It was an unexpectedly thrilling day for Canadians Kelly Johnson and Brent Tomlinson when they they put the official seal on their lives together. Kelly and Grant’s wedding day in the scenically rich island of Saint Lucia saw them exploring more than the average tourists complete with cliffs, a machete, a waterfall, a trashed wedding dress and a lost wedding ring.
It was however all part of the mystic that attracted the two to Saint Lucia, as Kelly explained. “I just think Saint Lucia has so much more to offer than the palm tree pictures you find at any resort.” She looked for a photographer to focus on their wedding differently and found St. Lucia Wedding Photographer Bill Mortley.

“He popped up everywhere. I looked at http://www.billmortleyphotography.com and really liked the pictures, the reviews, everything was really great.” Bill Mortley proved he was up to the challenge in the most exciting way. “The photo-shoot was one of the more entertaining parts of my day,” says Brent.

“Bill explored every possible option to get the best pictures.” “The day couldn’t have gone better,” Kelly agrees. “We were so excited with the places that we got to go and the pictures are phenomenal, super original.

Bill is awesome; he is very easy to talk to. He drove us to some really neat places. Everybody was so welcoming. He asked someone whether we could use their driveway and next thing you know we’re up on the balcony and then they let us walk through their house to their backyard to take better pictures. “The favourite part of my day is when we walked down at Dennery to go to the cliffs there and this guy said ‘oh I’ll come help you’ and he put on his rubber boots, got a machete and a hammer and got us through.” Kelly thoroughly trashed her wedding dress, with Brent cheering her on. He said, “When we got to the spot we were overwhelmed by the beauty and I was all for trashing the dress.”

In the excitement Brent lost his ring at the bottom of the waterfall. “The water was clear enough that I discovered it in five minutes but I aged ten years.” In that regard Brent was luckier than his father, who never recovered his wedding band lost on the beach of the Couples Resort. That same resort, now Rendezvous after several renaming over the years, is where Brent and Kelly got married.

St. Lucia Wedding Photographer-For Americans John and Shannon Wilson, their joining in holy matrimony was not about formalities. “We’re not into the big wedding at the church; a thousand people you don’t know. We wanted something a little more laid back, low key.” The two became one on the tranquil shores on Saint Lucia in a lovely ceremony surrounded by family. Every moment of their wonderful wedding day was captured in stunning colour by St. Lucia Wedding Photographer, Bill Mortley. “Love them,” says John about the wedding photographs.

Like many others, the Wilsons found St. Lucia Wedding Photographer, Bill Mortley as they read the reviews on the island on Trip Advisor. This got them thinking about wedding photos and they began exchanging emails with a couple who wrote one of the glowing reviews. They also read of the extremes to which Bill has gone to ensure the very best for his clients, even as some hotels seek to ban outside photographers and force couples to use only their service. After contacting Bill, they were further captivated. Happily Bill has exceeded their expectations. “Couldn’t ask for more; It’s beautiful,” says John. Shannon 29 and a Nurse at Virginia Mason, met John, a 31-year-old Programme Manager for Air Solutions, at an acquaintance’s going away party.

Having known each other for over three years, the newlyweds, who live in Seattle Washington, feel marriage has changed the game. “Now that she’s my wife, I can’t just say I quit”, John jokes about his new commitment. For Shannon, “It just feels weird.”

The Wilsons’ day was far from strange, dawning bright and remaining beautiful. “I’m loving it, it’s been perfect, It was HOT….really HOT,” says Shannon. “It’s supposedly the hurricane season but it’s been beautiful every day.” For Shannon and John being away from the crowds at home is priceless.

They did need one important slice of home, their family, to complete the occasion. John and Shannon took time out to explore the island on Joy’s sailing tour but took advantage of their honeymoon in paradise to relax together. “Every other day has been poolside,” smiles Shannon. Post by St. Lucia Wedding Photographer.

Having lived abroad for several years, it was a heartwarming welcome home for Tessa Saunders when she returned to Saint Lucia for her nuptials with fiancé Michael Schreck, a native of New Jersey, USA.

