When it comes to wedding stories, Molly and Arturo’s tale is one for the books. Their journey from a chance meeting at a local bar to a breathtaking destination wedding in Great Exuma, Bahamas is the stuff of fairytales.

A Serendipitous Start

Molly and Arturo’s love story began in the most unexpected way. They crossed paths at a bar in town through mutual friends. Little did they know that their paths had nearly crossed many times before, as they both hailed from the same town. Molly recalls their initial connection, saying, “We had chemistry from the beginning, but I was actually in another relationship. Arturo and I remained casual friends for several months. After he discovered I was no longer in a relationship, he made his move — and the rest is history!”

A Mountain-Top Proposal

Their love story took a significant turn when Arturo proposed to Molly in Beaver Creek, Colorado. Beaver Creek held a special place in Arturo’s heart, as his family had a condo there. They decided to spend a week in this picturesque location in August 2020, along with their three beloved dogs. It was during a scenic hike that Arturo surprised Molly by getting down on one knee and asking her to marry him. Molly fondly remembers the moment, saying, “It was such a beautiful day, and he had a photographer secretly hiding to capture the whole thing. One of the top five days of my life.”

Choosing a Destination Wedding

Molly had always dreamed of a beach wedding with its simplicity and natural beauty. So, the couple turned to Pinterest for inspiration and found Marva Munroe of Chic Bahamas Weddings, who had a beautiful track record of turning beach wedding dreams into reality. Molly and Arturo knew that Marva could execute their vision flawlessly, which led them to opt for a destination wedding.

Exuma: A Perfect Paradise

Selecting the destination was an easy choice for Molly and Arturo. They chose The Exumas, Bahamas, because of its stunning turquoise waters and the charming appeal of a small island. Specifically, the allure of Great Exuma’s unique beauty drew them in, making it the perfect backdrop for their special day.

However, even paradise has its challenges. Molly and Arturo did face some weather-related concerns, as is common in tropical destinations. Still, they trusted their wedding planner, Marva, to navigate these challenges.

Discovering the Dream Venue

As fate would have it, Molly and Arturo stumbled upon their dream wedding venue in the most unexpected way. While browsing wedding videos on YouTube for inspiration, they came across a video filmed at Grand Isle Resort in Great Exuma. “Coincidentally, we were already in contact with Marva and realized that was a wedding she had planned,” the bride says. Serendipity had played its part once again!

A Non-Traditional Ceremony

Molly and Arturo decided to forgo many traditional wedding day customs, and they had no regrets about it. Their day began with a tranquil walk on the beach together, a special moment that allowed them to savor the beauty of their surroundings and each other’s company.

“I loved waking up with him on our wedding day and starting our day together,” Molly says.

Planning from Afar with Expert Guidance

Planning a wedding from afar can be challenging, but Molly and Arturo had a secret weapon: Marva Munroe, their experienced wedding planner. Having someone familiar with the area and well-connected was crucial to their successful wedding planning journey. They did make one pre-wedding visit after booking everything, which included a food tasting and a hair and makeup trial.

Creating Lasting Memories

One of the most significant advantages of a destination wedding for Molly and Arturo was having all their loved ones stay at the same location for the entire weekend. This allowed them to spend quality time with friends and family, creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

Words of Wisdom

For those embarking on their own wedding planning journey, Molly and Arturo have sage advice: “Hire a planner! We really could not have done it without Marva. Figure out what’s most important to you and make that a priority.”

Vendors: Photographer: Caroline Lima Photography; Wedding Planner: Chic Bahamas Weddings; Venue: Grand Isle Resort & Residences; Florist: RAH Designs; Stationery: Kelly Ashworth Design; Cake: Take A Bite Bahamas; Hair & Makeup: Karin Knowles Makeup; Gown Designer: Grace Loves Lace; Groom’s Clothing Designer: Q Clothier; Cinematography: iHeart Films; Ceremony Music: Michael Hoyte; Reception Music: DJ iGnite; Linens: Contempo Linens; Celebrant: Ignacio