For fun-loving couple Ilana and Brendan, a destination wedding sounded like the perfect opportunity to get to spend ample time with their wedding guests. Both New York attorneys, the laid-back aura of the Bahamas was an oasis the couple enjoyed vacationing in to get away from the hustle and bustle. So choosing to return to this Caribbean paradise to tie the knot seemed like a no-brainer.

“We wanted to be able to celebrate with our family and friends for a weekend and not just one night,” the bride says. 

After researching venues that would accommodate their 180-person celebration, it became clear that The Island House, a boutique hotel on the west side of Nassau, was the perfect fit. The property offers ​​exclusive private beach access, two restaurants, a cafe, wine market and oodles of entertainment, making it the perfect spot for the group to park it and enjoy full relaxation.

From there, Ilana and Brendan recruited the talented team at Wildflowers Bahamas to help plan out each detail, from travel to floral arrangements. If there were any snags in coordinating with vendors, the couple didn’t have to worry one bit. 

“Using a wedding planner resolved all of these issues,” Ilana says.

By opting for a destination wedding, the couple ended up with a smaller guest list than they would have had they elected to wed back home in New York. Saving money in the guest-count department allowed Ilana and Brendan to allot more funds toward other areas. 

“We flew a DJ/band in from Miami, and we ordered special alcohol,” the bride says.

On the day of their wedding, Ilana and Brendan met at sunset under a chuppah with stunning flowers hanging all around. The traditional Jewish ceremony was expertly captured by the team at Lyndah Wells Photography (see below for more images).

Once vows were exchanged and sealed with a kiss, the party began. The couple and their guests danced into the night with the live band, Rock With U, guiding the celebration under the Bahamian night sky.