I might have the absolute best thing ever to get you through the next few hours and off into your weekend. How does a trip to the Bahamas with theKaren Hill Photography sound? Like Heaven? It should, because it is. This wedding was stunning in that way that only a relaxing, yet totally awe-inspiring wedding can be. And the photos? Don’t even get me started.
From the photographer… We arrived the day of the wedding, it wasn’t what we had planned, but super storm Sandy had other plans. Hurricanes, like Sandy, reek havoc. Here in Nassau, the storm was settling down and as guests arrived to beautiful Lyford Cay Club, the sun was shinning. Laura and Kyle’s hope’s and prayers were answered. Family and friends gathered from near and far. Their wedding day was perfect.
Lyford Cay is the most beautiful little private club with a nostalgic, 1950’s meets modern charm that we loved photographing! Frank and I shot this wedding with a few cameras in both film and digital. Our cameras of choice were the Rollei, Hasselblad, the Contax 645 and the Canon Mark ll D5.
This affair is tropical in the most glamorous of ways. And that glamour is translated into a wedding that will make you want to grab your suitcase and hightail it for the wilds of The One and Only Ocean Club; I promise you that. All the palm trees and chandeliers, crystal clear waters and bright blooms by Wildflowers Events & Occasions, they all intermingle quite beautifully for what can only be described as Destination done so, so very right. And if the mere mention of the Bahamas isn’t enough to send you to the gallery stat, then the gorgeous light-filled images by Justin DeMutiis Photography will surely do the trick. See them all right here.
And topping things off is a film by Viola Cinematic that truly embodies the emotion and love behind all the beautiful details of this day. Have a look…
From the Bride…When Andrew and I first started dating, The Count of Monte Cristo was always on t.v. We fell in love with the movie because it’s a story that embraces so many themes… hope, love, justice, mercy and forgiveness. But above all else, it is an amazing love story – how neither one of them ever gives up on each other. No matter what. I also love the simple expression of their love – the yarn he ties around her ring finger, and how she wears it through the years. We also love the playful elements of pirates, treasure, and the masquerade balls! … Our ideal wedding has always been simple in the sense that we just want to be with the people that we truly love. We always dreamt of a destination wedding, and after Andrew went to the Ocean Club for the first time, we knew that it was the perfect place. My style is more vintage and romantic, while Andrew is more classic with a twist – he wants it to be classy and elegant, but not cliche. We are having the wedding outside, so we are imagining a lush, beautiful escape that is above all else relaxing.
To say I am obsessed with this too-good-for-words Harbour Island wedding by Jenelle Kappe Photography would be the understatement of the century. The bride, who also happens to be the co-founder of Cocotay, an amazing jewelry line out of NYC, put together an event brimming with history, heart, character + beach-perfect color. The couple’s wedding theme of “Black Tie and Barefoot” set the tone for a truly gorgeous, but laid-back fête, and believe me pretties, you’ll be spending some serious time in the full gallery!
From Jenelle Kappe Photography: Coco, the bride, is a jewelry designer – Cocotay. It is her and her twin sister that run the company. Hence the amazing jewelry that is seen throughout this wedding. Not to mention the Brass Invitation that was sent to everyone of the 100 guests. Coco had her jewelry manufacturer create them, so unique and amazing. Everything took place on the pink sands of Harbour Island, delightfully and magically put together by Ben Simmons, from Little Island Design. Coco (the bride), Ben (the event planner) and Coco’s father (Bruce), they worked countless hours together to create the ultimate, intimate black tie and barefoot wedding for their 100 close friends and family. Coco’s family has vacationed at Harbour Island since 1952, making it more of a second home.
From the bride: For us, weddings are about two people uniting in one journey, celebrating intimately with friends and family at a destination that not only is one of meaning, but one of beauty. What more could a bride ask for? As a young girl I wandered down these pink sand beaches, dreaming of grand adventures. Never imaging, in my wildest dreams, that I would begin the biggest adventure of my life on this very same beach. We fell in love at the White House and vacationed on these pink sands. For us there was no better place to celebrate our love for each other.
