A LONG TRADITION OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith Steps Up To Support ‘A Salute To Our Heroes’ Event

The law firm of Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith has not only decided to continue its support for the Wellington Community Foundation, but it is now the exclusive Diamond Sponsor of the foundation’s Red, White & Blue Jeans “A Salute to Our Heroes” event on Friday, Nov. 8 at the Wellington National Golf Club.

“The law firm has been a sponsor every year of the Red, White & Blue Jeans event, and we just wanted to increase our support this year,” partner Mickey Smith said. “We, as a firm, have many shared values with the Wellington Community Foundation. We are also community based, like the foundation.”

A true icon in the legal field, the firm has operated in Palm Beach County for 92 years, and the sponsorship of such community-minded events is an important part of what makes LLLS unique.

The Red, White & Blue Jeans “A Salute to Our Heroes” event is also unique. The option to dress-down for a fundraiser is a rare occurrence, and Smith’s team always looks forward to the opportunity to relax and have a little fun.

“We all just enjoy being able to go to an event where you can wear blue jeans. We do sponsor a tremendous amount of activities and organizations, we do get out into the community, but this is the only dinner dance that I’ve ever been to that combines patriotic and casual themes,” Smith said. “I know it’s sometimes nice to get dressed up, but it’s awfully nice on a Friday night, after a long week, to be both relaxed in terms of attire and atmosphere. It’s nice to serve the community without a briefcase.”

The Wellington Community Foundation’s work focuses on helping the most vulnerable and deserving in the community, and Smith feels that mission dovetails with that of his firm.

“We represent people who have been seriously injured or lost a loved one in an accident, and we know both the importance of providing assistance when people are in need and the satisfaction that comes with doing it,” he said.

While the foundation’s programs include helping seniors, children and veterans, the types of programs vary. One of these Smith finds especially moving is the Wellington High School riding program.

“The program is in association with the Village of Wellington and WHS, where kids are sent to Vinceremos for riding therapy. It is incredible,” Smith said. “To see children who in some cases can’t even walk, and then they are put on a horse. After a tour we took one time, I remember on the way back saying we all came here with a lot of problems but left with no problems at all.”

The Diamond Sponsorship includes several premium placement dinner tables, giving the firm quite a few tickets that will reach beyond its own members.

“My partner Joe Landy and his wife have been to every Red, White & Blue Jeans event. We had multiple tables last year, and really, the remainder of our guests will be folks who live here in the community,” Smith said. “We are using it as a way to invite people who may not be familiar with the foundation.”

Support for the Wellington Community Foundation’s work is something LLLS expects to continue in the future.

“Our sponsorship is mostly motivated by the goodness of the organization. We enjoy having a good time, but you couldn’t have an event like this if it didn’t stand for Wellington,” Smith said. “I think this event is a success in that it honors veterans and first responders while raising money to be used right here in the community — and that appeals to us a firm.”

Smith is proud to continue the tradition of support for the Red, White & Blue Jeans event, and he is also extremely proud of the team he works with every day.

“Our firm is a collection of incredibly skilled lawyers who have made their reputation by helping people. We get a vast number of clients through word of mouth and referrals,” Smith said. “That speaks directly to the quality and moral fiber of the firm. People come to us when they are in need and vulnerable, and I believe our reputation is unparalleled.”

To learn more about Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, call (561) 655-2028 or visit www.lesserlawfirm.com.

The celebration will take place on Friday, Nov. 8 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Wellington National Golf Club, located at 400 Binks Forest Drive.

The evening will include speakers and “A Salute to Our Heroes” in addition to food and music. Attendees will get the chance to honor those who have worked to make a difference in the community. Tickets to the event are $85 per person, with table sponsorships and event sponsorship opportunities still available.

