Winter Caribbean Destination Wedding at Beaches Turks & Caicos
WEDDING DATE We wanted a date in the first part of the year because we don't celebrate any gift giving holidays between Christmas and Matt's birthday in June!
THE PROPOSAL I was surprised. We designed my engagement ring together (although I never saw the final result until he actually proposed) and I knew when he picked it up. Matt teased me constantly about having the ring hidden somewhere in our house, and would show guests when they came over while I had to sit in our living room alone lol. We had a trip to Jamaica with our friends planned, and I was highly suspicious that he was going to propose. I told our best friend Jordan (who was coming with on the trip), and he ver batim said "don't be disappointed if it doesn't happen there, don't let it ruin your vacation." I figured Matt already told him the entire plan, so I told myself that it seemed way too obvious to do it on this trip and did my best to let it go. I did try to sneak a peek in his suitcase while he was packing and saw nothing inconspicuous (he hid the ring in his travel watch box, so I looked right at it but thought nothing of it). On the first night we got there I told Matt we should take photos on the pier at some point, he said "we'll do it tomorrow" (I scoffed because as I mentioned, we are NOT picture people and it probably wasn't going to happen lol). The next night we left for dinner, but to my surprise Matt insisted we actually went to go take photos on the pier first. Right before Matt proposes while our friend Jordan (who yes, knew the entire game plan for the proposal), was taking our "photos," our friend standing next to him blurts out "but you're taking a video" thankfully I didn't hear him though haha! And then he proposed and I proceeded to cry uncontrollably for the rest of the night lol.
WEDDING PLANNING MANTRA Honestly planning never really got difficult. A few months after we started dating we agreed a destination wedding was non-negotiable, so after we got engaged (6/6/2021) we selected Turks as the destination, and took a trip there (Oct 2021) to decide on our venue. So planning really started right around 5 months after we got engaged (Nov 2021), and I had a solid 14 full months to plan. I was able to take it slow and worked through everything piece by piece. I never truly felt overwhelmed by the process and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm seriously considering becoming a wedding planner because of this.
FAVORITE MOMENT Our first look was so special. Surprisingly neither of us ugly cried, which we thought was going to happen to both of us, but I think it was because we were both just so ready and our hearts were so full. I think the most memorable moments were the cold fireworks going off during the first dance and then of course the fireworks during our last dance.
DETAILS PROBABLY NO ONE ELSE KNOWS BUT US Our Tom Ford fragrances were specially selected for the wedding day. My wedding ring is a completely separate ring from my engagement ring, I wanted something unique and different. I lost my bouquet after the ceremony after leaving it somewhere and never got it back LOL. Every single song played on our wedding day as well as the other wedding events were painstakingly (it took MANY hours) hand selected by us. The song I walked down the aisle to was the song playing the moment I knew Matt was the one. Matt and I started dating on 9/9/2016.
THE DRESS I went to 8 different bridal shops. I tried on up towards 100 dresses. Ironically, I found my dress at the first shop (it was like the 2nd or 3rd dress I tried on). I was torn between something sexy and fabulous and something simple and classic. I was considering getting 2 dresses. I tried on the dress I got and my other top contender at multiple different shops. I ultimately decided that I would rather get one dress and go all out with it. So I got the glitzy and glamorous dress and customized it to make it perfect (my dress is a Martina Liana 1406, but I customized the dress by adding the side panels because I thought it looked too plain in the front). The cape I wore is actually from a different Martina Liana dress that I was seriously considering, but tried it on with my dress and had it customized to match the lace applique on my dress instead. Because I also liked the simple classic dresses, I have already decided that I'll wear a gown like that for our 5 or 10 year vow renewal in Italy.
BEST ADVICE Don't rush. You have the entire rest of your life to be married. You're only engaged for what is probably going to be a tiny portion of your relationship. Savor it. Take the time to talk through what you want your future to look like. Work, kids, religion, sex, politics, family, household duties. Get on the same page about EVERYTHING.
WORDS THAT DESCRIBE OUR DAY Magical. Warm. Vibrant. Exhilarating.
HE SAYS … She is a very hard worker, which helps to make her the best event planner in the world. She is very book smart, which is key to her important job doing cancer research. She's well rounded and motivated to get things done. Natasha has great taste in pretty much everything (although I think she gets some of that from me), and despite her expensive tastes, she is never greedy. She is a winner and everyone loves her. She is also an overbearing mother to our cats lol.
SHE SAYS … Matt is both fun-loving and serious. He is the definition of a winner. He's goal oriented and motivated, but is always down for a good time. Matt is so level-headed that I can always rely on him to keep me focused on being our best. He is extremely intelligent and makes great decisions and smart moves to push both of us forward. He is unquestionably loyal to his loved ones and unapologetically presents himself exactly as he is. Everyone loves being around Matt because of this. He is the life of the party without being loud or obnoxious, he is just so fun and interesting and easy to talk to (and he has the best taste in music so he's always on aux). Although he may not use his words, he expresses himself through his generosity and acts of kindness for the people he cares about. The two of us make an incredible power house of a team because we compliment one another so well.
OUR FUTURE We like to party and always host at our house. We are a childfree couple. We intend to move to the Caribbean one day. We are both huge lovers of music, mostly electronic, although we love jamming out to disco, classic rock, and 80s pop. We've have gone to a ton of festivals together. We are avid travelers.
TURKS & CAICOS WEDDING VENDORS
CEREMONY + RECEPTION + CATERING + FLORIST + CAKE + OFFICIANT: Beaches Turks and Caicos | PHOTOGRAPHER + VIDEOGRAPHER: Pine & Forge | RINGS: Alan Rocca Fine Jewelry (IL) | BRIDAL GOWN: Martina Liana 1406 | HAIR & MAKEUP: Bride | INVITATIONS: Zazzle | GROOM’S ATTIRE: Louis for Men (IL)