As the wedding weekend rush began, the pouring rain served as a wonderful spiritual cleansing of our past lives. The rehearsal dinner danced in candle lights and smashing stories unfolding into the night as we burst with laughter and tears. Sharing both in memories of our past island days and of when my grandparents first arrived on the island at Pink Sands Resort in 1952 in this very same dining room. Rising only to a glorious and calm weathered day, giving us peace and reflection as we spent our morning floating upon aqua waters. It was the perfect beginning to what is our new adventure, love. We all dressed for Black Tie & Barefoot, (celebrating both the glamour and island life in us both) and rose to the occasion with laughter, disco balls and tears, making it memorable and special, not only to us but to our guests. Upon our everlasting commitment to one another, we celebrated dancing to Junkanoo Bahamian Music, sipping mojitos and wandering down our new path together, as husband and wife.
Lounging aside rippling waters, a bonefire, friends & moonlight, I thought to myself “this is what magic is made of, pure magic.” As friends whispered, “I am having the time of my life” Ryan and I glanced at each other, souls entangled, knowing the time of our lives was just beginning. There are no words that describe the intimate, simple and smashing wedding that we shared not only with each other, but with the most incredible family and friends one could ask for, and in a place we consider home – Harbour Island.
It really doesn’t get better than a Caribbean wedding! The warm breezes, festive music, rum and late night soirees by the beach really can’t be topped. And this next wedding is certainly no exception and judging from the description by the bride, it must have been one heck of a celebration! Robin Roemer Photography snapped up all the pretty and there’s a whole lot more to see right here in the full gallery!
From the Bride… I got married on April 14th, 2012, and it was the wedding of my dreams. My husband Ryan and I got married in Grand Bahamas Island in the Bahamas at the Pelican Bay Hotel. We chose the Bahamas my family is from the island of Grenada and I always wanted a Caribbean wedding. Because my husband’s family is from Iowa, I wanted an accessible Caribbean island. So we settled on the Bahamas. We hosted 115 guests who came from Iowa, New York and Grenada. We had our ceremony on the beach, and it was absolutely beautiful. Since the hotel was on the bay, a ferry transported our guests to a private beach for the ceremony. There was not a cloud in the sky and it was 75 degrees. Ryan’s brother, Matt, conducted the ceremony and my father, Anthony, sang “Edelweiss” from The Sound of Music with a violinist. He used to sing that song for me growing up, so it was very touching.
After the ceremony, we had cocktail hour at the pool of our hotel. Steel drummers performed, and cocktails featuring liquor from where Ryan and I are from were served — whiskey from Iowa and rum from Grenada. At the reception, we shocked our guests by inviting a Bahamian Junkanoo band to come play. Junkanoo involves festive brass and drum musicians dressed in carnival attire. They ambushed the party and cranked the it way up! My aunt made my wedding cake as well. I was so honored. Our reception went until 2 in the morning! Almost every one of my guests told us it was one of the best wedding they have ever been to. It was also the best day of my life.
If ever there was an easy, breezy Bahamas wedding, this my friends, is it. It’s the perfect mix of shabby chic and rustic goodness all tied up with some fabulous florals and a super cute shoe check on the beach. If you’re planning a beach wedding, you don’t wanna miss any of these details! Sara & Rocky Photography captured the gorgeous day perfectly and there’s so much more pretty happening right now in the full gallery.
From Sara & Rocky Photography… Suzanne and Zac were wed on May 5 on Harbour Island in the Bahamas. The island is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen with its pink sand and aquamarine water — there are no cars, just golf carts, and you can only get there by boat. Suzanne, Zac, and their families are some of the most wonderful, gracious people we have ever met. There was a rehearsal dinner Friday night, along with the Junkanoo band (as you can see … it’s a Bahamaian tradition!), along with the wedding on Saturday. The wedding was at St. John’s Anglican Church, and the reception was on Pink Sands Beach. Their wedding was on the night of the fullest moon of the year.
The minute I laid eyes on this next wedding, I was done. Absolutely, completely, madly in love done. And although pretty seaside celebrations tend to always have a hint of the beautiful, I have to say, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen one quite as lovely. The laidback but beautiful bride, the delicate but stunning approach to styling. And the twinkle lights. Set high above the pretty table. Oye. It’s beauty defined captured to absolutely perfection by Style Art Life. Click here to see even more.
