All Eyes on Camille & Lee's Intimate Destination Wedding in USVI

Happy Friday loves! We know that so many of you have had to downsize your weddings due to the pandemic and opt for an intimate micro-wedding instead. But, please let us reassure you that it could be just as wonderful and special as your large destination wedding would have been, through these gorgeous photographs from Camille + Lee’s special day.

As some of you may know, the past week has been quite emotional for our team, as our country has just entered into its second lockdown. So sharing these sweet images from Savanah Loftus Photography is just what we needed today to brighten up this gloomy Friday.

So if you’re feeling a bit uneasy about your wedding plans, and truly need a bit of encouragement and love to help make your decision process a bit easier, please continue scrolling for more from this amazing couple’s micro-wedding in St. John, USVI.

All Eyes on Camille & Lee's Intimate Destination Wedding in USVI, Wedding Planning by Island Style Weddings for Caribbean Wedding Blog Adriana Weddings

FROM THE COUPLE:

HOW THEY MET

The story begins in 2013, when Camille became the ‘girl next door’. They lived in neighboring townhomes when they were graduate students in Morgantown, WV. Camille was in law school at West Virginia University College of Law and Lee was in medical school at West Virginia University School of Medicine. Initially they did not have much time (or interest) outside their graduate studies to interact.

After about one year as neighbours, Lee began visiting Camille’s townhouse more often and they began finding themselves more frequently in friendly chats and movie nights. These casual visits became something they both looked forward to on a weekly basis. Camille and Lee quickly found both excitement and comfort in each others’ company.

On August 11, 2015, Lee asked Camille to officially be his girlfriend at Cheat Lake (their favourite place) on a beautiful day after a run. After medical school, Lee chose to stay in Morgantown, right next door, for his first year of medical residency in at Ruby Memorial Hospital. About six months into dating, Lee asked Camille to move to Cincinnati, OH with him for his three year residency in Ophthalmology at the University of Cincinnati. She warmly agreed.

In April 2016, Lee decided to buy a house in Cincinnati in preparation for residency. After much house hunting, they found an adorable, older craftsman on Graceland Ave. that needed some love and elbow grease but had such charm and potential. In May 2016, Camille moved into Graceland without Lee to begin studying for the Ohio Bar exam. Lee shortly followed in July 2016, and so begun their life in a new city and their first house.

THE ENGAGEMENT

Three years went by quickly and slowly all at the same time, but in this time the couple discovered themselves as home owners, working adults, and true life partners. Lee matched for a prestigious fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic and Camille had already agreed to move again, but he wanted to make things official.

On moving day – June 8, 2019 – Lee proposed to Camille. The couple had been moving out for a day and a half so the rooms were completely empty with the moving truck outside packed full. Lee suggested Camille take a shower before they hit the road.

This was just a distraction which enabled Lee to place roses throughout each empty room. Lee lead Camille on one last lap through the home, the home where their bond solidified. In each room, Lee told Camille something he learned about her and how each realization he made about her made him fall more in love. At the end of the tour there was one remaining box to be packed. He then got down on one knee, and opened it. She said yes in absolute shock with the brightest smile.

THE WEDDING DETAILS

We held a private elopement on January 22, 2021, our original date, in St. John. We were lucky to have shared this intimate event with our bridal party and the groom’s parents. Our ceremony was held at the Historic Susannaberg which overlooks the other neighbouring Virgin Islands, then we jumped on a catamaran for heavy appetizers and a beautiful sunset.