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The Cottages Wedding was the perfect venue for Melissa and George to say their barefoot “I do’s”
Officiant: “Reverend” Eric Oberembt
Hair and Makeup: Janelle Aaliyah | Lisa Angela Evans | Jeannie Lawler Studio
Decor and Flowers: The Flower Del
DJ: DJ Kyle
Dress Boutique and Dress Designer: David’s Bridal
Due to covid regulations, I wasn’t able to do the classic “say yes to the dress” moment. Not that that would have been my jam anyway. I actually did a zoom call with a gal from David’s Bridal since they are located in the USA. We chatted about the things I liked and disliked and she gave me the options and I chose from there. I was a bit nervous not being able to see everything in person, but everything looked great once it arrived. Norma Ebanks from Creative Fashion & Designs did all the alterations to make sure things fit just right and she did an amazing job!
CUTE STORY
I don’t really have a story. The general story of us is that we really feel like soul mates. Though we both wish we could have found each other sooner, the truth is, we wouldn’t be who we are today without going on the exact journeys that led us to one another. Through every mistake and every triumph we grew into the humans we both needed at exactly the right time. We compliment each other very well. We have the right things in common to share similar interests and personal values, but have the right differences required to provide exactly the kind of support we each need from a partner. We each got a bonus daughter from each other as well, which helped create what I think is the perfect family (though I may be biased). Now we get to spend the rest of our lives together raising our girls, laughing, loving and supporting one another and hopefully doing a lot of world traveling!
Our wedding was not your typical wedding. It was very laid back and it was planned to be that way. George is 100% Aussie, so he’s very easy going and just go-with-the-flow when it comes to planning things. I (Melissa) have seen plenty of brides be stressed out about details and everything going perfectly and I didn’t want to feel like that, especially the day of the wedding. I wanted to get the right vendors chosen, so I could trust that things would be handled for all the important things and we did just that. If there were any hiccups, I never knew about it and I attribute that the the right vendors, great friends/family who were ready to help and a husband who definitely would have handled things quietly in stride so I never had to stress. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day. It was meant to be a day for George and I to simply celebrate our love for each other and the official union of our two little families in front of people we love and that’s exactly what it was. Full of fun, laughter and love. Very representative of our relationship.
The cottages wedding
I think I mentioned the arch before. That was special. Made out of driftwood by George’s dad, Papa Ed. Then decorated with flowers from a generous woman down the street by our friends Vanessa & Kristen. Also, it was very special that my daughter Addi walked down the aisle with me because prior to meeting George, it was just she and I for the first 10 years of her life. We always considered ourselves like The Gilmore Girls (a tv show). It was equally as important that George’s daughter Sofia was a flower girl and that our niece Teegan was a flower girl because Addi had been the flower girl at her parents’ wedding (my sister Natalie and brother-in-law Eric).
George and I did everything required to make things official ahead of time so that we could have my brother-in-law be our reverend. Since he introduced us, it only made sense. It was hilarious, but still heartfelt. Neither of us really knew what to expect with the vows he had prepared, but they were perfect.
The cottages wedding
The cottages wedding
HOW DID YOU MEET
My sister and my brother-in-law brought my daughter Addi and I to Grand Cayman as a Christmas gift. My brother-in-law was a diver and I was interested in learning, so I thought this was probably the best time to do it. I did my basic pool skills at a place in Nebraska and planned to do my test out dives in Grand Cayman. My brother-in-law knew George from diving with him on previous vacations and introduced us as I did my test out dives through Silver Thatch Watersports (One of the businesses George owns). On one of our dives, George led me into a cave area (Eric was too big to follow!) and we shared a special moment. That’s when we say we fell in love! He handed me an arrow crab he found and I had to hold onto him to stay still since I was still a newbie diver. We locked eyes and I felt a lightning bolt to my heart. It sounds super corny, but it’s true. The rest is history!
We wanted to be on the Northside/East End of the island. We looked at a few options, but the Cottages ended up being the final choice and it was the perfect one. The view is amazing and there were plenty of rooms for guests to stay at that live on the other side of the island. We stayed there the night before the wedding as well with a handful of friends and that just added to the fun, laid-back vibe of the wedding.
HOW DID HE POP THE QUESTION
It was Christmas morning. George asked me to go grab something out of our room and when I walked back out, he, along with both of our daughters were on their knees and they all said in unison “Will you marry us?!” It was simple, but heartfelt and perfect! Addi is my daughter and Sofia is George’s daughter, so as important as it was for the two of us to commit to each other, it was equally as important that both girls were happy and felt like they were a part of the entire process.
The cottages wedding was a perfect venue
The cottages wedding
Our friend Jamie Butler played the guitar during the ceremony and at the reception when our daughter’s sang a special song.
Originally, I planned on George and I having our first dance be the song the girls performed, but once they started, neither of us could have done anything but watch in awe with everyone else. The song was “Lullaby” by the Dixie Chicks (I think they go by The Chicks now). Our friend Jamie Butler played guitar alongside our daughter Addi. Addi sang lead on the song and our other daughter Sofia and our niece Teegan sang back-up. It was just the sweetest thing ever and the words couldn’t have been more fitting since George and I came from opposite sides of the world.
“They didn’t have you where I come from. Never knew the best was yet to come.” and “How long do you want to be loved? Is forever enough, is forever enough? How long do you want to be loved? Is forever enough, cause’ I’m never ever giving you up.” I get teary eyed just thinking about it now. The whole crowd was in tears. George and I feel very fortunate to have found each other and just as importantly, feel really fortunate that our daughters hit it off so well from day one. They really love each other. And our niece Teegan might as well be another sister. They actually refer to themselves as “sister-cousins”. It was just so beautiful to have them all up there. It’s a memory we will all cherish for the rest of our lives.
How was your experience taking photos/working with me on your wedding day
Rebecca did an amazing job taking photos. I (Melissa) can feel a little uncomfortable being the center of attention, so I definitely needed someone who would be confident in guiding with how to take the best photos and to keep everyone laughing so we all felt comfortable. You really just felt like a friend at the wedding taking photos.
For more weddings click www.rebeccadavidson.com