Like a shoe repair man whose kids were running around barefoot or the car mechanic whose car is broken. I was the wedding planner who was getting married and fielding questions from friends and relatives of where, when and how are you going to do it?
My then fiancé Gary Felton, who is a photographer would laugh and say “ We are going to stand in front of a mirror, Deb will read the vows and I will take pictures”. Not.
Although I loved planning other peoples wedding, I never had visions of my own. I would incorporate a lot of my advice and visions to bridal couples planning their special day. Never the urge or thought of being married or even thinking of doing it myself. At age of 59 I was pretty comfortable in my life. Life was good.
Little did I know that my friend, my buddy, my business associate had other ideas. Long story Short we fell in love.
Suddenly I was scoping out dresses, flowers, cakes and invitations. I was becoming a bride.
Being a bride on an island has the challenge of picking out a dress over the web. Each time I picked up a package at the post office, the clerks chuckled and shook their head. “Another one?” or “Maybe this time?” followed me out the door. After 4 tries the 5th one was the charm.
Now came picking the location for the ceremony and reception.
My family, flying in from MN, would be staying at the Emerald Beach Resort. A long time favorite of theirs. Located right on a beautiful beach with swimming pool, restaurant and bar it offered them a welcome back feeling each year they visited.
Gary and I were just starting a business relationship with the Emerald Beach Resort. It didn’t take long for me to determine that this would be the perfect time to really feel a bride’s perspective of getting married at that location. Would it match the beauty of Megans Beach with toes in the sand or the connivance of a Marriott Frenchman’s Reef with the restaurants on the same grounds?
Would the pricing match the ambiance of a perfect wedding day?
My business sense was tingling but my bride sense was reasoning. I wanted a perfect wedding day.
My honey was telling me, it was my decision. Deciding factor, was an all inclusive ceremony and reception at the same location, meant no transportation necessary for all involved.
The option of getting dressed and walking from hotel room right onto the beach and wedding ceremony really clinched it for me.
The ceremony was scheduled to begin at 5:30 P.M. Timing was important because beach visitors generally started leaving the beach about 4:30. At 5:00 we were provided a deserted beach, with the promise of a beautiful sunset.
Family and friends gathered at the beach bar until just before the ceremony.
When at 5:30 p.m. The Minister and Groom appeared ready. All guests were then escorted to the designated ceremony location on the beach.
The ceremony went off as planned, sand, surf, blue sky, family and friends it was beautiful and went off without a hitch (no pun intended).
Mr and Mrs Gary Felton, March 31,2011 with family and friends on Emerald Beach,St.Thomas, U.S.V.I
The reception followed with a sit down buffet of chicken, Baby back ribs, fish and several side dishes.
Wedding cake and toasts.
Guest enjoyed an open bar and we enjoyed our guest. It was fun, exciting and it was perfect.
Life just got a whole lot better.
Deb and Gary with Rosie (Yorkie) and Riley(Maltese) at Emerald Beach on Wedding Day.