Kristina and Jake

The Wharf

Where are you from: Indianapolis, In

Wedding Planner: Livia | The Wharf

Cake Maker: The Wharf

Officiant: Vince Curry

Hair and Makeup: Stephanie Ford and Rock Gorgeous Hair

Shoes: Jewel | Badgley Mischka

Flowers: Celebrations

Dress Boutique and Dress Designer: Brides by Young

How would you describe your overall wedding experience?

Our wedding was everything we had ever dreamed of. It was small, intimate, and relaxed. We felt very present and took in every single moment. We got to share our big day with the people closest to us and actually enjoy our day. It was the best day ever!

What was your favourite moments from the wedding?

We had so many favorite moments from our wedding! The first look before our wedding was the perfect way for us to have time together before the ceremony. We couldn’t wait to see each other and it was so special to have that time together before we exchanged our vows. We decided to do a wish lantern release and it was a magical moment for us! After dinner we snuck away and took a walk on the beach just the two of us to talk about our favorite moments and take the moment in. We looked back towards the venue and saw everyone that we love smiling and talking amongst themselves. It was a beautiful way to take in our day. Once we returned to table, there was a police chase next to the beach. The Wharf went on lockdown and a helicopter circled the beach area. We thought it was very fitting and funny, since Jake is a police officer in Indianapolis!

Tell me about your dress.

It took me two days worth of trying on dress after dress until I found the one. My sister, mom, future mother-in-law, and my two best friends went with me and were so patient with me! I finally tried on my dress and felt like a Princess in it!

What made you choose the Cayman Islands for your destination wedding?

We chose the Cayman Islands because we were looking for a place with beautiful beaches but wasn’t too far of a plan ride of us and our family and friends. The Cayman Islands were absolutely beautiful and our family looks forward to going back some day!

How did he pop the question?

Jake had planned to pop the question by incorporating our bucket list into his proposal. One of the items on our bucket list was to go to Maker’s Mark as a stop on the Bourbon Trail. After getting permission from my dad, Jake planned the perfect proposal for November 12th, one month before my birthday. It was a beautiful Fall day and he wanted to take me on a walk after the tour on the grounds of Maker’s Mark and then present me with the bottle Maker’s Mark had made with a special question on the label for me. He picked out the perfect ring and the perfect spot. He had planned the moment with the coordinator at Maker’s Mark for three months. His proposal did not go according to plan… In the gift shop of Maker’s Mark, Jake got down on one knee. I said yes before I even knew why I was holding a bottle of whiskey during our engagement. On the bottle Maker’s Mark had printed, “Kristina will you marry me?” Everyone in the gift shop clapped and congratulated us. It was one of the funniest and best moments of our lives!

How did you two meet?

Jake and I met at Ball State University in 2012 when we were twenty years old. Our mutual friend, Adrienne, decided that we were perfect together. She helped Jake ask for my phone number during a game of Draw Something. Jake and I chose to watch the Lion King together for our first date. Six years later we have built our whole lives together from the ground up and Adrienne stood by my side as my Matron of Honor at our wedding!

Did you see each other before the wedding?

We saw each other before the ceremony during the first look photos and we definitely recommend this to every couple! You get to be with your future spouse and share more of the day with each other! Even though we had spent an hour together taking photos, we were so excited to see each other at the end of the aisle.

What advice would you offer other couples planning a destination wedding?

We advise couples to keep it simple and enjoy every moment. Things will go wrong but on the day of your wedding you won’t be thinking about how the groomsman isn’t wearing his outfit because a bottle of body wash spilled on it during the flight.

What were you most anxious, nervous or fearful about regarding your wedding day and what was the outcome?

I was so nervous that things would go wrong! I didn’t know if the right music would be played, if everyone was wearing what I asked them to, and if the weather would cooperate. The day of the wedding, I didn’t care about any of that! I was so relaxed and excited. I didn’t notice anything wrong and thought that the whole day was absolutely perfect!

How did you feel during your vows or just before you walked down the aisle?

We wrote our own vows to each other so it felt special and intimate. We couldn’t wait for the ceremony to start and to be married!

What was the first song you danced to as husband and wife? Father-daughter dance? Mother-son dance?

Jake and I danced to “She’s Everything” by Brad Paisley. My dad and I danced to our song “Landslide” but we danced to the Dixie Chicks version instead of Stevie Knicks. Jake and his mom danced to “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack.

Can you tell us something cute or unique about your wedding?

I always loved the lantern release from the Disney movie Tangled. We released wish lanterns after the sun went down. It was the perfect ending to the perfect day!

How did you find your photographer? Online research? Word of mouth?