Brought together by a friend on a night out, the couple recently tied the knot in tropical Thailand
Photo: Courtesy of Liam Collard Photography
The setting was magical: a secluded resort on the west coast of Phuket, surrounded by coconut palms and overlooking the most splendid of beaches and the sparkling Andaman Sea.
The weather? Not so good.
But the tropical rains certainly didn’t dampen the mood at the Amanpuri, where Tina Herms and Matthew McAfee exchanged vows before 170 friends and family on November 26.
The happy couple had been dating for three years after being introduced by a mutual friend on a night out—although it took a year for Tina to agree to a date with Matthew.
And it seems Matthew, the youngest son of Linda Ho-McAfee and W Gage McAfee and senior executive at the Hong Kong-based Fairmont Shipping, was keen to set the relationship in stone. He popped the question during a casual afternoon stroll along the beach.
Photo: Courtesy of Liam Collard Photography
“It was the first time he brought me to his family’s holiday home in Vancouver and we went for a walk along this pebble beach nearby,” recalls Tina, who used to work in finance and is currently setting up a business. “Matt asked me what I thought of the pebbles. He randomly picked up a brownish black stone to show me and asked what I thought.”
Well, she thought nothing of it until Matthew asked her again—only this time he was holding a different stone: a Ronald Abram engagement ring.
It was only fitting, really, that they were beachside again for their nuptials. The ceremony, held in the picturesque mountainside garden of one of the resort’s villas, was beautiful. Tina’s cousin, Michael Rickerby, won hearts when he sang Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World, which the couple say was their favourite moment of the wedding.
And then the heavens opened, sending guests scrambling indoors to enjoy the three-course dinner. But when the rain stopped, the music started, and it was time for Matthew and Tina’s first dance, to Ben E. King’s Stand By Me.
Browse the gallery below to see more of their gorgeous wedding details:
Bride’s outfits: Monique Lhuillier | Groom’s outfits: J.Crew | Wedding and engagement rings: Ronald Abram | Bride’s watch: Cartier | Groom’s watch: Rolex | Hair and makeup: Neil Donkin | Wedding planner: Amanpuri, Phuket | Caterer Amanpuri, Phuket | Wedding Invitations: Julia Sprenger of Julia Sprenger Graphic Design | Photography: Liam Collard Photography
See also: Real Life Weddings Jacqueline Yam And Eric Yu
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