Posts: 396
From: St. Thomas, VI now residing in Baltimore
VIPrincessBride's Wedding Photos
Posted on: 07/07/2008 05:08 PM
Hi folks,
My new hubby and I were married June 14 in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, my hometown. I always like going "home" on vacation. I was super excited to be returning, and this time, getting married! That was the icing on the big, beautiful wedding cake. Our photographer was so great that he gave us our photos in four days!
We took photos on the beach an hour and a half before our wedding. Since our ceremony was late in the day and I didn't want to take my gown on the beach beforehand, I wore this simple white flowing dress and unleashed my inner sea nymph. LOL! :oD
Getting Ready for the Ceremony
I was 99.9% sure he was going to pop the question soon since we had been discussing dates, so after spending 2 months looking for a wedding gown online, I went to the store and had my measurements taken for this gown. However, none were available at the store for me to try on, and I didn't want to try any others there because no other appealed to me. We were officially engaged on Valentine's Day this year, the 2nd anniversary of our first date, and the gown was ordered over the phone the very next day because there was no time to waste as gowns take several months to be made. We spent the next 4 months planning our wedding in an effort to beat the hurricane season. When I finally had the opportunity to try on my gown at the first fitting, I felt like a princess. It was definitely the right choice for me. I even purchased my jewelry before seeing the gown up close because time was running short...and amazingly, it was a perfect match to the embroidery in the bodice. I keep thinking that we were so blessed throughout this entire process.
My mom with the rose petal cones I thought I was going to cry at the ceremony, but I didn't. I was too overjoyed. Our Unity Sand Ceremony My "Ladies of Honor", my two younger sisters My grandmother affectionately known as "Nana". You'd never guess how old she is. Whatever you think, add 20 to that. My aunt signing our "guestbook"
She was always asking me when she wad going to eat some wedding cake. So at the reception, I personally fed her some wedding cake. Now, she's moved on to my younger sister. My hubby and I danced to "At Last" by Etta James for our first dance My father and I danced to Stevie Wonder's "Isn't she Lovely" My sisters and my cousins A local baker in St. Thomas made our delicious vanilla pound cake wedding cake with strawberry filling. We requested 4 tiers but she threw in a large 5th tier. I purchased the candles, stands, and the sugar paste flowers. It was fun to decorate it.
At first I was going to purchase crystal initials as the cake topper, but since we were getting married under a gazebo, I purchased the traditional bride and groom cake topper and placed them under a gazebo that had words that said "Love is patient and kind" which was the scripture read during our ceremony. I thought that would be a cute addition to the traditional and a beautiful keepsake.
It was absolutely delicious!
It was extra special to me coordinating everything including DIY projects such as centerpieces, programs, pew markers, gift bags, and decorating the wedding cake.
My most favorite part of our wedding ceremony was our Unity Sand Ceremony.
Viprincess,
Your pics are amazing. I love the beach setting (how romantic)
You looked stunning and hats off to planning in only 4 months. It has taken me 8 months already. LOL
Absolutely gorgeous pics. Everything looked so beautiful. I really loved the way gazebo was decorated with the flowers. The groomsmen were sharp in their tan suits and peach shirts. I also like how you wrote all the captions at the bottom of pics. Felt like we were there with you. Congratulations!!
"I'm a work in progress, God is not through me yet"
Posts: 396
From: St. Thomas, VI now residing in Baltimore
Re: VIPrincessBride's Wedding Photos
Posted on: 07/09/2008 04:38 PM
Thank you very much for the compliments and the best wishes you all. I tried to reply to someone's post before the wedding, but it didn't post. So, although you're just seeing my posts now, I've been a silent member for a few months now. I'm so happy to offer advice to anyone still planning. I feel like I have a wealth of knowledge now after my fast track course in wedding planning. Planning was fun but exhausting at the pace I was working. I am truly happy to be done with the planning and moving forward with the living and loving! :o)
Very beautiful wedding! Congratulations!
