Wedding Interviews

Angel & Tom Berry - Soul Mates’ Second Time Around

Wedding Photography

It was the second go around in more ways than one for Angel & Thomas Berry, when they renewed Wedding Photography vows under a clear sky at Calabash Cove. “I’m just so glad that we were able to have a remarriage ceremony,” says Tom, who initially married Angel in August 2007. “We both had a great time and we are just looking forward.”
This marriage is the second for both Angel and Tom who is 50. They each also have two grown children from their previous relationships.
“I had a really long list of demands,” says Angel, who was in an abusive marriage. But, she says, “He was the right one for me.”
Owner of an employment agency in New Jersey, Angel’s Domestics, the 37-year-old met her match online. “I went on Craigslist. Yep. The heading was something like, ‘Single black female, in search of soul mate’, and Tom Responded.”

50-year-old Tom, a consultant for Accenture, says, “She sounded intriguing. We wound up talking and really hit it off.” That was in July ’06. They met face to face that October and Thomas made an immediate impact. “I was really impressed when I walked up the stairs and he was standing there with flowers,” recalls Angel.
Tom felt from having spoken on the phone many times that they clicked on many levels and says, “I wanted to do something out of the ordinary. I was hoping she would appreciate the flowers and sounds like it really did the trick.”
“I fell in love with her from the first time we met. There was a definite attraction from the start and she really exceeded my expectations..”
While Angel lived and worked in Brooklyn and Tom lived in New Jersey and worked in Manhattan their courtship was almost international; from a first date in little Italy, to the engagement in a Turkish restaurant on Angel’s birthday in April 2007.

We really enjoyed this Turkish restaurant in a trendy part of Brooklyn, off Court Street,” explains Tom. “I called up the owner of the restaurant and made arrangements to set us up at a nice window spot and to prepare some special things for us and they were very happy to oblige. When we got to the restaurant, I gave Angel’s camera to the owner with instructions to come over at a specific time. When the time came I pulled the ring box out of my pocket and as I asked her to marry me he started snapping some pictures. She was kinda startled but it was great. She said yes; all the people around were clapping; the owner was happy, saying ‘it’s the first time someone proposed in my restaurant’.”
The wedding however, did not quite meet their expectations as the photographer made a mess of the photos. The Berrys decided a redo was in order and they wanted to capture every bright moment.
“When I saw what Bill Mortley offered,” Tom says, “It was impressive. His super creative site detailed a lot of history; The creative edge was definitely there.”
Angel adds, “Before we came across Bill’s website we saw someone else with whom we made a deposit, but after talking to him it felt like he was the right person to do our photos and we canceled the other person.”
They arrived in Saint Lucia to two days of rain but amazingly the sky cleared for their wedding. The only hitch, “I’m not an afternoon person,” moans Angel but she confesses to totally enjoying every minute, as did Tom.
I’m happy that Bill recommended the Resort for us,” he says. “Calabash Cove in Marisule, did a magnificent job. They set up this beautiful archway of flowers for us on a pier that was designated as the wedding ceremony site. The Wedding Photography coordinator handled everything just right. The ceremony was nice and simple and everything went off without a hitch.”
Further, says Angel, “We love it here. I’m a very private person so I like that it’s not too crowded, the music is not too loud. We wanted something private and we have the swim-up pool and the little bar right there. I’m very satisfied with the service especially from Shari, she’s been very helpful.”
The new start is refreshing on a deeper level for Tom and Angel, whose love has been sorely tested.
“I have a lot of friends who didn’t believe we would survive. When we got engaged they said a lot of bad things,” says Angel. “When I was moving out of Brooklyn to New Jersey, a lot of people didn’t accept the relationship but I didn’t care what people felt. Tom has been very good to myself and my kids.”

The most important people, her mom and step-dad, whom Tom traveled to meet in 2006, accepts the relationship.
For the most part Tom says his family are also accepting. “Twenty years ago my Christian brother Bob married a Jewish girl and that was a big deal; so in context my mother was accepting. My father, who was much more conservative has passed away. Friends of mine expressed some reservations but we knew that we were right for each other.”
The Berrys have not only learnt to deal with the prejudice but are turning it on it’s head. “We get a charge walking around hand in hand. We’re a little more different than most inter-racial couples; usually it’s a black guy with a white woman; also we have the age difference. I like the looks we get from people. I like when people do a double take.”
Angel has tired of trying to stay in touch with the friends who blew her off and accepts, as Tom does that, “As you mature, your relationships mature and change. While there are people that you no longer communicate with, you are constantly meeting new friends.”
They also have lots of new things to enjoy, like sharing each others passions, such as fishing and crabbing.
In that they are also learning the importance of communication. Says Tom, “You need to be able to say what’s on your mind. I know I can always say anything I feel to her.”
“The bottom line is that I always get the final word,” laughs Angel. Tom joins in the laughter and adds, “I love everything about her…and she’s always right.”

