Lesley and John recently wed at the new RIU Palace Bavaro in Punta Cana. Emma at LUXE was in location to oversee this beautiful yet fun wedding. All photos were taken by Meghan Duffield.

About the Couple
Occupations: Lesley – Manager, Community Support, Special Olympics Manitoba. John – Manufacturing Manager, Boeing Canada
How they met: Our parents enrolled both of them in a 10-pin youth bowling program when they were 8 years old. They became friends, dated for a few months when they were 16, then grew apart. They found each other again a few years later, and the rest is history…
What attracted him to her: Her beauty
What attracted her to him: His sense of humour and the way he always put butterflies in my stomach every time I saw him
Engagement story: John proposed on June 11, 2010 in one of the terraces of the Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas in front of close family and friends. Lesley thought that everyone was going to Vegas to celebrate John’s birthday, but little did she know… Hehe!

The Wedding Day
Wedding date: June 19, 2012
Her most memorable moment: Walking down the aisle and seeing John for the first time on our wedding day. He was so adorable crying tears of happiness!
His most memorable moment: Watching Lesley come down the aisle and getting very emotional.

Advice to others: Live in the moment and savour those memories! Don’t worry about the little things that may not go your way. The most important thing is that you are marrying your one true love! =)
Wedding song: My Boo by Alicia Keys & Usher and Cupid by 112
Fave wedding detail: 4-post wedding gazebo with the white fabric; it made the ceremony site look so elegant
Signature Drink: Cosmopolitans and Sammy Sousa’s
Most unexpected moment: Lesley – having cake thrown on my face after the cake cutting and watching a video speech from our best man that could not attend our wedding week.
John – how emotional I got at the wedding ceremony.
Honeymoon: In the works… possible hot spot in December.
The day in three words: Tropical, Beautiful, Fun!

Wedding Info:
Ceremony location: On the beach at the RIU Palace Bavaro Resort, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Reception location: Taino Steakhouse Restaurant with a beautiful oceanview
Bridal gown: White one-shoulder mermaid style San Patrick bridal gown
Bridal party attire: Bridesmaid wore the multi-way dress in sassy berry from Victoria’s Secret and Lesley’s maid of honour’s dress was custom made by Benedicta’s Fashions, with pearl accessories. Bouquets made by Lesley and her maid of honour. Groomsmen wore pink linen shirts and beige linen pants, and a rosary necklace which was a gift from John.
Groom’s outfit: White linen blazer, pants, and button-up polo shirt.
Favours: Mini corked glass bottle with sand in it and hand-written designs and “Punta Cana” on the outside
Music: Mostly hip-hop and R&B, a few line dancing songs (LOL!)
Flowers: Stargazer lilies and fuchsia roses

Fun Stuff
Astrological Signs: Lesley – Scorpio, John – Gemini
Type of Ring: Lesley’s engagement ring is a princess cut solitaire and 11 princess cut diamonds to form the wedding band; John’s wedding band was custom made, white gold with one princess cut diamond to match Lesley’s set.

Wishing Lesley and John a lifetime of happiness!