Bride: Fabiola Hilaire, 47, Caregiver
Groom: Craig Scott, 53, Care Navigator
Date: June 7, 2024
Venue: Crystal Ballroom Beach Place, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Guests: 80
LOVE STORY
Craig and Fabiola’s love story is a modern-day romance that started on the Tinder dating app in the fall of 2020. What began as a simple swipe right quickly blossomed into something beautiful and profound. Their first date, a Sunday dinner at Fabiola’s home, was a testament to their instant connection. As they shared stories and laughter over a home-cooked meal, they both knew they had found something special. This decision to invite Craig over for dinner changed their lives forever.
Craig has been head over heels for Fabiola since they met. And he admires her for genuinely understanding him. Fabiola describes him as a genuine, chivalrous and beautiful person, a true gem in her life. According to Craig, their bond is unbreakable, and they have no secrets. Their relationship is built on trust, honesty and an abundance of laughter. What is really special is that they finished each other’s sentences with 80s song lyrics! Their shared sense of humor keeps them constantly laughing and enjoying each other’s company.
Craig knew he would ask Fabiola to marry him early in their relationship. After only a few months, he secretly planned the perfect way to propose to Fabiola and set out to surprise her.
Proposal
Craig’s enchanting proposal to Fabiola took place at the breathtaking Paisley Park, a magnificent 65,000-square-foot estate nestled in Chanhassen, Minnesota. With its rich history as the former residence of the iconic musician Prince, the estate set the stage for a moment straight out of a fairy tale.
Knowing Fabiola’s deep admiration for Prince, Craig orchestrated a magical surprise in the heart of Prince’s creative sanctuary. Imagine this: The tour guide clears out the ‘Purple Rain’ room, and amidst Prince’s Recording Studio, Craig kneels and asks Fabiola to be his partner for life. Overwhelmed with joy, she at once said, “Yes.” Craig then presented Fabiola with a breathtaking pear-shaped teardrop engagement ring. This enchanting gesture is a testament to their shared passion for music, art and each other that created a proposal fit for a timeless romance.
WEDDING FACTS
THEME
“I will never forget the moment I proposed to Fabiola amidst Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ room. It was truly a magical experience,” said the groom. “So, when planning our wedding, we knew there was no better theme than a Prince extravaganza! Vibrant royal purple, deep royal blue and delicate accents of lavender were woven through every celebration aspect.”
VENUE
Craig and Fabiola were married at the Crystal Ballroom Beach Place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “It is such an elegant and glamorous space that takes your breath away as soon as you step inside,” said the bride. “From the exquisite chandelier to the magnificent decorations, it is absolutely to die for! We chose this venue because of its fantastic persona and ambiance and the best part is that you can customize it for your unique experience. Plus, the location is on the beach!”
ATTIRE
Fabiola wore a stunning lavender ballgown that was custom-made in Turkey. It took three months to create. Every pearl and crystal on the dress was carefully hand-stitched to represent the lyrics of one of her favorite songs, “Diamonds and Pearls” by Prince.
The bride’s custom-made diamond and pearl shoes were unique, with one shoe adorned with pearls and the other with rhinestones. Her bouquet, featuring purple lilac and ivory sola wood, was exquisite. A spritz of Rihanna’s “Nude” perfume and Fabiola was ready to marry her prince.
The bridesmaids wore A-line plum dresses and carried luxurious silk purple rose bouquets.
As for the groom, he looked dapper in a custom-made black suit with tasteful purple, lavender and blue paisley accents. The groomsmen donned rich metallic blue suits with lavender paisley ties that completed the cohesive look.
CEREMONY
Craig and Fabiola’s ceremony was an absolute dream come true! The venue’s main entrance provided a stunning backdrop for the occasion. The space was dripping with gorgeous white and purple lavender roses, beautiful greenery, white orchid arches, royal purple feathers and other exquisite accents. The couple reserved seats in honor of the groom’s father and the bride’s son.
Before the ceremony, Fabiola pre-recorded a heartfelt message for Craig, expressing her excitement about becoming Mrs. Scott and emphasizing the day’s significance. As the DJ played the message, all the guests were captivated by Fabiola’s words. Craig’s eyes welled up with emotion as Fabiola blew him a kiss.
