Just Married: Suzanne Martino and Michael Dufour

Bride and Groom: Suzanne Martino and Michael Dufour

Bride’s Mom: Joan Martino
Groom’s parents: Carol and Rod Dufour

How they met:
Mike and Suzanne met online more than four years ago. Suzanne signed up with a friend, not to meet someone herself but to screen guys for her friend.

While looking for someone for her friend, Suzanne saw Mike’s picture first and because he wasn’t her friend’s type she sent him a quick note. They ended up writing emails everyday and talking on the phone for more than three weeks.

The couple had so much in common, even down to both of them renovating our homes at the same time (and both living with just a fridge and no walls in their kitchens).

The couple’s first date was a trip to New York City on a cold day. When Mike showed up to the train station, he had a bag for Suzanne filled with a compass (so she wouldn’t get lost), a whistle (so if she did get lost, she could blow it and he could find her), tissues (because when it’s freezing your nose runs) and a granola bar (in case she got hungry).

The proposal:
On Memorial Day weekend 2012, the couple went to Orlando for a Disney vacation. Mike took Suzanne down to the lake at the resort a day earlier than planned, due to the impending tropical storm.

He wanted to take her out on a sailboat, but there was no availability due to the high winds from the impending storm, so Mike settled for a canoe. Suzanne was reluctant because of the large “beware of alligators” sign next to the lake. Before she could get in the canoe, the boat flipped due to the high winds, sending Mike into the water with the ring. He managed to save the ring without her seeing it and he eventually proposed while kneeling in the middle of the canoe.

The wedding and reception:
The wedding took place on May 11 on the beach, at the Longboat Key Club. It was followed by a reception at the Longboat Key Club Island House.

Many Items were designed and handmade by the couple. They collected all the centerpiece containers, shell box and program holder from various places like garage sales, thrift stores and eBay. Suzanne tried to find things with quirky symbolism, like the silver Empire State Building for their first date.

The honeymoon:
The couple’s honeymoon happened in two parts. The first was a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean following the wedding and the second part was a trip including Portland, Seattle and a road trip from Vancouver through southern British Colombia, Idaho, Montana and ending in Calgary, Alberta.

Fun facts:
The couple had life-size cut outs printed of the groom’s brother and sister, who were unable to attend the wedding.

THE DETAILS
First dance: “The Most” by John Troast
Photography: Barbara Banks Photography
Floral design: Beneva Flowers
Cake: Pastries by Design
Wedding planning: Coordinated by Lauren Kincaid at the Longboat Key Club and planning by Sue Martino
Invitations: Kate Haanraadts of Mile Square Design