Weddings

Scene Together

By Sarasota Scene |

By Jacqueline Miller

March 17, 2018
Ashleigh Gregoria & Christiaan de Waal
It was kismet when a bright and beautiful American finding her way through the streets of our nation’s capital had a chance encounter with a dashing man with a name worthy of a royal roll call.

The beauty was Ashleigh Morgan Gregoria, daughter of Ric and Gina Gregoria of Sarasota. The man with the regal name was Christiaan Alexander de Waal, son of Philip and Marie-Jose’ de Waal of Den Haag, Netherlands and Versailles, France.

That fateful day, Ashleigh was searching for an address on a Washington D. C. street where she had a business meeting. Noticing Ashleigh, Christiaan asked if she needed assistance. Never could they have known that brief encounter would become their beginning.

Ashleigh, who went to Saint Stephen’s High School and then graduated Florida State University with dual bachelor’s degrees in accounting and finance, works as a financial specialist on federal government contracts and serves as a financial client account lead for a U.S. federal agency.

Christiaan graduated from American University and has a bachelor’s degree in justice and master’s degree in international justice and terrorism. He is an adjunct professor at American University in the School of Public Affairs. Christiaan also works in diplomatic service with the Royal Netherlands Embassy.

Later that same evening, at the Eighteenth Street Lounge (the former home of Teddy Roosevelt), Christiaan and Ashleigh happened to attend the same function. He spotted her from across the room, made his way over and started talking. And they talked—for hours. Christiaan invited Ashleigh for coffee the next day, ice skating and dinner the next day, and on and on until their engagement in May 2017, fifteen months later.

Christiaan’s plan to ask for Ashleigh’s hand started during the 2016 Christmas season. While visiting Florida, he asked her father’s permission and received her parents’ blessing. He then began planning the Parisian proposal he has always envisioned with some help on the ground from his close friend and best man, who lives in Paris. Christiaan planned a trip for Ashleigh filled with one surprise after another. He saved his biggest and best surprise for last day of their trip. Christiaan proposed on bended knee on a private balcony overlooking the Eiffel Tower at sunset. While this may be a girl’s dream proposal, it also had great significance for hard-core romantic Christiaan, a dual citizen of France and the Netherlands with a strong affinity for Paris!

Ashleigh returned to the States and immediately began wedding planning. It was easy for Ashleigh; she had dreamed about her wedding since she was a young girl and already knew what she wanted.

For the church ceremony, it would be none other than Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tampa, where her parents married 34 years ago. Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of the Diocese of Venice, served as celebrant. Bishop Dewane also performed the blessing of the wedding meal.

Her reception plans were solidified in her 10-year-old mind when she attended her first Pique Nique Sur la Baie at the Charles Ringling Mansion at New College—the perfect setting for her medieval night’s dream come true. Ashleigh entrusted Phil Mancini of Michael’s On East catering to prepare her mansion wedding feast with wine pairings and foods from American, French and Dutch cultures, creating a truly royal experience.

The reception was an intimate gathering of immediate family and close friends. It started with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the terrace, including the couple’s signature “Mint to Be,” mint juleps, as strolling violinists filled the air with festive music. White tulips, in honor of the groom’s father, were incorporated in the floral arrangements throughout the venue.

A formal dinner with wine pairings and French champagne was served in the music room with the accompaniment of classical piano music. Adding to the regal ambiance, a trio of horns and trumpets signaled the meal was complete and the guests were led to the living room for the cutting of the Wedgwood-inspired wedding cake adorned with a gold leaf de Waal family crest. Dancing under the stars and under a grand crystal chandelier suspended in midair took place after dinner on the bay front.

A mass of floral arrangements on columns created an enchanted garden that led to the dance floor from the main house. Tufted French benches and love seats were interspersed for guests to relax and enjoy after-dinner cordials and dessert while listening to the DeLeon 13-piece band. The vocalists at both the church and reception sang several songs in French in honor of the groom’s mother. Ashleigh and Christiaan’s first dance was to “I Choose You” by Ryann Darling, and her father-daughter dance was to “Daddy Dance with Me” by Krystal Keith. The final song of the evening was “It’s a Wonderful World” as a tribute to the bride’s parents.

Guests gathered under the portico for the newlywed’s sparkler sendoff as thy drove off to the Ritz-Carlton in a vintage 1961 white Rolls Royce for their wedding night. Fresh French lavender sachets, the flower of devotion, were the guest favors. The newlyweds honeymooned in Punta Cana, D.R. at the TRS Turquesa.

Ashleigh and Christiaan now live in McLean, Virginia, where they enjoy cooking exotic dishes together, entertaining family and friends, and taking care of their Husky, Elle. Ashleigh is working on developing her conversational French so she can better communicate with her new in-laws.

February 17, 2018
Tess Garrett Stephenson & Chad Michael Miller
They’re a symbol of freedom. Strong. Powerful. Regal. Let’s face it. There’s just something very romantic about horses, and for dark-haired beauty Tess Stephenson, riding horses is who she is and what she loves. So, it should come as no surprise that her first date with her knight in shining armor, Chad, ended up at the barn where she then boarded her horses.

The year was 2013. They were introduced by mutual friends and hit it off immediately. But Tess had to put Chad to an early test. Could he understand her passion and the time she devoted to her horses? Could he understand her love of riding? You bet he could. After hanging out together on their first date, Tess took Chad to the barn. He liked it. She felt good. They would spend almost every day together after that.

Through their courtship years, the couple shared many memories, both happy and sad, as well as successes and letdowns. But one thing never changed—their unwavering support and love of one another. They were truly best friends. On September 24, 2016, Chad took Tess to one of her favorite restaurants. After a lovely dinner, they took a walk on Siesta Beach and enjoyed a magnificent sunset. As they were walking back, Chad tenderly looked at Tess and asked her if she was ready to love him for the rest of their lives. He then got down on one knee and asked for her hand in marriage. Of course, she said yes!

Now to find the perfect wedding venue. Just outside of Sarasota in Myakka City, there’s a 240-acre cattle ranch called Diamond C Ranch that would provide the perfect romantic backdrop. The huge barn with chandeliers, a bar, and stunning winding staircase is nestled amongst 100-year-old majestic oak trees—the perfect rustic elegant setting for a spectacular wedding. Could this not be more perfect for Tess?

Their February wedding was, according to the couple, “absolutely gorgeous and a dream come true.” Before the ceremony, the couple did a blind prayer. Chad could not see Tess, but she could see him. And while she “bawled like a baby” the entire time, Tess said the prayer helped calm her nerves. She was escorted down the aisle by her parents, Dr. Dee Stephenson and Tom Stephenson, to marry the man of her dreams. The couple wrote their own vows, which Tess said she was so happy they did, because she “can hear Chad repeat them in my head.” The almost 400 guests in attendance enjoyed a night filled with love and laughter.

Tess is a full-time nursing student who will graduate in December and works as a student nurse (SNAP) at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. Chad operates equipment at Sarasota-based Bob Miller Masonry. Chad’s parents are Ken Miller and Janice Miller.

Because of her schooling, Tess and Chad put their honeymoon plans on hold. They are planning instead on an extravagant first-year anniversary vacation!

One last thing. If you’re an avid reader of romance novels, you may realize that many of the novel heroines are named Tess and they all ride horses. The story of Tess and Chad is definitely our Sarasota modern romance novel!

For more beautiful Sarasota weddings, check our other Scene Together weddings:

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