The Couple – Patrick Guilliod and Dr. Renesha Guilliod
Renesha is currently a Pediatric Hospitalist at Baylor Scott & White – Lake Pointe in Rowlett, Texas and Patrick currently works for the Hilton Corporate offices as a Data Analyst in Research Operations. She attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman as an undergraduate and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology while also taking Pre-Medicine courses. She then went on to Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN for medical school and completed a one-year internship and two-year residency training at Orlando Health in Orlando, FL. Patrick attended and completed his undergraduate degree at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK where he attended on an athletic scholarship in Tennis.
The Beginning of Something Wonderful
Patrick and Renesha originally met in Garland, TX in 2001 while they both were in high school. Patrick’s mother and Renesha’s father worked together for many year’s for the City of Dallas and Renesha later became the babysitter for Patrick’s younger sister during a summer break but little did they know their paths would eventually cross again 10 years later.
In August 2013, during the last year of Renesha’s residency training in Orlando, FL she decided to do a rotation at UT Southwestern in Dallas to be closer to her family. During that month, the two were reacquainted over dinner and a movie and shared and immediate connection. After Renesha returned to Orlando she and Patrick decided they wanted to “see where the relationship would go” and spent the next 10 months in a long distance relationship. After Renesha’s residency graduation in June 2014, she moved closer to Patrick and started her career in Waco. Being closer in proximity helped their relationship blossom and after about two years of dating, she and Patrick got engaged on November 1, 2015.
The Proposal
Patrick proposed to Renesha after they returned to Orlando for a mini-vacation. The moment was a blur for both of them, but Renesha does recall that they had gone out for the evening to celebrate with some of her former resident friends and that Patrick seemed to be nervous about a joke made that evening about there not being a ring on her finger but she couldn’t figure out why he was so nervous and tense. After returning to their hotel room, she stepped out of the room briefly and when she returned she found Patrick on bended knee with the most amazing aquamarine and diamond ring in hand. She doesn’t remember what he said, but she know’s that at the end of it she said “yes”.
Our Wedding Day
Cherished Memories – Moments within the day for Renesha were foggy and she doesn’t remember her walk down the aisle because she was so nervous about falling but the things she does remember are moments she will cherish, which was spending time with her bridesmaids prior to the ceremony and she doesn’t think she’ll ever forget the expressions of her mother and grandmother when they saw her getting ready in the bridal suite. Renesha says she’ll remember the look on her father’s face when he saw her for the first time in her wedding gown and she will cherish and never forget seeing Patrick’s face as she was handed to him by her father and how he looked at her and at her dress and looked into her eyes and told her she was “absolutely beautiful”.
The Bridal Party – Framica McCollough (Matron of Honor), Amber Simpson (Maid of Honor), Jessica McGough (Bridesmaid), Dr. Brandi Wright (Bridesmaid), Dr. Rochelle Wilson (Bridesmaid), Dr. Stephanie Pearson (Bridesmaid), Dante Guilliod (Best Man), Herve Guilliod (Groomsman), David Perry (Groomsman), Dr. Vincent Olorunnisomo (Groomsman’and Preston Olorunnisomo (Groomsman)
The Theme – When Renesha was 28 years old, she went on vacation with her parents to England. During one of their outings, they went to a castle that housed exotic animals. One of the animals that she saw there was a peacock. She distinctly remembers watching the male peacock walking around calmly with his royal blue body and feathers laid down over his back. She recalls thinking how beautiful the blue was and how it matched the blue that she considered to be her favorite color. “Nothing compared to seeing this animal after he spread and lifted all of his feathers” She was completely blown away and the beauty of watching that moment stopped every tourist in their tracks. “Every person there just stood watching this animal walk … literally …. just walking. It was at that moment that she fell in love with the peacock. After she got engaged, she realized that she had an opportunity to incorporate the peacock theme with the colors using the royal blue, plum and teal into her wedding decor.
The Wedding Day Meal – Renesha recalls that for breakfast she had 3 bites of a sausage biscuit from McDonald’s and for lunch she ordered a Turkey and Lettuce sandwich from Jimmy John’s which shed didn’t eat due to her nerves. By the time the wedding dinner was served she was much calmer and was able to eat the pre-entree salad and main course of chicken and salmon with seasoned rice. Not much of a drinker, alcohol particularly wine tends to make her groggy and tired so she skipped having any alcohol but decided to have red and white wine on the guest tables for her guests to drink.
Customs and Traditions – Renesha’s uncle sang at her wedding as part of tradition. He sang at her mother and father’s wedding and two of her older cousins weddings so she decided to carry on the tradition.
Advice to Brides-to-Be
“I started early with everything. Several people told me to relax after the engagement happened but I didn’t listen. I started my planning early and I think doing so helped me to be calmer near the end because I had so much going on at the that time. I recall everyone asking me the month prior if I was “freaking out’, and I wasn’t …. everything was already done. I was able to get massages and relax prior to the wedding. I was also blessed to have enthusiastic vendors surrounding me who also had great ideas and were very helpful. I would suggest finding a bridesmaid or maid of honor or head hostess that is AMAZING at planning or loves to come up with ideas regarding dresses, shoes, decor, etc. I had the most amazing maid of honor and head hostess that helped me so much when I got stressed. I was able to delegate tasks to them and trust that they would help me to get it done. I strongly recommend doing the planning with someone, it makes things more fun and releases the tension of getting it all done yourself.
I don’t think I would do anything too differently regarding the planning. I had a pretty clear idea of what I wanted and I kept to that theme throughout. I started early because once I knew the date, I knew I was going to have to find and start a new job and move from Waco to Dallas before the wedding. I will say that if you’re fickle or change your mind frequently (or even if you aren’t), it may be best to use a Pinterest board or Planning Binder to keep your information together. There’s nothing worse than having an idea and buying things just to change your mind later on. My biggest regret is that we didn’t invite all of the people that we wanted to due to not wanting to go over our maximum guest count. I would suggest inviting everyone you feel strongly for and that you stand up for yourself a little if your family or the Groom’s family starts inviting people that are not likely to come or that aren’t close to you or the Groom.
The Wedding Pros
Her Attire: A-line Oleg Cassini gown from David’s Bridal with a veil that matched the gown perfectly, teardrop earrings and matching necklace from Swarovski and pearl Badgley Mischka heels with crystal appliqué shoes.
His Attire: A classic black tux with a blue pocket square from Men’s Warehouse
Bakery – DallasAffaires Cake Company
DJ – Toast Entertainment
Floral & Decor – Sydnee Event Productions
Planner – Sydnee Event Productions
Photographer – Susan Gilbert Photography
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