Brianna had heard a lot about the “legendary” David Lee before ever meeting him. Some of her first friends she met after her move down to Jacksonville, Florida happened to be David’s childhood friends. On a summer night back in 2016, their mutual friend Trent Pettit said “Brin, you have to meet David Lee. He lives in Daytona and is recently single. You guys would really hit it off. You are basically the same person different gender!” Brianna had given up on the dating scene in Jacksonville and laughed it off not taking Trent too seriously.
A couple weeks later, Brianna was told David was going to be in Jax for the weekend and should join the crew for drinks on Friday night. Struggling with the thought of getting out of her yoga pants and off the couch, she reluctantly agreed to join. Despite the hype from the guys, Brianna had zero expectations that David would ever turn out to be “the one!”
Although sparks flew that initial evening, the first year of their relationship was solely a true friendship. Brianna would drive down to Daytona for weekend visits and David would make the drive up to Jax whenever he wasn’t coaching his baseball team. David finished his Master’s Degree at BCU that following Spring and moved up to Jacksonville where their friendship organically evolved into a true love story.
Fast forward three happy years to Brianna’s birthday. David and Brianna just got back from a 4-day Bahamas cruise with their closest friends to celebrate her 30th. The last thing Brianna thought she would be coming home to was an engagement ring after David treated her all weekend. David had a perfect evening planned and completely surprised Brianna dropping down on one knee in the privacy of their own home (very David-like she would later say!) They believed their strong foundation of friendship prepared them for a lifetime commitment in marriage.
The wedding planning began despite hurdling Covid complications. Marco Island was a meaningful location to Brianna and the perfect choice of venue. She had spent many family vacations on the island as a child and perhaps the most memorable trip was her very last family vacation there before her father passed away. He had once said, “Marco Island is the closest thing he would imagine Heaven to be.”
The Marco Beach Ocean Resort exceeded all of David and Brianna’s expectations. God blessed them with a 70-degree full sunshine day which made for the most remarkable sunset. They joked saying how cliché they knew they sounded, but exclaimed they would not have changed one thing about their day. Brianna said it was surreal to have all of their favorite people from all over the country at one place at the same time celebrating their love. Having Brad Zara, Brianna’s late father’s best friend, officiate the ceremony was a great highlight of the day and something they would never forget. David and Brianna agreed all of their vendors were wonderful, New Ground Photography was the best vendor they had the privilege to work with.
“Alex and Greg were exceptional capturing our love through their brilliant work. They made us feel comfortable and had us laughing the entire time like we were all lifelong friends. We couldn’t ask for a better treasure than our photo gallery. We are beyond grateful to NGP for giving us the greatest keepsake that we will cherish forever!”
Vendors:
Dress – Eddy K Bridal (Purchased at One Bridal Boutique in Jax)
Flowers – Tom Travato Event Floral & Design
Shoes – Jance Samantha
Cake – Publix Bakery (added floral from TT)
Make-up – Sara Eubanks
Hair – Mary Rando
DJ – Andrew Sapin Music
Officiant – Brad Zara (Family Friend)
Wedding Coordinator – Galina Manovska