Real Wedding: Shonna & Harris, Bahamas

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The Background…

Both Shonna and Harris grew up on the North Shore of Long Island. Shonna, an actress, attended Marymount Manhattan College and Harris studied at Stony Brook University and NYU Law School. He works in private equity and is also an attorney.

The Meeting…

The newly-weds were best friends during high school. Their friendship turned to romance when Shonna was a senior and Harris was in college.

The Proposal…

When she was sixteen, Shonna and her friends would visit Harris at Carvel Ice Cream, where he worked, so Shonna could flirt with him. Nine years later, Harris brought Shonna to a Carvel in Manhattan to offer his proposal. When he asked her if she wanted an ice cream cake, Shonna, clueless, wouldn’t even get off the phone with her friend. Harris finally said, “Hang up the phone and pick out a cake!” Shonna picked out a chocolate cake, but Harris had other plans. “What about one with writing on it?” He asked. “I don’t want a cake with writing on it. It looks like a sample cake,” Shonna said. Finally, the bride-to-be realized the cake said: Shonna, Will You Marry Me? Harris pulled the ring from his pocket as the Carvel employees snapped photographs. Of course Shonna said, “Yes!”

 

Wedding Destination…

A Caribbean wedding was the perfect choice for the New Yorkers. “We really wanted to trap everyone on an island for a long weekend…weddings that last one night go by way too fast!” Shonna said. “We wanted to make the experience last as long as possible.” After three planning trips to the Bahamas, the couple decided to wed at Atlantis, Paradise Island. In addition to the destination’s beauty, the short plane ride from New York and the resort’s luxurious accommodations made the trip convenient for the couple’s two- hundred guests.

And the Bride wore…

This fashionista attended all of her events in style. She wore Yigal Azrouel to the rehearsal dinner and Matthew Williamson to the brunch. For the ceremony, Shonna was a picture of elegance and grace in a Monique Lhuillier gown. The cap sleeved, wide V-neck dress mixed vintage lace with a modern Swarovski Crystal belt.

The Groom sported…

At the ceremony, Harris awaited his bride in a stylish Valentino tuxedo.

Bridal Party…

Matron of Honour: Stacy Sklar

Maid of Honour: Dani Levitan

Bridesmaids: Jamie Moskowitz, Jennifer Wainstein, Allison Ginsberg, Jennifer Ludmar, Sarah Drew, Lisa Rukavina, Margo Berkman, and Ashley Hampton (junior bridesmaid).

Best Man: Alan Clark

Groomsmen: Bryan Drew, Daniel Wainstein, Andy Nash, Jason Miller, Michael Glykas, Carlo Seitz, Steven Cummings, Brandon Clark, Max Sklar

The Feast…

The phrase “eat, drink, and be merry” was taken literally during this December wedding weekend. The wedding party and guests attended a beach barbeque for the rehearsal dinner and feasted on hamburgers, hot dogs, steak, chicken, French fries, and corn on the cob. Before the ceremony, guests mingled at the wedding cocktail hour where they enjoyed a variety of delicacies at the carving station and sushi bar, in addition to pasta, lamb chops, and assorted cheeses. At the reception, Atlantis’ catering team served a salad appetizer, filet mignon, and sesame encrusted halibut. A five-tier red velvet cake followed for desert.

The Wedding Theme…

Although the wedding itself was not themed—more “destination traditional”—the black tie event was garden-inspired. Greek statues, unusual flowers, and a trellis served as decorations for the ceremony, which was held in the courtyard outside of Atlantis’ Imperial Ballroom, rather than on the beach.

Unique Wedding Features…

The bride and groom presented their guests with unique gifts that were both thoughtful and practical. Upon arrival, each guest received a beach bag containing a white pashmina scarf for the females (in case it got chilly on the beach), a photo album of the bride and groom with pictures of each of the two-hundred guests, “love” savers, and other snacks.

The Honeymoon…

As if a Caribbean wedding didn’t satisfy this couple’s thirst for exotic adventure, the newly-weds traveled to Thailand for their honeymoon. The couple stayed at The Four Seasons in Chiang Mai and The Amanpuri in Phuket.

Advice from the heart: a parting word from the bride…

“Enjoy the process—it can be really fun,” Shonna said. She also advises that couples hire an amazing photographer. “Splurge if you have to—it’s worth it!” she said. When the wedding is over, pictures are the best way to reflect. “It helped relieve stress knowing we had amazing photographers ready to capture every moment.”

Congratulations Shonna and Harris!