Along with LLLS, Wellington Regional Medical Center and Thomas & Regis Wenham have supported the event as Ruby and Sapphire Sponsors, respectively. Table Sponsors include Jim & Paula Sackett, Dr. & Mrs. Gordon Johnson, Palm Beach Urology Associates, Medicare Maggie, Barry & Phyllis Manning, Barron & Kogan CPAs, First Bank of the Palm Beaches and Dr. Humberto J. Caldera.

For more information about the event, or to RSVP, call the Wellington Community Foundation at (561) 333-9843 or visit www.wellingtoncommunityfoundation.org. 

 

Wellington’s Marie Vonderheyden A Portrait of Courage

In February 2015, Wellington resident Marie Vonderheyden — then age 24 — was an athletic, accomplished and aspiring equestrian rider. She was very experienced around horses, as she had been competing in equestrian events since she was eight years old. As an 18-year-old in 2008, she became a French gold medalist in three-day eventing, showing off her skills in dressage, show jumping and cross-country riding. In short, she was a rising star.

But on Feb. 20, 2015, her life took a different path when Vonderheyden fell off a horse she was riding. Her unprotected head hit the ground, and she was knocked unconscious and left with a severe traumatic brain injury

Over the last four years, Marie has been working diligently to get her life back on track. While she may not ever fully recover from her injuries, she’s making progress on a daily basis and rebuilding her life as a para-dressage athlete.

And now, Marie’s efforts to rebuild a normal life have earned her some global recognition, as she is one of four international finalists for the Fédération Equestre Internationale Against All Odds Award.

The FEI Against All Odds Award goes to a person who has pursued his or her equestrian ambitions despite a physical handicap or extremely difficult personal circumstances.

This year’s other three finalists are Tobias Thorning Jorgensen, Eric Lamaze and Zhenqiang Li. The winner of the FEI Against All Odds Award will be honored and recognized on Nov. 19 in Moscow, Russia.

“Being a finalist for this award honors Marie’s fight to get well,” noted her mother, Cecile Vonderheyden.

The life-changing event in 2015, which altered the direction of Marie’s life, still remains a mystery because there were no eyewitnesses to the incident.

On that fateful day, Marie was riding one of her horses along a bridle path near Grand Prix Village in Wellington. It was a regular daily event in her life, but it appears something unusual happened, which spooked her horse, causing Marie to fall off the horse and hit her head. Unfortunately, she was not wearing a helmet.

While the horse fell to the ground as well, it didn’t fall on Marie. As the horse was getting back on its feet, a passing motorist saw Marie’s unconscious body on the ground. Fortunately, that passerby called 911, and within minutes, Marie was on her way to St. Mary’s Medical Center via helicopter.

According to Cecile, her daughter was in a coma for two months. For a while, she was completely paralyzed on her right side. Doctors said that the odds of Marie walking again were slim. She had to be taught how to do basic things in life, such as swallowing, naming the letters of the alphabet and identifying different colors. She also had to rebuild muscle memory and overcome severe pain and muscle spasms.

For the next two years, Marie suffered from a lack of overall awareness. And she has also had many balance and coordination issues.

Yet in one area, Marie proved the doctors wrong. She is now walking again, albeit slowly. At home, she can do basic things such as push a vacuum cleaner, cook in the kitchen and do laundry. In the stables, she’s strong enough to groom her horse.

Before the accident, Marie — who holds dual American and French citizenship — was fluent in both French and English. Her ability to speak English fluently didn’t return until earlier this year.

Clearly, the key to Marie’s recovery has been hard work, perseverance and her internal fighting spirit.

Marie and her family have spent most of the last four years in Atlanta where she took part in rehab sessions at the Shepherd Center, which specializes in spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation. The sessions have been crucial to Marie’s healing.

“Marie has had lots of physical therapy, swimming pool therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and riding therapy,” Cecile said. “This has been a slow process. Marie recovers every day. She sets small goals and then meets them.”

While Marie is no longer at the Shepherd Center, she is busy with four workouts a week, which includes Pilates training and exercises that focus on improving coordination and balance. Marie is also riding five or six days a week.

