Lauren and Damien planned their wedding on a literal sandbar in the middle of the Exumas. That’s right — a sandbar. As in, surrounded-by-ocean, only-appears-at-low-tide, blink-and-it ’s-gone kind of magic.

“We came across the most breathtaking sandbar — it instantly stole our hearts,” Lauren says. “From that moment on, we knew it had to be the place where we’d say ‘I do!’”

And trust us — the whole thing looked like a Pinterest board came to life.

From Work Crush to Island Vows

Lauren and Damien’s love story started in a not-so-tropical place: the office. “Proof that sometimes the best things happen when you’re not looking for them,” Lauren says, “even in the middle of a busy workday!”

When it came time to plan their wedding, they knew one thing: they wanted it to feel intimate, intentional, and totally them. “Keeping things local can sometimes make it harder to keep things small,” Lauren explains. “A destination felt like the perfect way to honor both moments in a way that felt true to us.”

So, Exuma — their favorite getaway spot — was the obvious pick. “Exuma quickly became our favorite escape,” she says. “A place where we could truly unwind and reconnect.”

Plot Twist: 40 MPH Winds

Now let’s talk about the not-so-glamorous side of destination weddings: Mother Nature’s mood swings. “We had 40 mph winds headed our way on our wedding day,” Lauren admits. “So the day before, we were forced to relocate all three of our event venues last-minute!”

Did they freak out? Maybe a little. But they handled it like champs. “We approached every hiccup as a team,” she says. “It only made the experience more memorable and rewarding in the end.”

Her advice for other couples planning in tropical locations? “Always have Plans A, B, and C. Seriously!”

Extra… in the Best Way

Let’s talk decor — because Lauren did not come to play. “Some of the décor was a little extra, but it made the day feel so us,” she says.

Case in point: the three massive chandeliers that Lauren and her parents personally assembled for the sweetheart table. “They were total troopers,” she laughs. And then there were the light-up pool orbs. “We had about 20 giant blow-up orbs that lit up in vibrant pops of pink,” Lauren says. “We floated them in the pool for a little extra razzle dazzle.”

Can we get a round of applause for the pool party energy? We’re obsessed.

The Ceremony: Short, Sweet, and So Them

In true island spirit, the ceremony was relaxed, heartfelt, and personal. “It was short, sweet, and full of heart — exactly what we envisioned,” Lauren says. “We wanted it to feel meaningful without being overly formal or long, and it truly reflected who we are as a couple.”

Eight Site Visits Later…

Planning from afar sounds dreamy until you realize it’s basically long-distance wedding planning — but Lauren was on it. “Being super hands-on and detail-oriented definitely helped,” she says. “We also weren’t shy about putting in the time — we made at least eight pre-wedding site visits.”

Eight. That’s commitment.

But all that legwork? 1000% worth it. “Hosting it in a destination we love made it incredibly special and unique to us,” she says.

Real Talk: It’s Not Easy — But It’s Worth It

Lauren keeps it real about destination planning: “Planning a wedding — especially a destination one — is not for the faint of heart if you’re a hands-on bride!” But she’s also the first to say it’s totally worth it.

Her best advice? “Plan early, give yourself grace, and trust your gut,” she says. “Don’t let anyone talk you into something that doesn’t feel right for your day. Stay true to your vision — it’s worth it!”

And Lauren’s vision? Nailed it. From the sandbar ceremony to the chandelier-lit poolside party, it was the kind of wedding that makes you want to grab your passport and start planning.

Vendors: Photography: Gaby Rguez; Reception Venue: Grand Isle Resort; Stationery: Custom Wedding Weekend Itinerary by Maya Simmons; Cake: Icing on the Cake; Hair & Makeup: MKUP The Beauty Studio; Bridal Gown Designer: Naama Navipur; Groom’s Attire: Thomas James; DJ & Production: DJ IGNITE