From Twah of Style Art Life… When Jen and Pete initially planned their wedding, they envisioned an intimate affair in a secluded location with their closest family and friends, numbering a total of 15. Jen, an exec at Victoria Secret, had at her disposal all the locations of the best beaches that have ever been photographed for the lingerie catalog. Harbour Island, a quaint, colonial three-mile-long island nestled in the Bahamas, was the one place that her heart kept going back to. Harbour Island is best described as a transplanted Nantucket with the most unforgettable white sand beaches. It’s a place where golf carts are the means of transportation and where time stands still.
As for the event design and coordination, Jen hired the talented team of Little Island Design to conjure up a concept of French provincial simplicity infused with a kick of panache brought by way of tropical seaside. At the entrance of the reception site (created by rows of lanterns) sat a “shoe check” stand for guests to take their shoes off, implying the kind of atmosphere Jen and Pete wanted to have for the evening — one of relaxed fun. Little Island Designs customized everything to the vision of the bride, from building a rustic wood plank bar to staining the dinner table to a sea-washed gray as the bride had envisioned. The tones of the burlap pillows that decorated the lounge chairs echoed the jute linen napkins on the table wrapped with twine. This wedding was filled with custom details, such as beautiful white-washed metal lanterns juxtaposed with wooden lanterns, rustic scroll etched table chargers, Edison bulbs and even a custom-built tented water closet right on the beach.
Because of the island’s beauty, Jen did not want the celebration to be encased under a tent. Ben, the owner of Little Island Designs, came up with a uncovered framed concept that still allowed for a French-style chandelier to hang overhead, creating the illusion of a tent yet still exposed to the beautiful sea around them. Conch is Harbour Island’s claim to fame, not only for their abundance but as a delicacy. It was only natural to use conch shells as the border to create the aisle for the bride and groom. The signing of the marriage papers were done on a country white wood table. Pashmina shawls were provided in baskets for guests to stay warm with as the evening temperatures dropped. The wedding date was also planned around the fullness of the moon. Jen has always been obsessed with the beautiful moonlit sky, which cast a magical ambiance over the latter part of the celebration. The evening ended with a big bonfire, where guests danced the night away under the moonlit sky.
If your Monday morning is feeling a bit dull, this beauty of a wedding in the Bahamas by Stop Motion Productions will be sure to brighten it up a bit. A beautiful blending of cultures and styles with fabulous pops of coral and turquoise, the DIY bride made sure every details was covered. And how fun is their Moroccan style low table reception? It’s all sure to brighten up your morning, and you can head on over to the full gallery of images for even more!
From the Bride…Scott and I got married in the balmy Bahamas on June 25th and I’d like to share with you some of the snapshots of our special day. Having grown up in completely different parts of the world, we had a hard time picking a place for the wedding. Should it be in Pittsburgh where he is from, or Singapore where I grew up? We ended up picking the island of Nassau because if there’s one thing we had in common, it was that our families and friends loved to have a good time.
We had a Hindu ceremony on the beach with the color scheme of turquoise, cream and silver. Being a DIY Bride, as well as a bit of a control freak, I spent many hours on the little touches. I used blue wine bottle labels to adorn the cover page of our ceremony programs. I then scanned those in and use the graphic to make smaller tags on a number of things including the buri fans we handed out to our guests. I had help from the hotel (Sheraton Nassau) and my family to make the garlands, and the traditional cloth that was used to adorn my walk down the aisle with my brothers. Overall, it was a small traditional wedding but it was just the way we imagined it to be – with smiles all around.
For the reception, our color scheme was coral and cream with gold accents. This color scheme played out in our selection of bridal party garments as well as decor. As you will see, we went with a Moroccan style low table setting, but played out the same colors. I made butterfly place cards (on the glasses) – I had seen them on Etsy but did not have any budget left to order them so I made them on my own. We had our cake topper made by mudcards on Etsy, and she did a terrific job bringing our hobbies to life through them – Scott is a musician outside of his job, and I am a photography nut in my spare time.
Say hello to a whole lot of gorgeous and goodbye to those mid-week blues, SMPers, because this charming Bahamas affair by Lyndah Wells Photography is just the pick me up we needed (and more) this lovely Wednesday morning. All planned by Marva Munroe, this sophisticated meets beach chic soiree is boasting a vibrant red color palette, fabulous stylings by Chic Weddings Bahamas and one insanely gorgeous hair piece (swoon). There isn’t a single detail that I don’t absolutely adore, so I’ll be in the gallery soaking in all of the pretty. Join me there for even more!
