Rebecca + Robert by By Jade Photo

We were drawn to a setting that felt lush, scenic, and effortless on its own.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

We were both born and raised in New Jersey and now live in Florida, which has been a natural fit for the life we’ve built together. We still have that East Coast energy, but now get to enjoy a more laid-back, coastal lifestyle. We love being by the water, whether that’s beach days, boating, or travelling to new coastal spots. A lot of our best memories have come from those trips.

Work-wise, Robert is in the automotive and lifestyle space, building a community around cars, events, and shared experiences. Rebecca is a luxury travel advisor, planning and curating trips to some of the most beautiful places in the world. Because of that, travel has become a big part of our lives together.

We’re very family-oriented and spend a lot of time with our close friends and families. Most of our favourite moments are the simple ones: good food, being together, and not having much of a plan. We also really value wellness and staying active. Things like working out, sauna, and cold plunge are part of our routine and help us stay grounded.

At the end of the day, we just enjoy being together and building a life that feels balanced, surrounded by people and experiences we love.

Wedding

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

We met in middle school during study hall.

We met in the hallways of intermediate school, walking to and from the study hall, and it all started with a slightly awkward high five. That small moment quickly turned into wanting to get to know each other more and more. Robert made it his mission early on, switching seats whenever he could just to be closer to Rebecca and finding any excuse to talk to her, even if it meant being reminded more than once to stay quiet during study hall.

At the time, Rebecca wasn’t allowed to have a boyfriend, but that didn’t seem to slow Robert down. He was persistent in a way that was genuine and hard to ignore, always finding his way back into her orbit, while she slowly warmed up to his energy and attention.

And somehow, it all turned into a love story that has lasted ever since.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

For us, it was important to choose a venue that already had natural beauty and didn’t need much enhancing. That played a big role in everything that followed. We were drawn to a setting that felt lush, scenic, and effortless on its own, with a slightly European feel, something timeless and romantic. Once we found that, the rest of the design decisions became much easier.

We kept our decor and florals very intentional, choosing pieces that complemented the surroundings rather than competing with them. Everything was kept clean, simple, and cohesive, so it felt elevated but not overdone. The goal was always to enhance what was already there, not distract from it.

Being surrounded by the St. Lucia Pitons made everything feel surreal. The landscape, the greenery, the views, they all created a backdrop that you really can’t replicate. There was a moment where it all came together, and it just felt like magic.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

What we enjoyed most about the planning process was doing it together and making decisions that actually felt like us. It was fun to step back and think about what we really wanted the weekend to feel like, not just how it would look. We also loved the moments where everything started to come together, seeing the vision build piece by piece made it feel real.

Having a destination wedding added another layer that we ended up really enjoying. It gave us an excuse to be intentional with every choice and turn the whole experience into something more than just one day. Having a destination wedding can feel overwhelming at times since we weren’t there to meet our vendors or be hands-on throughout the process, but we focused on choosing people we trusted, and everything came together flawlessly.

Our biggest advice would be to stay true to what you want and not get too caught up in what you think it’s supposed to be. Focus on the overall feeling you want to create and let that guide your decisions. Keep things organised, make decisions when you have clarity, and then move on without overthinking.

Most importantly, enjoy every second and don’t get caught up in the little details because it flies by.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

Our vendors were incredible, and we felt genuinely lucky to have such a thoughtful team behind every part of the celebration. It wasn’t just about the wedding day; it was the full week before and after that made it all so memorable.

From the photos that captured everything so effortlessly, to the cocktails that were both creative and fun, every detail felt intentional. We had a few signature drinks named after our parents, and the mixologists so perfectly crafted the cocktails. The setting, the food and drinks, the music, and a house staff that felt more like family than strangers all came together in a way that felt seamless and personal.

It meant just as much for our families and guests as it did for us, and looking back, we wouldn’t have changed a thing.

It’s hard to single anyone out because every vendor played such a big role, from hair and makeup to our production team, but especially our photographer, who captured the weekend so perfectly and gave us photos we’ll treasure forever.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

Our outfits were quite important to us as we both always strive to be original and unique. My welcome party dress was my late mother’s wedding dress, which we reimagined, and it ended up being one of the most meaningful parts of the weekend. Wearing it felt like she was with me the entire time.

For my main wedding dress, I had always pictured myself in lace and something that truly made me feel like a bride. After shopping in a few different cities and trying on so many dresses, I came across an Eisen Stein gown that immediately stood out. The lace, the drop waist, and the volume of the skirt were exactly what I had been looking for. It originally had an off-the-shoulder sleeve and was a bit sheer, so with a few custom changes, including a detachable long sleeve, it became exactly what I had envisioned. For the ceremony, I wore a veil with a blusher, and for the reception, I switched to a neck scarf, which gave it a completely different feel. My party dress was a satin two-piece corset set by Sau Lee. I wanted something that felt like the opposite of my ceremony dress, and it ended up being the perfect contrast.

Robert wore a custom chocolate brown suit made with Zegna fabric through Suit Supply. He wanted something a little different but wanted to match the calm, natural beauty of St. Lucia.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

I gave Robert full creative freedom when it came to designing my engagement ring. We had been together for so long, and I trusted his taste completely, so I knew he would come up with something special. He worked with Goldtinker to create a custom ring with a radiant cut diamond set on a marquise-style band. It felt unique but still timeless, and I loved that it came entirely from him.

Robert’s wedding band is really meaningful. It was originally his father’s ring and was passed down to Robert when he was about 16. It’s a gold signet ring with the initials “RF,” which connects two generations and now also happens to be Rebecca’s new initials, which makes it even more special.

For my wedding band, we worked with Mavilo Jewellers to create something custom that would complement my engagement ring. We designed a band with alternating marquise and round diamonds, which tied everything together perfectly while still feeling delicate and unique.

Wedding Weekend

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

We definitely chose to splurge on our venue and the food, as those were the two things that mattered most to us. The venue was such a big part of the overall feel of the weekend, and we wanted a setting that was naturally beautiful and memorable without needing much added to it. It set the tone for everything and created an experience for our guests that felt really special.

Food was especially important to Robert. He grew up with the saying “food is love,” and that really carried into how we approached the weekend. We wanted every meal and moment around the table to feel intentional, something people would genuinely enjoy and remember.

Investing in those two elements made everything feel more personal, warm, and true to who we are.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

The ceremony was easily the most special part of the weekend for us. There was something about that moment where everything slowed down, and it was just the two of us, even with all of our loved ones around. We both felt really present, and hearing each other’s vows in that setting made it all feel very real.

Standing there together, surrounded by the people who have been part of our lives for so long, was something we’ll never forget. It was emotional in the best way and felt like a true reflection of everything we’ve been through together.

It’s hard to put into words, but it was one of those moments you wish you could freeze for a little longer.

What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?

Being married to us means truly living out the vows we made to each other, not just on our wedding day, but in the everyday moments that follow. It’s about showing up, being consistent, and choosing each other through everything.

We’ve always said we’re a team, and that’s something we take seriously. It’s never us against each other; it’s always us against the problem. That mindset has been a big part of our relationship and how we navigate challenges. It keeps things grounded and reminds us that we’re on the same side, no matter what.

One ritual we’ve stayed consistent with is weekly date nights. At the very least, we make time to go out once a week, whether it’s something simple like a beach bar burger or a more elevated dinner. It’s less about what we’re doing and more about setting that time aside to connect, be present, and unplug from everything else.

At the end of the day, marriage to us is about partnership, trust, and continuing to grow together through all the natural ebbs and flows of life and marriage.