High school sweethearts, Alyssa and Deandre knew that a lifetime together would be one of the best things that could ever happen to them.
The sweet couple met in high school, thanks to a friend of Deandre’s, surprising to Alyssa. Throughout school, the two grow more and more accustomed to their fast-growing relationship and wanted nothing but each other’s presence. As time went on, Alyssa and Deandre remained inseparable and continued their budding union. From the intimate proposal to the upbeat wedding in paradise, Alyssa and Deandre can already determine a life well spent together.
Want more of this lively paradise wedding, and photos in St. Lucia, continue reading below for more!
Names: Alyssa + Deandre
Occupations: Air Force/Registered Nurse
Wedding date: January 12, 20119
Wedding Location: Sandals Resort in Saint Lucia
How did you meet? We met back in high school in our sophomore year (I would always ask him for gum), and we started off as good friends and then towards the end of Junior year, March 24, 2011, we started dating officially. Dre’s best friend Jonathan actually hooked us up surprisingly, so kudos to Jonathan. Ever since then we have been completely inseparable.
Tell us about the proposal. Dre proposed in Tennessee, I was visiting him right before he was deployed to Iraq. We had just got back to his house from wine tasting in Nashville. Dre goes to play our favorite song “Happily Ever After” by Case and he asked me to dance with him right in the middle of the living room. As the song was ending he spun me around and got on one knee and asked me to marry him! I screamed “YESSSSSS!” but in my head, I was like, “It’s about damn time, haha!”
Describe your wedding attire (Dress? Suit?). My wedding dress was not my first purchase it was actually my second. It was an A-line dress with an embellished top and bodice, and it was nicely fitted with a low sheer back.
What was the wedding shopping experience like for you? My wedding shopping experience was very exciting! I went with my bridesmaids and mom, and honestly I was exciting overwhelmed at the same time. I saw a dress that I fell in love with online and luckily they had it in store. I did try on other dresses before I tried that one. I think I already had my mind made up. When I put the last dress on, I honestly didn’t love it as much as I thought I would, and everyone around me was in awe and they loved it. After the dress arrived, I tried it on again, and I was unhappy, I just wasn’t in love with it and I know I could not walk down the aisle with this dress. So I went back to the store all by myself and tried on 10 different dresses until I found the one. I really loved the dress and was happy because I only had my opinion.
Quick Facts: Weddings are definitely expensive; DIY is the best thing that ever happened.
Gifts y0u gave your bridesmaids and groomsmen: I gave my bridesmaids a whole spa kit to get ready, face masks, lip masks, foot scrub, socks, and a bridesmaid emergency kit. Unfortunately, the groom had no groomsmen; they weren’t able to attend.
Gifts for one another: We actually both surprised each other with a massage – how convenient, haha!
Ceremony entrance song: “You for Me” by Jonny Gill.
First dance song: “Slow Jam” by Usher and Monica and then we switched it up in mid-song to Uncle Luke.”
What is your best memory from your wedding? The best memory of my wedding was walking down and seeing my husband there, I was like “Oh my gosh, this is so real!” He was smiling and I was smiling. Another favorite memory was just seeing all my close friends and family having a good time together laughing and dancing.
What wedding advice you can give to engaged couples? The best advice I could give is to always communicate with one another and learn how to compromise! I cannot express this enough because communication is seriously key, not only when it comes to wedding planning but also in your marriage. There will be differences from one another in regards to what a wedding should be like, so learn to compromise and listen to one another’s opinion.
Vendors:
Photographer: Dewitt for Love Photography
Invitation Designer: VistaPrint
Groomsman Attire: JoS. A. Bank
Jewelry: Charming Charlie
Reception Venue: Sandals Resort
Shoes: Jos. A Bank
Bride’s Shoes: Amazon
Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal
Caterer: Sandals Grande St. Lucian
Floral Designer: Michaels Crafts – DIY by Bride
Hair Stylist: Hair Face Expressions
Dress Store: David’s Bridal
Dress Designer: Galina Signature
Makeup Artist: Glamour Art by Toya
Accommodations: Sandals Grande St. Lucian
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