Kyle and I went to the same high school, Okeechobee High School, however our paths never crossed at that point in our life. In the fall of 2012, I would return to my hometown of Okeechobee, FL from college in Gainesville, FL frequently to visit with family and friends, and on several occasions I would notice Kyle at my fathers house when my father would have people over to hang out to watch football or just hang around a fire while playing music. On December 22, 2012 I attended a Christmas party in my hometown at Pine Ridge Plantation (the location of our wedding venue 4 years later), where Kyle was also attending and at some point in the night he asked me on a sushi date. I always tell him, You had me at sushi. The very next day he took me on our first date to BeniHana for sushi, and thats where it all began.
How long did you date before he popped the question?
We dated for 2.5 years before he popped the question on July 4, 2015.
How did he propose?
He proposed while in our favorite vacation spot of Sugarloaf Key, FL on a paddle board in the mangrove trees near the campground we frequently visit each summer, KOA Campground at Sugarloaf Key.
Where were you married and how did you pick the place?
We were married in Okeechobee, FL at Pine Ridge Plantation, which as I mentioned earlier is the location he asked me on our first date, so that played a huge part in picking the venue. We also chose this venue because we loved the quaint and simple appeal of the barn venue that we chose as our ceremony location.
What theme and/or colors have you chosen for your wedding and why?
Our theme was vintage yet elegant in a barn setting. Our colors were an array of purples (purple ombré as some may call it) and gray. We chose this style and our colors because we both knew from the start that we wanted our wedding to be unique, while also being simple at the same time.
Where did you go for your honeymoon?
We went to New York City for our honeymoon soon after our wedding, December 19-26, 2016.
Why did you choose Wonderland Bridal for your dream dress?
I chose Wonderland Bridal for my dream dress because it was close by where I am currently residing while in school and I knew I wanted to be in close distance for my dress fitting appointments. Little did I know that I would end up falling in love with this location and am now recommending to many of my friends and family who have recently started the wedding planning process.
Share your experience about your time with Wonderland Bridal.
When I arrived at Wonderland Bridal on December 19, 2015 with my bridal party, mother, and mother-in-law I just knew in my heart that I would walk away with THE dress. I was especially intrigued by the fact that I was the only girl that Alicyn spent with during my appointment. I loved that my party and myself were her only focus for that designated time. From the start, I had a style in mind and Alicyn began to choose the dresses that she thought would best fit the style I had in mind. The very first dress I tried on from her selection I loved and just thought it would be THE dress, however while I was trying on the other dresses from her selection, my Mom peeked in and said please have her try this one on for me, I just know this would fit my Janna. I waited until the last dress to try on the one my Mom suggested, and I am so thankful I have this memory to look back on because that is the dress I ended up falling in love with. In order to make sure I walked away with THE dress of my dreams, Alicyn suggested playing the peek-a- boo game where I tried on the first dress I loved and the last dress I fell in love with. I loved this game because it truly allowed me to see which dress I could see myself walking down the aisle to the man of my dreams on my wedding day. I ended up choosing the dress my Mom picked out which meant the absolute world to her and me, and that is a memory we will hold on to forever. As a whole, I loved my entire experience while picking out my dream dress and during each dress fitting, I truly felt like a princess at Wonderland Bridal. The overall atmosphere was nothing short of amazing and I will forever recommend this bridal boutique to any future bride.
What was the best part of your wedding day?
Its honestly hard to say what was the best part of our wedding day because it truly was overall the best day of my life. But if I would have to pick my most memorable part of that day, it would have to either be walking down the aisle with my father at my right side to the man of my dreams or dancing with my husband to our first dance to the song, You Make it Look So Easy by Eric Church (my husband and Is favorite artist).
The most meaningful part of the whole day to me was after being announced as Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Thomas Parramore and our officiant telling Kyle that he may now kiss the bride, in that moment I knew I truly married the one because not only did he plant a traditional kiss on my lips he also kissed me on my forehead directly after which made me feel as though I will forever be cherished and cared for by the man of my dreams.
I found this quote that solidified that I knew I found my forever soul mate after that meaningful event on my wedding day, One kiss on the forehead is much sweeter than a thousand kiss on the lips. No lust but full of love and respect. - Unknown
Any advice to future couples currently planning a wedding?
The number one piece of advice that I would like to give future couples planning a wedding is to never sweat the small stuff, as cliché as that sounds, its the truth. During the whole wedding planning process both myself and my now husband made sure that if at any point either of us would experience a moment of stress or exhaustion over the planning process we would take a moment and return back to the planning once our minds were cleared and at ease again. If there is anything else I could suggest would be to make sure that both partners are involved in the wedding process because it not only makes the whole process smoother with the help of two people but it also allows each person to put in their ideas for the big day to make the overall wedding day what both of you are hoping and wishing for when you become husband and wife. Lastly, on the day of the wedding, I want all future couples planning a wedding to know that at the end of the day you will be husband and wife no matter if your cake topper is missing (which happened to me, however shortly after it was found) or any other small or even big detail does not fall in place as it should. I promised myself that I would not allow any sort of moment of stress or worry take over my happiness that day, and I am so thankful that I did that because it allowed me to fully enjoy the day as a whole and not let anything get in the way of making sure that this day was the best day of my life, and that it was!
Photos by Nikki Nicole Photography
Please specify any that apply
- Flowers: 1 Stop Party Shop of Okeechobee, FL
- Cake: Maureen Halliday-Ferrara (family friend)
- Catering: Golden Corral of Okeechobee, FL for the sides, and un-named family/friends assisting to help with the steak and chicken prepared for the meal
- Entertainment: Kenny Mondo Productions of West Palm Beach, FL
- Invitations: Davids Bridal (website)
- Wedding Planner: N/A
- Hair: Bad Apple Salon of Okeechobee, FL
- Make Up: Erica Montenero of West Palm Beach, FL
- Photographer: Nikki Nicole Photography of Port Saint Lucie, FL
- Videographer: Love & Lace of West Palm Beach, FL (no longer practicing videography)
- Decor: 1 Stop Party Shop of Okeechobee, FL
- Other: N/A