On September 8, 2022, on the secluded beach of Pau Pau Bay in Eleuthera, Bahamas, William had secretly prepared a message in a bottle hidden in the sand. During what was to be a short walk along the beach, he acted just as surprised as Danielle to find the glass bottle. Danielle opened the scroll within to find a handwritten letter. She became suspicious as she read William’s heartfelt words out loud. Then in absolute shock, she dropped the letter only to find William already on one knee, presenting her with the dream diamond ring she had designed with her father long ago. Beneath an arch made of driftwood, Danielle fell to her knees, accepting William’s proposal and his promise of forever. The platinum engagement ring features a custom-cut elongated diamond with two tapered baguettes on either side finished off with small round diamonds going down the sides of the ring. While it is a one-of-a-kind ring, it is still timeless with the familiarity of a classic three-stone look.
One year later, in a celebration that resonated with timeless beauty and personal touches, the bride and groom embarked on their journey to forever love. Every detail of the wedding was meticulously planned. The wedding planner, Shannon Sloan, worked behind the scenes to ensure every detail fell seamlessly into place. The bride got ready at JW Marriott Water Street while the groom spent the morning on the Caddyshack Yacht (yes, the one shot in the movie) docked at the Tampa Convention Center Marina. The bride’s view of the water from the hotel suite perfectly placed her husband-to-be within her view. The groom’s morning started with a cold plunge courtesy of IceBurg Cold Plunge in Saint Petersburg, FL who set up a mobile ice bath for the groom and Best Man on the bow of the yacht. The bride’s morning began much more calmly with being pampered by Olivia Poppy Salon, owned by her high school best friend, Callie Barber.
The bride’s ensemble was carefully curated. With a background in the fashion industry (having worked at Vanity Fair Magazine before coming to work with her family at DD), styling a picture-perfect look was important to her. Her wedding band was a signature DD Buttercup emerald-cut eternity band, which brought out the elongated look of the center stone of her engagement ring. Her gown, by designer Eva Lendel, dawned a glittering intricate leaf design. Earrings by Jye’s International, a convertible three-tier dangle design, provided versatility that seamlessly transitioned from the ceremony to the reception. Complementing these were a double-wrap DD Flexi Collection diamond bangle and a leaf motif ring that harmonized with her wedding dress’s intricate embroidery. The look was finished off with a blusher veil and Manolo Blahnik heels. The mother of the bride,
in a diamond necklace from Jye, harmoniously matched with the bride’s earrings. The groom too, was adorned with exceptional pieces. He had not one, but two wedding bands, one in yellow gold for the ceremony, and another custom-made by Simon G, adorned with diamonds, a gift from the bride. Unconventional yet sophisticated, he donned a diamond and pearl pin instead of the typical floral boutonniere. It was a striking accessory that symbolized his unique style. The ceremony took place at Saint Mary our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, a haven of spirituality amidst the downtown bustle of St. Pete. The bride’s old principal from Saint Petersburg Catholic High School, Father John Serio, traveled from New York to officiate. It was important to the bride and groom to have their union blessed by someone who knew them, their family, and their friends. The reception, a vision of elegance, unfolded at Oxford Exchange in downtown Tampa. With the groom coming from a family who loves to cook, the couple wanted to treat their guests to a delicious meal. They knew the best way to impress everyone’s tastebuds was to have their reception at one of the best Tampa Bay restaurants. The team at Oxford Exchange certainly delivered. The guests were raving about the steak’s tenderness, the sea bass’ flakiness, and the salad’s creative ingredients. The cocktails were also mixed to perfection and topped off with custom ice cubes featuring the bride and groom’s initials.
The floral arrangements, an integral part of any wedding, were a work of art boasting orchids and roses in custom-dyed hues that perfectly complemented the day’s palette. The florals were also featured on the three-tier cake, which was served with a cake cutter set exquisitely made and engraved by Diamonds Direct. In honor of the bride’s Cuban heritage, guests were served a whipped buttercream almond cake with homemade guava curd. After the cake and a few heartfelt speeches, guests enjoyed coffee, cocktails, and cigars while dancing through the night.
This wedding was not merely a celebration; it was an homage to love, artistry, and lifelong bonds. It reminded us that when every detail is thoughtfully chosen, a wedding becomes a work of heart, an expression of love that lingers in our hearts forever.
29 • DIAMONDS DIRECT
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