Jessica and Shane McKendrick were first introduced through mutual friends. It was a random night out and everyone was enjoying the 2 for 1 margaritas. It never occurred to Jessica that she could be sitting next to her future husband.
“When I first met Shane, I thought he was really funny and charming, and I enjoyed his company,” she recalls. “He remembers asking our friends, ‘Who is that girl?’ as he thought I was so beautiful. Our first date was at Cheesecake Factory and I guess as some say, the rest was history.”
The couple had a quintessential “whirlwind romance,” traveling around Europe, the U.S., and creating memories together. Sharing the same values and interests also made everything feel effortless. Six years later, Shane took Jessica on a trip to Hawaii to celebrate their anniversary and her birthday. Jessica had an inkling that he would pop the question; but after three days in Hawaii, nothing happened. She figured it would happen on another trip, but Shane did have a special plan in mind.
“It really felt like we were the last two people on earth.”
“He took me on a journey called the road to Hanna,” Jessica shares. “You travel through Maui on these small one-way roads on cliffs and make stops along the way. It takes all day, but they say it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey. We had the best day, making stops, jumping in waterfalls, stopping at black sand beaches, and eating shave ice. The last stop was a 2-mile hike to a huge waterfall, and that’s where Shane proposed. I was very shocked and so happy; it really felt like we were the last two people on earth, on this little island. It was perfect.”
Before starting the wedding planning process, the couple bought a house and renovated it together; and then the pandemic hit. It made sense to wait a couple years before getting married. When it was time to start planning the big day, Jessica was thrilled to connect with her perfect wedding planner - Jessica Ghazal.
“From the moment we spoke, I had an instant connection,” says the bride. “She took all the stress in planning a wedding – simple. There wasn’t a detail she missed. She really took the time to understand exactly what I wanted and made sure that’s what was delivered. She works harder than anyone.
She created a vision board for me, and that was one of my favorite parts because you really start to see all of the elements come together over the planning process. She was there for me during all of my appointments, recording my mom, sisters, and friend’s reactions trying wedding dresses on, which is so fun to look back on. She really is ten steps ahead of you – if you’re thinking it, trust me, Jessica already has thought of it and has the answer.”
The vibe of the wedding was “Black-Tie Summer Elegance.” Jessica and Shane wanted it to be a classic wedding celebration with lots of florals and dancing.
“We honestly had the best day of our lives,” says Jessica. “Everything was perfect. One of my favorite parts of the wedding was the confetti blast at midnight. No one expected it and it was so surprising and fun, I really wish we could relive our special day.”
After the wedding, the newlyweds traveled to Italy for a honeymoon tour of Florence, Venice, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast.
WEDDING TALENT
Photography: Munoz Photography, Oakland Park, FL; Location: The Addison, Boca Raton, FL; Planning & Event Design: JG Eventi, Miami, FL; Floral Design: Xquisite Events FL, Boynton Beach, FL; Dress: BERTA; Bridal Salon: Chic Parisien, Coral Gables, FL; Cake: Earth and Sugar, West Palm Beach, FL