Pedro St James | The Love Story of Jordana and Daniel

January 5, 2023

Pedro St James was the gorgeous venue for the wedding of Jordana and Daniel. Overlooking the Caribbean in the Cayman Islands, this historical site was perfect.

Venue: Pedros Castle

Officiant: Samantha Basdeo

Hair and Makeup: Hair- Andrea, Capelli Hair Salon, Makeup- Janelle Smith aka Jaaliyah on Instagram; Groom- House of Fades

Ring Designer: Island Jewelers – Bride ; David Yurman – Groom

Shoes: Badgley Mischka – Bride ; Del Toro- Groom

Flowers: Celebrations Floral Team; Baby’s breath and white roses

DJ: DJ Masta P- Sound Revolution

Dress Boutique: La Vie en Blanc; Dress Designer: Enzoani

Videography/Photography Team: Wild Love Artists

Bridesmaids Dresses: BHLDN by Anthropologie

Groomsmens Suits: MDO Miami – Men’s Designer Outlet

The Dress

My dress was by the designer Enzoani. I had three bridal appointments at different boutiques in Miami and found my dress at the last one! I knew the style of dress I wanted and how I wanted it to fit. The ladies at La Vie En Blanc were great in assisting me in finding the one! Out of all the dresses I tried on, when I saw the intricate lace and glitter detail on my dress I was a little too excited to try it on! When I walked out to the huge mirror and lights I immediately heard “OMG! THIS IS BEAUTIFUL!” and gasps from my mom and two sisters. When i saw the train on the dress behind me I was also in awe! I didn’t want to take it off. It fit me so perfectly! My sister said ” You look like Kim K in this dress except you’re real!” LOL! I had cold chills as I imagined walking down the aisle in this dress- a feeling I did not get with any of the others I had tried on! I said “Yes!” to the most beautiful lace gown by Enzoani and I would highly recommend this designer to future brides!

How did you both meet

We met on an unexpected night through two mutual friends. I (the bride) almost didn’t make it out the night we first met as I had been at my baby cousin’s first birthday party all day earlier in the day and really just wanted to go to bed. My best friend however, had other plans and convinced me to not go to bed but to have a night out with her as it was our first Holiday Monday outing since moving back home from university.

At a popular food place at the end of the night a mutual friend of ours was waiting for their food, it was there that I saw Daniel with him so the minute he was alone I went up to or friend and said “Your friend is cute”. He then asked “Should I give him your number?” I replied “Sure!”.

Nevertheless he was very shocked but excited as I never express my interest first or openly give out my number. The next day, he whatsapped me to say he was having lunch with Daniel and asked if he had sent me a message yet as he had given him my number. I replied “No! What is he waiting on? Is he scared?”, he laughed and replied back saying that Daniel added the number however it wasnt coming up on whatsapp so he would text it.

Turns out Daniel did try however as I had just moved back home a month prior I was still using my Florida number for whatsapp and had my notifications off for text messages. I had given him my CI number and not the Florida number I was using for whatsapp! When we figured this out we all laughed so much. Daniel finally sent a message to the correct number and we have been messaging ever since! 🙂

How did Daniel pop the questions

Daniel proposed on the day of our 5 year anniversary at a spot we went to on a date when we first started dating to watch the sunset and have wine. He booked the Ritz for the weekend and convinced me we were going to dinner at 7pm but a fun photoshoot at an outdoor location that would be a surprise at 6pm first. If you know me, you know I am very hard to surprise as I always either figure it out or get Daniel to blurt it out hahah however, this time he asked that he have full control of this to which I happily agreed.

I was blindfolded on the drive to the secret location. Once there, I was still blindfolded and Daniel led the way. I wasnt sure on where we were going but I was a little nervous walking on gravel and goin up and down steps whilst being blindfolded- we laughed the entire walk. Daniel removed the blindfold and said “Surprise! This is dinner AND a movie!” I opened my eyes to see that we were at the amphitheater at Dart Park! There was a projector screen, a cute picnic set up with sushi and wine, beautiful decor consisting of lanterns, pillows for the picnic style seating and lots of balloons amognst this. I was so surprised at the beauty of it all! We sat to have wine when Daniel randomly asked if I had heard the song “Big, Big Plans” by Chris Lane to which I replied ” I dont think I have”.

