Sections

A Glamorous Destination Wedding in the Bahamas

Updated Dec 07, 2013

After a surprise proposal on the sunny island of St. Maarten, Rose Perrone and Marcel Bernardou vowed to marry in a similarly tropical clime. “I was on vacation with my family, and I had absolutely no idea what Marcel was planning,” explains Rose. “All of the sudden, I looked up, and he was standing on the beach!” Rose and Marcel already knew a traditional church wedding wasn’t their cup of tea, so a destination wedding in the Bahamas seemed like the natural choice. However, Rose didn’t have a typical beach wedding in mind: “I didn’t want to be barefoot in the sand. I wanted an elegant and sophisticated wedding away.” Enter Paradise Island, a spectacular spot for a chic, all-white wedding.

Rose and Marcel were thrilled to have 120 loved ones in attendance, and the couple pledged to pamper and entertain their guests from beginning to end. Upon arriving for their destination wedding in the Bahamas, guests were treated to welcome kits stuffed with tasty treats (like potato chips and chocolate bars) as well as a detailed wedding itinerary. On the big day, each and every guest was picked up by limousine and escorted to the One and Only Ocean Club, where the scene was set for an unforgettable ceremony. The resort’s picturesque grounds—featuring 12th-century arches and a Versailles-inspired garden—made a perfect backdrop for Rose and Marcel’s “I dos”. While waiting for Rose to arrive, guests beat the sweltering heat by sipping on chilled champagne and lemonade. “It was so hot that day that my dress was scratching my legs as I walked down the aisle,” Rose laughs. It turns out Marcel, who was wearing a dark suit for the ceremony, was suffering from the heat, too. “He told me afterwards that he felt like he was going to faint,” says Rose.

Following a red-hot ceremony, there was an equally sizzling reception in store for Rose and Marcel’s guests. After a quick change—Rose traded her lace gown for a light, flowing dress—the newlyweds joined their friends and family at the nearby Atlantis Hotel to celebrate in style. In keeping with the sleek white and crystal theme, a grand tent with white drapery and a massive chandelier was set up outside to serve as party central for the evening. Sparkly silver trees and bunches of beautiful white flowers (roses, orchids and calla lilies) topped all the tables. “Of all the details at our destination wedding in the Bahamas, the flowers were my favourite,” Rose recalls. “Our florists really went the extra mile. They even flew in from Toronto with fresh flowers to ensure everything was exactly as I imagined.”

Italian food was served and guests mingled while sampling from various tasting stations, including a pasta station and a salad station, but the most popular stop of all was the candy buffet. “The candy disappeared in record time,” Rose chuckles, “I didn’t even get to have any!” The jazz band was another memorable touch. “They were just phenomenal,” Rose recalls. “At the end of the night, none of us wanted them to stop playing!” Wrapping things up on a fun note, Rose and Marcel and their best friends jumped into the pool fully clothed. “It was such a great ending to the day. I felt such a sense of relief at the time, but after the fact I was worried I had ruined my dress,” recounts Rose. “Thankfully, after being dry cleaned it was good as new. In fact, my sister is wearing it for her upcoming wedding. It’s the dress that keeps on giving!”

Rose Perrone and Marcel Bernardou, May 21, 2011, Paradise Island, Bahamas.

Photography courtesy of Mango Studios (www.mangostudios.com).

Vendors
Ceremony location: One and Only Ocean Club Reception location: Atlantis Hotel
Wedding planner: Bahamas Bridal Affairs and Wildflowers Bahamas Dress: Manuel Mota and David Fielden from Studio Sposa Groom's tux: Armani from Harry Rosen
Bridal party attire: Priscilla of Boston
Hair: Lisa Calomino Makeup: Lisa Calomino Music: Falcon Cake: Swiss Pastry Shop
Caterer: Atlantis Hotel
Flowers: Gatto Florist Stationery: Paper Princess Others: Shoes by Gucci and Christian Louboutin