The accident took place in February 2015, and Marie was back on a horse in February 2016. However, her first competition in the para-dressage category was not until February 2019.

Moving forward, Marie feels that the biggest key to her recuperation is actually spending more time riding. “I was happy to start riding a horse again,” Marie said. “I am never nervous. I love horses.”

Marie’s mother agrees that horses are playing a major therapeutic role in her daughter’s recovery. “Horses are part of her life,” Cecile said. “She’s happy when she’s around horses.”

Marie’s current long-term goal is to compete in the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. 

As a result of Marie’s injury, her family has established Marie VDH Inc., a nonprofit foundation, in order to help young people who’ve sustained traumatic brain injuries or who suffer from any brain-related disease overcome their fate and find a reason to carry on. The foundation was established earlier this year.

As you would expect, Marie VDH Inc. is helping Marie Vonderheyden herself achieve this through sport and therapeutic riding. But the goal is to also assist other riders in the future who will need this kind of help and financial assistance.

It’s worth noting that Marie’s horse is a reflection of the international nature of the equestrian community. Her main horse is a 16-year-old Oldenburg, which was born in Germany, but has an English-sounding name (London Swing), yet goes by the nickname, Louis, named after French King Louis XIV.

To support para-dressage rider Marie Vonderheyden and learn more about her journey, visit www.marievdhparadressage.com or find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/vonderheyden.marie.

Gladiator Polo Returning To IPC In Wellington This Season

Gladiator Polo originated in Wellington as a way to expand the reach of equestrian sports to fans of action-packed events like hockey or football. It combines elements of both field polo and arena polo, and in just over two years has garnered both a national and international following.

To the delight of fans, the sport is returning this winter to the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington.

Contrary to traditional equestrian competitions, where audience participation is encouraged only before and after a rider competes, Gladiator Polo is fueled by a rowdy crowd. Spectators are encouraged to cheer on their favorite team throughout the entire match.

There are two teams of three players pitted against each other in a small, enclosed arena, giving spectators an up close and personal look at the action. Another unique feature of Gladiator Polo is the distinctive team uniforms that both the horses and riders wear — from the players’ helmets all the way down to the horses’ leg wraps — making it easy for spectators to follow the game and cheer on their team.

The game consists of six chukkers each lasting five minutes, so the game is slightly shorter than a polo match on a regulation grass field. Riders change horses at the end of each chukker, but Gladiator Polo does not require the large number of horses to play that outdoor/grass polo demands. Many players use horses twice, alternating horses each chukker.

Another main difference between indoor and outdoor polo is the game ball. For Gladiator Polo, the ball is similar to a mini soccer ball, so it is larger than the small, hard plastic ball used outdoors. Proper technique is definitely important for indoor polo, because the arena game is played on a sand mixture with the ball bouncing on the uneven surface and off the arena walls regularly.

Look for Gladiator Polo to return to the IPC Arena in 2020. For more information, visit www.gladiatorpolo.com.

Team Welles How Andrew and Alex Built A Business in Wellington

“Power couple,” “dynamic duo” “supercouple” — however you choose to describe them, international show jumper Andrew Welles and his wife, amateur rider Alexandra Welles, fit the bill. The pair have long been familiar in the show jumping world, specifically at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, both as fierce competitors themselves, in addition to operating Team Welles, one of the fastest-growing training operations.

Andrew and Alex Welles are at an exciting time in their life, with the birth of their baby girl, a new farm being constructed in Wellington, a string of talented horses, students and more. This duo is one to watch as the 2020 Wellington equestrian season approaches.

Alex, originally from New York’s Long Island, began spending her winters in Wellington at age 13. Moving up through the equitation ranks and into the jumper ring, now with Andrew as her trainer, she quickly became a force to be reckoned with in the amateur divisions.

Today, with her longtime equine partner XM, she is a consistent top-placing competitor in the Low Amateur-Owner division across the country.

