“After 9 years of dating, Brittany and Garreth, affectionately known as B&G, embarked on a new journey together as husband and wife on Saturday, July 16, 2016 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico…
“Their wedding ceremony was held at the Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Puerto Rico y el Caribe in an open courtyard with tiffany blue walls and beautiful expressions of love accented by the colors of blush and gold…
“Brittany and Garreth were surrounded by 75 of their closest friends and family as they embarked on taking vowels of marriage and jumped the broom…it was everything that they had dreamed it would be. They were blessed by every flower, every note of music played, every smiling face, every open heart and every word of prayer…”
Bride & Groom: Brittany Gail Thomas & Garreth Lee Fearon
Occupations: Public Defender & Project Manager
Wedding date: Saturday, July 16, 2016
Wedding location: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Tell us how you met and all about the proposal:
Brittany’s perspective – It was October 9, 2014. The last full day of our vacation with my family. For nearly seven days we’d embraced the beauty of Playa Del Carmen, Mexico as we, mostly, lounged around the awesome pools at the Grand Mayan Rivera Maya Resort. These weren’t just any pools. The resort has some of the best pools in the world. It is such a beautiful place.
We spent the entire day laying next to the pool. It was 80 and the sun was shining bright. I, of course, was taking as many pictures as possible and basking in the sun. We packed it in a little early so that we could prepare for the night’s festivities. G and I took a walk along the beach and stood at the end of the dock. Quietly. I knew something was going on with G but I didn’t know what. He seemed quite serious and was starring at the crashing waves. Sometimes he need his quiet moments. So I gave him his space. And snapped pictures of the water, the palm trees and G, even in his quiet moment. We left the beach holding hands and went to get ready fro the evening.
We joined my family that evening for a variety show. Drinks were flowing, food was plenty and a good time was had by all. We’d spent nearly three hours there and I was pooped. But we still had stuff to do. We needed to check-out. We needed to check-out, pay the balance on our room and pack (sight). The night was going to be longer than I thought.
As we walked over to the lobby to check-out, G mentioned that he wanted to go to the smaller pool area that we stumbled upon yesterday. Sounded good to me. We get to the check-out and I went to work my magic. Discounts! Discounts! Discounts! I am a lawyer and there were a few hiccups during the trip. G and I started having a tiff at the counter because I was being me (arguing until I got what I thought we deserved) and he was being him (wanting to just get it over with). Luckily, the resort staff knew us very well at this point and gave us everything we deserved.
As we walked back to our room, G grabbed my hand and we just talked. It was really dark and who knows what creatures were lurking but I was G – no worries. When we got back to our room, G sat right on the couch and turned on the TV. I yelled “Nah! It’s late. Let’s go check out this pool now before you change your mind. Let’s move.”
We get to the pool and it’s gorgeous. We’re out there alone, the stars are beautiful. We have a full view of the resort and the water is lit with blue lights (G’s favorite color). Enamored with the beauty of it all, I’m, of course, trying to take pictures. But it’s tooooo dark. Way too dark. It was just one of those experiences that you had to take in with your heart and mind. In retrospect, I thank God for making it too dark and forcing me to stop and pay attention.
All the while, G is getting in the pool. Yes, I was trying to take pictures of him too. Too dark! Once in the pool, G calls me over – “Come here and give me a kiss.” I bend down, kiss him, and keep trying to take pictures. Again, G says “Come here and give me a kiss.” Again, I bend down and give him a kiss.
Then G says, “Come here!” Annoyed, I respond, “Why? What you want me to do put my feet in the water? Sit here and talk to you?” G says, “Yes.” So I tie my long dress and sit. G comes closer to me and rubs my legs. I put my camera down and look at him. In my mind I’m thinking, what’s his deal?
G looks at me and says “Brittany Gail Thomas. . .” And I, the smart mouth, responds, “Garreth Lee Fearon. . .” Then I see this shiny thing come out of the water blurring my vision. But I don’t know what it is. At this point, I’m in an utter state of confusion. The he asked me, “Will you marry me?”