The sunny setting was a natural choice for the long-time lovers, who also wanted a traditional church wedding. “I always wanted Tessa to get married at home because the cathedral in Castries is just beautiful and I wanted her to get married in her childhood parish and where she grew up,” says Michael . Tessa remembers, “about 4 years ago we were at walking down the shore and we were talking about weddings and I told him I want to get married at home. ‘

At home it was as the two joined Tessa’s family for what was to be the first introduction to her lifemate. “I was very nervous,” Says Michael, “Besides being an inter-racial couple, I am 13 years her senior, older than her oldest sibling. But from the first 30 seconds when we reached up Pavee Hill it felt right and I felt at home.

Tessa’s mother was just very endearing and the whole family, her brothers and sisters, Nigel, Francis, Maria and Dylan, really accepted me and didn’t judge me.”

The meeting was no less warming than Tessa’s first with his family. “It was a little intimidating,” Tessa says in turn, “Because the first time I met Michael’s family his dad had passed away. We were already going out for a year but the first time I met them was a couple of days before his dad’s funereal. I walked in expecting everybody to be sad and upset but everybody welcomed me and it felt right from the beginning.”

There, as in Saint Lucia, the difference was accepted but still noticed. At Michael’s urging Tessa recounts, “It’s funny because the repast, which we call the wake here, was in Wisconsin which is like, farmland. Everybody was coming up to me saying ‘hi, you must be Tessa, Michael’s girlfriend’ and I was asking myself ‘how does everybody know I’m Michael’s girlfriend?’ and I realized I was the only Black girl there.” Their peals of laughter ring out together at the seven-year-old family joke.

Michael, currently a chef working at the Indy Race League, and Tessa, who now works in accounts receivables at Hilton hotel, first met on the job. “I was manager on duty one night at the hotel we were both working at and Tessa was working at the front desk. I saw her smile just light up the lobby and I knew right then that I just had to meet her. There’s also a glitch to that because she thought I was an ass when she first met me,” says Michael, and Tessa quickly agrees, “Yes I did.”

More than seven years later, the first testy meeting has resulted in Tessa’s first and Michael’s second marriage. Michael says it was down to the wire in 2008 for a very patient Tessa . “I was teasing her because she was like ‘if you don’t marry me in December…’, that was in June, and I was like, ‘is that all it takes? I can last till December’.”

The June wedding saw the couple sticking to the religious theme and using the Benedictine Centre at the Morne for their special occasion. They were more than satisfied with the service provided by the nuns who run the place. Michael, who always believed nuns to be guarded and cloistered from attending weekday mass as a child in New Jersey, was pleasantly surprised.  “When I got there Sister Emmanuella, who we had talked to over the phones, and all the other nuns were all so sweet and welcoming.”

The stunning views (the Caribbean Sea on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other), the friendliness of the staff and the quality of the food service, had even Chef Michael impressed. “It’s just very warm and friendly. You feel like you’re at home.”

Tessa saw the magic from the start. “As soon as we walked in and saw the church, the archway was like wrought iron and there were initials ‘M’ and ‘T’ and that just sold it for us.”

Although there were rules to follow, such as keeping the music down, the ceremony was for Tessa, “More than I imagined it would be.” So enjoyable, kids a jovial Michael, “I still had my hand up one girl’s dress when I was after the garter. So I was happy.”

The real joy however was being surrounded by family and friends, even with the limited number from overseas. “We never would have been able to get our wedding done without the help of our family. And it’s wonderful that our family got together for Tessa and I and everybody had a good time.”

The guests list was fitting for the two who met in a hotel, with twenty-five people flying in from England, America, the Philippines, Ghana, Portugal and Haiti, the only thing missing was international flags to welcome everyone.

Guests also got to enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds of Saint Lucia with a round the island boat trip replacing the traditional New Jersey post wedding brunch. The full day trip, “It was fun from the moment we got on the boat until we got back,” included stops at the famous Sulphur Springs, swimming and snorkeling at Anse Cochon and lots of local eats.

