This Hotel Wedding Was Designed to Blend Parisian Elegance With Coastal Tranquility

A matchmaking service introduced Terrianne, an IT executive from Trinidad and Tobago, and Ryan, a construction executive from Napa, California. The connection was deep and heartfelt, they say, and a swift nine months later, they got engaged on a Delaware beach.

The intimate celebration blended Parisian elegance with coastal tranquility, layered in shades of blue—Ryan’s favorite color and a reflection of Terrianne’s love of the ocean. A sand ceremony that symbolized the blending of their families was Terrianne’s favorite moment; seeing their six kids dressed as bridesmaids and groomsmen “in a symbol of unity” was Ryan’s. Steel-pan music at the ceremony and cocktail hour honored Terrianne’s dad’s memory, and blue and white florals—plus greenery evoking seagrass—combined with velvet place cards, patterned linens, woven candle holders, rattan signage, and frayed-edge cloth menus for a sea of texture. Dinner, a French-inspired meal that included steak au poivre, was followed by a showstopping four-tier wedding cake layered with red velvet, passionfruit, and chocolate.

Wedding Details

Amy Moeller

Fashion & Weddings Editor

Amy leads Washingtonian Weddings and writes Style Setters for Washingtonian. Prior to joining Washingtonian in March 2016, she was the editor of Capitol File magazine in DC and before that, editor of What’s Up? Weddings in Annapolis.