MEET THE NEWLYWEDS:
Tell us about yourselves and how you fell in love.
Our love story began long before we even realized it. We first met back in 1997 during a visit to mutual friends, but neither of us remembers that moment. Over the next 20 years, we crossed paths multiple times through shared friends, without really connecting. It wasn’t until a gathering in December 2018 that we truly noticed each other and never forgot again. A Facebook friend request the next day marked the start of something special.
For the next year and a half, we continued to be around each other at various events in Atlanta. In June 2019, what started as a birthday party turned into an unofficial turning point, where it became clear (a year or so later) that something was brewing between us. I wasn’t in a place to date, but his response was simple: “I’ll be here.”
During the pandemic, we spent a lot of time together in smaller gatherings, and it became clear that we were growing closer. There was a lot of laughter, support, and time spent with mutual friends. He often jokes that I had no choice but to fall in love with him, as he was the only single person I could be around! Over time, I realized just how much I appreciated his thoughtfulness and presence.
On August 9, 2020, back on the porch of our mutual friends, we officially decided to give it a shot and haven’t looked back since. Four years later, we pledged our love in front of those same friends and many more!
Why did you choose a destination wedding?
We chose a destination wedding because of our love for the beach and all the trips we’ve taken to one over the past four years. We wanted to keep it intimate, though we still ended up with about 75 guests! Even so, it was perfect and felt close-knit. Having previously been to a wedding at Hard Rock, it was also the first resort we visited together for a birthday celebration.
Which wedding package did you choose and why?
We opted for a custom package, focusing on creating an experience for our guests rather than worrying about the little details like centerpieces. The most important things to us were the music and the photographer!
Which was your favorite amenity?
My favorite amenity was the adult pool, where we rented a cabana the day after the ceremony—such a relaxing experience with amazing service.
How many wedding guests did you have?
75 wedding guests in total.
How was your experience with your AIW Specialist?
A huge thank you to our All In Weddings specialist, who made the planning process enjoyable and smooth. She guided us through every detail, making sure we took our time to create the day we truly wanted. My favorite part of planning was the site visit—it helped bring everything together, especially since planning from afar was a challenge.
Describe your wedding day in 3-5 sentences.
Our big day flew by in a blur! My favorite moment was walking down the aisle and being surrounded by the warmth of all our friends and family. It felt like walking into a hug. There were tears everywhere, and it was absolutely perfect.
