Cumberland, Sosa wedding

Kelly Cumberland and Jose “Joey” Sosa were united in holy matrimony September 27, 2008 at Mimosa Mornings in Grayton Beach, Florida.

The Couple – Kelly from Philadelphia, MS. and Jose from South Florida – first met in the Columbus, Mississippi hospital where Kelly worked as a critical care nurse and Jose was a surgical physician assistant. The couple hit it off almost instantly with their dating leading to constant companionship in very little time.

Before popping the big question, Kelly says Jose hid her ring in various odd places all over their home. Once, she says, “it even stayed in a cocktail shaker for like three weeks”. Finally he got up the courage and in a moment that seemed just right, on an otherwise normal Friday afternoon at around four o’clock, Jose asked the love of his live to be his wife.

The couple began thinking of the perfect location for their perfect day, and chose the Destin area pretty quickly. Besides being located neutrally for both of their families, they both love the beach and Kelly had grown up frequently vacationing in and around Destin. In planning their wedding Kelly and Jose took advantage of the bridal faire held at Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort and made the trip to Destin to begin making arrangements for their upcoming wedding.

As part of the bridal faire package Kelly and Jose took advantage of a special couples cruise- aboard Sunquest Cruise’s Solaris- the night before the bridal show. It was on this cruise that they actually met and befriended our Publisher, Will Estell, and his wife Aime. Will and Aime began talking to Kelly and Jose and offering suggestions about all of the wonderful wedding professionals who could help the couple in making their big day come together. Will (then with another magazine before becoming Publisher of Gulf Coast Bride) even promised the couple to cover their upcoming wedding in print.

The following day Will and Aime again talked with Kelly and Jose at the Hilton Sandestin bridal show, where Aime introduced the couple to Dede Edwards who she suggested as a photographer. After this chance meeting, Kelly and Jose were able to secure their photographer, accommodations, venue, and florist all based on the recommendations of our Publisher. Oh, and they also got their wedding featured in two magazines… thanks to this encounter.

The Thursday before the wedding, both the bride and groom enjoyed the traditional bachelor and bachelorette party. The following Friday everyone enjoyed a relaxing day at the Spa before the rehearsal dinner. On the day of the blessed event, the couple exchanged their wedding vows at the pool and cabana area at the beautiful and expansive (sleeps 21!) Mimosa Mornings in Grayton Beach. The four cornered bamboo arbor was draped with fabric and two front tie ons of bridal bold floral stems and palm fronds facing downward. The strung lights and paper lanterns illuminated the pool side and reception area.

Kelly’s elegant bouquet was adorned with Asiatic lily, cymbidium orchids, and bold colors of orange, purple, green and fushia vanda orchids with blupurem, tropical leaf accents, and delicately finished off with bridal ribbons that complemented her gown. The bridesmaids’ smaller bouquets featured bridal lily, Dendron orchids, blupurum and was wrapped in aqua blue ribbons.

Everyone enjoyed Hors D’oerves featuring silver dollar crab cakes with remoulade, fresh mozzarella, tomato and bail crostinis, and paper wrapped grouper with pineapple red chili sauce. The buffet offered hot smoked salmon, and baked brie with Amaretto glazed pecans and strawberries all catered by Blue Mountain Catering Company. For desert, the guest delighted in the sweet pleasures of Southern Style Deserts that included chocolate fondue with fresh fruit and angel cake with whipped sweet cream. To finish off the evening, everyone enjoyed the musical talents of the Beach Mice while gathered together to witness the first dance of Kelly and Jose Sosa as husband and wife.

Kelly and Jose enjoyed a wonderful five day honeymoon in beautiful Costa Rica before returning home where they are enjoying their “happily ever after” as newlyweds in Madison, Mississippi.