This beautiful wedding in Bermuda was a perfect mix of elegance and simplicity, with stunning ocean views setting the scene. From the heartfelt ceremony to the lively reception, every detail was thoughtfully curated, from the minimalist décor to the personal touches. It was a day full of love, laughter, and unforgettable memories, marking the perfect start to their journey together.
Location: Bermuda
Style: Beachy, Elegant, Classic
Time of planning: 10 months
Number of guests: 70
Setting: Resort & Hotel
Season: Fall
Ariana and Billy’s love story began through the “COVID special” dating app. Their first date was at Temezcal, and for Billy, it was an instant connection. “That was the last first date I went on!” he recalls.
As for the proposal, Billy had a special surprise in store. On 12/31/23, at exactly 11:11 a.m., they were at Mont Tremblant in Quebec—a place Billy had visited often as a child. “Ari is always late,” Billy jokes, “so getting to the top of the tower at the exact right moment took some serious planning.” But when the time came, it was a picture-perfect moment, and Billy’s proposal was amazing. Honestly, one of our biggest concerns was the food. We’re both very into cooking and eating good food, so having a good meal was really important to us. We also agreed that having a station dinner instead of a plated one fit what we wanted more, it was a tool to make sure everyone was getting up and interacting. Beyond that, we really wanted to make sure that our guests had a good time.
Vision & Photography
For Billy, Bermuda has always felt like home. Having lived there as a child and returned for both vacations and school over the years, his connection to the island only deepened. Ariana also had fond memories of Bermuda from a family vacation and had always dreamed of a destination wedding. “We basically decided on Bermuda on the walk back from the hike.” While the location was set, planning a wedding on island time proved more challenging. Ariana took on the heavy lifting, pouring endless hours into every detail. Seeing it all come together when the day finally arrived was magical—and a huge sigh of relief!
To make their wedding weekend even more memorable, Ariana and Billy chose Slate & Stone to capture every precious moment. The talented team worked seamlessly, creating both stunning photos and a beautiful wedding film that captured the couple’s love and the breathtaking Bermuda backdrop. With their incredible work, the couple relived their perfect day, not just for themselves but for all their guests as well. It was a weekend full of unforgettable memories, captured in the most perfect way.
Welcome Day
The welcome dinner took place at the stunning Grotto Bay Beach Resort & Spa, setting the perfect tone for the wedding weekend. One of the most memorable surprises came from the couple’s parents—Gombeys at the welcome party! They are traditional cultural dancers in Bermuda, and they play a significant role in celebrations on the island. Incorporating this unique aspect of Bermuda’s culture into their weekend made it all the more special. “Watching all of our friends and family who had never seen Gombeys before try to figure out what was going on was an added bonus!” they shared.
Wedding Day
Bridal Morning & Fashion
Ariana had a magical wedding morning, with her bridesmaids helping set an incredible mood for the day ahead. When it came to her wedding day look, she had a clear vision: “I envisioned a timeless look for my wedding day, where the beauty of the beach meets sophistication.” She found the perfect dress by Martina Liana at Bella Bianca, which brought that vision to life in stunning style.
"I went for a look that was refined but that would let who I am shine through, capturing the magic of the ocean and the elegance of the occasion."
Groom's Morning & Fashion
Billy’s style was sharp, with a suit and shoes from Jos. A. Bank, a classic choice for a timeless look. The special details truly made his ensemble stand out. As a heartfelt surprise, Ariana gifted him a unique pin for the inside of his suit jacket with photographs of his beloved grandfather, grandmother, and aunt. Having them there in spirit on such a momentous day was a gesture that touched his heart deeply—one of the most meaningful gifts he could have ever received.
"I knew I wasn’t going to be able to compete with how great Ari was going to look, so I was just hoping that I could look good enough that people wouldn’t think she was crazy for marrying me! "
First Look
The private first look was a moment of pure magic, where time seemed to stand still. Billy’s eyes lit up as he saw Ariana for the first time, their emotions genuine, shared only between them before the ceremony began.
"She looked better than I could’ve possibly imagined, and I think she’s incredible on a day to day basis so that’s saying something. I’m not an emotional person by any means, but that was definitely an emotional moment."
Ceremony
As Ariana took each step down the stairs and toward the end of the aisle, everything around her seemed to fade into the background. The moment she caught sight of Billy’s smile, all of her remaining nerves melted away. “In that instant, everything made sense—this was the moment I had always dreamed of, the moment that would change our lives forever.” She could only think of how right it felt to be walking toward him, toward the rest of their lives together.
"For me, the most memorable moment was seeing Ari at the top of the staircase walking down to meet me at the end of the aisle. I’m forever thankful to Slate and Stone for the incredible job they did capturing it so I can relive it time and time again. "
As they stood together, looking out at the sea of familiar faces—those of their families and friends who had supported them every step of the way—Ariana was overwhelmed by the magnitude of the moment. “There’s truly no feeling like walking down the aisle and seeing the man of your dreams, the one you get to spend forever with, standing there waiting for you.”
Moment Alone
The newlyweds stole a quiet moment together just before the reception, basking in the breathtaking ocean views that stretched endlessly before them. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the landscape, they shared a peaceful pause, their love radiating as brightly as the scenery around them.
Slate & Stone captured these unforgettable moments, their photos perfectly reflecting the stunning backdrop and the couple’s deep connection.
Reception Decor
The Loren Hotel was everything the couple had envisioned for their special day. After considering several venues, they realized it offered the perfect blend of what they wanted: elegance, simplicity, and beauty. “We wanted our wedding decor to feel simple yet elegant, striking the perfect balance between understated and beautiful.” With a shared belief that “sometimes less is more,” they carefully curated a celebration where every detail was intentional, never overwhelming the senses or looking gaudy.
They ensured the color scheme remained consistent throughout, creating a seamless flow from beginning to end. And, true to their vision, featuring their black lab fur baby Lucca was a must—he was woven into every element, from the invitations to the signs, napkins, and cocktail stirrers, making him an integral part of their celebration.
The Celebration
The reception was overflowing with warm emotions, as every moment felt like a beautiful reflection of their love and family. Their first dance was set to Perfect Symphony by Ed Sheeran and Andrea Bocelli, a perfect blend of English and Italian that beautifully represented their heritages. But the unexpected twist during the mother-son dance stole the show. “Switching the mother/son dance from You’ll Be In My Heart to Rapper’s Delight halfway through and seeing my mom do the entire song start to finish for probably the first time since I was 12… that was pretty awesome,” Billy recalled.
After the heartfelt speeches, the newlyweds took center stage to cut into their breathtaking three-tiered cake. With its minimalist design, the cake was as elegant as it was beautiful, perfectly capturing the couple’s style. It was a moment that felt as sweet as it looked, marking the beginning of the celebration that everyone had been waiting for.
"We know Bermuda wasn’t an easy lift for most people, so we wanted to make sure that everyone left feeling like the trip was worth it."
Advice from the couple:
• If you’re thinking about Bermuda, we can’t recommend it enough. Our Bermuda-specific advice? Be ready to do things on Island Time. What you might be in a rush for might take a few days, and that’s ok. Bermuda has survived on Island Time for hundreds of years, your wedding will survive too.
PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER Slate & Stone Photo & Film | PLANNER, VENUE, CATERING & CAKE The Loren at Pink Beach | HAIR Elayna O’Neil (Family Friend) | MAKEUP Samantha Paige | BRIDAL DRESS Martina Liana | REHEARSAL VENUE Grotto Bay Beach Resort & Spa | FLORALS Demco Florist | DJ, MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT AD HOC Systems Ltd. | STATIONERY Custom Designs
