I had the privilege of working with an amazing couple this past weekend. We met for the first time on Thursday and managed to produce a gorgeous wedding this past Saturday.
Most of the credit has to go to the bride and groom and their families. Justin Lehman, a producer with RKL Productions, Inc. in New York City and Jenna Bayles, a cardiac sonographer planned to get married on May 2nd in Mexico. Just a few short days prior to the time when guests were due to hop on a plane for the wedding, the calls started coming in. “Ninety percent of our guests were nervous about going to Mexico thanks to the flu,” Justin said. “Some of them said they wouldn’t go.”
It was a tough decision, but Justin finally approached Jenna about changing the wedding location. “Jenna panicked at first,” Justin said. “But after a few minutes of worry, we dug in and started plan B.”
Justin and his father produce television commercials, and find themselves at Universal Studios Orlando very often. Justin started reaching out to contacts there. They pointed them to Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. He said that once that location was booked, everything else fell into place.
By the time I got involved, they had booked all of their vendors. I was there to organize, and make sure the day ran smoothly. Jenna and Justin were so happy to be in Orlando. So were their guests. Everyone was relaxed and excited.
The only snafu that came about was with the gift bags. The family purchased beach bags and personalize beach towels to give to the guests upon arrival in Mexico. The bags had been shipped to the resort in Mexico before the location changed. The resort shipped the bags to Orlando, but they arrived two days after the guests had arrived. The family just gave them out as favors at the wedding.
The wedding day was gorgeous. The weather could not have been better. The florist did an amazing job. Everything went perfectly.
I stood with Jenna and Justin while they were waiting to be introduced into the reception. I asked them if they had any regrets. The both replied, “Not one. The wedding day goes by so quickly, why should we waste anytime worrying about what might have been? Now is the time to relax and have fun with our family and friends.”
The doors opened and the couple was announced. They danced to “One Love” by Bob Marley. That song really captured the mood of the evening. It was lighthearted and upbeat. I will share the photos when they arrive. It truly was a beautiful evening.
I share this story with you because I cannot imagine a more stressful situation for a couple than having to relocate their wedding at the last minute; especially when it involves not only moving a wedding from one distant location to another, but having to change 65 airline tickets as well (by the way, bravo to American Airlines and Continental Airlines for treating the guests so well). The bride and groom let all the stress go and they had an amazing celebration — not as they originally planned, but just as special.
Try to keep Justin and Jenna in mind when the small mishaps on your wedding day come up. Let the mistakes go. Relax and have fun. Your wedding day only happens once. Don’t let anything spoil it for even a second.
If you would like to comment or ask questions about this topic or any other wedding related topic, please post them for me here or email me at susan.southerland@pwg.com.
Your partner in perfect planning,
Susan
