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Island Passion
Emma Richardson and Ryan McCormick, May 13, 2009, Montego Bay, Jamaica. By Alyssa Buckley
About the Couple
Bride: Emma Richardson
Groom: Ryan McCormick
Occupations: Emma is a social worker and Ryan is a pilot.
How they met: At a liquor store. Ryan was working part-time behind the counter and Emma was working down the street as a server at a Greek restaurant. One night the pizza delivery boy called in sick, leaving Emma to deliver pizzas. It just so happened Ryan ordered a pizza to be delivered to the liquor store.
Favourite date: Wine, curry and a good movie while relaxing on the couch!
What attracted her to him: His smile and laugh.
What attracted him to her: Her stunning looks and incredible eyes.
Engagement story: Ryan surprised Emma with a trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in April of 2007. It was their second trip to Mexico together. One night, while walking back to the resort along the beach, Ryan got down on his knee and asked Emma to spend the rest of her life with him. That night, they decided they would have a Mexican destination wedding in May of 2009.
Words they live by: Take time to enjoy life and each other, each and every day, and look forward to days filled with beaches, sunshine and Coronas!
The Wedding Day
Wedding date: May 13, 2009
Guests: 50
Wedding theme: Tropical.
Her best moment: “Walking down the aisle, with my dad, seeing all of our amazing friends and family with their bare feet in the Jamaican sand!”
His best moment: “When Emma walked around the corner and down the aisle, her amazing white dress, her tanned skin, her gorgeous looks…my knees go weak thinking about it.”
What they would have done differently: “Nothing. We are just so thankful that everything worked out. It made us realize it wasn’t the location that mattered, but the people who were there with us on our wedding day.”
Advice you would give to other couples getting married: “Don’t worry, about a thing, 'cause every little thing gonna be all right”—Bob Marley. This became our mantra after we found out we were going to Jamaica.
Wedding song: “My Best Friend” by Tim McGraw. This was the first song Emma and Ryan ever slow-danced to, and the words really describe finding not only a lover and a partner, but also a best friend for life.
The day in three words: Peaceful. Beautiful. Amazing.
Favourite wedding gift: A guestbook, we received at our at-home reception, filled with words of love from our wedding guests, plus pictures of all of our guests enjoying Jamaica, put together by Emma’s Mum, Liz, and cousin, Tara.
Most unexpected moment: How perfectly the day unfolded after all the drama of their original wedding being cancelled two weeks earlier.
Best surprise of the day: An unexpected Jamaican tradition: a mini-reception right after the ceremony, on the beach, of a coconut and lime cake with champagne.
Honeymoon: They stayed in Montego Bay for a second week of relaxation but are planning a bed-and-breakfast road trip in England and Ireland.
Favourite wedding detail: The beautifully decorated ceremony location.
What made her day: “Dancing with Ryan at the end of the night, looking around, and seeing all of our amazing friends and family enjoying the Jamaican rum punches and dancing under the stars.”
What made his day: “All of our family and friends and the fact they had to travel 5000 km to be there with us. We have a lot of very good friends and family.”
