2012 Dream Wedding – Through the Bride’s Eyes

“As I sat in the auditorium with all of the other hopeful brides, I had no clue what was in store for me,” starts Shana Thompson, winner of the Outer Banks Wedding Association’s Dream Wedding Giveaway. Having seen many wonderful vendors at the annual expo, Shana was already beginning to plan her wedding.  “I thought, it would be nice to see David Tutera [host of WE TV’s My Fair Wedding with David Tutera] speak and see the reaction of the bride.”  What Shana didn’t expect was to hear David Tutera call her name. “All of a sudden I got nervous when he went to pull the name. When he was trying to read the name and stumbled on how to pronounce it, I couldn’t believe it.  When he said my last name, I was completely overwhelmed with emotion.  It was pure joy because of what it meant for us and our parents. It was all very surreal.”

What’s a bride to do when she just won a wedding valued at over $45,000?  Tell her groom of course!  “I wanted to tell him in person so I could see his reaction.  Our moms and I walked into the condo where we were staying that weekend and I showed him the board of what was included in the package.  He and the dads had been looking at places for guests to stay while the women were at the expo.   I think they all thought we were pulling one over on them.  Brad was speechless.  It took some convincing before he believed me!”

From the moment David Tutera called Shana’s name – and she finally convinced Brad she won – they began the planning process, visiting the Outer Banks numerous times and enjoying all OBX has to offer. These planning trips were part of the fun, explained Shana. “We really enjoyed the trips we took to the Outer Banks to plan our wedding because we really got to know the area and the vendors we worked with, and all of the places we had the opportunity to stay at were also lovely.”

One of the Dream Couple’s favorite pre-wedding activities was hang gliding with Kitty Hawk Kites.  “Hang gliding was awesome and we would like to go back. We enjoyed it so much that we put flyers in our welcome bags for our guests hoping others might stop in and enjoy it as much as we did.”

While the Dream Wedding package was very much a dream come true, it was important to Shana and Brad that the wedding remain intimate and uniquely “them,” so Shana was adamant about adding personal details in everything from the bridal portraits - “I surprised Brad with a bridal portrait print of me wearing eye black and holding his authentic University of Tennessee football helmet” – to the table numbers - “Thanks to Heather with HLR Designs, our table numbers had pictures of us on them, at that age, with a fun fact about us.”

As a bride heads into her new life, it’s important to bring the past along.  ”I had a lot of ‘something olds’ as I wore my Mother’s veil – it’s so beautiful and it had special meaning. I also held a bonnet that my grandmother gave my Mother when I was a baby. It was snipped and made into a hanky.” Blending the old – her grandmother’s pearl necklace and a ring that was Brad’s great grandmother’s – with new earrings, a beautiful new beach glass bracelet made by Low Tide Jewels, and pearl foot jewelry, Shana made sure those she loved were represented that day.

It was also important to Shana to have all the men in her life take part in her walk down the aisle.  “Having my brother, father and step-father all walk me a part of the way down the aisle was very important to me.  I thought that was unique and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.”

The ceremony, taking place under a soft fog and cool breeze on a secluded beach in South Nags Head, was officiated by Bonnie Williams.  “She did an amazing job. She was so great to work with.”  Adding a special touch to the ceremony was the dove release, donated by When Doves Fly, “It was such a memorable addition to our ceremony. It also made for beautiful pictures.”

Shirley Cook, of Sugar Snap Events, describes Shana’s vision for her wedding, “She wanted a warm, inviting and shabby chic look so we went with Peonies, Snapdragon, Spray Roses, Baby’s Breath, and Dusty Miller in whites, corals, and pinks.  Touches of natural twine added a rustic element.”  Shana was thrilled with the results. “She really understood my vision for flowers and she was just so sweet.  The bouquets and boutonnieres turned out so perfect.”

In any wedding, the photographers and videographers hold the key to lasting memories. Without these talented individuals, couples wouldn’t have images to look at on their Silver Anniversary, and the collection of Dream Wedding photographers and videographers didn’t disappoint. “All of the photographers and videographers were awesome. We are so thankful for all of the photos and the video that captured this special time in our lives,” praised the grateful bride.

While there is an abundance of memories, and many people who made this Dream Wedding happen, Shana and Brad were beyond grateful for everything the Outer Banks Wedding Association Dream Team provided.  “I always thought of the Outer Banks as a magical place and I still do. There’s something really beautiful about the way the weather and your surroundings change day to day.  We now have a lot of places and vendors that we would recommend for an Outer Banks wedding.  There’s a reason why it is one of the top wedding destinations in the U.S.  We are ready to go back, and so are our family and friends.”

Photography provided by Genevieve Stewart Moving Art Productions, Sarah Kimmel Photography  ColemanShots and Baldwin Video.