As Fabiola made her grand entrance, she descended the aisle on her father’s arm. The soulful notes of “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” by Prince filled the air, creating a magical atmosphere that made the moment even more enchanting. It was a scene straight out of a fairytale and everyone present felt the love and joy in the air.
The intimate ceremony led by their officiant resonated with everyone in attendance, particularly the sincere words about the real meaning of marriage. Craig and Fabiola’s self-penned vows were incredibly moving. Craig’s words about Fabiola being his sun and moon were so poetic. Fabiola’s analogy of her love being like a scar—ugly but permanent—was raw and beautiful.
It was an emotional rollercoaster as the bride’s daughter, the bride’s best friend and the groom’s mother shared their thoughts on the couple’s love for each other. The love and support from their family and friends were genuinely heartwarming.
As the couple were pronounced married and introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Scott, the song “Kiss” by Prince filled the air. Craig and Fabiloa’s procession down the aisle was beautifully accompanied by Laufey’s soul-stirring melody “Dear Soulmate.”
Cocktail Hour
The newlyweds’ cocktail hour was held inside the venue, specifically in the Garden Room. The guests enjoyed a variety of appetizers, including fried plantain cups with pork, large coconut shrimp, mini crab cakes and mini beef empanadas. The couple’s signature mixed drink was Purple Rain. It was made from vodka, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, cranberry juice and grenadine.
Who could forget the adorable Apollonia, the couple’s Yorkie, who stole the show in her lavender wedding dress as she pranced around during the cocktail hour and reception? It was the cutest thing ever!
RECEPTION
The reception was simply unforgettable! The banquet ballroom was a stunning sight with its personalized arrangements of purple, lavender and white roses. The crystal accents on the tables added an extra touch of elegance. The newlyweds’ entrance was nothing short of spectacular as they gracefully danced to the rhythm of Prince’s “Kiss.”
And the menu—oh my! It was a feast for royalty, starting with a fresh garden salad, followed by mouthwatering pepper steak and grilled chicken entrees with sides of green beans, yellow rice and mashed potatoes!
After a delicious dinner, the newlyweds took to the dance floor and swayed to the soulful melody of “I Call You Rose” by The Sacred Soul. The heartwarming dance between the bride and her parents to the rhythmic beats of “Zouk” by Kassav left everyone with teary eyes and full hearts.
And can we talk about the entertainment? From burlesque dancers to LED robots, stilt dancers and an LED drummer – it was a night filled with magic!
Craig and Fabiola’s incredible wedding cake was a towering five-tier masterpiece of rich chocolate. Each tier was adorned with sparkling rhinestones and crystal accents. The buttercream frosting was so decadent and every bite was pure bliss!
Craig and Fabiola’s guests were gifted charcuterie cups as they left the evening.
Craig and Fabiola spent their memorable wedding night in a cozy local Airbnb.
Since the start of Craig and Fabiola’s relationship, Craig has lovingly referred to Fabiola as Aurora. On their wedding night, as a beautiful surprise gift, Fabiola told Craig she had already legally added Aurora as her middle name. This romantic gesture truly exemplifies the depth of their connection. Moments like these remind us of the incredible power of love and the beautiful ways it can manifest in our lives.
VENDORS
VENUE/PLANNER/CAKE: Crystal Ballroom Beach Place
PHOTOGRAPHERS: Gabriel Photobook & Your Story Photography
VIDEOGRAPHER: Gabriel Photobook
PROPOSAL VENUE: Paisley Park
RINGS: Kay Jewelers
GOWN & VEIL: Bridal Worldwide
SHOES: Akkustomz Ink
MAKEUP: Danielle Balas
HAIR: Color Me Jen
DRESSES: JJ’s House
FORMALWEAR: Gentleman’s Guru
INVITATIONS: The Knot
FLOWERS: The Flower Bucket
CATERING: Memorable Moments Catering
OFFICIANT: Lili Rodriguez, Orlando, FL
NAIL TECHNICIAN: Destiny Colon
MUSIC: Eddie B & Company – Ft. Lauderdale DJ Company
ENTERTAINMENT: Blast Party Entertainment
