The Background…
Dan attended Georgetown University for his undergraduate degree and UCLA for his graduate degree and Stacie attended University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, Minnesota for her undergraduate degree and Kansas University for her graduate degree. Stacie owns a Connecticut-based event and wedding planning business. Dan is an investment banker at Janney Montgomery Scott in New York City.
The Meeting…
Stacie and Dan met while vacationing at the same resort in the Turks and Caicos Islands. “It was an instant connection,” Stacie says. After dating long-distance for several years, Stacie moved from Chicago to New York to be near Dan.
The Proposal…
The couple had just settled into a new house in Greenwich and was preparing to go out to dinner one evening when Dan surprised Stacie by getting down on one knee and proposing. The pair spent the night celebrating at Valbella Restaurant in Greenwich.
Wedding Destination…
To pay homage to the start of their relationship, Stacie and Dan felt it was most fitting to marry on the beach. They chose St. Lucia because of the island’s gorgeous beaches and the numerous activities to keep guests occupied. They selected the Windjammer Landing Resort, which was breathtaking, practical in price and welcoming to large wedding parties.
And the Bride wore…
Because she wanted a fun, colorful look on her special day, Stacie wore a silk taffeta dress designed by Pronovias, a beautiful pair of Louboutin sandals and a hairpiece from Twigs & Honey. Her earrings came from her family jeweler in New York City.
The Groom sported…
Dan sported a Paul Stuart jacket and bowtie, custom-made red pants by Nantucket, Island Company flip-flops, and a needle-point belt that Stacie made herself.
Bridal Party…
Bridesmaids: Jodie Reiser, Sara Sellers, Isabella Shea (niece) Ring Bearers: Merrick Shea, Spencer Shea (nephews)
The Feast…
The reception feast featured all local fare from St. Lucia including delicacies such as chili-spiced salt and pepper squid, rum and herb marinated pork medallions and calypso chicken. The couple also created a sweets table filled with their favourite candies− complete with Charleston Chews, Hot Tamales, Laffy Taffy and candy necklaces. The cake was a chocolate ganache with a vanilla frosting. Stacie surprised Dan with a monkey decorated cake – his favourite animal.
Unique Wedding features…
Stacie and Dan planned their event together. They conducted extensive internet research before selecting the location and resort. They hired a wedding coordinator to ensure the day was perfect, which allowed them to spend more energy focusing on their guests.
“We wanted it to be unique and to feel like something that had never been done before, and that’s exactly what we achieved. St. Lucia provided an unbelievable backdrop for our ceremony and the resort was the perfect environment to celebrate and enjoy ourselves with our loved ones.”
Stacie and Dan created a photograph station for their guests at the reception. They hung wedding pictures of their parents, grandparents and siblings and set out cameras so that guests could snap pictures to capture special moments. The couple also catered to their guests by presenting them with beach bags in their hotel rooms− complete with sandals, sunscreen, local snacks, and itineraries.
The Honeymoon…
The couple stayed at Windjammer in St. Lucia for 10 days after the wedding in order to spend time with the guests that had made the long distance trip and to fully experience all that the island had to offer.
Advice from the heart: a parting word from the bride…
“It was difficult to let go of my Type-A personality traits and to trust that the day would be faultless, but Dan and I realized the little things didn’t really matter,” Stacie says. “It’s about celebrating one of the most significant days in your life with friends and family.”
Stacie encourages brides to pack early, so you do not arrive at your wedding destination and realize you forgot something important. The rest is all about enjoying the total experience. Stacie says, “My biggest advice is to smile, take the time to stop and smell your flowers, and celebrate all of your planning!”