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WINTER 2009
THE INSIDER’S GUIDE TO WEDDINGS WITH STYLE
INSIDE WEDDINGS
The insider’s guide to weddings with style
275+
BRIDAL
GOWNS
THE LATEST STYLES FROM YOUR
FAVORITE COUTURE DESIGNERS
RECEPTION
STYLE
www.insideweddings.com
178
photographs of
cakes, centerpieces, décor,
invitations, and favors
etiquette expert
AnnaPost
answers your
attire questions
Does my mother
have to like my gown?
Can I really tell his
mom what to wear?
Do I have the last
word on bridesmaid
dresses?
WINTER 2009
the runway issue
DISPLAY UNTIL MARCH 31, 2009
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plus gift registry, fine jewelry, fashion accessories,
honeymoon hot spots, gracious gifts, and great discoveries
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JEANNE ROBERTS & JAY JOHNSON
AUGUST 30, 2008 PARADISE ISLAND, BAHAMAS
PHOTOGRAPHED BY KEVIN WILLIAMS
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Island in the sun
When Jeanne Roberts and Jay Johnson imagined their perfect
wedding, they envisioned an island celebration that would wow their
guests. “We wanted a few days of festivities and relaxation,” says
Jeanne of the couple’s inspiration to have a destination wedding.
Since the bride had beautiful memories of vacationing at her family’s
Nassau beach house, the Bahamas seemed like the perfect location.
“And scheduling the event over Labor Day weekend made it easier
for guests to make the trip,” Jeanne adds.
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Beauty
Desiree Chisholm, hair & makeup
Bridal Designer
Lea-Ann Belter
Bridal Salon
Town and Country Bridal Boutique
Bridesmaids
Watters
Caterer/Cake
Atlantis
Entertainment
Visage, reception
Floral Design
Island Destination Services
Flowergirls
Us Angels
Formalwear
Savvi Formalwear, groom &
groomsmen
Honeymoon
Grand Lido Negril Resort & Spa
Invitations/Calligraphy
Sandi Spells Design
Jewelry
Shawn Paul Jewelry
Lighting Design
Island Destination Services
Mother’s Gown
Les Habitudes, MOB
Photographer
Kevin Williams
Registries
Crate and Barrel
Neiman Marcus
Saks Fifth Avenue
Williams-Sonoma
Rehearsal Dinner
Luciano’s of Chicago
Rentals/Linens
Island Destination Services
Shoes
Jimmy Choo
Venue
The Cloisters, ceremony
Atlantis, reception
Videographer
N. L. Aubrey Smith
WINTER 2009
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The bride and her mother confidently took the planning
reins, and Jay happily went along with everything. “Always
agree,” he laughingly advises other grooms. The decision to
hold the ceremony at The Cloisters on Paradise Island was an
easy one (“It’s magical!” exclaims the bride), and the imported
14th-century French monastery was indeed a stunning backdrop
for the couple’s nuptials.
As attendees arrived at the hilltop landmark overlooking Nassau
harbor, they were promptly offered ice-cold lemonade and
chilled towels to keep the heat at bay; even the programs were
cleverly shaped as fans to help keep everyone comfortable.
Brilliant white tents shaded loved ones from the balmy sun, and
a tall pergola situated at the top of a staircase kept the couple
cool. Pillars were wrapped in arrangements of lush greens,
cymbidium orchids, and feathery hydrangea blossoms that fit
in flawlessly with the tents’ billowing white fabric. A string
quartet played traditional music as bridesmaids made their way
down the petal-strewn aisle dressed alternately in gowns of soft
pink and sea green. Then, Jeanne emerged to the sounds of
Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus,” wearing a stunning mermaid-style
gown and carrying a bountiful bouquet of cascading lilies, roses,
and cymbidium orchids. “Even though there were over 300
guests staring at me, they all disappeared as I looked up at Jay,”
she recalls. When the vow exchange led by Jeanne’s uncle was
complete, a 10-member Baptist choir sang robust versions of
“Oh Happy Day” and “Together Forever.”
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The energetic vocals served as the perfect segue into the
rousing reception at the island’s famed Atlantis resort. Bouncing
beams of light in shades of pink and green brightened the
venue’s opulent ballroom, while arrangements of cymbidium
orchids, stargazer lilies, roses, and hydrangea dotted every
table with the same punchy hues. Each large centerpiece was
surrounded by three mini arrangements of fluffy hydrangea
blossoms with tall ivory candles. For added appeal, orchids
were tucked into silky pink napkins at every place setting.
Buffet stations offered guests a meal fit for a king. Selections of
grilled chicken, lamb chops, petit beef filet, lobster, shrimp, crab
claws, tuna, swordfish, mahi mahi, sushi, sashimi, and an
assortment of fresh salads and bite-sized delicacies were all
included in the sumptuous menu. Next, dozens of desserts were
set out, including Bacardi-rum baba (a sweet bread soaked in
liquor), Madeline sponge cake flavored with roasted banana,
tropical-fruit horns, bittersweet chocolate fondue with fruit skewers,
and coconut-raisin flan. The ivory-frosted wedding cake was
adorned with a sash of cymbidium orchids, and guests selected
slices from their choice of carrot, strawberry, and chocolate layers.
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Just as guests were enjoying their treats, a Junkanoo parade
began filing into the room as a surprise from Jeanne’s parents.
The energetic group of entertainers dressed in brightly
colored costumes danced to a rhythmic accompaniment of
drums, trumpets, and trombones in a style reminiscent of New
Orleans’ Mardi Gras. “No one — including my 82-year-old
grandmother — could resist the infectious beat of the drums,”
reveals the bride, “and everybody started dancing.”
The dance floor was filled until the clock struck midnight,
when everyone headed to the resort’s exclusive nightclub for
an after party. Half of the club’s trendy room was dedicated to
Jeanne and Jay, with couches and lounge chairs situated to
create their own VIP area. Guests later departed for their
luxurious Atlantis suites to rest up for the beach party planned
for the next day. “Jeanne and I both have outgoing personalities
and like to share our life with our friends,” says the groom,
“so we enjoyed spending an extra day with [our loved ones].”
A 10-day honeymoon in Negril, Jamaica extended the couple’s
island romance, and was a fitting conclusion to their exciting
NICOLE PALACIOS SILVA
celebration in paradise.
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