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Updated Mar 06, 2025Exclusive: Former Miss USA Deshauna Barber is Married! Inside Her Intimate Miami Wedding
The author and motivational speaker wed Marvin Echols III in front of just 50 loved ones.
Deshauna Barber is a woman with many titles: former Miss USA, author, veteran, motivational speaker—and now, wife. The multi-hyphenate public figure married her longtime love, Marvin Echols III, in Miami, Florida on December 10, 2023. The sophisticated and modern microceremony was an intimate affair; Attended by just 50 guests, it took place at the Hilton Aventura, a sleek destination just steps from Sunny Isles Beach. Here, The Knot exclusively unveils Deshuana Barber and her husband's first wedding photos and details.
In this article:
- Deshauna Barber's Wedding Photos & Details
- Deshauna Barber & Husband Marvin Echols' Love Story
- Deshauna Barber's Wedding Vendors
Deshauna Barber's Wedding Photos & Details
Marvin Echols and Deshauna Barber's wedding planning journey lasted exactly one year, right down to the date. Echols, a civil engineer, popped the question on December 10, 2022, in Washington D.C. with an oval-cut diamond ring crafted by their family jeweler, Lee Bradley of The Gold Connection.
With only 12 months to bring their dream day to life, the couple enlisted the help of Myriam Tanis, owner of iShine Events, to pull off a sleek and sophisticated event. "We can't deny that wedding planning was extremely difficult, but we were so blessed to have an amazing wedding planner, friends, and family to make this process easy," Barber tells The Knot. "Our wedding planner truly made this experience enjoyable. She relived the stresses of planning and made it her mission to create the wedding of our dreams."
FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT
Photo: Anna Jung-Hwa
,Venue: Hilton Aventura
As Missouri natives, the Midwesterners sought out a wedding venue that could provide sweeping views and a warmer climate for their winter nuptials. They landed on the Hilton Aventura in Miami, Florida, calling the hotel a "beautiful event space" boasting "wonderful weather." (In other words, it was simply "perfect.")
With a clear vision in mind, the couple worked with Tanis and their florist, Venevents Flower Luxury Design, to dream up a space that was elevated, refined and timeless. "We were going for very modern-yet-classic and sophisticated decor," Barber explains, noting their color palette was heavily influenced by shades of white and gold. "We used lots of candles to create a dimly lit and intimate setting." With the inclusion of intentional accents like bold centerpieces and elaborate white drapery, the space was nothing short of regal.
Given her career path, the bride has worn countless incredible gowns over the years. After being crowned Miss USA 2016, Barber went on to represent the United States at Miss Universe 2016. It was there that she finished as a Top 9 finalist. With a closet full of pageant dresses, she knew her wedding dress would need to stand out. Ultimately, Barber landed on a Martina Liana A-line ball gown with a voluminous skirt, which she sourced at Elegance by Roya, a bridal salon in Alexandria, Virginia. Accented with ivory satin pumps, the bride completed her look with pear drop diamond earrings and a matching line bracelet.
The groom, for his part, looked equally dapper in a custom-made white tuxedo. Complete with gold accent buttons, Echols' ensemble was created by My Tailor Me, a Black-owned suit shop based in Houston, Texas. Leaning into the metallic color palette, the couple's wedding party wore burnt orange bridesmaid dresses by Jessica Angel and classic black custom tuxes.
Ahead of the nuptials, the couple shared that they were most looking forward to the ceremony, which would be steeped in tradition. They opted to skip a first look, instead doing a first touch.
Considering the ceremony was the first time they physically saw each other, the processional was nothing short of an emotional experience. The bride walked down the aisle on the arm of her father, Darren Barber.
