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A Chic Tropical Wedding on the Shores of St. Lucia

A Chic Tropical Wedding on the Shores of St. Lucia

Sculptural florals, Caribbean breezes, and an intimate celebration wrapped in island light

Bathed in the golden glow of the Caribbean sun, Rebecca & Ruben’s wedding in St. Lucia unfolded at a private villa perched above turquoise waters – an intimate paradise that felt worlds away from everything but joy. The moment guests stepped onto the lush grounds, they were wrapped in a setting where tropical beauty met effortless luxury: towering palms, crystalline views, and a villa that seemed to float between sea and sky. The event design embraced the island’s natural magic, layering modern elegance with organic textures – think creamy linens dancing in the breeze, and sculptural white florals with subtle tropical notes. Every detail felt intentional yet relaxed, capturing that perfect balance of destination romance and elevated design. Rebecca’s bridal look was the epitome of island-glamour-meets-modern-chic: soft, sunlit fabrics, a silhouette made for movement, and a glow that only St. Lucia’s light can give.

A Chic Tropical Wedding on the Shores of St. Lucia

Our Love Story

^{The Day We Met}

We first met in the summer of 2014, when I started a new job at a PR agency in Washington, D.C., and Ruben was assigned to train me on my very first day. There was an instant chemistry and connection between us, although we spent years as strictly colleagues. It was not until a holiday party in early 2018, when Ruben finally confessed his longtime crush—with a bit of liquid courage while standing on a couch at The Blind Barber in New York City—that we allowed the timing to shift. Not long after, I accepted a job in Miami, and without hesitation, he moved to Florida with me. It felt like the universe had finally caught us up to where our hearts already were.

^{The Proposal}

On my thirtieth birthday, we traveled to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Ruben proposed with the Teton Mountains stretching behind us. It was a quietly powerful moment, layered with emotion and meaning. We both felt the presence of our late parents in ways that were impossible to ignore: our Airbnb was on Michael Drive—my father’s name—and a friend’s phone briefly displayed Ruben’s mother’s full name, Sandra Marinbach, just before he proposed. Those signs felt like blessings, as if they were there with us, gently guiding us into our next chapter. The mountains, the stillness, and the feeling of being held by something greater made that moment unforgettable. It was simple, sacred, and perfectly us.

^{The Engagement Ring}

My engagement ring carries deep personal meaning. The center diamond belonged to Ruben’s late mother, and he designed the ring with my father-in-law, who has spent decades working in the Diamond District in New York. The emerald-cut stone is set between three delicate bands on each side, accented with smaller diamonds that represent lineage, memory, and continuity. It feels like a piece that honors where we come from and what we are building together—a quiet reminder of love that bridges families and time.

Our Wedding

^{The Vision}

Our vision was to create a wedding that felt deeply personal, grounded in meaning, and reflective of our story. We wanted a celebration that honored both joy and the winding path that brought us here, holding space for lineage, loss, and new beginnings. Rather than focusing on trends or spectacle, we leaned into intention: a private villa, natural textures, organic florals, and design choices that allowed the Caribbean landscape, light, and emotion to take center stage.

We wanted every moment to feel intimate and cinematic—less like an event and more like an experience shared with the people who have shaped us most. We envisioned the celebration as a multi-day experience rather than a single event, giving our guests time to arrive slowly into the setting, share unhurried moments together, and feel immersed in the rhythm of the island. We were intentional about choosing a private villa so we could collaborate directly with local vendors and create a celebration shaped by place, community, and meaning rather than convention.

^{Our Team of Vendors}

We were intentional about building a team that understood both the spirit of the island and the emotional depth of our day. We worked with a planner based in St. Lucia who knew every corner of the island and had longstanding relationships with local vendors, allowing us to source talent rooted in the community and honor the place that hosted us. We also partnered with a stateside planner who helped refine the creative direction and bring our vision to life with seamless logistics and thoughtful design support.