From Lyndah Wells Photography… Michelle & Roy wanted a destination wedding far from their native New Jersey residence. They chose Island of Grand Bahama, in The Bahamas for their destination wedding and flew down with 70 guests. Their wedding date, February 19th 2011, fell just after Valentine’s day which made it perfect to carry along the theme of love. 50 red roses filled the bridal bouquet whilst rose petals dotted the aisle & seat ends of the beach ceremony & reception venue.
On a perfectly sun-filled day, a barefoot Michelle said “I do” to Roy on the pristine white sands of Spanish Main beach and while the guests returned to the reception venue on a ferry, they couple travelled back in style in a limousine. After the first dance, the speeches and dinner, all the guest were thrilled with an amazingly vibrant performance from a local Junkanoo group. Playing drums, horns & dancing. They experienced a TRUE TRUE Bahamian tradition!
Sometimes (ok, all the time) I crave travel to a tropical location like other people crave chocolate. It’s one of the (many) reasons I LOVE the Destination blog. It’s my daily dose of destination goodness, and keeps my cravings at bay a bit. So I can promise you that this Bahama beauty by Ben Jamieson Photography is where my imagination will be for the rest of the day. With its beach meets traditional meets gorgeous vibe, it makes for a gallery of images worthy of your best destination day-dreaming.
From the Bride…Lyford Cay in the Bahamas is a very special place not only to my family, but also to Mac and me. It was there in the sea that Mac proposed on New Years Eve day 2009 as we waited to go snorkeling with my three brothers. I had my goggles and flippers in hand making my way toward Mac. As I drew closer, he knelt on one knee in the water until he was chest-deep, and then he pulled an opened ring box from the pocket of his board shorts. I cried and laughed at the same time.There was no doubt in either of our minds that The Lyford Cay Club would be the location for our July 2, 2011 nuptials. My grandparents had lived there since 1960, and it became a second home to my family; in fact, my brothers and I were all christened at the Church of St. Christopher’s. As a little girl, I remember sitting in church counting the number of pews and people that could fit into each pew. This would dictate the maximum number of guests who could attend my wedding – 98.
Since July in the Bahamas can be toasty and the ceremony took place in a unairconditioned church only “cooled” by paddle fans, we left straw fans with ribbon ties in the pews for the guests to use. Also, at the reception, rather than a guestbook, I found some really neat and unique “Well Wishes” tags with a starfish print on it which we asked our guests to write a “well wish” for the newly married couple. Alongside the tags, there was a Polaroid camera so the guests could take pictures of each other as they walked in. Ideally, Mac and I would then match up the pictures with the well wishes to create a sort of scrapbook (we have yet to get to that!).Naturally, our intention was to incorporate as much local influence as possible. Our color scheme reflected and included the natural landscape of our surroundings. We used green, white and silver accented by shells and flowers of the Bahamas. We encouraged everyone to enjoy the laid back Caribbean feel, while still offering them an elegant and traditional evening. We wanted to stray from the barefoot, beach wedding vibe and leave that for the after-party. We opted to use all local vendors: Ben Jamieson Photography, Wildflowers, Visage (band), and Anne Lever (cake). And, our menu boasted local catch of the day and conch prepared every which way. The real icing on the cake – pun intended – was a surprise appearance by a costumed Junkanoo band that Mac and I planned for all the guests. During Visage’s set break, we had a Junkanoo rush, which gave everyone a true feel for a Bahamian celebration. And then the band returned… There was not a single guest left dry from all the dancing!
Both our families were so instrumental in planning our wedding. We are incredibly appreciative of their constant love and support throughout the process. In addition to my mom, each of my brothers contributed by designing invitations, creating a “Save the Date” video and a wedding “highlight” video, planning a fishing trip, and shipping large packages to Nassau for me. A large contributor to the flawlessness of the evening, though, was The Lyford Cay Club. Not only is it a beautiful venue, but the food is also wonderful, and everyone involved was so helpful and accommodating. It was a perfect location for our wedding. Looking back on the evening, there is not one thing Mac and I would change. We are so grateful to all of our family and close friends who flew to Nassau to help us celebrate.