Additionally, Andrew and Alex welcomed their first child in April 2019, Anderson Reese Welles, keeping the pair busy outside of the show arena as well. A regular at horse shows such as the Hampton Classic and the American Gold Cup with the team, Anderson is already an integral part of Team Welles.

Growing up riding in Minnesota, Andrew often felt isolated from the sport, not fully grasping the scope of show jumping and the opportunities available that WEF has to offer. However, soon after attending a clinic with trainer Frank Madden, Andrew learned of all the opportunities available and was determined to go all-in with his riding career and work his way up to the top of the sport.

“During my freshman year of high school, I came down for a weekend,” Andrew said of his first visit to Wellington. “I went back home, and my school worked it out for me to be able to come down for the entire Winter Equestrian Festival for my sophomore and junior years. From that point on, I have been all-in with the horses.”

Over the years, he became more involved in the sport from a training perspective. While continually growing himself, the now 31-year-old also began to share his expertise with his students, kickstarting his first business, Andrew Welles LLC.

The business was a huge success, with Andrew riding and competing a string of impressive competition horses, largely owned by the Itasca Group LLC, on Nations Cup teams and 5* Grand Prix classes while also producing young horses, in addition to helping train and instruct his students as they worked toward their goals in the sport.

Recently, Andrew made the decision to rebrand the business under the name Team Welles.

“Now, there is such a great group of people around me, with Eric Glynn working with me as a trainer and the other people in the operation who have helped us expand and take things to this level,” Andrew said. “It is not just about me anymore; it is about the whole team. I think that is how we look at it from a training standpoint. For both the horses and the riders, it is a team effort. We want to bring that mindset down to our mission statement, and I think the name is a great place to start.”

Despite the pair’s busy competition schedule throughout the year, traveling across North America with their string of performance horses and their students, Andrew and Alex are proud to call Wellington home, both for their family and their business.

“For us, Wellington has become home over the years. We spend so much time here between the pre-circuit, WEF and post-circuit, that for us, it made the most sense, in addition to loving it here, to base our business here,” Alex explained. “We had always wanted to have a farm in Wellington, so when the opportunity presented itself, we were right on it. No matter where we are all year long, everyone wants to be in Wellington, so it just made sense to make the jump.”

After purchasing their farm in Palm Beach Point East, Andrew and Alex have taken great care and attention to detail to develop the facility into one of the top training operations, for both horses and students. With improvements such as a new arena with high-quality Wordley Martin footing, a jumping field with full drainage and a new 24-stall barn that is under construction, the farm will host the highest quality facilities available in Wellington.

“It is going to be the training base for our operations, so I am trying to make it the best quality all the way around,” Andrew said. “We have some really nice up-and-coming horses, some really nice Grand Prix horses and having a facility that is top-notch gives us the best ability to prepare for big competitions in Wellington. We are doing a lot of the extra additions to the training routine, like a round pen, a walker, a treadmill and a spa for the horses — things that will really make a difference in their performance.”

Andrew has high goals for himself and his business. With the 2020 Longines FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas approaching, he has his sights set on qualifying with one of his upper-level horses. While Andrew has experienced horses in his string, like Brindis Bogibo and Primo Troy, he is also looking forward to continuing to develop his younger horses, such as Chanel 479 and Idol H&H throughout the season.

“In addition, from a training standpoint, which is a very important part of what we do at Team Welles, we would really like to help our students excel in the U25 series at WEF, which I think is such a fantastic series that takes place,” Andrew added.

Wellington has afforded Andrew and Alex Welles the opportunities to excel to the top of the sport, create a successful training business and put down roots to start a family. Team Welles looks forward to a successful 2020 winter equestrian season in Wellington with a team mentality that has paved the way for a successful business.

Visit www.teamwelles.com for more information.

Palm Beach Brides 2019 Tell Us Your Wedding Story!

