This stunning wedding at the KIMPTON SEAFIRE RESORT in Grand Cayman will have you yearning for a destination wedding in no time at all. Captured beautifully by CALLIE MANION, Rachel & Seth first met in college and after a career move to Dallas and a proposal they set forth planning this special celebration.
Working with wedding planner MEGGIE FRANCISCO, the couple were one of the first to get married at this newly built resort. With the bride having grown up vacationing with her family in Grand Cayman, it was a very familiar place for the couple. They created a beautiful design for the wedding that tied in elements from the surroundings without leaning too nautical or beachy. The green and white florals included tropical blooms and greenery and even the dinner menu, written on an enormous tropical leaf, tied in the beauty of the island.
The bride & groom's sweet grandmothers kicked the ceremony off by each walking down the aisle as the flower girls, scattering rose petals all around. The bride herself then walked down the aisle in a stunning LOUVIENNE gown to a flower-adorned pergola with gorgeous views all around.
HOW DID YOU MEET? We met our freshman year of college through mutual friends at a party. We didn’t realise until after sharing a cab back to campus together that night that we were actually neighbours and lived directly across the hall from each other. I was dorm 349 and he was 350 but we had never met due to his busy football schedule. We still make a point to pass those dorm windows when we’re back on campus.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROPOSAL: It was just before Christmas and we decided to walk the campus of our Alma Mater, Southern Methodist University, to see the famous light display. We strolled down the boulevard and when we got to the most iconic and historic building on campus Seth got down on one knee and proposed. After I said “Yes!!!” I saw three of my friends come screaming towards us that had been hiding behind the some nearby bushes and watching the proposal. They had all traveled to Dallas just for the occasion and Seth had even hired a photographer to document the whole thing. Afterwards, we left campus and headed to what Seth described as “dinner”, however, when we arrived I was surprised AGAIN by a huge group of all of our friends, from all over the country, holding sparklers and flutes of champagne. We celebrated all night.
TELL US ABOUT FINDING YOUR WEDDING DRESS: Colette by Louvienne. It was flattering and elegant but understated and comfortable. I loved the timelessness of the satin buttons and the way the dress hugged my silhouette. It was the perfect dress to wear down the aisle and on the dance floor.
WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR WEDDING STYLE? Modern Tropical. We wanted to embrace the location while still keeping it a formal affair.
DESCRIBE YOUR WEDDING FLOWERS: Our florals were a heavy mix of tropical greens with some large, distinct Protea and soft, feminine Ranunculus flowers. I loved the wildness of the greens against the refined, white flowers. It created a great contrast of texture and colour that complimented one another.
FAVOURITE DETAIL OF THE DAY: Seth: Groom’s Cake and Rum bar. Rachel: The alter. It looked so romantic with the flowing, draped fabric big floral arrangements. I also really liked the champagne stirrer escort “cards” and the menu written on a giant elephant ear leaf…and the rum bar.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OUT TO A COUPLE PLANNING THEIR WEDDING? Enjoy yourselves. The day will be over in the blink of an eye so be sure to take time and experience all the fun and beautiful things you spent months planning. Hire a planner. It will make the planning and coordinating infinitely easier for yourself and your family.
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT? Seth – Seeing Rachel in her dress for the first time at the first look. Rachel – Dancing to the last song of the evening under sparklers.
ANY OTHER DETAILS THAT HELP TELL THE STORY OF YOUR DAY? After the wedding the bridal party and several guests jumped into the ocean fully clothed and swam under the moonlight.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR HONEYMOON: We stayed in Grand Cayman at the Sea Fire. We enjoyed romantic dinners and long walks on the beach all week after the wedding guests left. The Sea Fire also treated us to a very relaxing spa day. Since our wedding was on Labor Day weekend, we were also able to enjoy more time with our guest for a couple days after the wedding before the honeymoon technically started.
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