Wedding Wednesday: Kellie + Michael Tapp // April 3, 2016

Kellie + Michael Tapp // April 3, 2016

 

 How They Met

Kellie and Michael both attended Lee University in Chattanooga, Tennessee where they first met each other. Kellie was interested in joining Greek Life and Michael just so happened to be leading one of Kellie's interviews. As he was going through the list of interview questions, he got to this one, “If you were stranded on an island with one of us guys, who would you choose?” Kellie ended up choosing him because she thought he was cute and funny. This led to the beginning of this sweet couples love story.

                                                               The Engagement

Kellie graduated college on May 8, 2015 and was told by Michael that he had a special gift for her. She was blindfolded with a yellow bandana and was taken to an empty room in the Music Building. Once she got there, he took the bandana off and explained to her that he had chosen yellow because it was the color scarf she was wearing when they first met during the interview. Kellie also noticed that the room they were standing in was the same room the interview took place.  Michael went on to tell Kellie how much he loved her and that he was so sorry he couldn’t give her what she really wanted, a ring. He handed her a gold heart necklace instead and the two went on their way.

As they were walking to their car, Michael stopped at Kellie’s freshmen dorm. She reminded him that it was where he first asked her to be his girlfriend and told her he loved her. Michael then got down on one knee and presented Kellie with the present she really wanted, a ring and the question she had been waiting for! Kellie was so excited she knocked the box out of his hand, started crying and immediately said yes!

  The Wedding

For their wedding, Kellie really wanted the over all feel to be country chic and formal. She would drive by The Wheeler House on her way to her parents, and it would always catch her eye. She ended up choosing The Wheeler House because the property fit the look she was going for. 

When it came time for wedding planning and finalizing details, Kellie really wanted her bouquet to be special and sentimental. She had it wrapped in a 67-year-old hankie that her grandmother and great grandmother both used on their wedding days and pinned it with a beautiful hand painted broach from her great grandfather.

           

Another unique detail Kellie brought to her wedding was their wedding favors. Since they both met in Tennessee, they decided to give Moon Pies as their favors since they originated in Tennessee. She also had a cute sign sitting next to the pies that said, “I love you to the moon and back.”

“When people say they want their dream wedding, that is something I definitely got to share with with all of my friends and family,” said Kellie. “It was incredible to experience such a perfect day.”

                                                        The Honeymoon

For the honeymoon, the two wanted to go somewhere out of the country, close to the beach and all inclusive. They chose the Excellence Playa Mujeres in Cancun after doing tons of research and chatting with friends.

“The best part of our honeymoon was getting to spend time together in such a beautiful paradise,” said Kellie. “We were catered to constantly and it was really nice being treated like a king and queen for a week!”

Kellie & Michael,

           

It was such an honor and privilege to work with you both and to be a part of your beautiful, special day. We wish you both the absolute best in life!

With Love,

The Wheeler House Team

Vendors

Dress: Atlanta Bride Couture

Cake: Lush Cakery

Caterer: Talk of the Town

Florist: Holland Daze

Ceremony Music: Heartstrings

Reception Music: D Street Entertainment

Photographer: Mike Moon Studio

Videography: Flint & Steel Studios

Rentals: Miss Millys

Hair & Makeup: Jennifer Mills

Honeymoon Giveaway to St. John USVI

The Wheeler House will be giving away a free honeymoon trip to one lucky couple who books their wedding with us by the end of the summer. The owner of The Wheeler House, Lee Lusk, recently went on the exact trip that we will be giving away. After seeing and experiencing the island, it is his intention to send the happy couple on an unforgettable honeymoon to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean sea.

Lee has painted a picture of this beautiful island get-away that can potentially be yours if you book with us by September. This is merely a description of Lee's trip to the island and all that it has to offer. If you are the winner of this luxurious vacation, you will be provided with a map designed by Lee himself to feature the spots you will not want to miss, a complete itinerary (which is optional, of course), as well as flight and accommodations at the Grande Bay Resort on St. John USVI (which is directly on the water at Cruz Bay) or possibly a surrounding resort, based on dates and availability. The resort is one of the few areas with air conditioning on the island, has a gym/fitness center, and is located in downtown. The room is equipped with marble tile floors, granite counter tops, and a balcony overlooking the marina in the bay.

Grande Bay Resort, St. John USVI 

The following is Lee’s description of his exotic and extraordinary vacation to the island:

Local Restaurants and Night Life

 

“You can walk to everything you would ever want or need. We walked to restaurants and bars that were made famous by Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown. You cannot miss the ‘hole-in-the-wall’ restaurant, Woody’s, which is owned by Kenny Chesney’s friend. There are several restaurants to choose from that will not break your bank or exceed your budget. There is a line of restaurants near the resort with $8 burgers, which is pretty affordable for island food.”