Our photographer had a cinematic eye and a sensitivity to light, mood, and emotion that felt perfectly aligned with the way we wanted the day to be remembered. He captured quiet moments, movement, and energy with a level of intimacy that made us feel as if we had known him forever. For florals, we chose an ethereal palette of ivory, muted greens, and soft plum tones, incorporating Bells of Ireland, anthurium, orchids, and football mums in a style that felt both organic and refined. I carried classic calla lilies, while my bridesmaids held loose, sculptural arrangements that echoed the landscape. And our music? Truly unforgettable. Our DJ created an atmosphere that carried us late into the night and then onto a catamaran after-party on the ocean—speakers booming, friends dancing under the stars. It was pure joy.

A Chic Tropical Wedding on the Shores of St. Lucia

^{The Location}

With our families spread across the globe, we knew we wanted a destination that felt intimate, transportive, and deeply meaningful. We were drawn to St. Lucia for its spirit as much as its beauty—a place where the landscape feels grounding and transcendent at the same time. Soufrière held a magnetic pull the moment we discovered it: the Pitons rising from the sea, the lush stillness, the sense of sacredness in the land. Choosing a private villa allowed us to create an experience rather than an event, where time could move slowly and our closest people could be fully present with us.

La Belle Hélène, our private villa, felt like a hidden world of its own—tucked between mountains and sea, with architecture carrying a quiet old-world romance while remaining authentically rooted in the Caribbean. It offered privacy, calm, and a connection to local culture that aligned with our values. We did not realize it at the time, but standing beneath the Pitons as we exchanged vows echoed the energy of our engagement in the Tetons—another moment held by mountains. That synchronicity felt like a blessing. It is a landscape we feel deeply connected to and one we will carry with us always.

^{The Ceremony}

Our ceremony unfolded in the late afternoon, beneath two mahogany trees with views of the Pitons and ocean. The golden light felt still, as if the island itself paused with us. I expected nerves, yet standing there felt peaceful and inevitable, like our story had been quietly leading to this moment. We kept the setting minimal to honor the landscape—a simple white chuppah of organic textures and our floral palette, hand fans and parasols for guests, and nature doing the rest. The ocean, breeze, and mountains created a sacred quiet. My brother walked me down the aisle, a deeply meaningful gesture after all our family has endured together.

I wore a cathedral-length Romanian lace veil chosen with my mother, honoring our heritage. We shared vows that reflected both light and shadow, acknowledging the challenges that deepened our love. The ceremony included traditional Jewish rituals—the signing of the marriage documents and breaking of the glass—as reminders of life’s beauty and fragility. Music added a personal touch, with a live string quartet playing modern songs meaningful to us. Guests arrived by catamaran, a gentle transition into the space. Reaching the aisle and seeing Ruben, time seemed to pause. Surrounded by warmth, tears, and quiet presence, the ceremony felt intentional, emotional, and profoundly grateful for the journey that led us there.

^{The Cocktail Hour}

Rather than a traditional cocktail hour, we wanted our guests to begin the celebration on the water. After arriving by catamaran along the coast of St. Lucia, they were greeted with our signature cocktails and invited to freshen up and settle into the villa before the ceremony. The sail created a sense of transition and anticipation, allowing everyone to take in the coastline and feel the energy of the island before stepping into the ceremony space. It felt less like moving from one event to the next and more like being carried gently into the heart of the day. Beginning and ending the celebration on the water created a narrative thread that felt symbolic and deeply true to us.

A Chic Tropical Wedding on the Shores of St. Lucia

^{The Reception}

Our reception was designed to feel like an intimate dinner party shared with our closest people. We set one long table under the villa’s terrace, surrounded by lush greenery and the sound of the ocean in the distance. The palette leaned warm and organic, with soft tapered candles, seasonal fruits, and natural textures layered among understated florals. Custom menus and handwritten notes for each guest made the table feel personal and deeply intentional—a space shaped by gratitude and connection. The culinary experience was soulful and centered around local ingredients, celebrating the flavors and traditions of St. Lucia with a menu that felt generous, heartfelt, and deeply tied to place.

