Rob and Ambers wedding - Celebrity Weddings |
Who: Rob and Amber a.k.a. Amber Brkich and Rob Mariano
When: April 16, 2005
Where: Atlantis, Paradise Island resort in the Bahamas.
The Proposal: Competition became a form of courtship during the couple's gruelling 39 day ordeal on The Pearl Islands, and during the live season finale broadcast of "Survivor: All Stars" Rob Mariano knelt on one knee in Madison Square Garden and professed his love for Amber with an engagement ring designed by Cynthia Wolff--a 1.31-carat round diamond flanked by a series of tiny diamonds and baguettes on a band of white gold.
The Bridal Shower: At the Seven Oaks Country Club in Ohioville, Pennsylvania the bride-to-be opened presents ranging from the practical (Oxford bath towels, Calphalon stainless steel kitchenware and a Bissell Flip-It Bare Floor Cleaner) to the sentimental (a Dream bridal album and mother-of-pearl picture frames) purchased from the couple's wedding registries at Bed, Bath and Beyond, Crate and Barrel, Williams-Sonoma and Target's Club Wedd.
Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties: Amber and her assistants avoided pre-wedding day stress by frolicking with dolphins at Blue Lagoon Island, while Rob and his buddies spent the day deep-sea fishing. In the evening, the wedding party dined on chicken breasts, corn on the cob and hamburgers followed by apple pie, New York cheesecake and s'mores at a barbeque held at the resort.
The Ceremony: The sun began its descent in the Caribbean sky as the bride made her way to her intended, who waited beneath an arch composed of starfish, seashells and pearls. Looking into each other's eyes, the couple read personalized vows as the groom placed a wedding band from jeweler Martin Katz on to his loved one's finger.
The Dress: Although she posed in wedding gowns by top couturiers including Reva Mivasagar and Melissa Sweet during a photoshoot for Modern Bride, when it came time to walk down the aisle the bride chose Arlette Kronk, a designer from her hometown, to create an ethereal gown with a plunging V-neck and ultrafeminine ruffles which mimiced the ocean's waves when caught by the breeze during the outdoor ceremony. A diaphanous veil, attached to the bride's brunette locks, completed the look.
Becoming one with the beach locale, the groom felt the sand beneath his bare feet as he pledged his love in an off-white linen suit paired with a white shirt. Adding a personal touch, Rob wore around his neck a gift made by his bride-- a small vial fastened on to a cord which contained sand from Panama, where their love story began, mixed with sand from the Bahamas, where the two were eternally united in matrimony.
The Reception: The triumphant gospel song "Oh Happy Day" rose to the heavens as BeBe Winans and a choir escorted the newly betrothed couple to an outdoor reception orchestrated by wedding planner to the stars Colin Cowie. After dining on lobster and a five-tiered wedding cake accented with a motif of pearls and seashells, the bride and groom took to the turquoise-colored dance floor as trumpeter Chris Botti played a sentimental rendition of "When I Fall In Love." Guests enjoyed a fireworks display as the festivities drew to a close.