When Vince Henry presented girlfriend Melanie De Jesus with a diamond ring during a sweet surprise proposal at their home, it unintentionally also set the tone for how their actual wedding day would unfold. “With the help of our [consultant], we made all the decisions ourselves,” the bride explains. “We didn’t involve our loved ones much [in the process] because we wanted to surprise them!” Not only did they want to awe their family and friends, but Melanie wanted their nuptials to reflect understated beauty, elegance, and romance – the essence of what she felt when Vince asked her to be his wife. 

Though the couple had set a spending limit for the special day, their primary decision-making factor when choosing important elements for the celebration was simple: quality. “I wanted the best and didn’t want to cut corners,” explains Melanie. To accomplish this, the bride suggests to others: “Decide what’s most important to you and your fiancé and focus on those things, then let everything else fall into place.” 

A timeless color scheme of black, silver, and champagne was selected. “My planner and I used to joke that my wedding was colorless,” Melanie laughs. “I simply wanted an elegant, very subtle palette of hues!”  

Atop the roof of a popular upscale hotel, guests were seated in the round for the ceremony. “We chose to have a circular seating arrangement, so that we could be surrounded by love. We did not want any separation of sides,” explains the bride. Ghost chairs were neatly arranged beneath a modernly shaped tent. The ceiling of the structure was decorated with snowy fabric and glittering chandeliers. Arrangements of florals in muted tones dotted the space, as well as whimsical potted trees and plants. 

Bridesmaids dressed in regal ebony gowns preceded Melanie to the center of the vow-exchange area, and then took their seats to allow for guests to have an excellent view throughout the service. Though the couple had already had their "first look" – a moment that the bride admits was her most memorable of the day – it did not stop Vince from being dazzled by the beauty of his bride. She styled her dark tresses in a classic updo and wore minimal jewelry; her beaded strapless gown needed little else to captivate onlookers.

Long supper tables were bedecked with tall metallic candelabra iced with dangling crystals, as well as a variety of short mirrored vases brimmed with vanilla hydrangeas and blush roses. Sequined tabletops were finished with place settings comprised of reflective square chargers and rosy napkins fastened with a band of diamantes.

A three-layered cake with a simple dotted design in silver and white was separated from a bottom fourth layer by a black pedestal stand. Bouquets of gauzy florals and tea lights surrounded the confection set upon its own round table. 

Family and friends danced till midnight, and the couple couldn’t have been happier with the results of their big day. “It was elegant, but not over the top,” Vince describes of the event. “The décor was more beautiful than I imagined and we had an awesome party.” Melanie also shares that she wouldn’t do one thing differently. “I had so much fun planning… If I could do it again, I would!” And she also reminds other couples not to worry about the extra frills if they are concerned about exceeding the allotted spending limit. “I had a wish list of items – from a photo booth to an ice luge – to possibly add,” she admits. “We chose not to include any [extras] on that 'maybe' list, and in the end, we didn’t feel as if something was missing.” It was simply perfect.