THE FARRAR-LUTEN - SWIFT WEDDING

A New Celebration Everyday!
By Nedra Farrar-Luten Swift

A New Celebration Everyday! That is how our family describes our wedding at Pelican Bay at Luacaya. Everyday held a new reason to celebrate and party. From the moment we all met at Sabor Restaurant and Bar on the first day of our arrival, until the last of our guests left the island two days after the wedding, we shared a special time together. All too often families and friends only come together when it is a sad occasion. Similarly when there is something to celebrate such as a wedding, you are only together for a day or two. Being at Pelican Bay for three or more days allowed us the opportunity to become acquainted with new family as well as reacquainted with those we don't see or speak with often enough.

Our first event was a meet and greet at Sabor. The 2 for 1 drinks at "happy hour" helped to get everyone in the mood for a good time. The next day, the groom played golf with his best buddies while the bride was feted at the Spa followed by a bridal luncheon and shower. After our wedding rehearsal, we hosted an impromptu barbeque, again at Sabor. After all, it was the 4th of July and Sabor prepares the best burgers ever! The biggest surprise were the Independence Day fireworks (two shows) that none of us were expecting. We were very excited because being away from home on the 4th can be very lonely. The fireworks made us feel as though we were celebrating with those back in the States.

It rained buckets on our wedding day and we were almost worried about what would happen to our outdoor wedding. I say "almost" worried because Marva Munroe and the most capable staff of Pelican Bay were sure to have all in order. And, indeed she did. Tents were ordered and erected at the gazebo (our wedding site) as well as at Neptune's where the reception was held. The sun did indeed come out - hotter than ever. Our guests appreciated the shade provided by those tents!

Farrar-Luten - Swift Wedding

Our ceremony was truly a sacred event, performed by my brother-in-law and witnessed by a local minister. A surprise addition to the ceremony was a singer I met in the lobby of the hotel who was in Freeport for a religious conference who happened to be staying at the hotel. She gifted us with a beautiful rendition of "Because of Who You Are." We will never forget it. Following the ceremony, we joined our guests for our reception which included great food, plenty of drinks and rocking music, that included a tribute to Michael Jackson. After dancing the night away, many of our guests changed into their swimsuits and met at poolside where they reminisced about the events of the day.

Marva and Pelican Bay will always be in our hearts and memories and we look forward to spending many anniversaries to come at Pelican Bay!