From a quick joke to a dream wedding in Jamaica
This wedding story started with a little banter between Kirsten and Connor.
Imagine us. Wedding on the Caribbean island of Sandals. Ahaha. Yes, that’s right.
“we are still laughing “Every time we talk about how this happened,” Kirsten says,
In front of her is a wedding box. She can’t believe this is her wedding box. There are mementos and small memorabilia inside, and this is no joke. She and Connor actually got married at Sandals Punch in Jamaica. the most beautiful sea in the world With some of the friendliest people in the world.
Kirsten closes her eyes.
Sandals The magic of Ochi and the warmth of Jamaica
“When I think about our wedding, it’s hard not to be happy. We’re back in Jamaica. Smiles, joy, and the sweetest voice we have heard. We didn’t expect that at all. Us? “
Photo: Jessi Casara Sandals Punch Photo Shoot.
They never expected to get married in a floating chapel. They weren’t expecting a destination wedding very simple thing And affordable. And they never expected it to become a two-week Caribbean extravaganza.
“As a Type A person, you strive to: create the perfect wedding “But the truth is, we can’t do that,” says Kirsten. It either happens or it doesn’t. It happened to us too. ”
Photo by Jessi Casara at Sandals Punch.
Breaking with tradition: From Alabama to the Caribbean
For most of Kirsten’s life, she envisioned a wedding near her home in Alabama. The ceremony will take place on a considerable cliff. The reception will be in the backyard.
“Thoughts on a wedding on a southern island I never thought about it,” she says. “I thought events like that were for other people and not for simple people like Connor and me.”
They laugh again when Kirsten says, “By the way, our story leading up to the sandals is not a romantic one.”
The night we met, Connor really liked Kirsten. He asked her if she wanted to go duck hunting the next day. Their first “real” date involved eating chili with Connor’s parents on a hot Alabama night. The suggestions were also realistic. Thread shrimp skewers on the grill, Connor went out to the patio. Kirsten was holding the same box she had seen earlier in the back seat of the car.
Are you ready to make a forever commitment at Sandals Resort? Photo by Jesse Casara.
“He did get down on one knee,” Kirsten says.
Her “yes” was instantly kicked out. The wedding process begins. At a time when most brides begin to imagine petals and blue skyKirsten, a CPA, looked at the numbers. In total, local venue and catering costs came to nearly $25,000 before you factored in decorations, music, and guests.
“We know people who spend a little money on their wedding and all they remember afterwards is what went wrong and how stressed they were. All in one night? That doesn’t make sense. .”
As the cost of a basic wedding piled up, Kirsten jokingly said to Connor:
“Yeah, let’s do that,” Connor said, joining in the sarcasm.
Ahaha. Ahaha. Sigh… wait a minute.
Why sandals Ochi are the best choice
Kirsten looked at photos of sandals for fun and understood with fresh eyes why. her parents fell in love with the place and the people There during their own vacation. She also looked at price, but everything changed from then on.
“Actually,” she told Connor, “we can do it.”
The two looked serious. Kirsten ran a new number. You can get married at Sandals for less than a wedding at home. Enjoy two weeks in paradise. “Two weeks!” says Kirsten, recalling the moment she realized the practicality of celebrating an island wedding. “And we also have money left in the budget to pay for two friends who couldn’t come otherwise.”
It’s not a joke anymore. No more questions. This must be Kirsten and Connor’s. beach wedding. And it will be in Sandal Ochi.
Photo by Jesse Casara.
A memorable celebration: Invite friends and family to Jamaica
Even though the invitation had a cute line that read, “Jamaica would be happy if you came…” they knew it would be a big request from their friends and family.
Let’s spend a week together one of the most beautiful beaches in the worldnear Jamaica’s lush mountains, with all meals, activities and drinks included, and a Sandals team that literally sets the standard for hospitality.
Do what you want, whenever you want. Please come if you can.
As it turns out, **nearly 40 people always wanted to vacation in Jamaica**. Kirsten and Connor’s wedding gave them a new excuse to do so. “they thanked us” says Connor. “Nobody complained. Never once.”
Plan a stress-free wedding with a sandal expert
Kirsten admits there was a moment during planning when she started formulating a million questions in her head. How to choose a decoration? What if nothing is different from what I imagine? She called Christina, a wedding specialist at Sandals Punch, and heard a soothing voice that sounded like a lullaby.
“Let me show you on video what you’re thinking, Miss Kirsten.”
Kirsten clicked the “play” button and the wedding setup was displayed. her wedding setup — would have seemed a million miles away a few weeks ago.
“Christina spoke to me right after I called.” excited about my wedding” says Kirsten.
“The only emotion we felt throughout the planning and celebration was excitement. I tell everyone that Jamaicans are my favorite people in the world. It’s real. they love lifeand they want everyone around them to feel the same way. They make anything but happiness impossible. ”
Kirsten and Connor clearly communicated the Jamaican rhythm to all of their guests. ”you are free go. enjoy” We would meet friends at the pool and family at the same restaurant, but it wasn’t planned.
“Everyone who’s been to Jamaica says that’s how it was.” best vacation They used to be,” Connor says.
The calm Caribbean Sea of Sandals Punchline.
An unforgettable ceremony in paradise
They also remember it as the most beautiful wedding they’ve ever seen. Kirsten heads along the glass runway to the floating chapel. girlfriend and conor Standing in front of the Caribbean sunset. A Jamaican tradition of blending sand to represent the fusion of life. Sandals staff showed up, so they love happy beginnings.
“I can’t believe we’re talking about a wedding,” Kirsten says.
It seemed like the entire Sandals property existed just for Kirsten and Connor. After a Caribbean-themed dinner reception, the group moved to Ochi’s exclusive secret bar. The bartender poured us a special drink. Dozens of hotel guests offered their congratulations. the dance floor got busy. The party spread out like stars overhead.
“Everything was fine,” says Kirsten. “But if something goes wrong, no one remembers. we were all in pure bliss”
Sand Ceremony – Photography by Jessi Casara.
2 Week Caribbean Wedding and Honeymoon Experience
The bliss lasted 14 days. After spending seven days at Sandals Ochi, Kirsten and Connor flew to Sandals La Toque in St. Lucia for another seven days. It’s Half Moon – the perfect Caribbean wedding getaway.
“And those two weeks cost 30% less than a one-day wedding near my home,” Kerstin said, pulling out her CPA pencil.
“I could never have imagined something like this.”
She and Connor look into the wedding box as a way to pinch yourself. Inside were handwritten notes from Sandals team members, recipes from a butler, vials of sand from Jamaica and St. Lucia, and a wood carving from a driver who became like family.
Memories that will last a lifetime
“Everything needs us Go back to when you were the happiest And it’s the happiest place on earth,” says Kirsten. “And they will always be a part of our lives. I’m laughing nowjust thought. ”
Sandal Wedding – Photography by Jessi Casara.