He then played it and asked if I was paying attention to the lyrics, I laughed and said no as I was really still taking in the beautiful set up. He played the song again and asked if I heard anything of significance in the song. Given that we had literally just closed on our first land lot with the help of my Dad weeks earlier, I replied “Yes! The land?!” to the specific lyric that said “Build a little house out on some hand-me-down land” he laughed and said no…it was then that he asked me to stand with him and he popped the question! My initial shock response as he was going down on one knee was “SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!” as Daniel was chocking up in tears and could barely get a word out he laughed which made him less nervous! LOL After I said “YES!” Daniel said “I have one more surprise”.

He opened the laptop on a pillow and played a video. This video to this day brings me and everyone who watches it to tears each time. Daniel personally went to every single person closest to me – family and friends- and asked for their blessing to marry me and asked them to record their responses. Needless to say I was ugly crying half way through. At the end of the video he said ” Look to your left”, as I was blowing my nose I looked and saw our immediate family and friends all coming down the stairs to meet us! They were there the entire time waiting off to the side! They all congratulated us over a glass of wine with the most beautiful sunset in the background. It was one of the most memorable heartfelt days of my life and I will never forget how important, special and loved he made sure I felt in that moment. It was the most thoughtful and dreamiest proposal!

Pedro St James Great Lawn was the setting for the ceremony

What were you most anxious for

We were most anxious, nervous and fearful that it would be stormy and raining on the day of the wedding as it was on the Great Lawn at Pedro St James. A few days before the wedding it rained every day. We prayed so hard that the weather would hold up for it to be the most beautiful day! On the day of, it was clear bright skies and not too hot! The perfect day for an outdoor wedding!

Pedro St James for first TOUCH where the couple privately read their vows to each other moments before walking down the aisle.

How did you feel when you read your vows to each other

During our vows, I was so full of emotion but excited to tell this amazing man how much he meant to me. How much I couldn’t wait to marry him! We chose to do a “First touch” instead of a first look, where we read our vows to each other privately. Im so glad we did this as it alleviated all nervousness before walking down the aisle. 🙂

Did you see each other before the wedding

We did not see each other before the wedding. We chose not to do a first look, but a first touch instead. We both stood against a wall and stuck our hands out to hold hands while we read our vows! I love that we did this as nothing beats that “first touch”!

The historical castle of Pedro St James was the backdrop as the bride walked down the isle.

What was memorable about taking pictures with your bridal party

Us all being so happy in the moment and thoroughly enjoying ourselves together.

What made you choose your venue

I’ve always been obsessed with how dreamy the sunsets are at Pedro, so naturally the Great Lawn was the ideal dream location for our wedding!

Pedro St James offers a great lawn for a twinkle covered reception dinner.

What was your favourite moment from the wedding

Bride My favourite moment of the wedding was witnessing all of our guests experiencing our love, and having a great time!

First Dances

As husband and wife we danced to Say you wont let go by James Arthur. We know the lyrics to this entire song and frequently sang it to one another so it was perfect as our first dance song! 🙂

The Father-Daughter dance song was My little Girl by Tim Mcgaw

The Mother-Son dance song was A Song for Mama by Boyz II Men

How was working with us as a team….

We had an amazing experience working with you and your team. You guys are absolutely amazing and we loved how comfortable you guys made us in front of the camera. We also love your creativity! When we initially enquired about your availability we were more than ecstatic that you confirmed you would be available to shoot our wedding as you are the O.G Wedding photography! We couldn’t be happier! Thanks so much to you, Cooper and Shae!

For more photos of weddings in Cayman click here….

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