Wanderlust Couple’s Italian Nuptials Celebrates Black Excellence & Old World Romance

Featured in Issue 31, Toni and Shaboyd’s destination wedding in Italy celebrated Black Excellence and Old World romance.

“I knew she was the one five hours and one minute after our first date,” Shaboyd shares.

This seems like a bold statement, but it’s not too surprising since Shaboyd and his wife, Toni, shared a first date that was five hours long! 

After the couple first met in the summer of 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia, the very next morning they had their first date which consisted of playing games like “Have you ever” and “21 questions.” The couple fell in love with each other’s inquisitive zest for life and by September of 2021, they got engaged on the edge of a Ravello hillside along Italy’s Amalfi Coast. 

The wanderlust pair savored their time in Italy so much that they decided to return for their October 2023 nuptials! Set against the backdrop of Lake Garda, Italy, Toni and Shaboyd exchanged vows at the stunning Marquee-Isola del Garda venue. 

Describing their wedding theme as “Old-world romance,” Toni elaborates that “Black excellence was a requisite” for their wedding day. 

“The ladies wore floor-length gowns, and the gentlemen wore classic suits and tuxedos,” she shares. “The harpist, violinist, and cello players strung rhythms of Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, and Etta James during the Aperitif. At the reception, our Italian DJ set things off by playing everything from Lil Boosie to Caribbean soca.” 

For their own looks, Toni chose to wear a gorgeous Esé Azénabor gown with a detachable Ball-skirt and bleeding crystals. Her favorite accessory was a handmade custom-fit veil created by Ms. Paula Wanita Nurse from Georgetown, Guyana. Shaboyd looked equally handsome in a classic Tuxedo by Tom Ford. 

From their music to their venue and elevated attire, all of the details set the scene for an unforgettable evening of romance and celebration. 

Keep scrolling for more wedding day details.

• Couple: Toni Cannon and Shaboyd Cannon
• Location of Wedding: Isola del Garda (Lake Garda, Italy)
• Wedding Date: October 1, 2023 
• Photographer for Wedding: Stanlo Photography

Quick Facts From The Bride:

• Wedding theme: Old World Romance and Black Excellence
• Wedding flowers: White roses, gypsophila, carnations, and chrysanthemums
• Favorite item on the menu: Veal lion cbt rosti potatoes and baby vegetables
• Bridesmaids/groomsmen gifts: Forever Roses by Glam Fleur and personalized
  custom travel accessories
• First dance song: Beyonce ft Jay-Z- “Crazy in Love”
• Advice for brides: Determine what matters the most to you and focus on that.

Tell us how you met and all about the proposal. 

We met in the summer of 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. The next morning consisted of a five-hour date making countless inquiries of one another by playing games like “Have you ever” and “21 questions” … We got engaged in September of 2021 romantically on the edge
of a Ravello hillside along Italy’s Amalfi Coast.

How did you know they were “the one”?

Toni: When my best friend said to me “Girl…nowadays, I rarely hear you speak of boredom, you are always traveling.”
Shaboyd: I knew she was the one five hours and one minute after our first date.

Describe your wedding dress and your favorite wedding accessory.

The wedding dress was designed {to custom} by none other than Esé Azénabor. The Emoni white gown / detachable Ball-skirt / bleeding crystals. My favorite wedding dress accessory was my handmade custom-fit veil created by Ms. Paula Wanita Nurse from Georgetown, Guyana.

To the ceremony…

The groom-to-be…

The Ceremony:

Here comes the bride…

Vows from the heart…

Mr. & Mrs…

Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding?

Absolutely! Black excellence was a requisite. The ladies wore floor-length gowns, and the gentlemen wore classic suits and tuxedos. The harpist, violinist, and cello players strung rhythms of Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, and Etta James during the Aperitif. At the reception, our Italian DJ set things off by playing everything from Lil Boosie to Caribbean soca like “Tiney Winey” and “Follow The Leader”…

What is your best memory from your wedding?

Toni: My fondest memory was feeling the caress of my husband’s hand as he guided mine, slice by inch to cut the cake (my eyes still water) thinking of how bright the stars seemed that night while the Italian sky glittered with pyro effects and our LOVED ONES cheered as a recording of Whitney Houston whispered “I believe in you and me”

Shaboyd: My fondest memories were when my kid sister dropped her iPhone 14 Max in Lake Garda (after which The Island Scuba Diver retrieved it), and watching all of my groomsmen sit around the walls of my hotel suite listening to (old-time) gospel and reminiscing about our travels together thus far.

What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?

Pray, Plan, and Pray some more. Use every free moment to plan and focus on the wedding. Let nothing else take president. If you are feeling overwhelmed, stop, have a martini, and start back planning. Your wedding will reap a lifetime of benefits, memories, joy, and everlasting LOVE. You will soon realize that your sacrifice and tears were all worth it.

Looking for more Old World Romance wedding inspiration?

Click here.

Vendors:

• Event planner/decor/design: Veronica Frasca
• Florals: Alessandra Giallombardo
• Photography: Stanlo Photography 
• Videography: Vallone Films
• Bride’s dress: Esé Azénabor
• Bridal salon: Grand Hotel Fasano 
• Handmade Veil: Paula Wanita Nurse
• Bride’s shoes: Christian Louboutin 
• Bridesmaid dresses: Moda Glam Boutique 
• Cakes/desserts: Eventi bio
• Catering: Eventi bio
• Ceremony Venue: The Loggia-Isola del Garda
• DJ: Media Dressing
• Caricaturist: Andrea Di Laurenzi
• Favors: 100% Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Oleificio Gargnano
• Stationery: Cartalia Stationary Studio
• Groom’s Tuxedo: Tom Ford  
• Groom’s shoes: Giuseppe Zanotti
• Groomsmen attire: BLACK by Vera Wang Tuxedo
• Hair: Joana Ronquillo Glam team
• Lighting and Sound: PRS Solution
• Makeup for Bride: Tyrus Turner
• Makeup for Bridesmaids: Joana Ronquillo 
• Music: Quartet by Misica per le Nozze 
• Reception venue: The Marquee-Isola del Garda
• Private Boat Rentals: Danieli S.N.C