If you’re on the fence as to whether a destination fete is in the cards, well, we’re about to seriously sway the decision. Snapped by the fabulous Smitten Photography, this Bahamian number is about as beautiful as you can possibly get with a bride that is jaw droppingly gorg (and seriously has the best hair I’ve ever seen which is completely irrelevant) and a groom, NFL player Britton Colquitt, that is absolutely in love. Reason enough to share some serious eye candy with you guys here on SMP. Plus, it’s a wedding that gives proof to the idea that if you find yourself a crazy gorgeous backdrop, the rest will follow. Oh and a fun little tidbit before we set Pinterest on fire…the couple had a tiny guest list and opted to have their reception at a local restaurant in town. So romantic. So so intimate. Love that.
From the Bride…Britton and I are both Tennessee natives and are close to our southern roots but moved to Denver when Britton got a job punting for the Denver Broncos. We fell in love with the mountains of Colorado and spend much of our free time exploring the Rocky Mountain National Park. Britton popped the question there on a snowy rock on December 20th 2010. We quickly decided because of the football season, we would plan our wedding for March. Three months is a narrow window to see a girl’s dream come to fruition! Needless to say, there was much work to be done. Our vision of the perfect wedding combined Britton’s love of the islands and my dream of a traditional elegant wedding. We were amazed to find the jewel that is the One and Only Ocean Club on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. This venue combined our desire to have a sophisticated and unique island wedding with the charm of an exclusive plantation-style country club. We chose the Cloisters in the gardens of the resort for our ceremony. The beautiful ruins are definitely what sold us on this location because they are truly breath-taking and unmatchable. Next, I found a traditional wedding gown designed by Ramona Keveza at Ana Be’ in Denver and had a lace belt custom made by my seamstress to mirror a Monique Lhullieur design. Britton was referred to Astor and Black by a teammate when he asked around about a custom tailor to create a one of a kind linen suit.
We arrived in the Bahamas 4 days prior to the wedding and our guests also got a vacation out of the trip. Everyone had such a great time reuniting and unwinding on the beach the days leading up to the wedding. On the big day, my mom helped me get ready for the ceremony in a private bungalow onsite. It was such a relaxing experience to share with my mother the final moments before the wedding. My something borrowed and blue was a ring passed down to me that day by my mom. Our bridal party consisted of only us, we just felt like that was right for us. And much more romantic. We hired a local Bahamian bishop, Lester Cox, to perform the ceremony and could not have been more thrilled with the authentic island feel he brought to our day. To add to the authenticity of our Bahamian wedding, Francis Henry played Canon in D on the steel drum for the bride’s procession. Guests sipped on key lime pink lemonade as they arrived, and were graciously passed pink champagne after our announcement. With only 30 guests in attendance we decided to have a casual dinner reception dining on local fare in town.
In less than 100 days, with the help of many, Britton and I were able to plan and experience the best day of our life. Immeasurable thanks to Sharon Clark our photographer who documented the day and delivered the most amazing wedding photos we have ever seen! We still have to catch our breath when we look at them.
This Bahamas wedding looks like it just sashayed off the pages of a fairytale. It’s all white decor is beyond gorgeous and the bride’s dress? Yup. That’s none other than Oscar De La Renta and it’s pretty amazing if you ask me! And don’t even get me started on the chuppah, cascading with hundreds, maybe even thousands of white, fluffy flowers. I think I’ve died and gone to all-white-wedding heaven! James Christianson was there to capture all pretty, little details and there’s so much more in the full gallery!
From the Bride…Bill Fulghum (our creative director, if you will) and I worked tirelessly, pouring over every detail to make sure that the light fixtures would be perfect, locating a white dance floor, designing the chuppah, coordinating stationary. We were both incredibly detail oriented (maybe to a fault in my case).
Incents wafting as guests entered the garden; servers dressed in white glove attire stood in lines with trays of champagne as the guests entered; custom-made seat cushions softened the Philippe Starck ghost chairs we decided to use. At first I was worried that the design would be limited by what we were able to procure on the island; however, Michelle White, owner of Floral Arts, really came through and was able to supply us with every last element we wanted. She went to great lengths for us, whether shipping items from Miami, outright buying them for her company, she was really great to work with!