Dinner unfolded slowly, with local ingredients and thoughtful courses that encouraged conversation and presence. Heartfelt toasts brought both laughter and tears, grounding the evening in emotion and shared history. As night settled in, the atmosphere shifted from candlelit warmth to joyful celebration. We changed into our second looks, cut the cake, and returned to the dance floor surrounded by our closest people. The energy was exuberant and full, and later we continued the celebration on a catamaran beneath the stars, dancing together on the water.

^{The Special Touches}

We wove thoughtful, personal details throughout the celebration, chosen with intention rather than decoration. Guests received welcome bags and custom scarves, and our menus echoed a favorite London restaurant—a quiet nod to a place that shaped our story. My veil and the lace beneath our cake table, sourced in Romania with my mother, honored my heritage and the women in my family. Symbolism appeared in understated ways: ceramic blue-cat salt and pepper shakers paid tribute to Ruben’s late mother, and our DJ included a meaningful moment for my late father. During dinner, Ruben, his father, my mother, and I danced to “Forever Young,” a song significant to both families. These gestures blended seamlessly into the night, subtle markers of love, memory, and gratitude that honored our families and the journey that brought us there.

^{Our Favorite Moment}

There were so many moments we treasure, but one of the most meaningful was the quiet swim Ruben and I shared the morning of our wedding day at our villa before everything began. It grounded us and reminded us that, at the heart of everything, it was simply about choosing each other. That morning, friends at a nearby hotel sent us a photo of a rainbow outside their window. It felt like a beautiful, almost whispered sign that the day was blessed from the start. Standing with my brother before walking down the aisle is a memory I will hold forever. The second our arms linked, time slowed. It held years of resilience, tenderness, and the quiet strength of arriving at that moment together.

Seeing Ruben beneath the mahogany trees, the mountains behind him and the ocean to our side, as we both read our handwritten vows to one another, was a feeling beyond description. Everything softened. It felt like coming home. And at the end of the ceremony, without thinking, I slipped off my heels and walked barefoot into the evening. It was unscripted and simple, a tiny gesture that felt symbolic of the day—grounded, present, free, and deeply real. Although the ceremony holds our most intimate memories, one unforgettable moment from the weekend was the speedboat ride to our rehearsal dinner at Sugar Beach. Two boats racing along the coastline with our family and closest friends—music playing, wind in our hair, the Pitons beside us. It felt dreamlike and surreal—the perfect contrast to the stillness and reverence of the day that followed.

Our Style

^{The Bridal Looks}

For the ceremony, I wore the Anastasia gown by Kim Kassas Couture. From countless dresses, this one felt instantly mine. Its corseted bodice and dramatic overskirt balanced delicate lace and embroidery, reflecting my style—textural, romantic, modern, and timeless. We added a white lining and a single drop pearl on the corset, a quiet nod to the ocean, which has always been a part of my life. The gown felt ethereal and strong, harmonizing with both the villa and the landscape. My cathedral-length Romanian lace veil, chosen with my mother in Bucharest, carried my heritage and honored the women in my family. For the reception, I removed the overskirt and corset to reveal sheer embroidered lace that caught the candlelight, shifting from ceremony reverence to playful celebration.

Later, I changed into a green Cult Gaia Issey mini dress. Its color symbolized renewal and joy, and the water-droplet beading subtly referenced the sea. Modern, sculptural, and cinematic, it was perfect for boarding the catamaran under the stars. Jewelry was minimal, letting the gowns shine; our wedding bands are engraved with a moon, a personal symbol. Shoes, makeup, and hair were timeless, with soft waves and a green silk headscarf to echo the after-party look. Every detail prioritized emotion, texture, and meaning over trend or tradition.

