#realchicbride Kyleigh in Emeline by Ines Di Santo at her Bahamas Wedding
Tell us your love story! How did you meet and how did you get to a proposal?
I met Reed in the summer of 2018, right when he started his first job after graduating from Florida State University. I was an intern at the same company (and a Seminole myself), and we were both new to the Fort Lauderdale area. It didn’t take long for us to realize that we had a special connection—after all, we were navigating a new city together! What started as casual chats at the office quickly blossomed into an amazing friendship. We’d wrap up work, head to happy hours on the boat, and before we knew it, dinner dates became a regular thing. Weekends were filled with laughter and adventures, from exploring local spots to spontaneous trips to the Bahamas and Caribbean. Who knew that one little summer internship could lead to all that? Fast forward a few years of adventures, and countless memories, Reed finally asked me to be his forever partner during a spontaneous trip to the islands one weekend.
When you started planning your wedding what did you envision? How close did the actual wedding get to that vision?
From the very beginning, I envisioned a beach wedding—something casual, fun, and totally us. I wanted it to feel like an island getaway for our guests, with everyone we love in one place to celebrate. The goal was a laid-back weekend: toes in the sand, salt in the air, and no shoes required. I grew up on the beach and my husband grew up fishing and surfing, so the ocean holds a special place in both of our hearts. It just made sense to say “I do” in a place that felt so meaningful to us.
Looking back, it’s kind of amazing how closely the real thing matched what I had pictured—maybe even better. The setting was everything we dreamed of, and the vibe all weekend long was exactly what we hoped for: relaxed, joyful, and full of love.
What were a few things that were important to you as a couple to include (or not include) in the wedding?
There were a few things that really mattered to us when planning the wedding—mostly centered around keeping it true to us. We didn’t want anything that felt too formal or overly traditional. It was important that the day felt relaxed, easygoing, and fun—not just for us, but for everyone there.
We made a conscious choice to skip anything that felt forced or too structured. No big ballroom, no tuxedos, no strict timelines. We wanted people barefoot, salty, and smiling. Instead of a black-tie dinner, we opted for fresh seafood and sunset views. Rather than getting caught up in the “wedding norms” we focused on what felt genuine—good music, great people, and a beautiful setting that reflected our love for the ocean and each other.
At the end of the day, we just wanted to create an experience where everyone felt like they were part of something special, not just guests at an event—and I think we did just that.
How did you decide on the location?
Choosing the location was actually one of the easiest decisions we made. We got engaged in the Bahamas and have spent so much time exploring the islands together—it’s a place that holds a really special spot in our hearts. When we stumbled upon The Other Side, we were completely blown away. It felt like our own little slice of paradise.
We instantly knew we wanted to share that magic with the people we love most. The exclusivity of the property made it feel even more intimate and personal, like we were hosting everyone on our own private island. It was the perfect backdrop for the kind of celebration we had always dreamed of.
Let's talk dress! Give us all the deets!
To be honest, I had no idea what kind of wedding dress I wanted going into it. I figured I’d just know when I found it—and that’s exactly what happened. As I started trying things on, I found myself drawn to dresses with appliqué details that felt playful and light, perfect for the beachy, Bahamas vibe we were going for.
Then I put the dress on… and my mom, sisters, and mother-in-law all gasped and said “this is the one!” That moment sealed it—I just knew it was the one. It felt effortless but elegant, romantic but not too overdone.
To tie the look together and give it that “old money” feel I love, I wore my hair up and added a silk neck scarf. It was classic with a twist and felt so me—the perfect mix of island chic and timeless bridal.
How did your family, friends, etc play into your wedding planning and wedding day?
Our family and friends played such a huge role in both the planning and the big day itself—we truly couldn’t have done it without them. From the very beginning, they were our biggest supporters and helpers. Whether it was helping us make decisions, calming the chaos, or just being there to cheer us on, they showed up in every way.
On the wedding weekend, everyone jumped in to make things feel seamless. It honestly felt like a team effort—my mom and sisters were everywhere at once (steaming dresses, organizing details, keeping me sane), and our friends brought the energy and joy we’ll never forget. It meant the world to us to be surrounded by so much love, support, and excitement. We felt like the luckiest couple in the world.
What's one specific memory you have from your wedding day that you don't think you'll ever forget.
One moment I’ll truly never forget was walking down the aisle. Seeing all of our favorite people in one place, there just for us, was overwhelming in the best way. And then locking eyes with my future husband at the end of that aisle—I was a complete mix of happy tears and pure joy. It felt emotional, magical, and so surreal all at once.
Another moment that stands out was reading our vows to each other. It was incredibly intimate—we both got choked up, and honestly, so did most of our guests. It was one of those moments where time felt like it stood still. Just the two of us, completely in it, surrounded by love. I'll hold onto that feeling forever.
How did you decide on your hair and makeup look?
When it came to hair and makeup, I wanted something that felt timeless but still true to the beachy setting. I decided to wear my hair up to complement the neckline of my dress and to keep it practical with the ocean breeze. It also gave me the perfect excuse to add a silk neck scarf, which tied the whole look together in a really chic, personal way.
For makeup, I kept it fresh and natural with soft, glowing skin and neutral tones. I didn’t want anything too heavy—just enough to feel polished while still looking like me.
Was there one vendor you used that you wish everyone knew about?
One "vendor" (if you can even call them that!) that absolutely made our wedding unforgettable was the Junkanoo band. It's a Bahamian tradition, and bringing that cultural element into our celebration was hands down one of the best decisions we made.
They were such a fun surprise for our guests—the energy, the colors, the music... it was electric. Everyone was dancing, smiling, and completely immersed in the moment. It added such a unique, joyful vibe and was the perfect nod to the island that means so much to us. I wish every couple could experience that kind of magic at their wedding!
Where did you go on your honeymoon and what was the best part?
We went to Harbour Island in the Bahamas for our honeymoon, and it was everything we needed and more. After such a fun and full wedding weekend, it felt so special to slow down and just soak in that newlywed bliss.
Every day, we found time to reflect on the magic of the wedding—usually while lounging on the beach with our toes in the sand and no schedule at all. It was peaceful, quiet, and exactly what we needed to let it all sink in.
One of the highlights? We squeezed in a day of fishing on the flats, and my husband caught a bonefish—which made his whole trip! It was the perfect mix of rest, adventure, and time to just be together.
From the couple:
thank you to Charlie owner (The Other Side) + planner of our wedding!! @othersidehotel on instagram
@little.island.design event and wedding crew at The Other Side
huge thanks to @inesdisanto Ines Di Santo for the beautiful dress
huge thanks to DJ Jamal and the Junkanoo
Photographers CocoMo Collective