Though they hesitate to say it, it was almost love at first sight for Michelle and Drew, in a meeting that was inevitable, and compelling.

“The first night, I wasn’t trying to impress anybody, I was wearing ratty old clothes, just playing pool. I saw her and I thought ‘oh my!’ I remember that night as the saddest because I didn’t want to see her go,” recalled Drew, a 28-year-old carpenter and student.

After meeting her brother-in-law’s best friend while visiting her sister, Michelle, a 36-year-old Administrative Assistant and project coordinator with British Petroleum said, “We had dinner; spent a little time together. I called him on my way back home and we talked for four hours…and then I got him to move to Houston.”

That move eventually led to a trip down the aisle at the Sandals Grande Resort in, following a year of “kinda married, kinda not,” which Drew says, “Was weirder than I thought it would be.”

Now the two are where they both want to be, following official pronouncements and exchange of rings on the island’s northern shores. This follows several hours of research and “some unexpected family troubles”, which led the couple to decide to do “something for us. Something that was easy to do.” The bride’s and groom’s wishes were fulfilled, as “was exactly what we wanted!”

“What an adventure, what an adventure!” exclaims Michelle. “Whatever we asked for (Sandals staff) did. It was out of the ordinary.”

 

The reclusive duo, who admit to spending almost all their spare time with each other, were inspired to explore the island and its people. Choosing to book tours with private vendors instead of the hotel gave them the opportunity to interact with more locals, and their wedding was not simply an occasion to exchange vows but an escapade.

“The rain forest was awesome…we had so much fun. They took us into places where we wouldn’t have gone with the Sandals tour. Beautiful scenery. We also had some local food with our guide Charlie,” comments Drew, who struck up many acquaintances with Saint Lucians, who he found were “all friendly, not just at the resort but across the island.”

Apart from the almost mandatory wardrobe malfunction, (it’s usually the bride’s dress), their only surprise was the rush hour traffic.

Drew and Michelle, also managed to get the most excellent Wedding Photography, a fitting representation of their most memorable day. With Sandals’ “outrageous” charges for every little extra, an aggrieve Michelle says, “I was getting stressed.” They took the bold step of hiring an outside photographer, (Bill Mortley) which is frowned on by the hotel.

Bill Mortley’s professionalism and amazing hospitality however, soon calmed Michelle’s fears.

A scenic drive to some of the most picturesque areas on Saint Lucia was unexpected but says Michelle, “The Wedding Photography are amazing. The best! Drew and I do lots of things on our own and it was an extension of us…The beginning of our lives, just this day to be an adventure!

“We will come back.”