Every couple has those moments while planning their wedding when running off to a beautiful island and eloping sounds like a really good plan. Well, if you’re prone to these moments of fantasy you may not want to look at this Harbour Island elopement shot by Patrick Moyer. You just might find yourself with bags packed, your honey in one hand and a plane ticket in the other. There is something so special and romantic about the quiet, intimate moments captured here. Immerse yourself in the full gallery and get your destination on.
We’re not ready to head home just yet. Take one last magical journey with this super 8 film by Patrick Moyer.
From the Bride… I feel like I’ve been to the moon and back. After a cumbersome few months of trying to coordinate a small wedding at home, we decided to elope on the intimate Harbour Island – a very small Out Island in the Bahamas, complete with all the rustic charm frequently found with small island living. We stayed in the Cricket Pavilion on Hibiscus Hill…. designed & owned by India Hicks, the Pavilion was perfection. Just steps from a beach of pink sand and an ocean of turquoise with gentle breezes – it was bliss at every turn. Even an evening of heavy tropical rain was enjoyed on the porch, by candlelight, with a glass of wine and a little David Gray.
We married in a little pink church on Dunmore Street – the oldest church in all of the Bahamas – it was beyond words – beyond all expectations on every level. My husband amazed me and I am forever grateful for what we experienced. After a very intimate ceremony, he surprised me with an over-the-top dinner for two, back at the Pavilion. Unbeknownst to me, in the previous weeks, Kevin had been working with a small team to bring this evening to fruition. A two-piece Bahamian band heralded our arrival. The stairs were flanked with floating candles and covered with white rose petals and hundreds of white blooms and candles covered the porch and interior. I was beyond amazed and surprised – and many tears followed. Not one detail was missed – a British-trained private chef, a table draped in linen, printed menu cards and name cards, a first dance, and our private band played as we dined by candlelight on the porch. Just us. I would not have wanted it any other way… those moments were ours, and ours alone and I wouldn’t trade any of them for a windfall.
Making the decision to elope was bittersweet – saying our goodbyes to family friends the week prior to our departure was emotional, and the final call to my mother from the airport really tugged on my heartstrings. But ultimately, I feel that preparing for our marriage privately, and experiencing it exclusively, created an indescribable bond of conquering this milestone together. We truly had the best of both worlds – our elopement and then upon our return, we hosted a small dinner party which was another evening of magic all on its own. We were blessed with the company of those closest to us, a dozen or so toasts, and an evening of many smiles and happy tears.
The Super 8 film, in hindsight, was one of the best decisions… it told “our story” in such a unique way and we will cherish it always. And I cannot say enough kind words about Patrick Moyer and his wife Rachel. They were a true asset to our elopement and were just as much as a support system as they were our photographers. Pat & Rach arrived on Harbour Island as our photographers and left as friends. I have thought of them often since our return and wish they weren’t on the opposite coast!
Being in the industry myself, I did have a leg-up on the planning process but it doesn’t mean that it didn’t come without its stresses – we were planning this excursion with very little lead time. For what it is worth, I do have some advice for brides that are in the throes of the planning process:
Choose a celebration which really represents you as a couple – whether that means eloping our hosting 500 guests, it will make your experience more “real” for both of you.
Select wedding professionals whose work you not only love, but who you really enjoy as people – it will make all of your interactions so much easier, ESPECIALLY your photographer as they’re with you every step of the way the day of your wedding. Also select wedding professionals that you trust so that you can simply let them do their job, there is much value in “letting go” – your “team” will appreciate it and you will be relieved of much stress.
Discuss your priorities & make them your “big ticket items” – you can be really creative with the rest to stay within your budget.
Take any “road bumps” in stride & don’t take your eye off the ball – as much as everybody loves a fabulous party, the bottom line is that it’s about your union, not the “stuff” on the periphery.
Slow yourself down through the planning process and especially the day of your wedding – this event happens once and it’s gone in a blink – embrace every fleeting moment!
