A Lavish Garden Party Wedding Was Inspired by French Design and Tropical Vibes at The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas
When Erica and James first met, they found common ground almost immediately. Both worked in tech, and their sons were around the same age. A romantic first date sealed their fate, a night spent enjoying oysters and champagne inside a private tent at an award-winning restaurant. The two's love for one another grew, which meant a proposal was on the horizon. Erica always dreamt of seeing the northern lights one day, taking many trips with an aurora-tracking app, but she missed them each time. For the proposal, James whisked Erica away on a surprise trip to Fairbanks, Alaska. He’d planned ahead by asking her to pack her warmest clothing, everything from flannels to long-johns. In -30° weather on top of a mountain near Chena Hot Springs, James popped the question on one knee in the snow. “As soon as we got there, a neon ribbon danced across the sky,” Erica says. “It was absolutely unreal. He brought our favorite champagne, and we spent the rest of the night enjoying a northern lights display of a lifetime.”
Although their proposal was an icy, intimate occasion, the couple went in the polar opposite direction for their wedding weekend: a Bahamian escape. The two mused during the planning phase, “What if Marie Antoinette hosted a wedding in the Caribbean?” And their opulent wedding weekend started taking shape. They found the perfect ceremony spot to bring that French flair to the day, the Cloisters on Paradise Island. This historic spot was originally a 12th-century French monastery that had been dismantled, shipped and carefully reconstructed on the island. It’s surrounded by a Versailles-style garden of statues and greenery, tucked away by the Caribbean Sea, a scene the bride describes as “equal parts medieval romance and tropical dreamscape.”
Matching the vibes of the Cloisters’ old-world architecture was no easy feat for the bride, until she visited a dress shop in Vancouver, about a two-and-a-half-hour journey from her Seattle home. She had her heart set on a Galia Lahav gown, and found out that the Bisou Bridal shop had the Eilish dress in custom sizing, which was perfect for Erica’s needs. She says the gown “featured a sweetheart corset and basque waistline, and a voluminous skirt with swirls of sparkly beads and with a gorgeous ostrich feather shoulder strap. Galia Lahav also made a custom veil to match, trimmed with the same feathers.” Her groom matched the dazzling attire with his own custom-made black and white tuxedo, and their sons in matching jackets with pink feathered bow ties. “We wanted our sons to look just as unique and glamorous as us,” Erica adds.
As for their color palette? The to-be-weds pulled from the venue’s surroundings and the hues of an iridescent shell: coral, pink, mint, lavender and turquoise, with shades of pink taking center stage. The bride’s love of David Austin roses, peonies and orchids perfectly showcased a variety of blush tones, from her bouquet to a petal-lined aisle leading to the luxurious arrangements around the Cloisters. “For the ceremony, I was inspired by the illustrations of enchanted gardens in my beloved childhood books, and we created the feeling that the flowers had grown over the architecture organically—arching over the Cloisters and lining the aisle in soft abundance,” she says.
One crucial aspect of the wedding was blending their two families and ensuring their sons (along with all of their guests’ kids) had an unforgettable time. That’s one major reason James and Erica chose multiple events throughout the weekend for their loved ones, both big and small. Their welcome party was at the beach deck of The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas overlooking the ocean with tropical decor taking the lead. Erica notes: “The welcome party had its own theme—‘Bahamian glamour'—a fusion of lush, tropical textures and vivid Nassau-inspired hues with elevated, thoughtful design.” Guests enjoyed drinks from fresh coconuts and pineapples, with mocktails including local juices, and a Bahamian feast of favorites like blackened grouper, ribs and coleslaw. After their sons gave heartfelt speeches, a Junkanoo (a vibrant festival) ended the first night and included costumed dancers and a live band that gave guests a taste of local culture.
Some of the most special moments during the ceremony, the couple says, were the unplanned ones. A light rain showered down on the open-top venue, but guests were equipped with umbrellas. Erica said it only added to the romance and helped combat the tropical heat. Their sons also did special readings during the ceremony, with Stellan choosing The Velveteen Rabbit and Seamus reading from The Amber Spyglass.
After the ceremony and cocktail hour, guests were led to a tent with pink draping, floral chandeliers of the bride’s favorite roses and Alaskan peonies (to honor the couple's engagement) and luxe gold accents. “Nods to the Bahamas were woven throughout—from coral accents, mother-of-pearl-covered nautilus shells to a guava-flavored cake adorned in soft ocean hues. We kept the celebration grounded in the very place that inspired it all,” Erica says. The menu included Blue Lagoon mocktails for the kids, Caribbean lobster tail with curry, rum cake and ice cream sandwiches. As for the night’s grand finale, everyone was ushered back to the Versailles Garden to watch a fireworks display over the Cloisters.
To end the weekend, the newlyweds had a pool party at the resort, which started at noon to give everyone a chance to sleep off the night before. “Guests lounged poolside with frozen cocktails in hand, indulging in comfort food favorites, like gourmet burgers, tacos with fresh caught fish and island-style sides, all while soaking in the warm Bahamian sun and breezy villa vibes,” says Erica. “As the evening settled into twilight, guests made their way down to the beach for a cozy bonfire send-off.” Even the decor for this final celebration was repurposed from the day before, and on-site babysitters and lifeguards took over childcare so the adults could fully unwind.
Wondering how everything came together for the newlyweds? They say setting aside time to be alone with one another was essential aspects during the wedding weekend. Erica adds: “One thing our planner, suggested before the wedding was to go on a romantic date to connect before all the festivities began. We went to the iconic Graycliff restaurant, a Bahamian institution, and danced to the pianist in the lounge, had a gourmet dinner and toured their wine cellars. Another way we built in some downtime was by going on a swim each evening after the festivities in our villa pool, taking time to connect and unwind.” These moments became some of the newlyweds’ favorites, and something they hope other couples emulate for their own wedding plans.