Through the pages of our annual Palm Beach Brides issue, we share with readers the unique stories of four local couples as they made their journey down the aisle on one of the most exciting days of their lives. Each shares their highlight of the day and personal, touching events that made their wedding special. We will also share the latest in bridal gown fashion and hear from local wedding photographers Stacey and Brandon Poirier of Poirier Wedding Photography on some important items to consider when choosing how to capture your wedding day.

Palm Beach Brides 2019  – Credits

Special Thanks To Bacio Bacio Bridal Boutique  Lenyce Boyd www.baciobacio.com and all of the industry professionals who helped to make our annual Palm Beach Brides issue an amazing success!

Special Thanks To All Of Our Wedding Couples for sharing their love story with us!

Jessica & Sahir  

Kayli & Charlie

Kimberly & David

Caitlin & Andrew

VENUES 

 

The International Polo Club Palm Beach

www.internationalpoloclub.com

(561) 204-5687

 

The Wanderers Club

www.wanderersclubwellington.com

(561) 795-3501

 

The Wellington National Golf Club

www.wellingtonnationalgolfclub.com

(561) 333-5731 

 

The Wellington Community Center

www.wellingtonfl.gov

(561) 753-2484

 

PHOTOGRAPHY

Captured Photography

www.capturedbyjen.com

 

Emily Madelyn Photo

www.emilymadelyn.com

 

Gina Marie Photography

www.ginamariesullo.com  

 

J Millon Photography

www.joannamillon.com

 

Kenneth Smith Photography

www.kennethsmithphotos.com

 

Poirier Wedding Photography

www.poirierweddingphotography.com

 

Scribbled Moments Photography

www.scribbledmomentsphotography.com

 

Be sure to view the digital issue online at WWW.WELLINGTONTHEMAGAZINE.COM

 

YOU CAN ALSO DOWNLOAD OUR PALM BEACH BRIDES 2019 CHECKLIST

TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR SPECIAL DAY

That One Special Dress, For That One Special Day

Since there are so many wedding dresses to choose from, it is nearly impossible to know which style is right for you. Wellington’s own Bacio Bacio Bridal Boutique gave us a grand tour of their warm and inviting showroom. Featured here and on the next several pages are some of the latest styles from the boutique adorning brides this season.

The team at Bacio Bacio is ready to help you when choosing that “just-right-for-me” gown. How do you know what your bridal style is? Ask yourself! Perhaps its Vintage, a style that encompasses an era gone by and mixes it with a modern vibe. Classic offers timeless elegance with a personal touch, while a Modern Minimalist approach is all about clean lines and simplicity. For those with a Sexy Glam edge, you can find a stunning, sparkling style with utmost attention to detail. Nothing is wrong with that, since you are the center of attention on your wedding day!

For those brides leaning toward a tiara for the day, you may try on some of the many princess-style Fairytale dresses. Many of our Wellington brides may kick up their heels with an interest in the Rustic Chic look, which ties romantic and neutral colors together with a feminine touch of lace and soft silhouettes.

Whatever your style, just be sure to make it your own. With the right choice of style and comfort, you’ll be communicating your own personal sense of style. It is your day, wear it beautifully!

This gown is by designer Eddy K and has a V-neck, fit and flare silhouette, crepe gown with a dramatic low back, a hint of lace at the hem and a full-lace train.

Bridal Gown | Bacio Bacio Bridal Boutique

Designer | Eddy K

Florals | Nat Kovolis

Venue and Styling | Elizabeth Ave Station

Bridal Accessories | Champagne and Grit

Model | Summer Marchsteiner

Photography | Emily Madelyn Photo

Hair | Fiorella Castro Hair

Makeup | Emily Rivera Artistry

Sahir & Jessica – Tell Us Your Story

“One of the most magical moments for us was when we paraded on our horses and carriages toward the venue and first saw our wedding venue all decorated. It really hit me in that moment how special the day was, how much effort our families had put into making this event magical, and how happy I was to be marrying my best friend.”

