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News : Ministry of Tourism Updates Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


Florida couple ecstatic about winning Bahamas dream wedding In Abaco
By D. Earnestine Moxyz, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
Oct 21, 2014 - 12:13:41 PM

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Pierre Alex Demonsthene and WanJira Banfield of Fort Lauderdale, Florida are one of 16 lucky couples who won a complimentary dream wedding in The Bahamas. All 16 weddings will occur on 16 different islands in The Bahamas on January 16, 2015 at 16:00 hours. The Fort Lauderdale couple will wed on Abaco Island.

PLANTATION, Florida - “Super thrilled and beyond belief” are the sentiments shared by Pierre Alex Demonsthene, a legal aide, when he found out that he and his fiancé, WanJira Banfield, a travel writer and fitness instructor had won a complimentary dream wedding in Abaco, The Bahamas.

The couple who refers to each other as ‘Mayor’ (because of Pierre’s diplomatic disposition) and ‘Majesty’ (the regal-style treatment WanJira administers to others) are one of 16 couples from throughout the United States of America (USA) who recently won the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism’s (BMOT) unique social media “16 Weddings 16 Islands, One Priceless Day” contest.

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The Engagement…

Launched on February 14, 2014 to US residents, the contest resulted in more than three thousand entries. Sixteen lucky, newly engaged couples won a complimentary dream wedding on any of 16 islands in The Bahamas’, 700 islands chain. All 16 weddings are scheduled to take place on 16 Bahama Islands at 16:00 hours on January 16, 2015.

The contest also showcased The Islands of The Bahamas as the premier destination for romance, weddings and honeymoons and highlighted the diversity, beauty, charm, characters, flavors and cultures of each of the 16 Bahama Islands.

Originally from Haiti, and a resident of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Pierre said he met WanJira, the ‘light of his life’ in 2012, through a mutual friend, who had given him her telephone number. The two spoke on the telephone daily for two weeks without even seeing or meeting each other. “When we met, the chemistry was incredible. Her charm, beauty, quick wit and personality “bamboozled” me, and I knew immediately, I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. We have been together ever since,” he said.

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The clever way WanJira revealed their winning their dream wedding in The Bahamas.

After dating the New York native for more than two years, he made it official. In December 2013, the couple traveled to New York to visit WanJira’s family. “I asked her family to help me solidify our relationship. I first asked her dad for her hand in marriage and then got her whole family to be a part of the engagement plans,” he said.

On New Year’s eve, “I arranged with Sarafina Restaurant’s management team, to have a romantic dinner complete with flowers, champagne, and a desert tray, with the words “will you marry me” inscribed on it. The desert tray, which was presented as Times Square’s New Year’s ball countdown began, was accompanied by a dazzling diamond ring and on bending knees - I uttered the four magical words, “will you marry me”?

WanJira, who did not for-see this surprise, was overwhelmed with joy! However, she vowed to get sweet revenge.

Just days prior to the close out of the BMOT’s 16 Islands, 16 Weddings One Priceless Day contest, she entered the contest. When she received notification that the couple had won their dream wedding in Abaco Bahamas, she was elated and quickly executed her revenge plan.

She asked her fiancé, to bring her a cup of ice from the freezer. On opening the freezer door, a huge poster board which she had made and carefully fastened to the inside of the freezer, in big, bold letters surrounded by smiling faces, read “we won, we are getting married in Abaco, Bahamas”.

The two are now busy making plans for their upcoming nuptials, themed “light up my life” in Abaco, home to The Bahamas’ famed candy-striped lighthouse, on January 16, 2015 at 16:00 hours.

Among the many gifts the couple will receive are round-trip airline tickets to The Bahamas, luxurious four nights hotel accommodations and meals for four, cash rewards for the couple from MasterCard®, wedding rings created by Steven Singer Jewelers, a complimentary tuxedo provided by 1888mytuxes and Mon Cheri bridal gown designed by David Tutera and Sophia Tolli.

Contest Partners included MasterCard®, 1888mytuxes.com, Mon Cheri, Steven Singer Jewelers, John Bull and hotels Hope Town Harbour Lodge, Acklins Island Lodge, Kamalamae Cay Hotel, Carriearl Boutique Hotel, Resorts World Bimini, Pigeon Cay Beach Club, Tranquility on The Bay, Pineapple Fields, Valentines Resort & Marina, Sandals Resorts, Grand Lucayan, Island Ocean Villas, Hilton Hotel, Atlantis Resort and Riding Rock Inn.

The priceless wedding experiences are expected to take place on Acklins, Crooked Island, Abaco, Andros, The Berry Island, Bimini, Cat Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, Harbour Island, Grand Bahama, Inagua, Long Island, Nassau, Paradise Island and San Salvador, Bahamas.

About The Islands Of The Bahamas

The Islands Of The Bahamas have a place in the sun for everyone from Nassau and Paradise Island to Grand Bahama to The Abaco Islands, The Exuma Islands, Harbour Island, Long Island and others. Each island has its own personality and attractions for a variety of vacation styles with some of the world’s best scuba diving, fishing, sailing, boating, as well as, shopping and dining. The destination offers an easily accessible tropical getaway and provides convenience for travelers with preclearance through U.S. customs and immigration, and the Bahamian dollar at par with the U.S. dollar. Do everything or do nothing, just remember It’s Better in The Bahamas. For more information on travel packages, activities and accommodations, call 1-800-Bahamas or visit www.Bahamas.com. Look for The Bahamas on the web on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

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