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Vicky and Amy Biscette - From Cold to Hot, Hot, Hot

Wedding Photography

A meeting on a cold winter’s night warmed into a long romance that was signed and sealed under the hot Caribbean sun by Vicky and Amy Biscette.
Both 25, they met in 2007 in Toronto, Canada, where he was working to pay off debts at home and she was waitressing as she traveled. On a rare weekend off, Amy came into the bar where Vicky was assisting a DJ friend.
That night they went to a coffee shop and, say Vicky, “talked and talked”. He then walked her home where Amy adds, “We stood on the porch of my apartment, chatting and shivering to death.”
After hours talking, Amy says she felt safe with Vicky in a way she hadn’t felt with anybody. “He’s so gentle. I felt comfortable with him, I felt I could trust him…you’re not supposed to kiss a person the first time you meet and I didn’t want him to come across as that kind of person but I kissed him. I was so nervous; I had butterflies in my stomach.”

Trust was harder for Vicky, who had just been through a difficult relationship, but over time, Amy proved her worth. “I realized she was totally different. She is so honest she turned me around.”
She loves his sense of humor.
Amy stopped traveling after meeting Vicky but their relationship was still challenged as they spent time apart due to visa restrictions and trips home to Saint Lucia and Australia. “It challenged our relationship but also made it stronger,” Amy attests.
As they grew closer their families were let in on what was becoming obvious anyway. “My parents knew Vicky made me happy,” says Amy, “They could hear it over the phone.” The opinion that matters most to Amy is that of her “young mom” and best friend, who’s been married 29-years. Mom’s advice, “love the best you can and the best will come out of it.”
Vicky’s family was also accepting and he says his mom, “was only worried that she was with me for love and not for any other reason and that we’re both happy.”
Race was never an issue or the lovers or their family but when they moved in together cultural differences did prove to be a test. Vicky maintains, “I knew I wanted to be with him, that’s why I came back to Canada. After the first six months of living together I realized that I can live with him, he’s not going to make me go insane all the time. I love his sense of humor; he’s able to laugh with anybody. He’s always making me smile.”
The proposal was set for a Valentine day dinner, which happened a day after as Amy worked on V-Day. Vicky had the ring but, “I was a little nervous and shy. I didn’t want to do it among people and I waited when we got back home and I asked her in the parking lot.”
That cold February night was no match for love’s warmth, when Amy said yes.
Almost 4 years after their eyes met, Amy’s family met Vicky’s in his homeland Saint Lucia for the couple’s Wedding Photography, held in the tropical gardens of Stony Hill Estate.
With guests from Australia, New York, Canada and Saint Lucia, the planning was long-term. Amy, who works as an office manager and waitress, and Vicky, who works in construction, handled as much as they could, she from Canada and he from Saint Lucia.
Among the arrangements Vicky made at the Saint Lucia end was for a Wedding Photography. Bill Mortley came highly recommended by Stony Hill and his website attested to a high quality of work but what really swayed the couple was hearing that he develops a good relationship with the bride and groom. “I wanted someone that knew what was important to us,” says Vicky.
They were more than satisfied. Although they weathered some rain that day, Bill captured their story brilliantly.

“Now we can share those memories with everyone the rest of our lives.”
Wedding coordinator Cynthia and Dr. Sonny also shone through the rain. “She was on top of everything at every point and at the end of the night she still had a smile on her face.” Amy raves.” They took a whole weight off my shoulders. It’s worth every penny.”

This allowed Amy and Vicky to relax, although he admitted to some nerves. “From the morning I got up I was a little shaky but I was happy because I know she is the person I want to be with.”
Amy was also nervous, as all eyes turned when she walked down the aisle in a jewel led strapless gown.
Choosing the elegant, well-fitted dress was “a task and a half” says the new bride who, in true form, tried on about 40 dresses and went through a ton of fittings and accessorizing. But, she says, it was fun!
At the heart however, it was all about the vows, where the emotion really came through. “I’m from a family that believes in marriage very strongly,” says Amy, “So when you say those vows in front of the people that you care about the most, it’s very important.”
Vicky says of his radiant new wife, “I feel so lucky to be with someone so special, so beautiful; bright; smart. I’m one of the luckiest guys around to be with someone so wonderful.”
“The more I’ve gotten to know you the more I’ve loved of you,” beams Amy, “I know you’re going to make sure I have everything I need. You treat me like a princess and I am lucky to have you in my life.”

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The ‘Real’ St Lucia, West Indies Wedding Experience

“Apart from being the ideal place for a vacation of a lifetime, St Lucia is becoming the go to spot for couples wishing for a tropical destination wedding” Wedding Photographer St Lucia

