The Newly Weds: Jim & Samantha
Married: January, 20th 2016
WEDDING DAY STORY; Written by the bride, Samantha B.
Montego Bay, Jamaica… One Love! When I woke up on the morning of my wedding day, it felt surreal. It may have partly been because we took an untraditional approach and Jim was laying there next to me. It could have also been the fact that the day I dreamed of since I was a little girl was finally here. When I walked out on the balcony and realized it was pouring rain, my heart sank. Jim and I went to breakfast together and watched the rain fall as we sipped our coffee and prayed for it to stop…
We headed back to our suite and Jim packed up a bag and went to get ready with the groomsmen. All of the bridesmaids and my good friend, Katie, came to my room to get ready. When they arrived, the rain had finally stopped. As Katie was doing my hair, I tried and tried to read through my vows without crying my eyes out. After lots of tears and a few reapplications of my makeup, I was ready for our first look. I stepped out on the balcony to see Jim on the end of the pier waiting for me… When I saw him standing there, looking out into the ocean, the moment suddenly started to feel very real.
My photographer, Jordana, and I walked to the pier together to greet Jim. All the girls watched from the balcony with excitement. There is honestly no way to describe the feelings I felt as I was walking down the pier towards Jim. Every step I took, more and more tears fell. As I put my hand on his shoulder, he turned around and smiled. At that moment, the manly man that never cries got choked up. With tear filled eyes, he exclaimed, “Wow… you look so beautiful, Sam. I love your dress. We’re finally here.”
We shared a moment that I cannot even explain, and that I will forever cherish.
We shared a moment that I cannot even explain, and that I will forever cherish. 
When the ceremony time came, over 50 of our friends and family congregated on the beach. My dad and I walked together, down the beach, towards my One Love.
The ceremony itself was short and sweet, afterwards we had a champagne toast and took dozens of photos… Jim and I were now husband and wife!!!
That evening, we had a private reception in one of the resort’s restaurants followed by a beach party! Jim and I were exhausted but made an appearance at the disco until 2am!
At the end of the night when Jim and I returned to our room, we spent some time on our balcony, staring out into the ocean listening to the rain (which had started up again) , and reflected on our amazing wedding day.
We are so happy that we had a destination wedding and would not have done it any other way! We had our best friends and our families in attendance and it was one hell of a party!
Words from Jordana Snyder Photography:
When Samantha and Jim ask if we would photograph their wedding in Montego Bay Jamaica of course we were excited… its Jamaica. In January. We live in Wisconsin….. DUH! BUT even more than the excitement about the location was our excitement for this couples engagement to one another. For those of you who know Samantha and Jim, these two people are awesome and it’s about time they finally tie the knot! Photographing Sam and Jim’s wedding day was an honor, watching these two profess their love to one another on a beach in Jamaica was the cherry on top. Congratulations Sam & Jim, we wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
Who helped make this the perfect day:
- Resort/Wedding planner: Iberostar Rose Hall; Montego Bay Jamaica
- Bridal Gown: The Bridal Shoppe; Eau Claire WI (now closed)
- Bridesmaids Dress: Davids Bridal
- Rings: Lasker Jeweler’s; Eau Claire WI
- Custom bridesmaids jewelry: A.Dorn- Isabelle& Co.; Eau Claire WI
- Photographer: Jordana Snyder Photography (Thats us!)