Blended Family Paddle Boat Wedding in Bradenton, Florida

WEDDING DATE March 21, 2020. Looked at calendar and our family's schedule and 3/21 felt like the right date. It stuck out on the calendar and we went with it.

THE PROPOSAL The proposal happened on Monday, Jan 27, 2020. My parents were here the weekend before for my birthday and Steve asked my dad for my hand in marriage during that visit. On Monday we both called into work because we were tired and had cold like symptoms. Steve took me out to lunch to get out of the house and while we were there he caught a glimpse of a Florida license plate with manatee. When we got back from lunch we decided to take the boat out to the Suwannee River for a ride and fresh air. We went to our spring, Rock Bluff, hoping to see manatees, as we had seen them there one time before.. Steve prayed that if we did, he would propose. We saw two manatees as we drove up into spring. At that point, steve held me and told me he wanted to spend forever with me. He then got down on one knee and asked for my hand in marriage. Of course, i said yes. It was a beautiful moment between him, i and God in HIs creation, Yes, i was surprised.

WEDDING PLANNING MANTRA Our wedding planning mantra was to keep it simple and to make it about the ceremony, not all the the other stuff that can get in the way and make you lose sight of why you are getting married in the first place. We were focused and just kept saying it would all come together, keep the faith, everything will work out. To overcome the challenges, which were really at the end with COVID-19, was to trust God and that everything would work out just how it was supposed to.

FAVORITE MOMENT Favorite moment of day for me was when with the music came on and my sister and Catriona headed down the aisle and I was holding my dad's arm and I just was so happy and blessed I was marrying Stephen. And Steve's favorite moment was when we were all on the dock together as a family during the ceremony as i walked towards him.

THE DRESS My mother and my sister went shopping with me. My sister had called and researched and had picked three different wedding dress shops to visit on a Saturday. I tried on probably 30 dresses but "the one" was at the first shop and was about the 6th one I tried on. I was nervous to commit to it because we still had two more dress appointments that day. I couldn't get my mind off of it and no other dress felt right. We went back to that shop at end of day and I said yes to the dress. I loved how it was sexy but classy and elegant. I wanted a low cut back, form fitting, and lace. This dress had all of those qualities.

BEST ADVICE Stay calm, be flexible, and pray. Prayer brought us a lot of peace during wedding planning and throughout the wedding day.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE OUR DAY Blessed. Beautiful. Perfect.

HE SAYS … Kim is so beautiful and sweet and kind. She has faith and a grounded spirit that brings me so much calm. She reconnected me to God. She brings me joy and I am so grateful for her and our family.

SHE SAYS … He is the calm in my storm. He is compassionate and genuine. I can look at him and trust that he always has my and our family's best interest at heart. He is kind and loving and committed. He tries everyday to be the leader of our family. He has a relationship with God and is a man of honor and integrity. He brings out the best in me and never judges me. He is my dance in the kitchen, late night bonfire, and gives the best kisses kind of man that I prayed for. I’m so grateful for him.

BETTER TOGETHER If you are with the right person, you can overcome anything together. This day was bombarded with negativity from media and outside sources. We had to stay focused on our why and putting God first. It ended up being an absolutely perfect beautiful day with the people that were supposed to be there to share in our covenant. We wouldn't change a thing about it. It all came together.