Wedding Photography & Film: Patrick Moyer / Accommodations: The Cricket Pavilion / Bouquet & Boutonniere: DIY, The Bride / Calligraphy: Betsy Dunlap / Post-Elopement Dinner Calligraphy: The Left Handed Calligrapher / Wedding Ceremony Location: St. John’s Anglican Church / Bride’s Dress: H&M / Bride’s Earrings: Chouettes / Elopement Announcement, Dinner Invite & Menus: Up Up Creative / Floral & Event Coordination: Prince Jay Jay Percentie of Dunmore (Princeofdunmore@gmail.com) / Bride’s Shoes: Nordstrom
Good morning SMP-ers! Today’s first wedding is quite possibly going to sky rocket to the most beloved SMP wedding of all time and we couldn’t be more excited to get things started. It’s a 2-parter so you might want to grab a cup of coffee and get nice and comfy for a morning of total Bahamian gorgeousness. So. We always love the work that Kristin Vining sends our way. Her photography generally leaves us totally inspired, totally in love, totally wedding crazy. But with this particular affair, held at the One & Only Club in the Bahamas, we have definitely hit the Kristin Vining motherload. Add to that a design that won’t quit by Weddings and the City, and well…beyond. Click here if you simply can’t wait to see part II!
I think the true testament of an incredible wedding is the feeling you get when you look back on the little moments throughout the day – the smiles that greeted you, the shared wishes, the joy of taking that first step down the aisle and that last second at the end of the night when you say goodbye to those you love and you realize that you wouldn’t change a thing. I still get butterflies remembering those moments and every time I think about it, I want to jump back in each memory. To me, it will always be perfect because it was truly a reflection of who we are.
Our first and easiest decision was our location — it is impossible not to fall head over heels in love with the gardens of the One & Only Ocean Club. Layer after layer, it feels like escaping into a whole new world. And once you reach the top of the gardens, the beautiful ruins of the Cloisters literally take your breath away. I had a chance to visit this enchanting place several times over the years and always tucked it away as my dream destination for a wedding. I shared this dream with my husband, Justin, and even though my parents weren’t thrilled about the idea of a destination wedding, my entire family fell for the charms of this incredible resort.
My dress was by Monique Lhuillier and I still get giddy thinking about it. Regardless of what kind of dress you wear, you want to feel incredible on your special day and I will never forget the moment of slipping on that dress, it felt timeless and classic. It is a moment I wish I could bottle. I wore Christian Louboutin shoes in midnight as my “something blue.” My something borrowed was a Judith Leiber clutch that belongs to my good friend Emmy Rossum and my something new was a pair of beautiful earrings from my new husband. I also carried my great grandmother’s handkerchief to represent something old. There were a few teary moments in the wedding and every time I looked down, I felt her there.
Our colors were midnight blue and fuchsia and we used gold as an accent color. Tied together it was the romance and whimsy that we aimed to capture. The bridesmaids wore midnight blue Lela Rose dresses in various styles and the groomsmen wore navy suits and ties by Brooks Brothers. I gave the bridesmaids their shoes as a gift (irresistible!) and the beautiful gold ball bracelets by J Crew. Henri Bendel is also one of my favorite retail escapes (second to Target!) and we had beach bags, luggage tags and travel accessories in HB.
We love the barefoot bliss of a beach wedding and this elegant affair by The Studio B Photography is no exception. The bride and groom, who live in New York, chose to head to Nassau for their laidback, but sophisticated destination wedding. You can see all the oceanside goodness right here.
Shannon and Jesse met their freshmen year of high school. They instantly became good friends, but it took four years for them to realize that they should be together.
Jesse and Shannon currently live in New York City, which is where Jesse executed his elaborate proposal. The two were about to have brunch with Jesse’s parents at The Boathouse in Central Park. After arriving early, Jesse suggested a quick boat ride before the meal. While rowing, he started talking about marriage and proposals and asking if he should he invite family and friends to be a part of it. Shannon told him that of course that would be amazing, but that would be extremely difficult since they live on all corners of the country. At that moment he turned the boat so it faced the bridge overlooking the water and standing on it were his parents, her parents and her two best friends from college! He had flown them all out to New York just for this moment. She looked over in surprise and he had pulled out the ring! He asked her to marry him and of course she said yes.
