Melissa and Anwar's Vintage Hollywood-Glam Wedding in the Bahamas -Munaluchi Bride

Melissa and Anwar’s love story began in Nova Scotia while the two were students of accounting. During a visit to his cousin, Anwar was introduced to her friend, Melissa. “Anwar was instantly smitten.” They would remain acquaintances for some time before creating a friendship that “blossomed into unconditional love.” A love that on February 25th in Nassau would lead them down the aisle to become husband and wife in a beautiful cathedral wedding with a vintage Hollywood-glam themed reception.

Read all about Melissa & Anwar’s love story, intimate balcony proposal, and experiences in their beautiful Bahamas wedding – perfectly captured by MunaLuchi Coterie member Stanley Babb of Stanlo Photography.

Bride & Groom: Melissa & Anwar
Occupations: Accountants
Wedding date: February 25, 2017
Wedding location: Nassau, Bahamas

Tell us how you met and all about the proposal. The pair met in Nova Scotia, Canada while both students studied accounting. During Anwar’s visit with his cousin (who attended a separate university), Anwar met the beautiful Melissa who just so happened to be her friend and college mate. The pair exchanged a simple glance, accompanied with a friendly “hello” and Anwar was instantly smitten. The couple ‘met’ a number of times over the years but the meeting that mattered most was…the Heineken bus! As Anwar would put it in the words of Beres Hammond “what one dance can do.” After years of distant glances and suggestive comments Melissa finally came to her senses and started looking at Anwar the same way he had been looking at her all along. Over time they grew stronger in their bond and slowly their friendship blossomed into unconditional love. After an amazing 3 year courtship and much discussion regarding their future; the couple knew they were destined to be together forever. Anwar began to speak with close family and friends regarding his desire to marry Melissa, and later requested her parents’ permission for her hand in marriage. Following their blessing – Anwar was ready. Knowing the importance Melissa placed on loved ones and close friends, he opted to propose during her family’s Easter Sunday brunch at Island House in Nassau, Bahamas. With a breath-taking, balcony view as his backdrop, and friends hidden away in the restaurant, Anwar got down on one knee and surprised Melissa with the most beautiful diamond ring. And of course she said yes!

What was wedding shopping like for you? I visited Kleinfeld Bridal in NY but did not find anything within my budget that I liked. On my layover back to Nassau I stopped in Florida, went into Happy Bride Couture haphazardly, tried on two dresses and chose the second one which was a 2016 Kittychen dress and made a deposit. A few weeks later Kittychen had released their 2017 line and I fell in love with their Ivana dress in ivory and champagne. I immediately contacted the retailer and she in turn contacted the designer to make a special order for the 2017 Ivana dress that had not even been shown to the trunk show at the time. Luckily they granted my wish and I was able to collect my dress one month before the wedding without having seen it in person!

Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding? We had an Old Hollywood Glam theme so our décor and entertainment was reminiscent of that with our live jazz band during the cocktail hour and much more.

Bridesmaids/Groomsmen gifts: Bridesmaids gifts were monogrammed robes, personalized wine glasses, a bottle of their favourite wine, and sandals for the reception. Groomsmen gifts were a part of their attire- personalized socks, lapel flower pins, suspenders and whiskey.
Favorite item on the menu: Conch lollipops
First dance song: “Fools Rush In” by Haley Reinhart

What is your best memory from your wedding? Our first dance!

What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples? Stick to your budget and do exactly what you want to do. After the day is gone you want to be able to look back and say you did it your way and it was worth it all.