re-seller site, I stumbled upon the Chosen by One Day dress being resold by a bride who had to cancel their wedding because of COVID-19. The dress was in my exact size – and significantly cheaper. I ended up buying it the next day!
Cute Story
John is an all-around natural athlete…. while Kristen can trip over her own two feet on solid flat ground. And she did just that while on vacation in Sedona she twisted her ankle at the peak of hiking Bell Rock. Too embarrassed to call for a medical team — John threw Kristen over his shoulder and fireman carried her down the Class 3 trail as passerby’s applauded and cheered. Safe to say, we haven’t gone hiking since.
How did you meet
John and Kristen met on Halloween, also Kristen’s birthday. Kristen was bartending a Halloween-themed party around the corner from John’s firehouse. John stopped in for a drink after peering in the window and noticing the sexy Liontamer “whipping” drinks around the bar. The rest is history.
What made you choose your wedding venue
We fell in love with Palm Heights the moment we visited it in January 2020. The white building and all the natural tropical greenery — it made for a beautiful and unique SMB location. We also loved the boutique atmosphere — everyone who works there is friendly and they put so much attention into the little things to make you feel special. We knew we wanted our guests to get the royal treatment while on the island — and knew they would feel that way staying at Palm Heights.
Unique Story
Grand Cayman was picked as the destination for the wedding because of John’s childhood connection to the island. John spent 4 years on the island as a young boy. While John and Kristen vacation there often, many family members haven’t been back to the island in twenty, some thirty years. Many of John and Kristen’s friends have traveled all over the Caribbean but had never been to the Cayman Islands. John’s late mother suggested this adventure for everyone.
How did John Pop the question
John and Kristen were vacationing on Grand Cayman and John knew this was going to be the trip he popped the question. A romantic sunset dinner on the beach would be too easy and normal. While touring the Island, John wondered, which tour stop could be perfect to propose, he decided, let’s let fate decide. True to John’s terrible planning skills, none of the stops were ideal. Could it be in the pirate caves among all the Bats? It couldn’t be while visiting “Hell”, yikes, no bad omens, please. Would it be at Rum Point while standing in all the sargassum? So John finally decided to take a knee on the Iron Shores of the East End blow-holes. John’s Stepfather Larry, from Cayman, is quoted as saying in full Caymanian drawl “If he took a knee on that Iron Shore he must be in love”
Grooms Outfit
John, a long time football coach who’s every uniform consisted of Khaki pants or Khaki shorts was adament about wearing Khaki pants to his wedding…. Khaki pants would be a wink-wink gesture to all his coaching staff members who would know exactly how fitting it was he was wearing them.
Did you see each other before the wedding
- We did a first look — and it was probably the only time all day that we were alone — it was the perfect opportunity to take in the moment. Kristen was nervous about walking down the stairs in heels —- I was afraid I was going to tumble all the way down! HA! And then, when we saw each other Kristen was also too excited to speak. It was exactly what we needed to calm our pre-wedding jitters and have a quiet moment between us.
Live Music
Olujimi (Jimmeh) La Pierre played the steel drum at the cocktail hour.
How did you feel during your vows
NERVOUS! We wrote our own vows — and both of shared the fear of messing them up. John even made his best man carry a second copy of his vows in case he lost the first version. And Kristen had the bridal party listen to her repeat them over and over as she practiced them all morning.
Any traditions or ethnic customs
We had a memorial candle burning for John’s late mother, Toni and his Stepfather Larry. Both were expected to be at the wedding but unfortunately passed before our big day.
What advise do you have for other couples planning a destination wedding
It is soooo important to do a site visit before the wedding — we were able to come a few months before the wedding and walk through the space, meet the key players, and it made us so comfortable leading up to the big day. ALSO, try to remember that things will inevitably go wrong — and no, you won’t notice if they do. I put so much pressure on myself to have the details figured out – and didn’t even realize the things that were missing until days after the wedding.
First Dance
Our first dance was John Legend “U Move, I Move” — I think this might have been the most nerve-wracking part of the day. Kristen and her two left feet trying to lead John around the dancefloor. John made us practice it over and over in the months and days leading up. And it ended up being perfect!
John and his New York City Fire Department Football buddies gathered on the dance floor and sang a traditional folk song called “The Wild Rover” to honor their firefighter friends who died 9/11/2001 in the World Trade Center
What was your favourite moments from the wedding
Oh my goodness, so many moments! From the fireworks to guests on the dancefloor — and dancing on the bar with the bartenders. Walking around and hearing everyone say, “THIS IS THE BEST WEDDING EVER” — to John getting thrown in the ocean and other guests joining him there. There are way too many moments that stick out — the entire day was perfection!
How was your experience working with me…
Rebecca is AMAZING! SOOOOOO easy-going, great to work with — the perfect amount of direction, but also at moments just forgot that she was doing her thing. 100000% recommend! We loved your attempts at a New York accent… “hey Toe-kneee”
How did you find me…
When we first started our planning process searching for a photographer was the FIRST thing we did! John started following a ton of photographers on social media and reviewing each website/portfolio. We fell in love with Rebecca’s style before we ever reached out — and then when we did inquiry about our date we were devasted to learn that she would be in Spain! Fast forward several months — and we heard from Rebecca again that her schedule would allow her to come back to Cayman for our wedding. WE WERE THRILLED. Working with Rebecca was nothing but a dream —- she brought vision, and shared amazing ideas about how to position not just our bodies – but even the ceremony! She is incredibly familiar with the space and managed to keep us laughing and smiling the entire time!
xxxx love you both! So happy for choosing me to capture your day!