By St Lucia Wedding Photographer
It’s a match made in cyber heaven; an online dating hook-up that went beyond the endless criteria, to the fulfillment of a very basic desire for unconditional “>love and support. Greg, president and CEO of a software company, and Iva, a criminal defense attorney, have both been through the dating wheel. With few illusions about relationships, they both still held out hope and enlisted on the dating site eHarmony.
The technicalities of the computer match-up aside, it came down to a twinkle and a smile
Eva & Gregg take multiple pictures after wedding.
“The first thing that caught my eye was how beautiful she was,” said Greg. “The twinkle in her eyes, her expression, the excitement when she talked.” “All I could see was a huge smile,” says Iva, “A very encouraging, friendly and open smile.”
Greg’s grin was on full beam as they recited wedding vows under a tropical sun that could not outshine the sparkle in Iva’s eyes. Greg, who spent hours ensuring his vows were absolutely perfect, was nervous but says when Iva walked down the beach, “All those fears and concerns completely went away.” Iva in contrast was the calm bride, in an ivory strapless bridal gown. “There was one moment, when I paused for Melanie my maid of honor to make her way up to the altar.
I knew that this is a moment I want to cherish forever as the moment I became Greg’s wife. I started getting butterflies in my stomach out of excitement and hope of all the great things to come.” Tears were never far from the surface as they sealed their lives together and Greg barely heard the vows that Iva eked out.
The pledge to go over those vows was just one more added to the promising day when they became Mr. and Mrs. Clarke. The ceremony was about celebrating the two of them and the Clarke’s say their only wish was that Iva’s children could have been there. But they are confident they will be able to share the most important thing; how much they love and are committed to each other. “For kids going through divorce, I’ve been through it myself, you want to be secure in the fact that this person is gonna be in your life and the marriage is gonna last,” says Greg.
Iva has been married twice before but, “Never with a man like Greg. Never with the perfect ceremony we had on the beach.
Wedding images for album spread.
Third time is really a charm for me. I’m glad I never gave up finding a soul mate.” Growing up with divorce in his family, Greg promised that his first marriage will be his last and they took time to ensure there was not just physical attraction but something to build a relationship around. He says, “In prior relationships it would get to where the euphoria and excitement start to dwindle.
Things with Iva continue to grow and get stronger.” While Iva felt early that Greg was the one for her, she heeded her best friend’s advice, “To just let it be. Don’t rush, don’t over-analyze – which is an occupational hazard for me.” The delightful match-up was accepted early on by both sides of the family. It only took one look for Iva’s Chinese father. “He tells me all the time how happy he is that I’ve finally found somebody who not only knows and values our culture but respects my parents. That makes my parents extremely happy knowing that it carries forward in everything and everyone he interacts with, especially with me.”
Greg acknowledges, “She’s had a lot of hurdles from early on, moving to the United States. A lot of people would fold under the pressure; Iva’s just become stronger and stronger. It’s because of that I think her kids are so well grounded and her family can depend on her. I feel the same way.” “The thing I love most about Iva is the passion she has for her family, her friends, for me, for what she does.”
While Greg’s father was guarded on meeting Iva, his mother’s advice was immediate and simple, “Don’t screw it up.” Iva fell in love with Greg’s sensitivity and intuitiveness.”He’s very much in tune with people’s feelings and emotions.
Posing by the beach at sunset in St Lucia.
It’s provided a lot of support and encouragement for me because of his ability to know what I’m thinking or feeling before I even know it sometimes.” With a honeymoon smile lighting up her face, Iva reveals, “I kept thinking it can’t get any better than this and you kept surprising me.”
The surprise included the proposal, which she thought was a done deal after they purchased a ring on Valentine’s Day. Weeks later a special dinner complete with a bottle of Dom Perignon, ended without the expected presentation. “We’re on our last sips of champagne and I’m looking at him like has he changed his mind?”
The moment came at the waterfront, following a romantic walk. “He counted nine and ¾ planks commemorating the amount of time we had in our relationship; got down on one knee and said the most beautiful proposal.It made me cry.”
Greg admitted he surprised himself. “I did end up winging it because I wanted to propose at the Space Needle.” Still he says, “It turned out perfectly.” The effort put into the romance was almost rivaled by the wedding dress selection, which involved parents, every wedding dress shop in Seattle and neighboring suburbs and even wedding shows. Seriously. “It was a long process but it didn’t start of that way,” says Iva.
It finally came down to the future groom. “I tried on this dress and Greg saw the expression on my face and he told me, that is the dress for you.” A few customizations later and the perfect, matchlessness wedding dress emerged.
The beauty and individuality of their day lives on flawlessly in photos by Bill Mortley Photography. “The pictures couldn’t share more about how much we love each other and how committed we are to each other.”
The Clarke’s feel their emotional connection was highlighted by the backgrounds. “We’re going to be happy ten years, twenty years later when we look back on the pictures and see how much was captured in that moment.”
Anxiety about the quality of photography available on island was soon overcome by Bill. Iva tells Bill “It was a huge blessing that you were able to step in and take over. (The photos) are true reflection of your professionalism and your abilities. You just are that good.” It has all added up to a wonderful tropical experience. “We’ve never had a vacation quite like this. I’ve never encountered a culture where the model is no pressure, no problem, and is fully embraced whether on or off resort.”
The Clarke’s are committed to returning to Saint Lucia to renew their vows, saying “It was a great experience coming here.”