And I love that picture of you kissing your Nana. Your photographer did a fantastic job capturing your moments.
I am so glad you came home for your wedding! More of us should do that! Who was your photographer? Is your hubby from the VI too? Forgive me if you answered that already. I really love your pics and your island color theme. So pretty.
Posts: 396
From: St. Thomas, VI now residing in Baltimore
Re: VIPrincessBride's Wedding Photos
Posted on: 08/21/2008 11:25 PM
Thank you, Rosie. Oh, I always wanted to get married in STT. I'm a VI lady to the bone. My husband has no immediate family so it made sense to have it there. He's from Virginia. So we were both "virgins." LOL! The photographer was Ethelbert Bedminster. He's Sugar Bay's regular photographer. I thought about going with a fancier photographer, (some of these folks do all sorts of angles and tricks with their cameras) but it probably would have cost more money, and we were happy with the results.
You were lucky to get Ethelbert. He is really amazing. And booked solid for private photography.You should see his real portfolio, not the one for hotel weddings. He has great packages with CDs and leather photo books that are outstanding. He is one of my faves! He will shoot according to budget without embarrassing the couple. Had you gone private with him, your pics would cost in the thousands, but well worth it!
Posts: 396
From: St. Thomas, VI now residing in Baltimore
Re: VIPrincessBride's Wedding Photos
Posted on: 09/23/2008 02:43 AM
"Had you gone private with him, your pics would cost in the thousands, but well worth it!"
Really?? I did look at his prices online and thought we would have saved some cash without the hotel mark-up if we had booked him ourselves, but maybe I was wrong. Thank you for telling me that we saved a bundle. Now, I can tell hubby how much money we saved. He'll be happy to hear that! LOL! I definitely don't think that Ethelbert's website photos does him justice.
My uncle's wife did mention she tried to get him for her niece's wedding but that he was booked. Not living there myself, I really didn't know which photographer would be best to go with as we had a few other approved choices, and I tried to read and look at as many online photos as possible. I definitely didn't want us to spend-up money on photos even though they're so important. I just put it with God and prayed for the best.
In any case, he was wonderful with us...and we're glad we went with him. While he was taking pics in the hotel room, he was actually handing my sister the acrylic nails for me to put on. I couldn't believe it! ..and helping me to cut ribbons last minute for the bouquets. I'm also glad we made full use of his talents by taking the beach photos even though the hotel's wedding director was telling me that there wouldn't be time. We made it work even though I was changing like mad into and out of clothes then hopping in that little cart to the beach and back. LOL! You do what you have to do to make things happen. It was an adventure, but that's how I like my life. :o)
He was very hands-on and a dream to work with...and he was so nice to give us our photos so quickly. When we came back a week after the wedding with professional photos in hand, people couldn't believe it.
Yes, we were definitely blessed. We couldn't be more thankful.
Ms Rhonda!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know I have been really bad about getting online here...since losing my sister I fell off for about a year... not a day goes by that I am not thinking about her... But I am back to let you know GOD has been soooo good. From what I can see, you have been holding it down!
Great to be back...
HIS eye is on the sparrow, and I know HE watches.........me
Posts: 396
From: St. Thomas, VI now residing in Baltimore
Re: VIPrincessBride's Wedding Photos
Posted on: 10/31/2008 05:51 PM
Welcome back islandbride! VI in de house! I've seen some of your photos too and their gorgeous. My deepest condolences regarding the loss of your sister.
Hey ladies...thanks for all the love...VIPrincess...u know we have to help Rosie represent on here!
It has been a lonnnnnnnnnnng time for me being on...I have to upload new pics of my daughter Rhonda...can u believe she will be two in December...geesh..I remember being on here planning my wedding...now the product of that day is walking and talking and putting me in my place lol.
HIS eye is on the sparrow, and I know HE watches.........me
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