Southern Weddings

Radiant.  Yep, I think that pretty well sums up Quiana’s look on her wedding day.  It was the stunning (seriously: stunning) black and white portrait midway down that first caught my eye on Gandy Photographers’ teaser post, and though Quiana + Jon’s Florida destination wedding has some lovely details, it was really the love this couple has for each other that told me we had to share this wedding.  Of course, Quiana’s custom dress from the Tailored Edge ([email protected]) and Bird Cage Veils head piece, the florals by Convington’s Catering, and the cakes, by Yes It’s Cake, don’t hurt.  We also like that the couple picked a ceremony and reception location — the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center in Lake City — with personal history behind it.

How did the two of you meet?  Tell us your story. We met on the island of St. Croix at a going away party for a mutual friend, and the sparks flew.  Sparks aside, we didn’t start dating for almost two years after that initial meeting.
Describe the proposal. The proposal was a two-part affair. We took a trip to St. Lucia for Jon’s 30th birthday. It had been a while since we had been on a couple’s vacation, so were very excited! On Jon’s birthday, he called my mother to ask her for her blessing while I was out of the room. That evening, Jon popped the question while we were watching the sunset from the deck of our bungalow. Very sweet, very romantic, very simple, very us!  In his haste to get to the airport at the start of our trip, however, he had forgotten the ring! But before we had even had a chance to bring our suitcases in from the car at the end of our trip, Jon got the ring from the bedside table and proposed to me again in our living room. I told him I wouldn’t mine him proposing every day!
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Fun, easy and natural.
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: Everything! I was amazed that we (our families included) could pull our wedding together in only eight weeks. We were engaged in September and married the day after Thanksgiving.
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: Because Jon and I live in the US Virgin Islands – not to mention the handicap of planning a wedding in 8 weeks – I searched for a dress on the internet. I have a friend and former client who is a fabulously talented seamstress. Once I found the design I loved, I went to one of the two fabric stores on the island and browsed through their bridal laces, which were very limited. I really left it up to fate to decide because I was not leaving the store until I had my bridal lace! As fate would have it, I found a lace that was perfect and it was the last three yards! I took my own measurements sent the fabric to my seamstress who lived 42 miles away on another island. She had a dress made in three days. I had my first fitting later that week. The following week, I had my final fitting and my dress was ready to go!
Describe your wedding flowers: My wedding flowers were a mix of pinky/orange roses and deep plum tulips.
Describe your wedding cake:  We served a sour cream cake with apricot and amaretto cheesecake filling. It had white chocolate fondant with pearl embellishments around the seam of each layer.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? When Jon and I saw each other for the first time, and every time we danced together.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future?  We are looking forward to starting a family and building on our land here in the Virgin Islands.

Congratulations, Quiana + Jon!  Hugs and kisses from your friends at Southern Weddings!

Written with love by Emily