As native Floridians living in New York City, planning a wedding back home would basically be the same as planning a destination wedding, because most of it would have to be done from afar. The couple chose Nassau, Bahamas as the site of their destination wedding. Shannon had always envisioned a barefoot wedding on a beautiful private beach. The couple wanted a place that would be easy to travel to, but still give their guests the feeling of being somewhere far away. The Bahamas was the perfect destination because of gorgeous setting, the rich culture and the friendly people.
The morning of the wedding, Shannon woke up really early because she couldn’t sleep. All of the running around in the days preceding the wedding made it hard for her to relax and take it all in. Jesse must have been feeling the same way because he came over to the villa that her family was staying in and picked her up for a walk on the beach. It was early enough that the two of them had the beach all to themselves. They talked and laughed about all the things that were going to happen that day and that got all the jitters out. Once Jesse left, Shannon felt much calmer and completely ready to walk down the aisle.
Although the forecast called for cloudy skies and rain, the day was perfectly sunny and breezy. After walking down the orchid covered aisle, the pair exchanged vows on the private beach of the ultra-exclusive Lyford Cay Club. Immediately following the ceremony guests were treated to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while a local steel drum band provided some island sounds to sway to. Cuban cigars were available during the reception and several guests enjoyed them during breaks from dancing. Their island celebration was a big success! The couple plans on honeymooning in Europe later this year.
Vendors Credits: Ceremony Venue: the beach at Lyford Cay Club / Reception Venue: The Little Club at Lyford Cay Club / Photography: Rebecca & Matthew Enslein at The Studio B Photography / Planner and Florist: Natalie Appleyard, Wildflowers Bahamas / Cake: Anne Lever / Caterer: Philippe Sahnoune, Food & Beverage Director at Lyford Cay / Bride’s Dress: Reese by Maggie Sottero / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jim Hjelm Occaisions Style 5983 / Groom’s Attire: 3 piece charcoal grey suit at Makeyourownsuits.com / Groomsmen’s Attire: khaki linen suits from Makeyourownsuits.com / Stationery: all homemade! / DJ: Stephen Bain / Makeup Artist: Brynda Knowles / Hairstylist: Debbie Isaacs / Jewelry – Necklace, Earrings, Tiara, Veil: Jewelry from Dillards / Shoes: Bermuda by Sizzle
Who says fashion inspiration has to come from the runways in New York? With this next Fashion Week wedding, we’re heading to the land of sea and sun…the Bahamas. And we’re not so secretly wishing that we were there, celebrating with this super chic couple, sharing cocktails with their super chic friends. Photographed by Jake McBride for Christian Oth and designed by A. Dominick Events, we are all together obsessed. Click here to see more!
Fashion fabulous, right? The bridesmaids are rocking Pucci skirts paired with simple white tops and the bride…she’s all about the Monique Lhuillier. Here are a few more details…
Amory and Sean were married in the exclusive One and Only club on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. The couple added a lot of personality to the wedding by having traditional native dancers lead a procession from the ceremony to Cocktail hour. They also had a skull and cross-bone theme throughout their wedding, gave out white fedora’s during cocktail hour, and had champagne glasses on coasters with the guests name as their place cards. The couple then had a beautiful reception in a tent lined with fabric and chandeliers. Everything about this wedding was fun and chic all at the same time.All paper goods were done by Cheree Berry.
It’s all in the details. I admit, a bit cliche, but when it comes to a wedding, it’s so true. Chances are, most of your guests won’t remember the pretty flowers you placed in the bathroom or the flawless topiaries that covered up corners, the crisp linen napkins that are the perfect shade of green or the pattern on your cake that took weeks to design. What they will notice, however, is the big picture…the style. And most of the time, that style is the result of many, many beautiful details that you thoughtfully infuse into various elements throughout the entire affair.
My friends over at Wiley Valentine recently told me about this incredibly talented wedding coordinator, who really knows how to create details…lovely little anecdotes that when brought together, create a grand impression. Here are some pics from Oh How Charming event design studio that are sure to inspire!
Lisa, at Oh How Charming, is brilliant. She has been featured in all of the best magazines…Town & Country Weddings, Grace Ormond and InStyle to name a few. She has a truly beautiful perspective and I am sure that my girls over at Wiley Valentine are right…she’s sure to be the next big thing!
What are some of your favorite details? I would love for you to share your thoughts!