Jessica and Sahir Quraeshi don’t list just one day as their “wedding date” but four. They needed four to fit in all the American and Pakistani customs. But this expansive celebration had humble beginnings when they met in the hallways of Wellington High School. “Sahir’s friend had a crush on me, and Sahir was trying to be a good wingman and introduce us,” Jessica recalled.

The meeting went smoothly, but when Sahir and Jessica found themselves in the same Spanish class, they quickly became close friends. Before long, they found themselves very interested in one another. By 2011, there was no turning back. “That’s when we finally gave fuel to this flame we started in high school,” Jessica recalled.

From the time she was a baby to about the age of 11, Jessica’s family took summer vacations on Siesta Key, the birthplace of many of her fondest memories. “Sahir took me to Siesta Key and proposed to me at sunset,” Jessica said. “Worst wingman ever.”

From the time her future groom proposed through early November 2018, it was plan, plan, organize and plan. The logistics were incredible.

For the three-day Pakistani wedding, Max Sadik Photography took the pictures and video. “On the Mehendi night (Nov. 10), in traditional Pakistani style, we had a dance-off between the families at Escue Farms,” Sahir said. “Everyone brought their A game and, it was one of our fondest memories of the entire wedding.”

For the American wedding, it was Poirier Wedding Photography. “On the American wedding day (Nov. 11) at the International Polo Club, I wore a dolphin brooch on my bouquet that belonged to my aunt who had passed away the year before,” Jessica said. “It was very special to me because it made me feel like she was there with me.”

Jessica wore a wedding dress designed by Haley Paige, and Jennifer Goudreau was her maid of honor. Sahir had Shahmir and Ayaan Quraeshi act as best men. The newlyweds’ first dance was to “Greatest Love Story” by Lanco.

“Everything was absolutely perfect, especially the food, and it was a dream come true for both of us,” Jessica said. “We felt so very loved and blessed to have all of our family and friends by our side. It was the best weekend of our lives.”

Immediately following the event, the couple headed for Walt Disney World. “Jessica must be the world’s biggest Disney fan, so we initially did a honeymoon to Disney World so she could feel like the princess she is,” Sahir said. “We later took a European trip to Germany, France and England.”

The happy couple is very thankful for all those who made their wedding so magical.

“We would like to thank our families for the massive love and support they continue to give us,” Sahir said. “They have given us the joy and memories of an amazing wedding week, and so much more.

Kayli & Charlie – Tell Us Your Story

“About 30 minutes before our ceremony, Charlie and I stood back to back, hand in hand.

We could feel and hear each other, but we never saw each other. We exchanged ‘love letters’ with

each other at that time and just soaked in our last few minutes before our walk down the aisle.

Born and raised in Wellington, Kayli Payne and Charlie Plaia are living happily ever after, and they owe it all to Charlie’s friend Matt. Kayli met Matt at a polo match in 2014. He later invited Kayli to a barbecue at Charlie’s house. As it turned out, the invite was a fortuitous move — not for Matt, but for Charlie.

“Charlie cooked di–nner that night for the group of people who were over,” Kayli recalled. “He grilled steaks just the way he liked them — medium rare. I definitely prefer my steaks well done, but I toughed it up and ate it to be polite.”

Charlie and Kayli began to date casually until they went on a trip together about six months later. “We went on a vacation to St. Thomas. I think I realized he was ‘the one’ on that trip. Everything was just so right — we snorkeled with sea turtles, drove a golf cart around the island, went to local hangouts, ate delicious food — it couldn’t have been better. It was perfect, every part of it. You couldn’t separate our hands or knock the smiles off our faces for the whole week we were there.”

Kayli was beginning to know Charlie better, and she liked what she was seeing. A trip to Kauai, Hawaii, sealed the deal. “It was July 23, 2017 — his birthday!” Kayli said. “We woke up that morning to watch the sun rise. I was taking pictures of the sunrise on Charlie’s phone, and when I turned around to give his phone back to him, he pulled me in close and then got down on one knee. It was picture-perfect and completely unexpected.”

