Nicole and Ryan were yet another Canadian couple with a solid crew along for the destination wedding ride of a lifetime. Having only recently moved back to Toronto, Canada August 2014, these lovebirds had been living in Perth, Australia for three years prior to their return. Nicole is a Westerner, born in beautiful British Columbia, and Ryan is an Easterner, from Toronto, Ontario and somehow managed to find each other in Calgary, Alberta about five years ago. And by “somehow managed to find each other” I mean, they were an eHarmony match that worked to both their advantages. Actually, I absolutely love the fact that not only did they meet on a dating website, but had their first date on April Fool’s, grabbing drinks, playing pool and seeing the movie Hot Tub Time Machine. How cute is that? So it really should come as no surprise that Nicole and Ryan are down-to-earth, fun-loving Canadians. I would like to think that a lot of us Canadians fit that description. And so, we found ourselves arriving at Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun each with charismatic wedding parties greeting us upon our arrival. The guys were busy diligently ensuring their pocket squares were folded properly and that the boutinnières were pinned in the perfect placement to optimize the view of the flower. Cold beers were shared once everyone had everything in perfect order. Meanwhile, the ladies were relaxing in their robes, each emblazoned with their names and each in a different colour, enjoying champagne and sharing stories before having to piece themselves together for the ceremony. Once that time came, Nicole looked absolutely radiantly regal, especially when seated on the green love seat in her room. Just before it was time to vacate the premises, Nicole and her bridesmaid took some time to breathe in the fresh air and lookout beyond the sea. Shortly after this calming moment, Nicole spun round like Cinderella in her dress, grabbed her essentials and was off to say I do to her future husband.
The sun was exceptionally bright that day, with barely a cloud in sight. Inevitably the cloudless sky meant a ceremony with a healthy dose of squinting eyes and shielded faces. But that didn’t stop Ryan from looking suave, sexy and ready to see just how majestic his bride looked in her wedding dress. Each bridesmaid carried with pride the spectacular handcrafted seashell bouquet that Nicole had made for each of them, although not to be outdone by the bride’s bouquet herself. Jokes were made previously about how it could double as a weapon, it was so heavy! And then finally, the moment came that everyone was waiting for. Catching a glimpse of Nicole over the top of the hill had everyone eager to see her dad giving her away to the love of her life. And the look of adoration on Ryan’s face was impossible to miss. Clasping each other’s hands tightly, they recited their vows, exchanged their rings, and before you knew it, had tied the knot and were officially husband and wife. After some champagne toasts to the newlyweds, the wedding party was ready for the camera, although truth be told, the Bridesmaids stole the show! These ladies were a force to be reckoned with, always ready to ham it up for the camera, which made for some great photo taking opportunities. Nicole and her entourage all knew each other from elementary school except for one, though if I had to make a guess as to who did not grow up in with the rest, I would have said, and still say, I have no idea! Their personalities mix and match so perfectly together, that you would think they were raised together as infants. It’s no wonder the newlyweds wanted to move back from Australia to be nearer to family and friends once again. With a solid crew like this backing you, who wouldn’t want to be closer?
Getting to know Nicole and Ryan in the months leading up their wedding was fun, and revealed that we have plenty in common, including the more mundane side of life that includes staying indoors, having some drinks and playing a game or two of Scrabble like old people. They have also been bit by the travel-bug and chatted a bit about their time in Japan while flying back to Canada, as well as multiple visits to Bali, Indonesia. Of course, it seems a common theme with the couples that decide to book a destination wedding in the first place, that they have an itch to travel and love exploring the world. The reception area was set up and the guests were arriving for cocktails and to try their hand at the Photo Booth we had set up prior to dinner. Nicole had taken time back home to make individual napkin holders each with a decorative seashell to match the bouquets she made for the wedding, and they looked great alongside the floral arrangements provided by Now Sapphire. Once dinner was finished, some speeches preceded the first dance, which was an epic dance with a grand gestured finale between husband and wife. Tables were cleared away, and the guests got around to bumpin’ and grindin’ and having a blast forming a circle that was able to host individual dancers taking turns in the middle, showing off their best moves. No wedding reception is complete without some silliness from the wedding party, and shotgunning beer seemed the spectacle of choice for this rowdy bunch. The bouquet was tossed, the garter removed, and everyone continued to dance the night away as we bid our farewells.
