Photo: Weston Wells1/45We asked Happy Menocal to capture the old-school feel of Lyford Cay and the vibrance of the Bahamas while keeping things playful and whimsical. We love the final result, and it really set the tone for the weekend.
Photo: Weston Wells2/45Adrian’s family has a house in Lyford Cay, where they have been going since the mid-’80s. It is also where we first started dating, so it’s a very special place for us as a couple.
Photo: Allaire Bartel / Don Stahl Studio3/45Adrian designed my engagement ring with our dear friend Daria de Koning.
Photo: Weston Wells4/45We had our rehearsal dinner on Thursday evening for 75 guests before the festivities began.
Photo: Weston Wells5/45Johanna Ortiz designed a custom two-piece linen outfit for our rehearsal dinner.
Photo: Weston Wells6/45On Friday we hosted a welcome party for all 200 guests at Adrian’s parents house, Far Niente.
Photo: Weston Wells7/45Excited for our guests to arrive!
Photo: Weston Wells8/45Just before sunset, my father-in-law Ron welcomed our guests with a touching speech on the terrace. At the conclusion of his toast the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band cascaded down the stairs and surprised guests with a performance.
Photo: Allaire Bartel / Don Stahl Studio9/45Our guests taking in the performance.
Photo: Weston Wells10/45The police band marched around the pool before leading guests into dinner in the garden.
Photo: Weston Wells11/45I wore a Carolina Herrera gown from the Spring 2019 collectsion. When I saw it, just two months before the wedding, I fell completely in love and with some help was able to convince Wes Gordon to make it for me in just under a month! (Thank you Wes!)
Photo: Weston Wells12/45During our wedding weekend, every meal took place outside on the grass underneath the stars and palm trees, because in our opinion it simply doesn’t get any better than that!
Photo: Allaire Bartel / Don Stahl Studio13/45I cherish those little moments when Adrian and I could steal away together to pause and take it all in.
Photo: Allaire Bartel / Don Stahl Studio14/45I don’t think either of us stopped moving once!
Photo: Don Stahl15/45It is incredibly special having your favorite people all together in one place.
Photo: Allaire Bartel / Don Stahl Studio16/45We decided to cut our wedding cake on Friday, because we wanted to serve our favorite dessert on our wedding night (Bahamian rum cake with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce!). In the interest of an authentic Bahamian experience, we favored local bands, foods, drinks, florals, et cetera, complimented by a few of our favorite things as a couple.
Photo: Weston Wells17/45We chose a coconut cake with coconut frosting. It was easier to cut than I’m letting on!
Photo: Don Stahl18/45After cutting the cake, we did an impromptu conga line around the pool with sparklers.
Photo: Allaire Bartel / Don Stahl Studio19/45The evening was illuminated mostly by candlelight, and we placed submergible LED lights on the floor of the pool which created a beautiful starry effect.
Photo: Don Stahl20/45Dawn on our wedding day . . .
Photo: Allaire Bartel / Don Stahl Studio21/45. . . followed by a spectacular sunrise over the ocean.
Photo: Don Stahl22/45Alexa Rodulfo did my hair and makeup for Friday and Saturday. The most important thing to me was looking and feeling like myself. I trusted Alexa completely, and she kept me laughing all weekend long!
Photo: Weston Wells23/45Adrian had a Ralph Lauren Purple Label blue linen suit made for our wedding day. I can’t get over how handsome he looks!
Photo: Weston Wells24/45We were married in the Church of Saint Christopher just before sunset on November 10, 2018.
Photo: Don Stahl25/45Our guests taking in the ceremony.
Photo: Don Stahl26/45Sharing this moment with our closest friends and family was more special than I could have imagined.
Photo: Weston Wells27/45Our first kiss as husband and wife!
Photo: Weston Wells28/45We had a wonderful local gospel choir that performed before, during, and after our ceremony. Our recessional was “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” by Jackie Wilson.
Photo: Weston Wells29/45Just married!
Photo: Don Stahl30/45I had a small bouquet of freesia, stephanotis, and orchids.
Photo: Don Stahl31/45We drove away from the church at sunset in a 1960 Autobianchi Bianchina Eden Roc, which we borrowed from a friend.
Photo: Don Stahl32/45As we drove away, the Royal Bahamas Police Band surrounded the church for an encore performance.
Photo: Weston Wells33/45We scheduled the weekend largely around sunset light and golden hour.
Photo: Weston Wells34/45Parked outside the Lyford Cay Main Club.
Photo: Weston Wells35/45We could not stop smiling!
Photo: Weston Wells36/45Our nieces and nephews made the sweetest flower girls and page boys in their matching Los Encajeros outfits and white Superga sneakers.
Photo: Don Stahl37/45My Carolina Herrera wedding dress made me feel comfortable and effortless, which was much harder to find than I expected!
Photo: Allaire Bartel / Don Stahl Studio38/45Guests walked along a torchlit path to dinner, where we had two long tables bathed in candlelight with paper lanterns hung over the dining area. We placed 24 bottles of Clase Azul Reposado tequila along the tables, along with shot glasses, limes, and salt.
Photo: Allaire Bartel / Don Stahl Studio39/45We served a five-course dinner under the palm trees, starting with popovers! Our menus were designed by Mulberry & Elm.
Photo: Allaire Bartel / Don Stahl Studio40/45Dinner with my husband.
Photo: Allaire Bartel / Don Stahl Studio41/45A moment in the middle.
Photo: Allaire Bartel / Don Stahl Studio42/45Following Adrian’s speech, a Junkanoo band surprised guests by marching between the tables and leading everyone into the Little Club Tent for dancing. A local artisan created Junkanoo headbands and headpieces for our guests, which added to the festivity of the evening.
Photo: Weston Wells43/45Our first dance—if you can call it that—was during the Junkanoo performance. I changed into an Amur suit and Alessandra Rich heart earrings. Adrian declined the opportunity for an outfit change.
Photo: Allaire Bartel / Don Stahl Studio44/45Our after-party followed in the Little Club Bar, where we had DJ Paul Reynolds from Ibiza. He kept our guests dancing until 4:00 a.m. The night ended for us on the beach watching the sunrise with a few close friends.
Photo: Weston Wells45/45A late-night kiss on the dance floor.
