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FUN PERSIAN STYLE WEDDING | GRAND CAYMAN
TANDICE+JAKE
Tandice and Jake chose the the Wharf for their fun Island Wedding in the Caribbean where their family and friends travelled from far to join in this amazing Persian wedding.
Planner : Sarah Parker | Save the Date Cayman
Cake Maker : The Wharf
Officiant : Samira Jali and Grant Kalmanovitz
Flowers :Â Pink and White Ranunculus, Pink Tulips, Fressias
DJ : Jonny Pipes
Dress : Melissa Sweet
Wedding website :Â tandiceandjake.com
Wedding customs/traditions :Â Sofreh Aghd
What’s one piece of advice you would give to other couples for planning their wedding?
Options are endless. When you find something you are happy with, move forward! You can get sucked into a rabbit hole of options and drive yourself mad. Once you pick your venue, and you make your second decision (WHATEVER it may be) things will start to unfold and your day will all come together with ease. Trust your instincts.
I was with my mom, sister, and best friend. I flew to Chicago from San Francisco, my sister met me there from DC and we had 2 days full of appointments. I didn’t have the moment where I knew it was the one, I just wouldn’t take the dress off and kept walking around the boutique. It is a tool dress, and I loved the way it would drag behind as I walked. I kept imagining how it would drag with the sand holding it back and I fell in love.
Sofreh Aghd
What advice would you offer other couples planning a destination wedding?
TRUST TRUST TRUST your wedding planner! A wedding planner was key for us. So many things felt unfamiliar, and we really didn’t know what to expect, but that was also part of the excitement. We had the main big picture items that we wanted, and after that we trusted Sarah and what she suggested. When we showed up to the island and met her, all the nervous feelings went away!
How did you two meet?
We met at work. Tandice was living in Arizona and Jake had come back to Arizona for a few months between off-site jobs. Jake and Tandice met and hit it off right away! They were both assigned to be relocated to Las Vegas before they met each other but their relationship blossomed when Tandice moved out to Las Vegas a few months after Jake.
Did you see each other before the wedding? If not, did you like waiting or would you have rather done it differently? Tell me why or why not!
I liked having a first look. It was great to have that moment of it being just us. Looking back, I wouldn’t have changed that decision, especially with everyone cheering as I walked down the aisle.
How did he pop the question?
Jake had planned a trip for the two of them to visit San Diego. It was Tandice’s first time, and Jake always had a love for the city. Knowing Tandice’s love for sailing and being out in the water, Jake had arranged for a private sailing tour along the coast. It wasn’t towards the end of their trip that Jake popped the question! We were lucky and had another boat next to us who experienced the moment and became our audience. It was also right after Tandice said ‘yes’ that cannons went off in the background – that was not planned, but just a perfect moment in time. The experience really felt magical.
We always wanted to do destination (Maui) but it was too far from our family in Chicago. We came across Grand Cayman based on location, we have family in California, Arizona, Illinois, and Florida. But once we looked up images, and saw that it was an island that catered to destination weddings, we knew it was the right place for us.
What was your favourite moments from the wedding?
Too many to write!!!! If I had to chose, it would be walking down the aisle. With everyone chanting my name and cheering, it really took the ‘serious’ pressure off, and it really became FUN! Jake and I have a great relationship where we focus on enjoying every moment as it comes, and going with the flow. Our wedding day was 2 hours behind schedule, and it was perfect – we went with the flow and everyone had a great time!
Any vendors we have not mentioned that you would like to recognize? We don’t always know who made your shoes or jewelry? All those links help your blog and other brides
Sarah Parker was amazing and she handled it all. Without her, we would have had a mess and I wouldn’t be able to enjoy my wedding! I found Rebecca before I booked with Sarah, but she reassured me Rebecca is the best on the island and extremely professional. When we met Rebecca on our day for pictures, we instantly knew we were in great hands!
How would you describe your overall wedding experience?
Free flowing. Everyone showed up at the house I was getting ready at, so I had to kick them out so they wouldn’t see me for the first look. Our DJ forgot his equipment so he had to turn around and go back to Bodden Town, my mom forgot some other items for our Sofreh Aghd (wedding display of symbolic items), so that bus turned around. All in all, half my guests arrived after we did. The steel pan player didn’t pause before I walked down so no one knew to rise, my family was chanting my name, the formal picture list went out the window because we ended up taking pictures with everyone. None of the guests would sit down to be served dinner. In general, I’m listing all the items that I think the majority of weddings would be considered stressful or a disaster, but honestly, it made our wedding perfect for us. It was completely imperfect in the most perfect way possible, if that makes sense.
Online research – I googled photographers in Grand Cayman and emailed a bunch asking who was available. Based on those who responded back, I went through photographs in more detail and chose Rebecca before I knew what packages she offered. Her style stood out the most to me and I knew I wanted her to capture our special day.