Luxurious Pink and White Wedding in Nassau, Bahamas: Davette + Justin

Just like numbers, love never lies. Davette and Justin met in 2007 when they were both working at the same accounting firm in Nassau, Bahamas. Realizing that they had much in common, they formed a strong friendship. “As friends, we would often spend time together driving around town, listening to songs, talking about anything that came to our minds and truly just enjoying each other’s company. I would have Justin read my favorite books and he would have me watch his favorite movies and we would spend hours talking about these things,” Davette shares.

Five years into their friendship they decided to start dating; both noting that it was one of the best decisions they’d ever made. A year later, Davette received an offer to work in the U.S. Given her pick of several states to relocate to, she chose South Florida as it was the closest location to home in the Bahamas. “I was supported 100% by Justin. Luckily, his job offers him quite a bit of flexibility and so he would visit me a few times per month; always eager to see me, never questioning my move and always assuring me that I made the right decision,” she says. Read the rest of their love story and indulge in their luxurious pink and white wedding below.

Quick Facts
Favorite item on the wedding menu: Crab-crusted seabass
Bridesmaids/groomsmen gifts: Bridesmaids received personalized robes; Groomsmen gift received monogrammed cufflinks
First dance song: “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green

Bride: Davette Rolle
Groom: Justin Lightbourne
Wedding date: 09/26/2015
Wedding location: Atlantis, Paradise Island, Nassau, BahamasTell us all about the proposal!
Each year for the Christmas holidays, I would always return to Nassau to spend Christmas and New Year’s with family but this past year, Justin and I both decided that we wanted to spend some time alone together. We enjoyed Christmas with family and returned to Florida to spend New Year’s together in Miami. We bought tickets to celebrate and ring in the New Year at one of the top hotels in Downtown Miami. Knowing that we would be spending this time together, we made a decision to wait for New Year’s Eve to open our Christmas gifts.

That night, Justin surprised me with my first pair of Christian Louboutin’s! I was so excited! We danced the night away at the party until a few minutes before midnight when we relocated to the rooftop to count down to 2015 under a beautiful moonlit sky. At 12:00am on January 1, 2015, Justin whispered in my ear that I was the most beautiful woman in the world and asked me to be his wife. I cried and THEN said yes!Describe your wedding dresses. How was your shopping experience?
I wore a beautiful form-fitting Maggie Sottero mermaid gown in ivory gold adorned with Swarovski crystals. It was the first and only gown I tried on and I knew immediately that I had to have it.

I decided on my dress during a short trip to Nassau to meet with my wedding planner for the first time, Tennille Darville of Five Seasons Bridal. Little did I know that not only was she a wedding planner, but she also carried a wide selection of wedding gowns and had samples on site for fitting. At the end of our meeting, Tennille asked if I was interested in trying on any of the gowns. Reluctant to dress shop alone, but not wanting to give up the opportunity, I hesitantly said yes. I told Tennille that I wanted a form fitting dress that was not white and then gave her my budget. She squealed in excitement as she thought she found the perfect dress for me. I tried on her recommendation and the rest was history; six months later I said “I do” dressed in the first and only wedding gown I would wear.

With such an elaborate wedding gown for our ceremony, I wanted something more relaxed for the reception. I knew that the only way I could get exactly what I wanted was to have the dress custom made. There was no one else that came mind except Phylicia Ellis of PE Design Group. Phylicia did an amazing job and the dress was exactly what I wanted.
What are your best memories of your wedding day?
My best memories from the wedding happened walking up the aisle and then walking back down a married woman.

Despite all eyes on me as I entered the room, I could hardly think of anything other than the man next to me, my father, who has been one of my biggest supporters in life and the man in front of me, my soon-to-be husband who I would vow to love and cherish for the rest of my life among a room filled with family and friends. I can’t quite describe the feeling but there was a wealth of emotion.

Then there was the exit. As we exited the ceremony hand in hand, husband and wife, I could only remember one thing, the look of pure excitement on my husband’s face. He is not one to show emotion but at that point in time, I can surely say he was the happiest man alive.What’s the best advice you can give to our engaged couples?
The best advice I can give to couples planning a wedding is BE YOU! If you’re not traditional, then by all means, have an untraditional wedding. If you don’t like wedding singers then forgo the singing and instead incorporate something that means more to you. If you’re on a budget, don’t ever let anyone make you feel guilty about the choices you’ve made. At the end of the day, what matters is that the bride and groom are happy.

Vendors
Ceremony Wedding Dress Designer: Maggie Sottero
Reception Wedding Dress: Phylicia Ellis
Wedding Dress Salon: Five Seasons Bridal
Bridesmaids Dresses: Badgley Mischka
Hair: Aline Charles, Waves Hair Studio
Makeup: Khandise Bain, Fab Faces Makeup Artistry
Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Ceremony and Reception Location: Atlantis, Paradise Island, Grand Ballrooms
Photography: Lyndah Wells Photography
Wedding Planner: Tennille Darville, Five Seasons Events
Cake: Paula Delevaux, Mmm’azing Bakes
Stationery: Aitken Imaging Sign Shop
Event designer: Victorine Banniser, Bahama Fantasies
Event Rentals and Décor: Victorine Banniser, Bahama Fantasies and Bahamia Rental