Bridal Bliss: Rhudy and Christina's Island Wedding Was Simply Beautiful

Bride: Christina Rene Hardy, 33, Live Events and Experiential, ESSENCE
Groom: Rhudy Anibal Correa, 32, Music and Talent, VEVO
The Big Day: September 29, 2017 Location: La Romana — Dominican Republic, Casa de Campo’s Altos de Chavon and Casa de Campo, Private Villa
Style/Theme: Simple and chic with a hint of glamour

For their big day in the Dominican Republic, the bride and groom had 92 of their friends and family there to witness their union. 

“I felt calm and centered,” said Christina of being a bride. “It was a dream come true.”

“My father,” said the bride of who had the honor of walking her down the aisle on her big day. ‘It was the happiest time of his life.”

“He’s a man in every sense of the word. He is an extremely protective son, father and now husband,” said the bride of her groom. “He’s so ambitious and driven. He’s also very sensitive and extremely affectionate: the man loves every hair, scar, and imperfection on my body. He’s caring, considerate and giving: my happiness means the world to him. And he likes to have fun! We have so much fun with our friends and family; we love to travel and we want to see the world.”

The bride only had one word to describe what it felt like to be with her groom at the altar on their wedding day: “calm.”

“I felt at peace,” said Rhudy of being with Christina at the altar. “I was so nervous up until that moment and so when we locked eyes it was like nothing else mattered, just us two. I let out this big smile.”

“I can go on and on about her. Strong, passionate, articulate, caring, nurturing — truly all of the things you would want in a woman. She pushes me to be a better version of myself every day. And she loves to laugh and have fun! Her sense of humor is awesome.”

Christina and Rhudy were definitely surrounded by a lot of love.

“Honestly, when I first saw him,” said Christina of when she knew Rhudy was the one. “I’ve had very serious relationships in my life – but with this one: there was no questioning, no doubt, no pausing to ‘figure it out’ and no denying that this was special and meant to be in a way. We just fit perfectly — from our industries and career goals; to our family, friends and life goals; he was the missing piece to a puzzle I’d been praying to solve for a long time. We couldn’t leave each other side after our first date. And my feelings and when I first witnessed him with his then six-year-old son. “

“We wanted to keep it simple and chic — four tiers, all white with a hint of greenery. The cake was a traditional Dominican cake. It was amazing!”

We are definitely obsessed with the bride and groom’s after-party reception looks.

“Honestly, it was the furthest thing from my mind,” said the groom of finding true love when he did. “I was just so focused, excited and humbled by my new job, that a relationship was never even a thought at that moment. But when the blessings are rolling…all you can do is receive and be thankful to GOD for them. Aside from the birth of my son, Christina is by far the best thing that has happened to me.”

Christina and Rhudy opted not to have a traditional bridal party but their guests were simply picture perfect.

“I had faith that I always would,” said the bride on if she thought she’d ever find true love. “I’ve had the ‘fairytale’ in my mind as far back as I can remember. But…it just didn’t seem to fall in place when I thought it would. I absolutely didn’t think it was going to happen when it did and how it did. But it was a testament to putting the pen down, and allowing God to write your story.”