Scene Together: Couples on their Wedding Day

By Jacqueline Miller

Kym Smith & Gerret Copeland, Jr. 

November 17, 2018

If you were one of the fortunate ones to be invited to the wedding of Kym Smith and Gerret Copeland, Jr., then you were blessed to witness the union of a match made in heaven. 

Watching these two incredible people profess their enduring love for each other was so heartwarming and special to the 175 guests in attendance, but especially so to those who were instrumental in bringing the beautiful Kym and handsome Gerret together.

It all began in early March 2017 when Kym’s friend, Sue, invited her to the Archie Griffin Celebrity Golf Tournament benefiting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County at Concession Golf & Country Club.  She wanted Kym to meet new people. Fate would seat them next to Melissa. Conversation flowed and Melissa learned that Kym was single. Not wanting to miss the opportunity, Melissa suggested that Kym meet her “brother from another mother,” someone she thought the world of – Gerret Copeland, Jr.  Gerret had lost his fiancée to cancer and Melissa knew he was ready to find love again.

Two weeks later, Melissa arranged for the three couples to meet for dinner at Lakewood Ranch Country Club. As Kym entered the room, Gerret’s face lit up.  She was dazzled by his smiling eyes, which were totally focused on her.  They hit it off immediately and their whirlwind romance began.

As their relationship grew stronger and stronger, Kym and Gerret enjoyed trips to many places including Venice, Italy and to New York and Maryland to meet Gerret’s family and friends. They became inseparable. A trip to New York City nine months later included a stop at his favorite restaurant, the 21 Club.  There, in front of family and friends, Gerret got down on one knee and proposed.  

Their wedding weekend began with a rehearsal dinner on Friday evening at Bijou Café.  Kym’s brother flew in from Portland, Oregon and Gerret’s godparents and aunt were also in attendance. On Saturday, the bride and her attendants all got ready at the Ritz-Carlton, which was used as their base for the weekend. 

Their beautiful sunset ceremony took place in front of the Ca’ d’Zan Mansion at The Ringling.  Immediately after the ceremony, guests were brought to the mansion’s bayside terrace where they enjoyed cocktails and appetizers. To the left of the terrace was an incredible reception tent resplendent with glowing chandeliers and other twinkling lights where guests dined on a scrumptious multi-course dinner and danced to the tunes of East Coast Entertainment’s We Got the Beat band. Gerret surprised Kym with an elaborate, over-the-top wedding cake designed by luxury cake artist Julie Deffense. At the end of their fairytale evening, Kym and Gerret thanked everyone as they parted in a classic 1959 Rolls Royce and headed back to the Ritz-Carlton. It was a truly heavenly wedding that everyone there will be sure to remember for many years to come.

Kym, a Delta Airlines flight attendant for 29 years, has lived in Sarasota since 2002. Her parents, Dr. and Mrs. James Smith, live in the Lakewood Ranch area. Gerret, who is involved in real estate management, has lived in Sarasota since 2001. His family lives in the Northeast.

The couple, who both love world travel, are still debating honeymoon plans with Singapore or a West African country leading their choices. In the meantime, Gerret has more special honeymoon plans up his sleeve for Kym, which will be a big surprise.

Planner: Nicole Kaney, NK Productions | Venue: Ca’ d’Zan at The Ringling | Officiant: Danny Bilyeau | Caterer:  Michael’s on East | Photographer:  Cat Pennenga | Videographer: Viola Cinematic | Cake:  Julie Deffense | Florist: Botanica | Ceremony & Cocktail Music: Classern Quartet | Reception Music: We Got the Beat | Paper Products: Write on Sarasota | Lighting: Affairs in the Air | Furniture rentals: So Staged | Limo:  Primetime | Bride’s Hair & Makeup: Brides by Kelly Anne | Bridal Party Hair: David Banks 

Paige Olivia Pierro  & Sean Anthony Jacklin

October 27, 2018

Paige Olivia Pierro and Sean Anthony Jacklin became inseparable from the time of their first date—an unconventional one for sure—as seniors at Manatee High School. 

The smart and beautiful Paige was celebrating her 18th birthday with a costume party. She and the handsome and high-spirited Sean took off for Goodwill to get costume ideas. What was meant to be began to take shape that evening, with the couple spending much of their time together until it came time to go off to college.

Faced with the challenge of a long-distance relationship, they talked about going their separate ways. She was going to Florida State University and he was headed to UNC Chapel Hill. Surely, the distance would dictate different directions for both of them. But they would have none of that. They pledged to visit each other at least once a month, saving their money to do it, and they made that happen until Sean moved back to pursue a career as a PGA professional and seeing each other more frequently became much easier. 

It’s no wonder why golf is in Sean’s DNA. Born in Scotland, but raised in Bradenton, he is the son of Bradenton residents Astrid and Tony Jacklin. His father just happens to be the most successful British golfer of his generation and the most successful European Ryder Cup captain ever. 

Paige, the daughter of Cynthia and Richard Pierro of Bradenton, graduated FSU and works with her father, who is CEO of K & P Benefits Consulting Group in Sarasota. She serves as a client relations manager for the company. 

On July 29, 2017, Sean took Paige out to dinner at Veronica’s Fish & Oyster restaurant in Southside Village. After a lovely dinner, Sean asked Paige if she would like to walk Lido Beach to watch the sunset. While strolling the beach, Paige was looking at a turtle nest when Sean called her name. She turned to see him on one knee asking her to spend the rest of her life with him. They celebrated the rest of that evening sipping champagne and FaceTime calling family and friends.

Their wedding weekend began with a rehearsal dinner for the bridal party, family and close friends, in a private room at the legendary Café L’Europe, followed by cocktails on the rooftop of Art Ovation hotel. Of their wedding the next day at Lakewood Ranch Country Club, Paige said, “The wedding was a dream, and went off without a hitch. We lucked out with breezy, perfect weather in the 70s. Family and friends traveled from near and as far away as Germany, Italy and England.”

There was a lot of dancing at this fun wedding, with guests on the dance floor even before food was served. Paige and Sean took some ballroom dancing lessons to make sure they could dance to every song, including their first dance song, “Beyond” by Leon Bridges. Another special moment came when Sean’s father, Tony, sang Jimmy Roselli’s “When Your Old Wedding Ring Was New” to his wife, Astrid. Everyone danced well into the night until Paige and Sean left surrounded by a sparkler sendoff in a 1957 Cadillac. 

The couple honeymooned in Saint Lucia at the Sugar Beach resorts located in the valley of the two Piton mountains, enjoying a week of sunshine, snorkeling, and sunsets. One of their favorite days was spent going to the one active volcano on the island and bathing in the sulphur springs before going for a swim at a local waterfall. 

Venue: Lakewood Ranch Country Club | Photographer: Everence Photography | Band: Phase5 | Flowers: Beneva Flowers | Cake: Hometown Desserts |Ceiling Draping: Affairs in the Air | Linens: Linens by the Sea | Chairs/Chargers: US Tent Rental | Makeup: Brides by Kelly Anne | Hair: Beauty by Krystal | Wedding Dress Boutique: Malindy Elene | Wedding Dress: Martina Liana | Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse | Bridesmaid Dresses: Watters