After meeting on a romantic Poconos getaway, Ron and Tanya fell madly in love. Three years later he whisked her off to Jamaica for a sweet proposal on a deserted beach. On May 12, 2012, they became Mr. and Mrs. Noel in St. Lucia. Share their love.
“I wanted to explore all options before giving in since the Demetrios gown was the first one I had tried on,” says Tanya. “In the end, the Demetrios gown won.”
Tanya was a vision of beauty in this custom made couture birdcage veil. The style has become so popular with today’s brides, you hardly see more traditional looks anymore. It’s the perfect pick for a destination bride, looking for a no-fuss veil for her beach affair.
“My bouquet had green leaves, foliage, white anthurium lilies and white daises wrapped in burnt orange ribbon,” Tanya says.
In a surprise twist, Tanya chose to go for unique shoe selection for her beach wedding — footless sandals! She also wore earrings that were a replica of Princess Kate’s and a complementary bracelet.
Tanya chose orange for her bridesmaid gowns, but let them pick their own styles. The considerate bride felt they’d know best. Smart choice, Tanya!
Lovely bride Tanya took a quiet moment to reflect on the joy and gratitude she felt on the morning of her wedding day — a frame worthy portrait, for sure.
“We visited the island of St. Lucia one year before the wedding during the jazz festival,” says Tanya. “There we decided we like the idea of a small, quaint wedding with a few of our very close family and friends revisiting the island during the same time the next year during our wedding weekend.”
On the afternoon of their wedding Ron chose to make a dramatic entrance. “He arrived at 4 p.m., and could be seen galloping down the beach on his horse,” says Tanya. "Steel pans played to entertain the crowd in preparation for my arrival.
The lucky groom kept things casual with his footwear selection for the big day.
The easiest way to save money on your wedding flowers is to follow Ron and Tanya’s lead. By choosing to say “I do” at a popular resort for destination weddings, a florist was provided for them.
The lace overlay on Tanya’s Demetrios mermaid gown was stunning from top to bottom.
Tanya chose a classic updo with pinned up spiral twist — a look she traveled all the way from New York City to Atlanta to get. Now that’s what we call a firm commitment to bridal beauty.
Rather than ship their decorations internationally and get hit with fees, Ron and Tanya asked 10 of their guests to pack their decorations in their suitcases and just bring them along for the ride.
Tanya and Ron chose to make their love official in a beautiful outdoor ceremony on the grounds of the Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort in St. Lucia. Guests were asked to wear all white.
In addition to sharing vows before their closest friends and family, Ron and Tanya chose to have two scriptures and a heartfelt poem read during their intimate ceremony.
Tanya’s bridesmaids joyfully look on as she married the man of her dreams in a picturesque location with the calming sounds of the rolling ocean waves behind them.
During the ceremony, the happy couple held a sand ceremony to signify the blending of their two families — a very popular ritual at weddings today, second only to the unity candle lighting ceremony.
Ron and Tanya lock lips for the first time as husband and wife.
After the ceremony, the new Mrs. Noel rode off into the sunset on a horse, led by her husband.
To give their reception venue a cozy and romantic feel, the couple chose to line the pathways with, hanging white lights, votive candles and large Chinese lanterns.
For dessert, attendees munched on a two-tier vanilla and black cake that was beautifully accented with edible seashells to complement their beach wedding theme.
“My favorite memory was the surprise dance moves my husband did during our first dance together,” shares Tanya when asked about their wedding highlights. “I laughed. The guests laughed. Because he isn’t a dancer, it was great. Later on a few guests decided to jump into the pool fully clothed midway through the reception.”
At the reception, guests were given starfish letter openers as wedding favors.
“I knew Ron was the one when he came to Antigua for the first time to visit me during my first semester of medical school,” says Tanya. “As overwhelmed as I was with my work load, he managed to make his few days there a vacation for us.”
At sunset, the couple’s cherished guests were served cocktails in the villa and then later enjoyed an open bar and a tented buffet dinner.
Leave your well wishes for Ron and Tanya below. To see more photos from the couple’s big day, visit The Bride’s Cafe now.
