Kim and Blake Bowers

By Wendy O. Dixon  |  Photography by Lesley Isacks Photography

Kim Dobbin and Blake Bowers, both from Atlanta, Georgia, celebrated their nuptials with a destination wedding at WaterColor Resort, along with their one hundred guests. As in life, the wedding planning wasn’t without its mishaps.

About six months before the wedding, Kim’s mother was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and had surgery to remove a tumor from her spine. The day after her surgery, the couple heard the shocking news that their initial wedding reception venue, the BoatHouse Restaurant in the WaterColor development, was severely damaged by a kitchen fire. “Needless to say, the fire was not our biggest concern at the time,” Kim says, more concerned for her mother’s health. “WaterColor was very generous and accommodating in assisting with our reception changes, and it ended up absolutely perfect and possibly better than the originally planned venue.” The couple gave their guests cancer awareness bracelets as favors, and Kim’s mother has been in remission since completing chemotherapy and radiation.

A long-standing tradition for the couple’s friends is to have a grand finale during the reception in which everyone links together in a big circle and belts out “Piano Man.” “It was a very special moment I had been looking forward to for many years,” Kim says.

After the reception, Kim and Blake invited their guests to a bonfire on the beach for “s’more” fun. “It was great to change into some comfy clothes and relax with the crowd for the after party on the beach,” Kim remembers, “It was a perfect day!”

 

Favorite Wedding Moment:
“Our ‘first look’ photo session was two hours before the ceremony, and seeing Blake calmed my nerves and reminded me what the day was about,” Kim says.

 

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Vendors:
Wedding Planner Cheryl Walton of WaterColor Resort 
WaterColor Resort Inn & Resort
Lesley Isacks Photography
Fisher’s Flowers
Bake My Day
Gulf Talent Services