A Traditional Wedding at Vasari Country Club in Naples, Florida

Mariam Oyebanjo (28 and a pharmacist) and Ronald Jean- Gilles (30 and a therapist) met in Fort Myers and became engaged on the beach. The couple was walking on the beach after dinner, as they always do, when a live guitarist appeared and Ron popped the question. Over the next year, the couple planned a traditional outdoor wedding filled with white, silver and purple details. “When I think about elegant style, silver and white color is the first thing that comes to my mind,” says Mariam. To incorporate the couple’s Nigerian and Haitian cultural backgrounds, Mariam was escorted down the aisle by her father in traditional attire. After Mariam and Ron exchanged vows, their 96 guests went inside for a cocktail hour complete with a photo booth and international cuisine, such as teriyaki chicken skewers, Vietnamese shrimp spring rolls and Bahamian conch fritters. Mariam and Ron then joined their guests for an indoor reception accented with purple uplighting. Each round and family-style table was covered with white linens, lilac runners, silver chiavari chairs, music request sheets for the DJ and DIY silver branch centerpieces. During a buffet dinner, they incorporated another cultural tradition. “My family presented the guests with favor bags,” says Mariam. “Each bag included several gifts from my mother and sisters.” All were then treated to a three-tier pink rose-accented wedding cake and boxed Hershey kiss favors. Mariam and Ron entertained their guests by playing the Newlywed Game and an international playlist. “The DJ played Haitian, Nigerian and American music throughout the entire event,” says Mariam. For a memorable twist, the night also included a soul train line that split the reception in half for a “boys versus girls” competition of their best dance moves. For future couples, the bride shares: “Make sure to have universal food and music so that every guest can feel welcome and genuinely invested to the occasion.”