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Venue: Sunset Bay
Wedding Planner: Juliette Heath, Five Star Events
Cake Maker: The Cake Studio
Officiant: Rev Rohan Forrester
Hair – Ophelia Stewart | Makeup – Stephanie Ford
Second Shooter: Shae Hollins
Video: Wild Love Artists – Noah Hollins | Jason Banawa
Live Stream: Hollins Films – Cooper Hollins
Tell me about your dress
Because I was dress shopping during the pandemic I wasn’t able to travel to have the bridal boutique experience that I really wanted. I had to decide on my dress online; so there would be no champagne try-ons with my girls or yes to the dress celebration. I was basically clicking through hundreds of dresses concerned that no matter how gorgeous the dress was on the online, it would arrive and not fit me well (or worst) not fit at all. With that in mind I somehow ended up with 3 (yes three) wedding dresses. The initial two were both designer dresses which, although beautiful were not exactly what I wanted. I ordered them in two different sizes thinking that at least one had to fit. Then of course, a month later I came across THE DRESS which I knew immediately was the one. It was everything I was looking for: simple, elegant, tastefully blinged, light weight, figure flattering and with the most beautiful intricate beading pattern I’d ever seen. I wanted a few additional customizations which the designer was happy to facilitate and when it arrived it fit perfectly…. my dress was everything!
In the end I also decided to replicate the boutique experience as much as I could. I hosted a ‘fit party’ for my wedding party about six weeks before the wedding. I had my seamstress on site and that evening the entire wedding party got to fit their attire. We had champagne and pizza and wings and alas, my bridesmaids got to say ‘yes to the dress’.
Cute story
Antonio and I both love 90’s music and during the early years of our friendship (pre-2010) I kindly shared my entire music collection with him. Fast forward to over a decade later, we’re driving along the coast in Cayman Brac and he is playing some pretty good music in the car. The play list sounded awfully familiar including the order of the tracks and I sat there enjoying the vibe and singing along. At some point he notices and comments on how impressed he was that I “actually know good music”. There he was trying to pass off my playlist as his own! I would’ve let it pass because the vibe was so nice but nah, I felt it was my duty to help him with his failing memory. I reminded him of where he had gotten the playlist from as well as duly noted his unapparent gratitude for my schooling him in “good music”. Its still a running joke between us and he is still trying to claim he knows 90’s music better than me. The schooling continues.
How did you meet
We met in November 2008 after seeing each other almost daily for several months prior. Initially it was our common interests that brought us together (90’s music, sexy cars and movies), but over the decade that followed our friendship gradually evolved. Despite distance, time, and living entirely separate lives we somehow stayed connected. Its hard to say when we officially became a couple, but at some point our conversations just changed. First, they were very subtle changes. We went from speaking casually about our individual plans to speaking casually about all of the things we would do once the pandemic had passed. We were talking about our future together as if it were a given. In early 2020 during the height of the pandemic we decided on a future together .
How did you choose the groom’s outfit
Antonio’s outfit was also chosen online through Etsy. He just wanted a nice, well made, comfortable suit that could be replicated for his son. Both suits were custom made.
How was your experience with your wedding planner
My wedding planner was simply amazing. We hit it off from our very first meeting. She was professional, creative and reassuring. I had an incomplete visual in my head of what the wedding would be like. She took those pieces and came back with a complete picture that went above and beyond what I’d expected. I trusted her with my vision and she brought it to life! As I looked around the grounds for the first time just before the ceremony, my heart was full …..it was extraordinary. I have to say that Juliette wasn’t just planning, coordination and logistics for me; she was my sounding board, advisor and voice of reason and reassurance. Most importantly she represented my interests throughout the planning process and the day of. I was able to bask in the beauty of our day while she dealt with the fires, kept everyone on point and ensured an amazing experience for all who attended. I am forever grateful to her.
How did you feel just before you walked down the aisle
I was filled with so many emotions just before walking down the aisle. I was excited, eager, anxious. And then I met his gaze and saw that adorable smile and the slight nod of his head in a show of love and approval. All I felt after that moment was untamed, unbound joy.
What was your favourite part of the wedding
My wedding was a dream come true. I could truly feel the love and sincerity; not just between us, but from all who attended, so picking a moment is hard. Nonetheless if I had to choose one it would be when I first saw Antonio waiting for me at the alter
How did he pop the question
We were officially engaged on July 8th 2021. That evening I had arrived home from work and was on the computer when Antonio called me upstairs to “show me something”. When I entered the bedroom he was on one knee beside the bed. The room was decorated with with balloons and rose petals and there was a single red rose on a bible on the bed. The bible was placed on a t-shirt which had an inscription that read: “Will you be my MckenzieEverafter?” The bible was opened to Corinthians 13. He asked me to marry him, I said yes and …..here we are.
How did you choose your venue
I’m starting to think it was fate. I had several venues in mind initially; none of which materialized. Then when I finally booked the initial venue, it was plumaged by a Tropical storm (that’s island life for you). My planner suggested we look at Sunset Bay which I had never heard of despite it being less than 5 minutes away from my home in Prospect. The property was hidden, huge but intimate, well kept , had beautiful views of the sea and lots of parking. The moment I stepped on the grounds I was sold. I can still hear my planner saying in the background “finally, I get a smile”. She actually got a massive Cheshire cat grin! It was perfect!
What advice would you give
Get a planner! make sure you two hit it off! You are trusting that person with one of the most important events of your life so you have to be comfortable with them. I tend to be a pretty organized person but I cannot imagine what my experience would have been like if I didn’t have may planner. Be clear on what you want but be sufficiently flexible to makes changes to suit your budget and the practical logistics. Don’t get so lost in the challenges or the detail that you miss out on the experience.
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