In typical style Michael ends with the cherry on top, “We should have had the boat ride before the wedding because by that time I would have learnt to dance a little more Lucian style. By Sunday Tessa’s brothers and sisters had given me some pointers and I had loosened up my hips.”

Don’t worry Michael all the dance steps were caught by my snappy professional lenses and the high quality memories will remain with you and your guests for generations.

There’s an elixir in the air on this little Caribbean island, and Craig and Michelle Davis have breathed in deeply. Michelle had always had the dream of being married in St. Lucia. “I’d never seen a picture of the island. I must have just seen or heard of it on a film or something.”

Luckily, her husband Craig agreed to it when they were making plans. “We began to look into it and see what a beautiful island it is, and I wanted to come here even more.” “The island is amazing and the hotel is fantastic. The people on the island are just so friendly. We couldn’t ask for a better place to get married. My dream came true. I had my dream wedding”, said Michelle.

Michelle and Craig Davis met each other over 6 years ago at a local pub near their homes in South Wales. Craig noted, “We didn’t have a first date”, Michelle said. “We would go to cinemas, hang out together doing things that we both really enjoy. I’m really lucky I found someone that likes what I like doing. We love sports. We’ve been to millions of sports…Grand Prix…rugby…any sport there is, we’ve done it. That’s one of the things I really enjoy about him…that we enjoy the same things.” In speaking with Craig he said, “Each and every time we saw each other we grew closer and closer. I dropped her off from a date, later sent her a text and said, ‘Let’s give it a go.’

They did. “When we go out, I love being with Michelle. I love being with my wife.” “I can be who I am with him”, Michelle said. “He’s patient. He’s always there to listen and he never judges me.” “Michelle makes me who I am. I know I’m the best person I’ve been in the last 6 years. She brings out my best. Michelle’s qualities are beautiful”, Craig exclaimed.

Michelle said, “I’m really lucky to find someone who likes doing what I’m doing.” In preparing for their day, they started their search by going on a few blogs and found Bill Mortley Photography.

They read about a couple from Britain who were married the year previously. They used Bill Mortley Photography and couldn’t speak highly enough of him. “We looked at a slideshow of your work. It was pretty fantastic and we knew right away what we were going to do. We even changed our wedding date so you could take photos of us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve made, so thank you again, Bill”, remarked Michelle. Craig noted, “The photos are not just pure poses, but are taken when people are being themselves…very natural, and that’s the part that you see…the laughter… the happiness in people. While we were listening to what the minister was saying, you were capturing what was going on around us. We had that to look at later. It’s been absolutely fantastic.”

They mentioned that they are planning to return for their ten-year vow renewal. Michelle said, “That’s the plan anyway, but we may not be able to wait 10 years.” “Definitely will come back to this island and will recommend it to anyone…and get Bill Mortley Photography…definitely…don’t get anyone else.” Thanks Michelle.

Reprinted from Tripadvisor.com
Almond Morgan Bay Beach Resort: The perfect wedding!

A party of eight of us ranging in age from 6 to 66 went out to St Lucia for our wedding. The hotel really had something for everyone- quiet adults only pools, a kids pool with slides, pool table , table tennis and kids club, and great entertainment in the evening, that impressed us all by its high quality. Not to mention a good range of watersports that are part of the package.

In our second week we got married. The day was really relaxed and everything ran smoothy. We should mention our fantastic photographer Bill Mortley who is a resident of the island- he took so much time and care to capture every moment of our day. He is both a perfectionist and real professional- we are absolutely delighted with our photos. Anyone considering a wedding in St Lucia should visit his website. He was substantially cheaper than the hotel photographer, and having met a disappointed bride who had taken up the hotel photographer, we were so pleased that someone had recommended him to us before we went.

All in all our two weeks were pretty much perfect- just a bit more rain than we had expected. Our top tips for getting married at this hotel would be 1. The gazebo is a much more private location to get hitched than the beach- its quite public. 2. Pay the extra to have a steel band play – it was well worth it for the great ambience it created. 3. Check out the photographer we recommended above, rather than just going with the hotel one.