The couple tied the knot on May 12, 2018 on the balcony of the Wanderers Club in front of 180 guests. Kayli wore a Morilee gown by Madeline Gardner and carried a bouquet with a piece of lace from her mother’s wedding dress wrapped around the floral stems. Kayli had two maids of honor in Brittney Ladwig and Cindy Orsenigo. The best man was Derek Hart. The newlyweds’ first dance was to Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight,” and it was recorded in photographs by Olga Padron from Scribbled Moments Photography and on video by 5 Star Productions.

Kayli’s favorite memory of the day, however, was of things to come. “About 30 minutes before our ceremony, Charlie and I stood back to back, hand in hand. We could feel and hear each other, but we never saw each other,” he said. “We exchanged ‘love letters’ and just soaked in our last few minutes before our walk down the aisle. Then, still back to back, Charlie passed me a folder that revealed all the details of our honeymoon that he planned. I had no idea where we were going until right then. It was really special, and I was so excited to see what he had been planning!”

It turned out to be quite a trip.

“We went on a European cruise with stops in Italy, France and Spain,” Kayli said. “After the cruise, we stayed in Sicily, where Charlie’s family is from, for a week. We were gone for three weeks total, and it was all so beautiful!”

 

David & Kimberly – Tell Us Your Story

“I wanted everything to be perfect, but the second I walked out in front of 100-plus people, there was nothing more perfect to me than the man standing at the end of the aisle waiting to make me his wife. The moment our eyes met as I walked toward him was the day’s most magical moment.

Kimberly Manger and David Tranes wed in the courtyard of the Wellington National Golf Club, moving inside to the ballroom for the reception. J Millon Photography and Chris Brown Videography captured the day.

“We met a few times, had some mutual friends and, over time, got to talking and became friends,” Kimberly recalled. “Our love grew stronger as we grew together. In 2018, we had plans to watch fireworks on the Fourth of July at the Marriott in Delray Beach — something we had always wanted to do. Then, just as the fireworks began, David got down on one knee and proposed!”

Their big day came on July 21, 2019. “I spent months working on each detail of our day,” she said. “I can’t tell you how long it took me to make the place cards and address the invitations!”

Kimberly gives an extra shout-out of thanks to OMG Flower Boutique of Boynton Beach, Christy’s Bakery in Wellington and DJ Lady Shay. Her dress was designed by Essense of Australia and purchased through Mariolka’s Bridal Boutique. She got to show it off during the couple’s first dance at “Better Today” by Coffey Anderson.

There was another important dance as well.

“My father passed away some years ago,” Kimberly explained. “It always made my heart wrench knowing I’d never have the traditional ‘father-daughter’ dance. I was going to skip it entirely, but I decided to surprise my mom with a ‘mother-daughter’ dance. After all, she raised me to be the woman I am today.”

The women danced to “Count On Me” by Bruno Mars and, during the song, Kimberly’s two sisters joined in, too. “We didn’t have a maid of honor, but joining us in our marriage was my daughter Alexis,” Kimberly said. “She played many important roles in our wedding. We also didn’t have a best man, but we did have a really charming ringbearer in David’s nephew, William. He kept our rings safe and, later, stole many hearts on the dance floor!”

Kimberly doesn’t regret the amount of time she spent planning and orchestrating her wedding. “I promise, I was not a bridezilla,” she stressed. “I just wanted everything to be perfect. And all of our vendors played such an important role in our special day. But the second I walked out in front of 100-plus people, there was nothing more perfect to me than the man standing at the end of the aisle waiting to make me his wife. As I walked toward him, the most magical moment was the moment our eyes met. At the end of the day, you can take all the glamour of our wedding away, and I still would have been the happiest woman alive to be marrying my husband, the love of my life.”

The couple hasn’t yet had a chance to take a real honeymoon, but they did escape to Sanibel island for a few days — at least, until the trip was cut short by the threat of Hurricane Dorian. “But so nice to get away,” Kimberly said of the opportunity to spend some time together as a couple.