The Tallented Edwards' Tropical Dream Wedding
Here is something you might not know. In my twenties I lived in Israel. In addition to meeting my hubby, having my first daugher, and painting my first ketubah in Jerusalem, I also had the absolute coolest art job in the world. I was in charge of an arts program for recent high school graduates who would come to spend a year in Israel. My job was to introduce these young students to the Israeli visual art, performance art, and fashion world. I know, it doesn't get more awesome than that (other than being a full time artist, of course). And that is how I met sweet 18-year-old Tim Tallent. Little did I know that this was just the beginning of a beautiful friendship that has now spanned about 15 years.
Fun Fact: Tim and I got to experience a once-in-a-lifetime natural event together. We were having coffee during his visit to LA during the famous 2023 Hurriquake! But readers of my blog may remember Tim from when he commissioned a painting celebrating his personal growth journey, which culminated in meeting his beloved, Alex.
So of course, I couldn't have possibly been more excited when the happy couple decided on my Tropical Beach Sunset Ketubah to seal their love on paper.
They had their son sign as a witness on their ketubah! What could be sweeter than that?
Tim and Alex were kind enough to take the time to dish with me all about their magical moment. Tim said, "I wrote out all my feelings, like Taylor Swift." I couldn't possibly love him more!
How did the two of you meet?
Tim: We met on tinder, not expecting much, I immediately started off with fire round question after question. Alex was as direct, to the point, and ‘matter of fact’ as I was. This fun game of 20 questions turned into a 4-hour conversation, lasting into early the next morning. We met at a time when the world had stopped turning, giving us all the time in the world to get to know and appreciate one another. As the world began to recover from the fall out of 2020, we began to forge a path, together. We traveled, bought a house…… should I go on? One of our first dates was a romantic night at The Opal Sands Resort on Clearwater Beach. I made a reservation at the resort restaurant, mentioned it was our ‘anniversary’. Everyone kept saying happy anniversary. Alex looked at me confused, but instantly went along with it. They gifted us a complementary slice of Key Lime Pie; to our discovery, a mutual favorite. Alex would propose at the same resort, on our one-year anniversary, and we would later serve Key Lime Pie at our wedding.
Alex: As a single gay dad I was really skeptical about dating and especially dating as the world was continually shutting down. I moved to Florida and on a whim joined Tinder to “see what's happening in my new city.” Little did I know that the first man I talked with I would date, fall in love with and then marry. I remember Tim was very pointed with his questions and the directness was welcome as I didn’t have the time to waste on someone who didn’t want what I wanted. It turned out very quickly that we wanted the same thing. Our first date felt like I was getting lunch with someone who I knew my whole life; someone who I was at home with. We had 2 “first dates” and both went better than any first date had gone. I knew at that point that something was different. I knew that this was someone that I was going to be with for a very long time. Little did I know, Marry.
How did you know he was the one?
Tim: I didn’t know what I needed to feel loved, and it came in several unexpected ways. Since the moment I met him, Alex had always shown me what it looks like to be loved, through his nurturing, through his kindness, through the energy he carries into a room. From the nonstop attention he gives me, to my BS he puts up with. Alex taught me how to let the love in. He has the ability to call out my stubbornness, and make me want to be better. He became more than someone I could get advice from, but someone I could trust. I could trust him with my emotions, my vulnerability, and most importantly, I could trust him with the scars that couldn’t heal. I would be less and less Tim (before he met Alex), and we would become the best versions of ourselves by emulating our favorites things about each other. We taught and learned from each other, and evolved into “The Tallented Edwards” Alex having already proposed with a surprise suite- filled with photos and rose petals, I wanted to create ‘the perfect moment’ too by proposing to Alex with a picnic, in a park, in New Orleans.
Alex: I was someone who didn’t take himself too seriously. I had just moved from the NE where EVERYONE takes themselves too seriously. Meeting Tim and getting free pie on one of our first dates along with a “Happy 3rd Anniversary” kudos from the chef really solidified that he was someone who didn’t take themselves too seriously either. Tim was someone that I instantly felt comfortable with. I had never felt so “at home” with someone as when I shared a salad at Seasons 52 with Tim.
I remember telling my mom after our first date that I had met “the one.” She shook me and told me “hold on for dear life if you think he's the one” and that’s what I did.
What did you want your ketubah to tell about your love story?
Tim: I wanted our Ketubah to represent both of our faiths, before we met, and the life we made together. For me, the greatest part of my Jewish identity came from living abroad, for a year in Israel. Specifically, that arts of Israel. I was fortunate enough to be part of an art program, led by the one and only, Anna Abramzon. Anna exposed me to the most beautiful parts of the country, and our religion. I had never felt a closer connection to my heritage, and continue to use this lens for my interpretation of my faith, seeing it as a celebration of color. There was never a doubt, I would ask Anna to create our Ketubah, tying in our faith to our wedding day.
(Y'all can imagine my face full of tears when I read that bit, right?)
We both have strong ties to Florida, growing up here, continuing to live here, and even getting married here, we knew we were looking for something tropical. As well as something uniquely colorful like we are. The tall palm trees and big colorful flowers are a constant imagery we live everyday, and is represented in our wedding, from our flower bouquets, our ceremony in a garden, in Key West Florida. Anna delivered. Our Ketubah went beautifully with the colors, emotions, and celebration we felt on the happiest day of our lives. Anna continues to add beauty and celebration to my life via the lens of our faith.
What is the most important value as a foundation for your marriage?
Honesty, communication, learning and listening, being the person they need you to be, love, respect, patience - Marriage is a commitment to put someone else first. To ensure that they are emotionally supported because you know that they will do the same for you. It’s a promise that no matter what else is happening in the world you have the person you love there for you.
What advice would you give to other couples just starting the wedding planning process?
Elope… LOL. Don’t sleep on cruise weddings, cuts out a lot of the stress and gives you actual quality time to spend time with your loved ones while still celebrating you and your partner. Get your ketubah from Anna.Don’t stress every detail, You will be changing your mind, literally until you walk down the aisle. Enjoy the process and enjoy tasting all the flavors of cake.
Advice I received from a former bride: You will be bloated on your wedding day, accept it now, you have more important details to stress over.
Photography and flowers are key. Spend all your money on these and the rest ensuring you have an open bar. The rest will fall into place.
What was your favorite moment of the wedding day?
Tell me something that happened at your wedding or wedding planning that you wouldn’t want published in the New York Times:
One of the fun things we did for our wedding was have Funfetti cake as our wedding cake. While it was the epitome of our personality (we don’t take anything too seriously) I think the Upper East Side elite would be clutching their pearls while reading this on Page 6. It was delicious! The other passe moment was our glass which we blew ourselves couldn’t break under the chuppah. It became a comedic moment at our wedding where we tried the rest of the ceremony and into the champagne toast to break it. We are standing by the fact that our love is “SO strong that it won’t break.” Mazel Tov! It’s now a decorative fixture in our home.
Mazel Tov Tim and Alex!!!! May you continue to build a joyful family in a home full of laughter, adventure, understanding, and so much love!
Tim and Alex's gorgeous photos are by Macy Ryan and all their beautiful flowers were by Duarte Floral Design.
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