It was sandy breezes, sunny seas and a lover’s seal, as soul mates John Jones and Karen Hardy tied the knot. It was not the traditional Wedding Photography but after all says Paul, “It’s not about family, it’s about two people.”
These two share a five-year connection that began with friendship. Manager of an auto repair centre in Darlington, south of Newcastle, they met when John was the head of an auto repair department in the car company where Karen was a sales agent. They became friends, not imagining the breakdown of their marriages would one day lead to a new relationship.
Their friendship dissolved along with the company but the two reunited over coffee in 2008 after a cold and lonely New Years when they both were going through divorces. After a few odd jobs on the divorcee’s apartment, John says a “cunning” Karen rewarded him with a meal and “She got me drunk so I couldn’t drive home. That was the start of our relationship.”
From helping each other through their rough separations, they eventually moved in together but John and Karen were in no rush to the altar.
But Karen’s ingenuity again came into play. After approving Karen’s choice of the delightful Almond Smugglers Cove for their 2009 vacation, John was informed that (surprise!) Karen had booked the Wedding Photography package as well! “After she picked me up off the floor that was it. It was very quick and impulsive.”
There are hardly any surprises between the two though. They say it’s uncanny how in tune they are, from anticipating each other’s calls to planning the same meals. Their wedding morning proved it again as John and Karen presented each other with identical wedding cards bought separately in secret and weeks apart.
This was just one more cherry on their delicious wedding cocktail. “It’s more than my, expectations,” says Karen. “It’s a very, very beautiful place. I love the flowers. It’s so peaceful and everyone has made us feel so welcome.” John adds,
“The wedding coordinator (Lorna)
has been very, very good, nothing’s been too much trouble. The food is very high quality and the presentation is beautiful.”
Bill Mortley, who the couple found through TripAdvisor, was among the many people who set them at ease, says Karen.
“I find Bill’s work very good, very…picky is a word I’d use. The quality is superb. The website is very good because not a lot of people are interested in the detail of who they are photographing. I would highly recommend anybody to come to St. Lucia and don’t just go for a hotel photographer. I am going back home and I will put it in bold capital letters.”
As Karen vows, “I’d come back again”, John is in sync as he also promises, “I’d definitely come back again!”