“If you’re going for the more luxurious and fancy-type of food, some of the best Italian food I have ever had was at Café Roma. Another place I enjoyed was Restaurant 360 (old Zo-Zo’s location), which was a very nice restaurant with the best duck I’ve ever eaten. The duck sliders with cucumber on top were delicious.”

“On Sundays and Thursdays, Mutu’s, a bar within the same complex of the resort, has free drinks from 4pm-6pm. Also while you are there, you have to go to Castaway’s- a rooftop bar with live music and karaoke almost every night. You can never fail with Beach Bar, a bar near the resort, where the tables are in the sand, the drinks are cheap, and the music is good. Across the street from Woody’s restaurant is the famous bar, Across the Street, which also features in-expensive drink specials.

If you don’t mind walking about 5 minutes, you can walk to Mongoose Junction Shopping Center for shopping, good food, and a few bars. There is a famous sandwich place called Deli-Grotto within the shopping center that you don’t want to miss.”

Solomon Beach

The trail at Solomon Beach

The View from the Hike at Solomon Beach

 The Beaches

“On the first day we hiked to Solomon Beach, which is about a twenty-minute hike, but well worth  it. Solomon Beach is known for it’s three palm trees that have grown out in the ocean. This beach is the most remote beach on the island, therefore, when you pass Deli-Grotto on the way stop in and grab a sandwich for the hike. It is such a private beach that when we hiked to it we were the only people there. At this beach, we snorkeled around a huge rock and went to the neighboring beach where we found a hut that sold food but did not sell alcohol. Therefore, we kept walking and went to the next beach over, Caneel Bay, which is an all-inclusive resort where celebrities and politicians stay when they visit the island. The food and drink at Caneel Bay was very good, but very expensive." 

Cinnamon Bay

“There are restrooms, rentals for water sports, and lots of people. Although it was crowded, a deer walked up 6 feet from us and one person even saw a deer swimming in the ocean."

“The snorkeling was also extraordinary at this location. At Cinnamon Bay, you can swim west around some rocks to a private beach called Peter Bay, which is the location of a subdivision where there are multi-million dollar homes in which politicians and celebrities own and the beaches are private and exclusive.”

Cinnamon Bay

 "On the third day, we went to Maho Bay, which was about a $10 taxi ride from the resort. What is nice about Maho is that the beach is directly on the road, so there is no hiking involved. This particular bay is famous for its snorkeling and sea turtle habitat. Within thirty seconds of being in the water, we saw three lager-head turtles that were 3-4 feet in length. Be sure to drag your feet so you don’t step on a stingray, because they are everywhere. You also don’t want to forget your camera when you go to Maho because of the underwater scenery."

Maho Bay

"The next day we went to Hawksnest Bay. One mistake we made there was that we should not have brought our electronics along with us because next to Hawksnest Bay is Gimme Beach, which is the most gorgeous beach on the island. However, the only way to get to Gimme Beach is to go through Hawksnest and to swim around a rock. So, unless you want to leave your towel and electronics on Hawksnest- leave them at home."

Lee at Gimme Beach

"Once you’re on Gimme Beach, there is a little driveway that you can walk to catch a taxi back to the resort. There are grove trees that have branches sticking out over the water, which gives you a place to hang your belongings. There are beach chairs that you can sit in that are in the shoreline. This place is SO worth the hassle it takes to get to it, so don’t be discouraged. You MUST see it. This was my absolute favorite beach on the island."

The swing featured in the music video for Zac Brown's Toes

Trunk Bay at Sunset

                "On the final day we went to Trunk Bay, which is known for its underwater snorkeling trail. If you’re daring enough, like myself, swim out around the island and make a loop to see some exotic tropical fish and coral.  

When you get to the front of the island where the lifeguard cannot see you, you can climb the rocks and jump off into the 20-ft deep, crystal-clear water.”

“Overall, it was one of the coolest and prettiest places I have ever been. I am so excited to be giving this trip to a couple getting married at the Wheeler House. They will not be disappointed.”

~Lee Lusk, owner of The Wheeler House 

Any couple who signs a contract at the Wheeler House for their dream wedding  will be placed into a drawing to win this unbelievable trip to St. John USVI. The drawing will take place at the end of the summer. Do not miss out on this amazing opportunity! Call The Wheeler House at 770)402-1686 or email weddings@thewheelerhouse.net for more information. 

Resort Information

St. John Attractions

Visiting St. John