Timothy Derryberry’s proposal to Rose Mary McDuff was equal parts game-show suspense and Love Boat romance.

Timothy and Rose Mary had been dating for awhile when he took her on a luxurious eight-day cruise. On the last night of the trip, during the pre-dinner show, the cruise director announced that Rose Mary had won the champagne raffle drawing. When she stepped onstage to collect her prize, the cruise director gave her a choice: Take the champagne, or take a risk and select what lay behind the curtain. A fearless and fun-loving Rose Mary chose the curtain. “The cruise director had me close my eyes, and Tim came up onstage,” she recalls. “When I opened them, he was holding the mike. He proposed to me on stage in front of the entire audience. It was beautiful.”

After setting a wedding date nine months away, Rose Mary relied on wedding consultant Lindsey Smith, of For Your Memories, to help with the arrangements. Rose Mary and Timothy exchanged vows in a formal ceremony at John Wesley United Methodist Church in Houston, where they were accompanied by five attendants each, three flower girls and a ring bearer. Rose Mary wore a gown from Brickhouse Bridal of The Woodlands, and Alina Christine of Hilda Kershman did the bride’s hair and makeup. Rose Mary completed her bridal ensemble with a beautiful bouquet by Dream Bouquet. Avalon Music arranged a string quartet and trumpeter for the ceremony, along with a pianist to greet arriving guests. Ashley K Photography documented the big day.

The lavish reception at Northgate Country Club featured music by The Works, an open bar and a sumptuous buffet of prime rib, seafood and pasta, followed by a cake from Edible Designs by Jessie. The Linen House, Over the Top Linens and Ta-Dah Events & Creative Services brought their collective design touch to the club’s beautiful ballroom.

The new Mrs. Derryberry couldn’t be more pleased with her wedding and encourages other brides not to sweat the small stuff. She reminds them: “As long as you, your fiancé and the officiant show up, it’s going to be a beautiful wedding.”