In addition to exchanging personalized vows, the couple invited their parents to participate in a sand-pouring unity ceremony to signify the union of their two families. Then, at the end of the ceremony, the couple jumped the broom as a nod to the beginning of their new journey as husband and wife. "Jumping the broom is a specific ceremony special to Black Americans where the couple jumps over a decorated broom at the end of their wedding ceremony," Barber explains. "This tradition symbolized our entrance into a new chapter of life with the knowledge that we may not go backward, but only continue to walk forward together. "
As guests transitioned to cocktail hour, they enjoyed passed hors d'oeuvres and four signature cocktails: The Tour of Vegas (a whiskey sour), Tulum Dream (tequila and cranberry), Cooper's Night Out (an Old Fashioned), and Indiana Love (a classic margarita).
The Echols' first dance, which was accompanied by hazy fog and fiery sparklers, was set to a sentimental song that served as a sweet nod to their early beginnings as a couple. "We choose 'Reason' by Samoht," Barber muses. "This is extremely special to us because it was the song we fell in love with on our first date in Las Vegas on New Year's Eve in 2021."
Once the reception kicked off, the dance floor was never empty. The couple's DJ queued a medley of R&B hits and classic favorites from the 1990s and 2000s. Barber slipped into a form-fitting sheath dress with metallic accents for the second half of the evening, and she and her newly minted husband donned sunglasses for the raucous party.
Dinner highlighted a medley of fresh and local flavors. The first course, a bouquet of local farm greens with seasonal veggies, was followed by a choice of pastrami-style short rib or crab-stuffed salmon, provided by Hilton Aventura.
When it was time to cut the cake, the newlyweds sliced into a red velvet confection with cream cheese icing from Cakes by John Gerard.
Much like their commitment to looking forward, as embodied by jumping the broom, Barber tells us that she and her husband are excited to settle into married life—after their honeymoon in Phuket, Thailand, that is. "We are most looking forward to spending the rest of our lives together," she reflects. "We want to have beautiful children and continue to grow and support one another as we fulfill our own dreams while creating new ones for our family."
Deshauna Barber & Husband Marvin Echols' Love Story
Interestingly enough, Deshauna Barber and her husband's love story actually began at a wedding. The two met on July 29, 2017, at the nuptials of their friends Kriston and Victoria Moore in St. Louis, Missouri. Their first "official" date didn't occur for four more years.
They reconnected on a group trip to the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas for New Year's Eve, and it was there that they bonded over a shared love of music. "While playing our favorite live instrument and vocal performances, we landed on Samoht's live version of 'Reason,'" Barber explains of their first dance tune. "It's been our song ever since."
Photo: Anna Jung-Hwa
,Rings: Lee Bradley, The Gold Connection
Echols popped the question the following year in Washington D.C—and the lavish setup offered a small glimpse at what was to come on their wedding day. Amid clusters of gold balloons, light-up marquee letters and scattered white rose petals, he dropped to one knee and presented his love with a timeless oval-cut diamond engagement ring. The heartfelt proposal was captured by Anna Jung-Hwa, who would go on to be the couple's wedding photographer.
The two shared a joint post on Instagram to declare the happy news, writing simply, "12.10.22 ♾️"—a date that would continue to be one of the most meaningful in their lives.
Deshauna Barber's Wedding Vendors
Wedding Venue: Hilton Aventura; Photographer: Anna Jung-Hwa; Videographer: Final Shot Media; Wedding Planner & Event Designer: Myriam Tanis, iShine Events; Florist: Venevents Flower Luxury Design; Officiant: Tara Robinson, It's Official! 314; Wedding Dress: Martina Liana Bridal Designs via Elegance by Roya; Groom's Tux: My Tailor Me; Groom's Shoes: Jimmy Choo; Engagement and Wedding Rings: Lee Bradley, The Gold Connection; Hair: Rojayna Styles, The Hair Affair Experience; Makeup: Precious Mohammed; Bridesmaid Dresses: Jessica Angel; Invitations: Zola; Programs, Place Cards and Menus: Boxed Wedding Invitations; Rental Equipment: Imperial Event Rentals; Catering: Hilton Aventura; Wedding Cake: Cakes by John Gerard; Registry: Zola; Honeymoon: The Shore at Katathani