Impulsively, I cover my face and start crying. “What? Is this a dream? This is a dream.” I repeated. G pulls my hands from my face and proclaims, “No I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” I look into his eyes and say “Of course, I’ll marry you. I love you.” Then I cried some more and asked one question too many.
The rest of the night, we walked hand-in-hand talking about what just happened and feeling all of the joy of such a big step in our lives. A step towards forever.
Wedding Style: My wedding dress is a beautiful ball gown with a sheer neckline and back, buttons down the back with breath-taking gold beading and detail. Not your typical ball ground, the tulle was the perfect weight that flowed when I walked. It’s just gorgeous. Regal. Classy. Bridal.
What was wedding shopping like for you? We went to Dimitria’s Bridal Couture after I’d done some research on a few shops. I figured it’d be out of my league considering it was in downtown Chicago. I knew I wanted a ballgown but because of my curves friends suggested trumpet dresses. I didn’t come in with a picture or a example of the dress I wanted. I let Tina, the consultant, do the picking. She picked three dresses. But this dress was THE DRESS. The moment I put this dress on with the veil, I cried hysterically. I felt like the woman I’d always dreamed of being when I walked down the aisle to the man God sent for me. I felt like a bride. Per the suggestion of my mom, we went a few more places and I was so unhappy. Then a friend reminded me that it was my time to get what I loved and wanted so I did. I took every dime I had and bought my dress. And it was perfectly me!
Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding? We jumped the broom! The tradition is one that is often followed in my family. I was the broom escort in my cousin’s wedding when I was around 8 years-old and her daughter was the broom escort in my wedding. My aunt, Bobbie Underwood-Savage, created the broom by hand. She literally made the broom, designed it, engraved. These elements made it extra-special.
What is your best memory from your wedding? It sounds cliche but when I saw my groom standing at the end of the aisle. I heard the guitarist playing, the wind was blowing, the venue and decor was absolutely beautiful, and our closest family and friends surrounded us. This is what I dreamed of.
What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples? PLANNING & PREPARATION make the world of a difference. Only you can tell your love story. No one else. Plan and prepare like this is the one and only time you’ll get share and show your love with the world. The details matter. What you both want is all that matters. It’s worth every minute (even though it sucks sometimes)!
Bridesmaids/Groomsmen gifts: Bridesmaid Gifts – Bridesmaid shirt, bridesmaid pendant, jewelry (bracelet and earrings), and make-up. Groomsmen Gifts – Favorite team football jerseys with their last names and number (in wedding line) on back
Favorite item on the menu: Chicken breast stuffed with sweet plantain
First dance song: “Lost Without You” by Robin Thicke
Vendors:
WEDDING DRESS DESIGNER – San Patrick
WEDDING SALON – Dimitra’s Bridal Couture
BRIDE’S SHOES – Badgley Mischka
BRIDESMAID SALON – Two Birds Classic Ballgown
BRIDESMAID DRESS SALON – Bella Bridesmaids Chicago
GROOM & GROOMSMEN ATTIRE – Men’s Warehouse
CEREMONY LOCATION – Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Puerto Rico y el Caribe
RECEPTION LOCATION – Hotel El Convento
WEDDING COORDINATOR – Rosalina Torres of Momentus Special Events & More
EVENT DESIGNER & FLORIST – Ana Cintron of Ana Cintron Events
MAKE-UP ARTIST – Caridad Vidro
HAIR – Bobbie Underwood-Savage
PHOTOGRAPHY – Rafy Vega of Rafy Vega Photography
VIDEOGRAPHY – Nelson D’Freitas of NDF Films
CEREMONY MUSICIAN – Pancho Irizarry
OFFICIANT – Charolette Thomas-Willingham
DJ – DJ Jose Concepcion
CAKE – Azuarte
STATIONARY – Minted
BROOM – Blair Underwood-Savage
BRIDE’S CONVERSE SHOES – BMo’s Savvy Sneaks
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