^{The Groom Looks}

Ruben wore a bespoke black tuxedo from Zohreh Uomo, a made-to-measure menswear atelier in Manhattan. The fit, fabric, and craftsmanship felt classic and refined, striking the balance between formality and ease. Paired with Ferragamo loafers, his look felt timeless and elegant, yet relaxed enough to feel like himself in an intimate setting. We wanted his style to reflect the same intention as the day itself: understated, sophisticated, and personal. For the reception, he changed into an ivory dinner jacket with a shawl lapel—a subtle shift that marked the transition from ceremony reverence into celebration. It brought a quiet, timeless elegance and photographed beautifully in the candlelight and warm island air.

^{Our Bridesmaids’ Looks}

The morning of the wedding, my bridal party wore Baobab sets—lightweight, elevated, and perfectly suited to the island. More intentional than matching pajamas, they felt relaxed and photographed beautifully. For the ceremony and reception, the bridesmaids wore blue silk slip dresses by By Malina with matching gloves and scarves—refined, modern, and subtly romantic—while our bridesman wore an ivory linen suit that complemented the tones and maintained understated elegance. Hair and makeup were natural, letting everyone look like themselves. Their bouquets—Bells of Ireland, anthurium, orchids, and muted greens—tied the group to the surroundings. The goal was quiet elegance, movement, and harmony with the landscape, and seeing it all come together felt seamless.

^{Our Groomsmen’s Looks}

Our groomsmen wore classic black tuxedos, creating a cohesive and timeless look that paired beautifully with the formality of Ruben’s bespoke tux and the elegance of the setting. The choice felt intentional and understated, allowing the natural surroundings and emotional energy of the day to shine while still maintaining a sense of occasion. The overall effect was polished, modern, and effortless—sophisticated without feeling overly styled, and perfectly in harmony with the atmosphere of the celebration.

Our Advice

^{For the Planning Process}

Get really clear on what matters to you both before you start making decisions. Ask yourself how you want the day to feel, not just how you want it to look. When you anchor in feeling, it becomes much easier to tune out outside noise, trends, and everyone else’s vision of what a wedding “should” be. The most special decisions we made came from within—guided by feeling rather than trends or expectations. Build a team you trust, especially if you are getting married somewhere remote, and then give yourself permission to actually experience the day instead of managing it. Protect little pockets of time for just the two of you. Treat the day with intention, stay present, and let imperfection be part of the beauty. It goes by in a blur, but when you move with presence and purpose, it stretches in all the right places.

^{For On The Day}

Let yourself actually be in it. The planning is done. Trust your team and resist the urge to manage or oversee. Your only job is to experience the day as it unfolds. Give yourself small grounding moments: eat, drink water, take a breath outside, and connect with your partner before things begin if you can. Those little pauses keep you calm and present. Move slowly when possible. Look at the faces of the people who came for you. Take in the light, the setting, and the way your partner looks at you. The quiet in-between moments are the ones that stay with you. Find a moment alone together at some point in the day. Even five minutes away from the crowd will anchor everything and give you a memory that is just yours. Do not chase perfection. The magic is in the reality of the day, not in controlling it.

^{For Post-Wedding}

Take a moment to breathe and process. Weddings are full of emotion, connection, and anticipation, and it’s normal to feel calm, excited, and nostalgic all at once. Spend time together naturally, revisit favorite moments, and let this new chapter settle in. There’s no right timeline—see the wedding not as an ending but as a beginning, letting its energy and closeness carry into everyday life. Our relationship has been shaped by real-life challenges—loss, uncertainty, and stretching moments. Choosing each other through them deepened our commitment. Love isn’t about ease; it’s about showing up, staying present, and holding on together. Our wedding celebrated resilience as much as romance. Hard chapters don’t diminish the day—they enrich it, making it grounded, real, and even more beautiful.