Story by Samantha Gamez Photos by Luke and Cat Photography
Sometimes love is closer than you think. For Randa and Grant Carrabba, love was only a few streets over. The local business owners lived within a mile of each other without ever meeting, but once they did, they found love right where they were.
The two knew of each other for months before they met in person. Car troubles and mutual friends brought the two together. “We started at such a fresh, good, honest place,” says Randa. Both were established in their careers and had been single for awhile before finding each other. Grant asked Randa to officially be his girlfriend on Oct. 4, 2014.
The couple dated exactly 14 months before Grant proposed. Randa had joked about needing a dramatic proposal, and Grant took her words literally. Each year, Randa would go to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas to set up a booth for her women’s boutique, Southern Jewlz. In 2015, Randa took a break from the booth and decided to invite her friends to enjoy NFR with her. She put Grant in charge of organizing the weekend, giving him the perfect way to plan the extravagant proposal. “I just handed it to him on a silver platter,” says Randa. On the first night of the trip, Grant took a detour on the way to dinner and brought Randa onto a balcony that overlooked the water fountain in front of the Bellagio Hotel & Casino. The group of friends encouraged Grant and Randa to take photos on the balcony. With the gorgeous water display in the background, Grant proposed.
Exactly 14 months later, the couple tied the knot at Miramont Country Club on Feb. 4. The classic fairytale meets Victorian Valentine wedding combined the best of Randa and Grant’s relationship and the upcoming holiday of love. Randa’s signature color, blush, was used in almost everything, from the décor to her Monique Lhuiller wedding dress. Her bridal party was dressed in shades of pink and her house party was dressed in champagne.
Unicorns were in abundance at the wedding, from the unicorn-drawn carriage to the unicorn crest on the stationary and the dance floor. The mythical creature is a nod to Randa’s nickname for Grant. She calls him her unicorn because she found him in a college town where many people find love before the age of 24.
Their first dance was a choreographed ballroom routine to “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran. The lyrics “we found love right where we are” resonated with the couple since it encompasses their story.
Rounding out the night was a private last dance to “Feet Don’t Touch the Ground” by Stoney La Rue. The couple listened to the song on their first date, and they wanted to dance to it at their wedding. So the ballroom was cleared and the newlyweds danced in the empty room, just the two of them.
“It was the sweetest, most intimate moment we have ever shared,” says Randa.
When asked what she would say to other brides, Randa says to cherish the moment. “Don’t overwhelm yourself … It will all come together in its own way.”
Carrabba Vendors
Venue Miramont Country Club Photographer Luke and Cat Photography Dress Monique Lhuillier (Purchased from Joan Pillow Bridal) Accessories Maria Elena Headpieces & Dior Beauty Hey Lovely Make Up Floral Bramble and Bee Invitations and Stationary Art by Rachel Nieman Unicorn Carriage A to Z Rentals DJ Lighting and Photo Booth Unique Style Productions Unicorn Crest Dance Floor Mike’s Dance Floor Dance Instructor Dr. Susan Quiring Linens House of Hough Design and Décor Johanna Terry Events Cake Amazing Cakes by Rosalba Cookies Cakes and Cookies by Clau Ice Sculpture Henley Ice Storybook Backdrop Jacob Yezak and Kristen Little Rolls Royce Monarch Limousines Wedding Rings Ring Wraps Planning Two Be Wed
