Sandals South Coast, Jamaica | Kristin & Nick | KV Photography

How did you both meet?

We met online! I followed Kristin on Instagram because she was a mega CrossFit star and had won comps around the world and been to the CrossFit Games. After that, she followed me because I was slightly below average in fitness I guess! Later, we started messaging each other about books and movies and found out we had a ton in common, so I took a chance and asked her out, and the rest is history!

How was the proposal?

Nick proposed on Christmas. We traveled out of state for the Holidays to spend time with my family. Originally, I asked Nick to leave our presents to each other at home, so we could pack light. For some reason he insisted we had to bring them. Well I found out on Christmas why.

He had this running joke going that he was going to design some art for me, and was talking up his artistry skills. On Christmas, one of my presents came in a tube like it was a piece of art rolled up that he had made. When I opened it, I unrolled it but it was blank. Then, at the very bottom, it said, “Will you marry me?”. Everyone was surprised.

What was your wedding inspiration? (think decor, overall theme and feel of the day, etc)

We wanted a nontraditional and laid back wedding, and also to skip some of the typical formalities around a wedding, like bridal parties or doing a garter toss. We just wanted our closest friends and families with us, an amazing location, great food, and great tunes. 

That is why we chose to do a destination wedding. Most of the people we invited had never left the country, so we wanted to keep it as simple as possible, so ultimately we decided to choose Sandals in South Coast, Jamaica.

What was your favorite design element of your wedding?

The LED dance floor was one of our favorite elements. It really stole the show at our reception!

Describe some of your favorite wedding details and how you came up with them.

We wanted to focus on keeping things simple, while focusing on the things that mattered most. 

The ceremony took place at the “over the water” chapel, which is so beautiful! During the reception, we had a drink menu sign drawn for the bar that included drawings of our dogs, and we named the signature drinks after them. Another favorite element was the LED dance floor, and the fire dancers to close out the reception. 

Those grand and unique things, while amazing, weren’t better than our absolute most amazing favorite wedding detail, which was peace of mind. We had 20 guests, but were able to spend time with all of them. With it being all inclusive, there was no rushing and everything was laid back. Some of our guests even went to a foam party between the ceremony and the reception. At the end, people just had to walk to their room. It was one of the least stressful days of our entire 10 days in Jamaica, and we appreciated that immensely.

What was the most memorable moment of your wedding day?

A speed boat flew by the over the water chapel with some tubers during the ceremony. Kristin choked up and couldn’t recite her vows, so we had to table them. The LED dancefloor! The DJ stayed an extra 40 mins because everyone was dancing so much. Our wedding cake was AMAZING! Fire dancers to close it out! Another DJ at the afterparty. Karaoke after that! It was all amazing!

Please describe your cake (if any):

It was a Caribbean fruit cake, with piña colada frosting. It sounds awful on paper, but absolutely stole the show, it was amazingI The Jamaican fruit cake does not taste like what Americans typically expect a fruit cake to taste like. No words to describe it. You just have to take our word for it and try it.

Can you please list your vendors:

Venue, Catering, Rentals: Sandals South Coast
Photographers: KV Photography
Dress: Martina Liana Bridal Designs
DJ: DJ Johnny Blaze Ja

Any advice for those planning their wedding now?

Go to Sandals South Coast. You won’t regret it. Also, stop stressing. On the day of, most of the things you stressed about, won’t even matter.

What was your biggest surprise on your wedding day?

There were two major surprises. First, Kristin’s dad gave an amazing speech that was unexpected at the reception dinner.
Second, we had to move the reception indoors at the last minute because of the rain. As part of this, the steel drum band we booked didn’t make it, and the time changed. It all actually ended up being for the better. With the change, we ended up in this amazing room that was just the right size for our group, and Sandals decked it out. Plus there was AC! Also, Sandals made up for the steel drum band, but provided us with fire dancers. It all worked out in the end, and for the better.

What one moment will last with you both forever?

All of it! Particularly the people that showered us with love and joy on our special day. They all took the time out of their lives, to leave the country, to go spend time in paradise with us.

What song did you walk down the aisle to?

Smooth Sailing by Luke Bennett. When Nick and I first met, our first real vacation together was in Australia. I was competing there in the Australian Crossfit Championships, so Nick and I stayed in Australia after that to spend a week in Byron Bay. We heard this amazing performer at dinner one night, Luke Bennett. He blew us away, and we cruised through Australia the rest of the week, listening to his music on repeat. It was a no brainer that would be played on our wedding day. I feel it is pretty nontraditional to walk down the aisle to, but it had such a profound meaning to us and our relationship.

What song played for your first dance?

Two Of Us, by the Beatles.

What are you most looking forward to as a married couple?

Being parents! We found out we are expecting just before Christmas. The due date is late July.

What did you like the most about working with KV Photography?

EVERYTHING! If anyone is reading this, stop reading and just book KV Photography. These two are the absolute best. Not only do they produce breathtaking photos, but on your wedding day, they will feel like your absolute best friends. Honestly, it feels like you have known them for years. We especially appreciated that we didn’t have to manage them at all. Both of them took initiative the entire time and were on top of everything, with a plan to execute. They didn’t flinch on anything we requested and blended in with the entire group. The entire process extremely easy thanks to them, and somehow they managed to capture some of the most beautiful moments on our special day. They are that good at what they do!

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