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Wedding Venue: Pappagallos | Shangri La Bed and Breakfast
Wedding Planner: Our friends on the island, Elita at Papagallo’s, and the expert guidance from Rebecca (seriously, could not have done this without her)
Officiant: Steve Tippetts
Hair and Makeup: Jackie Soriano
Videographer: Wild Love Artists
Florist: Delyth Child – The Flower Dell
Caterers: Papagallo Restaurant
Bridal Gown: Maggie Sottero – Bombshell Bridal, Shelby Township, MI
THE DRESS
When I decided my dress was “the one” I felt beautiful and didn’t want to take it off! Fast forward months later to when the dress came in and I tried it on again, I had serious doubts, worrying I had made the wrong choice. Thankfully I ignored those thoughts, because it was exactly what I wanted on my wedding day – I felt gorgeous!
HOW DID YOU BOTH MEET
Matt and I met for the first time at work in 2019 – I was a social worker in the emergency room, Matt was a pharmacist. We actually butted heads the first time we met, two strong personalities colliding! We re-met 4 years later on a dating app, and I realized who Matt was about halfway through our first date. I even called my friend after the date to tell her – she remembered the run-in I had with him years before at work! Matt left for a three-week scuba diving trip shortly after our third date, and I was convinced he was going to ghost me. Yet, he found a way to talk to me almost every day on that trip, and we have been inseparable ever since.
FIRST LOOK
Our first look was one of my favorite moments of the day – I have never felt so beautiful and loved as when Matt turned around and saw me for the first time.
HOW DID MATT POP THE QUESTION
I’m usually very hard to surprise, but Matt succeeded! We love going to hockey games together, which is also where he proposed. However, he knew that wouldn’t be enough to catch me off guard. So, on his 40th birthday, Matt proposed at a hockey game, and I had no clue it was even coming.
DECOR
Delyth Child did our flowers, arch, and other decor. She managed to somehow take the chaotic mix of photos I sent her via email and turn it into exactly what I had dreamed of. The beach setup for our ceremony was absolutely stunning, and she then transitioned it into the reception hall, somehow making it look like a whole new look in the restaurant space!
We also need to shout out to Elita Guidara at Papagallos – after numerous phone calls and countless emails, Elita ensured everything was in the right place, every detail was in order, and the reception space was immaculate!
THE AISLE
I felt pure bliss – I was in my happy place (Grand Cayman), feeling absolutely beautiful, walking down the aisle to my best friend. I have never been happier!
OVERSEAS GUESTS
Having a destination wedding in our favorite place was unique enough! But we were blown away by the number of people willing to travel to another country to support us – that was incredibly cool to be a part of! One of the most memorable moments for me was during our first look. On the stunning Shangri-La grounds, everything felt still when Matt turned to see me. For someone usually reserved with his emotions, Matt’s face was completely filled with joy and excitement when he saw me.
TRADITIONS
Matt and I broke almost every tradition in the book… we were legally married a year before our ceremony, we stayed together the night before our wedding, and opted out of the traditional things like the bouquet toss and garter. Matt’s mom, Jeannine, came through with the “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” tradition, though, giving me a beautiful gift the day of our wedding.
THE KISS
The first kiss was magical – our faces were sore from smiling by the time it happened. Though Matt had a hard time waiting for the first kiss, as he tried to get a kiss in shortly after our vows were exchanged!
TAKING PHOTOS
Getting to pause amid all the wedding chaos and just focus on each other for photos on the beach was incredibly special. We had a great time wandering through the sand and enjoying the day we spent so much time planning.
THE RECEPTION
Matt and I kept the reception somewhat simple, embracing the beauty of Papagallo’s Restaurant. I remember walking into the reception space for the first time and being blown away by the room’s beauty, the gorgeous lagoon setting out the windows, and every detail we had asked for in the right place! The restaurant staff ensured we were happy and never wanted for anything – we felt so special! The dance party that followed dinner, however, was one of the best parts of our day! We danced our hearts out with our friends and family, making so many memories we will never forget.
THE VENUE
Papagallos Restaurant holds a special place in our hearts, often serving as the final meal of our dive trips before returning home. When we looked for places the previous year, it was an obvious choice because we had a stunning beach and lodging right across the street, which made planning simple. We never expected how ideal the venue would turn out to be — from the charming patio for cocktails to the elegant garden patio for our reception and incredibly attentive waitstaff, it exceeded all our expectations.
ANY ANXIETY
There was plenty of anxiety planning our wedding! As it turns out, planning a wedding thousands of miles away in another country is just a tad bit stressful! Things seemed to fall into place as the day got nearer, thanks to our photographer and wedding venue. The unpredictable weather was probably the biggest stress of it all. As we boarded our plane in Ohio, the forecast called for rain. Almost every day of our trip, including our wedding day. I had been watching the weather every day leading up to the trip. Texting Rebecca, our photographer, with every panic and worry. She assured me that island weather forecasts were not to be trusted. That they change every minute, and everything would be alright. Two days before the wedding, even with a clearer forecast, I was still not convinced we were in the clear. So Rebecca swooped in to the rescue with a mini photoshoot “just in case”. My biggest desire was for Matt and I to have beach photos in the sand – Rebecca delivered! But lo and behold, she was right – we had nothing but sunshine and blue skies on our wedding day.
While we had a ton of support from our friends on the island, the level of perfection we achieved on our wedding day would never have been possible without Rebecca and her team. She was more than a photographer for us; she was a sounding board for all of my stress, a link to the amazing vendors we worked with, and the glue that seemed to pull everything together. Thanks to Rebecca and her team, Matt and I had the wedding of our dreams and are still on cloud nine!
MATT AND KATE
I fell in love with this couple and their story from the beginning…. Kate wanted to plan most of the wedding herself with friends. Kate and Matt pulled off an amazing gorgeous celebration which left very few dry eyes. Thank you both for letting me be your ‘story-teller’.
Rebecca and Team