The Wedding Story of... Alaina & Eric Milton

WORTH THE WAIT

When Alaina Borden and Eric Milton eventually reacquainted in 2003, the chemistry between them was undeniable. Both from Griffith, Indiana, they had known of each other for years, so neither found this surprising. Alaina recalls, “We were six years apart in school, but we knew each other through mutual friends. I actually was extremely close with his sister, but I always knew I liked him!”

In no time, the couple began their official relationship, marking the beginning of a seven-year commitment to one another. Long by some standards, Alaina began to wonder if she and Eric would ever take the next step. “After about five
or six years I didn’t think it was going to happen. I just kept waiting and waiting…”

For many people, the Christmas season is a time for watchful waiting, celebration, love, and, yes, gifts, and Alaina’s biggest Christmas gift in 2008 came as she unassumingly laid her head down to sleep. “Eric was acting very funny and was very nervous,” Alaina remembers. “I was trying to sleep and he seemed super stressed.” Finally after summoning the courage just past midnight, Eric nestled into bed and said, “I have a present for you, but really, it is a gift for me.” No stocking or wrapping paper required, this beautiful, glimmering ring attached to an unexpected proposal was the perfect Christmas Day surprise for Alaina.

As the couple began planning their big day, they first considered location.  Although Griffith was their home, the pair enjoyed vacationing with family in the Mexican Caribbean at the five-star Iberostar Resort in Playa del Carmen. Alaina raves, “The beach is beautiful, there is a jungle in the middle of the resort, and the staff is friendly!” After taking several trips there together, this tropical paradise took on special meaning for Alaina and Eric, and the blend of leisure and luxury made the Iberostar an easy choice for their destination wedding.  Alaina notes, “I wanted my extended family and friends to share in that, too.”

As the couple communicated their wedding needs from 1,400 miles away, translating English into Spanish was at times somewhat difficult, but for the most part, the planning progressed relatively smoothly despite the distance. Getting her luggage to Playa del Carmen proved to be a bit more challenging. Alaina wisely chose to pack her most important items, including the wedding rings, in her carry-on luggage, and as for her gown, she personally escorted it down the aisle of the plane and kept it close during the flight. As expected, the gown arrived in Mexico without a wrinkle, but it was an incredibly inconvenient surprise to discover that her checked baggage did not make it on the plane. Besides the wedding dress, Alaina recalls, “I only had one change of clothes and a bathing suit!”

Despite a minimal wardrobe, Alaina had all she needed for the perfect wedding: a white sand beach bathed in turquoise blue water, her closest friends and family, and her loving groom. On a picturesque day in paradise, May 22, 2010 to be exact, Alaina and Eric intimately exchanged vows at 5 PM on Playacar Beach.   

Wanting to share the occasion with those who couldn’t make the trip to the tropics, the newlyweds chose Fiesta Palace in Merrillville, Indiana to celebrate stateside. Returning shortly after their wedding day, the couple planned a festive, “paradise-inspired,” experience for all 180 guests on June 5th, appropriately dishing out Mexican food and gallons of margaritas.