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Home · Weddings

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren

College sweethearts Anaya and Darren got married young and in a hurry. Convinced that his wife deserved the wedding of her dreams, Darren proposed again on their fifth anniversary, and this time, they tied the knot in a romantic ceremony in Antigua.
By Charli Penn · Updated October 28, 2020
01
Like I’ve Known You Forever

“The moment we laughed together I knew he was the one,” admits Anaya. “I don’t laugh and he made me laugh. He just had an easy way about him that oozed confidence and peace. There was almost an instant comfort with him, almost as if I had known him forever.”

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
02
The Ultimate Search

“Because I didn’t love the gown from my first wedding, I searched high and low for ‘the dress’ this time,” Anaya recalls. “I visited a total of 27 dress salons in Atlanta but still wasn’t satisfied. On a whim, I went into a shop and found it – a gown by Sophia Tolli.”

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
03
Happy Feet

Anaya wore these pretty Allure heels for the big day. Her birdcage veil was made by her dress alterer and she tracked down her jewelry at a local boutique.

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
04
A Beautiful Day

Celebrity hair stylist Derek J. (of Real Housewives of Atlanta fame) was on hand to help the bride look her most beautiful on her wedding day.

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
05
A Love Like No Other

“I just knew that I loved him and I wanted him to be with me for the rest of my life,” says Anaya. “He was so beautifully different from me and I almost couldn’t even comprehend that he actually wanted a woman like me.”

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
06
Fabulousity

“I didn’t decide on my hairstyle,” says Anaya. “Derek has been doing my hair for a year and I trusted Derek to do what Derek does best. I just knew it would be fabulous, and it was.”

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
07
With This Ring

With these rings, Anaya and Darren renewed their commitment to each other and celebrated their marital success so far.

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
08
The Right Choice

“Darren and I chose Antigua because we wanted something different,” says Anaya. “We had done the church venue the first time. We wanted something so spectacular and memorable that we could always remember our day as a truly unique moment in our lives.”

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
09
True Inspiration

“We just loved the resort’s gallery images online,” says Anaya. “I wanted to make sure that the photographer would have plenty of inspiration to work with.”

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
10
Suit Up

Handsome groom Darren, who took Anaya’s breath away from the start, chose the perfect suit for a tropical affair, keeping both the colors and the fabric light and airy.

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
11
All In Fun

Anaya had a little fun with her traditional bridal requirements. “My something old was my husband, my something new was my dress, my something borrowed was an embroidered handkerchief and my something blue was my garter,” she explains.

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
12
When I First Saw You

“I knew she was the one when I first laid eyes on her,” says Darren. “She wasn’t stuck up, too fancy or overdone. She was just herself and that’s what attracted me so much. I had never seen anyone so beautiful without any makeup on.”

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
13
All About Us

“For our first wedding, we just tried to have a ceremony that permitted everyone to participate and share in our love while sticking to budget, and we had 400 guests,” says Anaya who was determined to change things this time around. “I learned that doing it that way was not necessarily the best thing because we didn’t get to see everyone. So, this time, we chose a destination wedding to enmesh our guests and ourselves with all the special details that showcase who we truly are now.”

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
14
It’s A “We” Thing

“I love her consideration,” admits Darren. “There has never been a time when she hasn’t included me. Anaya is truly about us.”

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
15
A Time for Teamwork

“The ceremony symbolized not only a renewal of our love, but a chance to do all the things we couldn’t the first time,” says Anaya, who teamed up with Virginia-based wedding planner and florist Tanya Wilbon of The Event Group International. “Hire a planner! They are trained to deal with all of the craziness.”

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
16
The Bride Is Coming

Beaming bride Anaya came down the aisle alone to the sound of Musiq Soulchild’s “So Beautiful.” “No one walked me down the aisle this time,” she tells us. “For me, it symbolized him taking just me and all that that entails.”

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
17
Better Than a Dream

“To be in Antigua with the one woman of my dreams, to celebrate our love, made me feel like the most honorable man on earth,” Darren says. “It was more than I could ever dream of.”

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
18
From My Heart to Yours

“Writing our own vows was major for us this time,” says Anaya. “It made us accountable to what we would continue to do for the rest of our lives. It’s not just saying what the preacher tells you to say; it’s committing your mind to commit your heart to someone.”

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
19
We Unite

Anaya and Darren used color-coded sand to represent each other for their unity ceremony.

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
20
Like Family

“Our officiant was absolutely wonderful,” says Anaya, who recieved a little help from her planner in selecting him. “It was as if he knew us.”

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
21
Sent From Heaven

“I knew that I would be married someday,” says Darren. “But, I never thought I’d meet the woman of my dreams when I did. I was not the most mature at the time, and I wasn’t ready for marriage. Even though I don’t think I was prepared, God knew exactly what I needed and sent an angel, Anaya, my way.”

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
22
Worth More than Gold

“I felt so treasured and cared for,” says Anaya. “My sweetie did everything in his power to move the earth for me and make my dreams come true.”

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
23
Dinner Is Served

The newlyweds and their guests dined at an estate table beneath pretty, paper lanterns. The table was decorated with lush arrangements of roses, peonies, berries, hydrangeas and ranunculus.

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
24
The Celebration Continues

After their romantic oceanfront ceremony, Anaya and Darren’s guests traveled with them to another lovely section of the resort property for an intimate reception dinner beneath the stars.

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
25
Groom’s Choice

During dinner, guests enjoyed the sounds of an acoustic guitar and steel drum band. (Darren’s favorite!)

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
26
Picture Perfect Couple

When the live performances ended, Anaya and Darren were spotted sneaking in sweet kisses and sharing romantic stares as they sat in the center of paradise listening to smooth jazz classics. Can you feel the love, ya’ll? We sure can!

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
27
Smile for the Cameras

The loving couple and their cherished guests were grinning all night long. For anyone who knows them well, the magic and significance of the moment was cyrstal clear. Let’s hear it one more time for Mr. and Mrs. Bryson!

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
28
There’s Nothing Sweeter Than Love

They chose a beach-themed cupcake cake made with their favorite flavors. “We had a traditional cake the first time and we wanted to do something fun and easy to manage this time around.”

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
29
A Moment for Two

“We didn’t do a first dance this time around,” says Anaya. “We wanted to spend time with family and friends during our small reception.” But, when the night was over, Mr. and Mrs. Bryson were closer than close.

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
30
The Big Exit

Anaya and Darren recieved a warm and spectacular send off from their friends and famiy. Frameworhty? We sure say so!

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
31
Still Smiling

On the morning after their heartfelt vow renewals, Anaya and Darren explored the majestic property for a post-wedding love shoot. (Brilliant idea, by the way.)

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
32
Run to You

Anaya and Darren’s tropical vow renewal was one to be remembered. Tell us your favorite details below and leave the happy couple a little comment love. Want to see your wedding featured on Bridal Bliss? Email us now.

Bridal Bliss: Anaya and Darren
Keith Cephus Photography
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