My bags are packed. Passport has been safely tucked away in my carryon. I leave for the Dominican Republic in t-minus five hours to shoot what will surely be a gorgeous wedding. Maybe I’ll even see some fireworks over Las Vegas as we depart. It is Independence Day, after all.
But before we get all Dominican up in here, let me jet-set you over to a little Central American land bridge known as Costa Rica.
Megan and David flew to Central America to tie the knot, and they took an amazing group of their friends and family along with them for the journey. The group spent five days exploring the Costa Rican culture while the honeymooners stayed several more days to soak in the sand and sun… all while getting accustomed to calling each other husband and wife.
As it goes for any tropical wedding, the lurking rain clouds and constant threat of showers was on Megan and her mom’s mind all week long. I caught myself gazing to the clouds far more than usual, as well. The wedding, scheduled to take place on a Friday, was set to be completely outdoors… at the mercy of the Rain Gods. Tuesday went by with a few showers, same thing with Wednesday and Thursday… so hopes were high, and we woke up to a blue, cloudless sky.
My day started with David. Cool as a cucumber, and ready to see his wife… David.
In stark contrast to the calm environment in David’s room was Megan’s suite… bustling with her closest friends, tears beginning to fall, and champagne brimming in glasses all around the room. Megan’s mom, Pam, who is quite possibly the nicest mother on the planet… (including my own… I mean, come on, MY MOM has never taken me to Costa Rica… (joking, love you Mom!)…) helped Megan into her dress while some of her best friends watched on. The first thing that Megan had to do the moment the last bow was tied… twirl. Like a girl playing dress up… Gone With the Wind Twirl.
And with one quick look, it was too much for Pam to see her only baby girl ready to become a wife.
Megan and David’s first look was scheduled to take place in front of some big arches in front of the property, but as we walked, we came across this endearing rock wall that separated the driveway to the resort and the Costa Rican thicket. And we had to stop. It was perfection.
Just as we returned to the resort to start family formals, it happened. Dark, lurking rain clouds rolled in… and then the clouds cracked with thunder and unleashed a downpour of wedding-day rain. But in true pura vida spirit, the wedding went on as scheduled… neither Megan nor David blinked an eye. Their guests waited in a nearby building to let the storm dump the majority of its raindrops, and then they gathered on the beach to watch Megan and David become husband and wife.
With the two images above I’m fighting every urge in my fingers not to type… and they lived happily ever after… but alas… I can only tell you that Megan and David have lived happily ever after… as husband and wife… for about a month. But I am sure that one month will turn into two, will turn into a year, will turn into ten years, will turn into a lifetime. Much love and laughter to you, Mr. & Mrs. David Kirkland. xo.
Thus, how can we avoid that from happening and instead demonstrate
to these brand new team members how to have the most success in talking with people.
There are probably other reasons for group failure but I’m not going to dig into them here.
These schemes have been personally exploiting the relationships between people for financial gain and, in doing so, many people have been attacked.