Vibrant Tropical Destination Wedding in Cancun, Mexico

All is fair in love and softball.

Kristi and Russell’s love story began when they met while playing in a softball league. Kristi shares, “After hanging out at games, practices, and team functions (Russell) finally asked me for my number, and I gave it to him. He would call and text all the time. We really got to know each other as friends.” When Russell finally asked Kristi out on a date, they soon realized they had a serious love connection.

Nearly three years later, Russell pulled off a surprise proposal with the help of Kristi’s family and friends. They jumped into wedding planning and decided to have a destination wedding in Cancun, Mexico. Guests were amazed at their beautiful, heartfelt outdoor ceremony overlooking the ocean. They then headed inside where they enjoyed vibrant decor and a live performance by the R&B group Kindred the Family Soul.

Read about Russell’s humorous and romantic proposal, and see all of their memorable wedding moments captured by Sam Jasper below.

Couple: Kristi & Russell McGuire
Occupations: Operations Research Analyst for Department of Army/Toyota Manufacturing Company
Wedding date: June 24, 2019
Wedding location: Cancun, Mexico

Quick Facts

Wedding Party Gifts: Bridesmaids were gifted earrings for the wedding day, flutes for toasting and robes to wear as we got ready, and beach bags. These were given in personalized boxes with a special message and their name and role on them. I also paid a certain amount on their dresses. The groomsmen received Cohiba Cigars from Cuba.
Ceremony Entrance Song: “Fall for You” by Leela James
First Dance Song: “Stars” performed live by Kindred The Family Soul

How did you meet?

It was 2015, and I had recently moved back to the Huntsville area. While getting settled back in, I ran into a former teammate, and he asked me if I would be interested in playing on his softball team. Being an avid softball player, I was eager to get back to doing something I enjoyed so I said of course. There were some familiar faces and a lot more new faces.

Russell was one of those new faces. My initial thought was ‘he’s funny’, but nothing more. A few of my teammates were telling me that he liked me and that he’d been asking around about me. I was still unbothered. My friends call me by my initials…”KC”. He would always call me Kaycee. Finally, one day I asked him, “Who are you talking to? My name is KC. Why do you keep calling me Kaycee?” His reply, “That’s what I’m saying.” He was so country….I had no idea! LOL

After hanging out at games, practices, and team functions he finally asked me for my number and I gave it to him. He would call and text all the time. We really got to know each other as friends. He kept wanting to hang out, but not an “official date”. I finally told him that if he wanted to hang out with me he was going to have to take me on a “real date.” He obliged and we went on our first date a few months later. ALL is Fair in Love and Softball

Tell us about the proposal.

I have to set up the scene. I had a really jam-packed weekend. Saturday, May 19, 2018, I had four events to attend. Two of those involved celebrating one of my best friends who was getting married…her bridal shower and a girl’s night out. I was on the go non-stop from 9 a.m. until we left the last event at about 12:30 a.m. that Sunday! The shower was a success and I enjoyed the whole day, but I was tired!

The plan for Sunday was to go to church and then out to eat afterward. After church, Russell kept going out of the way to get to the restaurant. I was exhausted from the day before, and by this time, HUNGRY. Definitely not a great combo for me, so I was really aggravated with his shenanigans.

To add to my frustration, my best friend Tiffany called and yet again derailed our arrival to the restaurant. She wanted me to come up to her hotel room because she needed my help ASAP and it just could not wait. I get to her room and she proceeds with this story about finding a pair of “female shoes” in her room that were not hers. I was like ‘they probably belong to one of the girls that changed in here yesterday’. However, she refused to reach out to the girls and ask. So now she wants us to go confront her husband. Y’all at this point my feet are because of these uncomfortable shoes, I’m tired, AND I’m STILL hungry!

Everybody seemed to be acting crazy…even my mom made me upset. I called her to ask where she was and she kept replying, “I’m okay”. Anyhow, Tiffany, and I ended up in the Westin’s courtyard. She left me standing there and when I went to turn around to go OFF, there was Russ walking from behind some bushes with a box in hand. Out of another door, came so many of my closest friends and family! Even a cousin I thought had left the night before and some that I didn’t even know were in town. There were even people on FaceTime. In the midst of him being on one knee and me sweating, crying, and hollering, my first words were, “Did you ask my daddy?” Of course he had, and OF COURSE I SAID YES!

I could not believe they got me like that. I’m super nosy!! Russ did an excellent job and I couldn’t be happier. I was with these people all day, the day before and no one spilled the tea! It is definitely a day I won’t forget.

What was the wedding shopping experience like for you?

I had a very good shopping experience I went to three salons. I found my dress ceremony dress at the third shop in Atlanta. I had my reception dress custom made by Andrea Pitter Campbell, Pantora Bridal. I was able to meet with her at Luxe Bridal in Nashville, TN. I wanted a beautiful classic dress for the wedding and a fun sexy dress for the reception. I needed to dance! Russell went with a linen tux for the wedding and did all black with a fitted jacket for the reception. We played off his jacket to find the perfect shoes. The look was timeless.

What is your best memory from your wedding?

Russell’s best memory is when Kristi came around the corner, and he saw how beautiful she was walking down the aisle. Kristi’s is just spending time with their family and friends. We had an all-white party the night before our wedding, and it set the tone for the wedding, seeing tears roll down Russ face because he said he wasn’t going to cry, and last but not least was Russell’s face when Kindred walked in singing.