Marlena & Jimmy

Marlena & Jimmy marry on Marlena's childhood home of St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands. So, a pseudo-destination wedding, as a large portion of the wedding party live on St. Croix.

*vendor list at bottom of page*

Oh, boy, do I love the perspective of this local bride...

"If there’s anything I’ve learned from growing up on St. Croix, it’s that sometimes you’ve just got to work with what the island gives you," Marlena lends some expert advice to future brides, and if I'm being honest, great life advice for anyone.

Nothing ever happens exactly as you've planned; understanding that and having the grace to roll with the punches gives you the mental clarity to truly enjoy the moment. In 40 or 50 years they won't remember that her bouquet went missing for 15 minutes or that the A/C unit couldn't quite keep up with the Caribbean sun.

Jimmy will remember the moment after Marlena walked down the aisle when they first made eye contact.. and how amazing she looked. Marlena will remember dancing in Jimmy's arms while their families looked on with love and support.

Such a joy to capture the first pictures of them as husband and wife while walking the beautiful grounds of Marlena's childhood home, making new memories where old memories already live, underscored by the excitement of memories yet to be made.

Marlena and Jimmy posed on a particularly cute hillside while, stealthfully, fire ants crawled on Marlena's dress and bit her feet (ack!) Marlena, even if in a bit pain, took the whole thing in stride.

Jimmy falling more in love with his bride as she gracefully refused to let the ant bites deter her from enjoying the moment. Marlena falling more in love with her groom as he carefully removed each ant from her skirt, looking into her eyes with genuine loving concern. (Me falling more in love with love as I witness them falling more in love, lol)

The ceremony took place on the west and the reception on the east side of The Buccaneer Beach House at Whistle Point. St. Croix's natural beauty on display from every angle and a glorious breeze.

Take a moment to appreciate their sweet proposal story, as told by Marlena.

"The day of what would be his proposal, Jimmy sent me a hilarious and sweet email that basically said that night would be a really important night. He sent an evening itinerary that included a limo pick up, a stop at a nail and hair salon, a surprise visit from my best friend who helped me shop for a date outfit and, finally, a drop off at our meeting spot- The Eye in downtown Dallas. Jimmy was waiting there for me. He proposed right there on the sidewalk. It was beautiful. He had even planned for a friend-photographer to capture the moment. We walked around the city and took pictures and then stayed at our favorite Dallas hotel- The Adolphus. The whole night still feels really magical and perfect."

Romantic and detail-oriented... a dream come true, he thought of everything.

Thank goodness Jimmy's sister had intuited that these two would hit it off and set them up at a concert! They balance each other and support each other and that's what it's all about folks! Love, love, love, looooove!!

Congratulations Marlena & Jimmy we are so happy for you and so thankful that you asked us to capture this beautiful day!

I'll leave you all with one more nugget of wisdom from the bride, "Be flexible and try to stay focused on what’s really important- family and friends sharing this moment with the one you love. That’s really what people will remember long after the wedding is over."

*swoon* can you even?! ...she's perfection *throws a kiss into the air*