Reprinted from Tropical Traveller

wedding photographer st lucia

The best marketing techniques can in no way be compared to real life reviews from people who’ve embarked upon their vacation in paradise, most of whom wind up falling in love with the tropical isles along the way. In those cases, it’s no easy task for people to say good bye to the Caribbean when it’s time to return home. How can one really bear to tear themselves away from picture perfect weather, scenery straight out of an immaculate painting, one of a kind cuisine and locals who treat you as if they’ve known you their entire life and everything else the region has to offer?
Apart from being the ideal place for a vacation of a lifetime. St Lucia is becoming the go to spot for couples wishing for a tropical destination wedding. Boasting numerous awards from the World Travel Awards for being the Honeymoon Destination of the Year for consecutive years, the love island awaits couples wishing to tie the knot with open arms! Joanne and Richard Collins got a taste of St Lucia recently when they came to the island of their wedding in paradise. After touching down on St Lucian soil, the couple took off again from the Southern airport by helicopter and made their way to the Almond Morgan Bay Resort where they would remain for the duration of their 10 night stay. Joanne admits being slightly nervous about opting for a helicopter rather than a taxi, (she was quite worried about the safety of her luggage) but in the end she says the St Lucia Helicopters company was incredibly professional, and she recommended the helicopter ride to anyone wishing to get a highly satisfying dose of the island, from above. “Especially if you’re getting married,” Joanne said. “Pull out all the stops! Our wedding was just the two of us, and I have to say the paperwork side of things was hassle free. Jessica the wedding coordinator arranged for the minister to come to the resort a couple of days before the wedding and basically that was it!” The couple’s wedding day was a breeze with the hotel staff doing everything possible to make their day incredibly memorable. The couple first decided upon a beach wedding, then decided that having theirs in a hill top Gazebo offered by the hotel would be even more romantic. Their every wish came true that day, surrounded by greenery, chirping birds overheard, and staring down at the ocean from their breezy outdoor location. “We went for a walk to both locations when we arrived and once we set eyes on the views from the gazebo instantly we knew it was the place for the big day,” said Joanne. “Jessica was only too happy to switch the location for us.” Joanne and Richard agree that their St Lucia wedding was perfect and fabulous, complemented by photography by Bill Mortley that took the couple to various locations on the island, in an effort to create a collection of stunning images. Needless to say, the couple got their money’s worth, stopping off in places like Soufriere, and even diving into Caribbean waters still in their wedding attire! “It didn’t take much for our photographer to persuade us to get dressed again the day after our wedding and he drove us, at no extra cost to the Pitons and Botanical gardens to take more photos. We were introduced to a US custom of “trashing the dress” – yes I went into the sea in my dress. We chose St. Lucia because we wanted to relax. It was all worth it in the end, St. Lucia is truly paradise. I’d do it again in a minute!”

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St Lucia, West Indies: The Ideal Dream Wedding Location

Wedding Photography

St Lucia lives up to its reputation for this happy couple

Reprinted from The Tropical Traveller
As more and more couples find out every year, Caribbean Weddings, particularly destination weddings have sweet deals that can be adjusted to suit individual tastes. There’s plenty to choose from when it comes to location and all that depends on the theme of the wedding itself.

A historic island landmark like Pigeon Point for instance, suits nature lovers while the flurry of beaches on the island are ideal for those who want a carefree beach wedding complete with white sand, swaying coconut trees and the almost always predictably blazing sun overhead.

Other one of a kind locations include waterfalls in the central portion of the island, quaint towns and let us not forget mention hidden treasure spots nestled between the two most inviting peaks on the island. Gros Piton and Petit Piton. John and Holly Walsh from London chose the nature aspect of things when they flew to St. Lucia for their destination Wedding Photography. Fortunately for the Walsh’s, there was no need to go hunting for an unadulterated venue.

They’d decided to stay at the Almond Morgan Bay hotel and a peek out the windows of the tropical themed hotel confirmed they’d share their special moments at the hotel garden’s ultra-private gazebo overlooking the exquisite Caribbean Sea and lush surrounding greenery. Back in London John worked as a manager at CPA and Holly in the Corporate Asset Finance division for Lloyds TSB Bank. They’d met on a bar hopping night while out with friends.

In no time they’d paired off and things heated up steadily. One year later they moved to London together from their hometown of Jersey. On her wedding day, Holly looked stunningly decked in a floor sweeping, milky white, strapless wedding gown and she expressed that she’d chosen to spend her life because “he was perfect in every way”. “Holly is an absolutely stunning, beautiful woman”, John responded and went on to tell of the progression from first meeting, to happily ever after. Ten weeks after they moved in together, John popped the question.

A swooning Holly agreed wholeheartedly and the couple soon settled on a destination wedding on a tropical island paradise – St. Lucia. “Our flight from London, while fine, was a bit stressful. As soon as we arrived at the resort we just chilled out and relaxed for the whole week before the Wedding Photography. We wanted the day to be really special and we brought along a wedding party of family and friends to ensure it would be.” On the selection of St. Lucia, Holly and John agreed that the island obvious beauty had captured their attention. Neither had ever been to St. Lucia and they’d wanted to see for themselves if the award winning destination island lived up to its award winning reputation.

“St. Lucia is beautiful; we’ve been able to verify that for ourselves. We looked at so many venues and St. Lucia is the one that really stuck out. We chose Almond Morgan Bay after seeing the photos of the property and reading reviews on Trip Advisor. We decided it was the ideal place for our ‘perfect day’.” It is our hope you found this article educational and informative and will consider visiting St. Lucia and possibly choosing to have your wedding here in the not too distant future.”

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