What a way to spend the winter by being invited to fly to the Bahamas to photograph a wedding.
It was love at first sight, says Melissa Carroll, a 36-year-old hotel revenue and reservations manager as she reminisced about her relationship with husband, Garfield, Forbes, 37, a ship’s agent executive. The Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas couple were married at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 19th, 2011 at Calvary Temple, Freeport.
Melissa worked with Garfield at Port Lucaya resort where he worked in the maintenance department and also served as manager at Papa John’s Pizza. As fate would have it, their relationship blossomed. A funeral fueled the relationship even more. Attending the funeral of a mutual friend, both Melissa and Garfield found a packed church and no seating available for them. They took the opportunity to visit the lovely Bishop’s Restaurant, East End, the opposite side of the island, where they spent the afternoon over lunch, enjoying each other’s company and getting to know each other better. That was six years ago.
Fast forward, the relationship flourished and Melissa and Garfield found that they shared myriad interests, eventually deciding to tie the knot.
A non-traditional bride, Melissa never saw herself walking down the aisle in a white wedding dress. Iridescent fabrics are a favorite of hers… She chose a wedding gown of a striking persimmon/gold palette complemented by a fall floral bouquet of calla lilies, hydrangea, roses and bells of Ireland. The wedding dress was designed by Basheva Eve and flowers by Sylvan McAlpine.
After the church ceremony, the celebration continued at the Grand Bahama Yacht Club where some 180 guests were feted at a cocktail reception before moving into dinner.
The photographic historian of the day was photographer Michel Berda of King Street Photo weddings. Melissa had seen Michel’s photography of destination weddings at Pelican Bay at Lucaya and admired the unusual style of his work. She wanted something not normally seen in weddings on the island and details images. Michel was hired for the day. Melissa designed her wedding style. Day of décor was by Andrew Forbes of Mecca Group of Companies and Crème de la Crème with assistance from Marva Munroe of Chic Bahamas Weddings.
Vendors are:
Photographer, Michel Berda:
Coordinator, by Chic Bahamas Weddings, Marva Munroe:
