LGBTQ wedding planning can be stressful. But in the precious, joy-filled moments following a proposal, nothing matters but love. All too soon, the influx of questions, friends wanting to be in the wedding party and countless inquiries about venue, date and ceremony begin. The whirl of wedding planning can quickly evaporate the enthusiasm, but for Atlantans Levi and Jose, it isn’t so! They face wedding planning with gusto, thanks to the wedding they won from The Brice, a Kimpton hotel located in Savannah, Ga.
Just months after their engagement, Jose and Levi entered the hotel’s online giveaway for an all-inclusive LGBTQ wedding for an engaged Georgia couple. The duo with the most compelling love story and highest amount of Facebook votes would win all the components of a perfect wedding day—a rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception, a mini-moon getaway to Miami and a myriad other thoughtful touches from local Savannah vendors. To ensure their wonderful wedding moments last, Teresa Earnest Photography will document the day.
After entering the competition, the two anxiously awaited the results. A few restless weeks later, The Brice announced Jose and Levi had stolen the show, receiving the majority amount of the 15,000 Facebook votes cast.
“It was so much fun to launch this competition and show the world how much Kimpton and The Brice embrace and support the LGBTQ community,” said Kristen Haddick, director of catering at The Brice. “After months of planning to host the contest, our timing couldn’t have been better,” she adds, referring to the Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage, which was handed down just days before the contest’s pre-planned rollout.
Today, the couple patiently awaits their February nuptials at The Brice. A stylish duo, the two envision their big day with European-cut suits and bow ties, accented by a beautiful blend of shades of bronze, silver and gold. At the end of the aisle, Savannah’s popular and LGBTQ-friendly officiant Reverend Steve Schulte will help the couple tie the knot. As for the food, the wedding will include a rehearsal dinner at Pacci. And for the reception, The Brice will provide a multi-course meal, champagne toast, signature cocktail and floral centerpieces. Each of the 60 guests will be treated to slices of a wedding cake from A Squad Bake Shop. To cap off the day of celebration, Levi and Jose will depart for their three-day honeymoon at The Surfcomber Hotel in Miami.
This past weekend, the duo was able to meet with their wedding planner, Audrey King of French Knot Studios. She will ensure the day flows smoothly and no detail is overlooked. Although a few items remain to be finalized before the wedding, the two are practically ecstatic for their families to finally meet. Levi said, “I am so excited to have everyone meet and be under the same roof.” Jose agreed, adding, he is especially thankful to have The Brice’s support with wedding planning, “which afforded us the opportunity to bring our families together.”
The couple looks forward to their big day, which is just weeks away, and being able to legally live out their happily ever after. Fortunately for Jose and Levi, they will move forward in the same stress-free — but now, wedded — bliss they experienced at their proposal, and it’s all thanks to The Brice.
— Amber Seamann
Photos: Barry Brandon
