1. Real Weddings

Katie & Gus: A Destination Wedding in Negril, Jamaica

Katie and Gus intended to elope. But when their friends and family insisted on witnessing the nuptials, they planned a fabulous destination wedding at

Katie and Gus intended to elope. But when their friends and family insisted on witnessing the nuptials, they planned a fabulous destination wedding at an all-inclusive resort in paradise instead. Not even a tropical storm warning could keep this destination wedding in Jamaica down. The Bride Katie Marie Knieriem, 25, model/dental hygienist The Groom Gustavo (Gus) Manzur, 26, audio engineer The Date August 14 September 11, 2001, affected the country in many ways. For Katie and Gus, it brought them together. Gus was grounded in Minnesota for five days due to the tragedy, and it was during that time that he found himself shopping at Wal-Mart. Browsing through the candle aisle, Katie spotted Gus. I saw a light around him, she says. He counters, I knew she was the one after four months of dating...she was perfect, my dream woman! Two years later, Gus iterated these sentiments and asked Katie to marry him in the same candle aisle where they first met.

Despite tropical storm warnings throughout the week before the celebration, the sun shone brightly the day Katie and Gus exchanged vows under a thatched gazebo in a garden overlooking the water. Katie carried white orchids and tropical flowers. Combining cultures (she's Irish, he's Ecuadorian-Colombian), Katie's mom read an Irish blessing while Gus' mom read her favorite Bible passage. Gus' sister Karla also played a special song for the bride and groom at the ceremony, which she had written for her own wedding to bring good luck.
The Couple
I wanted everyone to wear light, cool clothing, Katie says. Accordingly, Gus walked down the aisle in a cotton and linen suit, the groomsmen wore short-sleeved button-downs and khakis, and the three bridesmaids wore strapless dresses in pale yellow.
After several alteration disasters, a barefoot Katie looked like a beautiful beach bride in her white Chantilly lace halter gown. Picking up the bridesmaid dress hue, she wore a hand-painted, pale yellow enamel brooch on the front of her dress and earrings to match.
The Couple