WEST END, Grand
Bahama Island- On February 13th, a few days shy of the one month
anniversary of the Ministry of Tourism’s 16 Islands Wedding campaign, and one
day before Valentine’s Day, cupid’s arrow struck the most western point of the
Island like a lightning bolt. A most enchanting “Rags to Riches” destination
wedding love story for engaged
couple, Lenny Piciullo and Deborah Fauset unfolded.
Earlier in the week, the love-birds set sail aboard their 34
foot sailboat for the Virgin Islands, from West Palm Beach, in hopes of having the
perfect destination wedding on Valentine’s Day. Shortly after the start of
their journey, according to the couple, what started out as the perfect sailing
day quickly changed for the worst, forcing the couple’s plans to be altered by
Mother Nature. In fear for their lives,
a distress call was made to BASRA after strong winds, waves, rain and lightning
knocked out navigation. With limited sight and slim hope of survival, after two
hours of a frightening sailing experience, the couple’s vessel came to a
crashing halt in the safe harbor of Old Bahama Bay Resort, located in the home
of hospitality, West End.
Receiving news of the shipwreck, Ministry of Tourism Guest Services unit, joined hands with
the community of West End and Old Bahama Bay in seizing the opportunity to bring
relief to the distressed couple, who lost all of their belongings during the
wreck. The couple was gratified to find that Old Bahama Bay would be their home
for the next five nights and that the hotel staff, fellow vacationers and local
community members, would be their extended family, assisting them with
clothing, transportation and meals. To top the gifts of love, the Ministry of
Tourism took the lead in providing the couple with a complimentary destination
wedding to be held at the location of the shipwreck, as per the couple’s
request.
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Rosalyn Pinder, Senior Manager for Weddings at the Ministry
of Tourism conveyed hear dearest gratitude to all of the entities that were
involved in making this miracle of a wedding, a reality for the bride and
groom. Donations in kind were provided to the couple, courtesy of, Old Bahama
Bay, West End residents Keith and Linda Cooper who stood as the couple’s Best
Man and Maid of Honor, Bishop Woodside who officiated the ceremony, Flowerama
and Fritz Bridal for the bridal bouquet and Bride’s and Groom’s attire
respectively.
Friday, February 13th, 2015 was indeed a dream
come true for newlyweds Lenny and Deborah Picuillo who, as if it were destiny,
experienced just why Romance is Better in The Bahamas.
