Alessandra & Andrew

Alessandra & Andrew

WALKER’S LANDING

By Julie Simmons Photography by Brittany Powell Photography

Maybe it’s the ocean, or the abundant canopies of oaks, or quite possibly the quaint downtown that hooked Alessandra Banno on Amelia Island. Like so many of you, once she found Amelia Island in 1998, it became more home than her Peoria, Illinois hometown. “As soon as we found Amelia, it was where my family spent summers, holidays, and special occasions,” says Alessandra. “And as quick as I could bring Andrew to Amelia Island, I did!” Alessandra met Andrew Bonanno at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in her sophomore year and his senior year. “We’ve been inseparable ever since,” the couple laughs, reminiscing on their lives together in Ohio, Colorado, California, and today, back in Ohio. And many visits to Amelia in-between, the first of which hooked Andrew, too! So much so that he stopped by Robison Jewelers on one visit and picked out a promise ring of opal and diamonds for Alessandra, asking her to promise to marry him one day here on the island. As testament to their love, Alessandra’s mother, Tamilyn Banno, shared that at the end of Alessandra’s junior year of college, she suffered an abdominal tumor that threatened her life and the possibility of having children. Demonstrating his complete love, Andrew, who’d buried his father just a few months before, resigned from his job and moved to be by Alessandra’s side as she recovered. In 2019, Andrew made his commitment permanent when he proposed at Lover’s Cove on Catalina Island. “And, of course, we soon visited Amelia to pick out a venue,” they smile. When Alessandra showed Andrew Walker’s Landing for the first time, she didn’t even have to ask. With its expansive views of the marsh, the majestic oaks, and the beautiful setting, they immediately reserved a date in May of this year for their big day. A highlight of the wedding week was Alessandra’s bachelorette party, where the ladies rode Amelia Island’s extensive bike trails, enjoyed lunch at Marche Burette, and let the gentlemen crash their party for some fun at Th e Palace Saloon. Guests came from around the country to celebrate the couple, with the center of the action was at the Omni Amelia Island Resort. “Everyone loved the hotel, and especially the time spent together poolside and on the beach.” On wedding day, the bridal party sipped champagne while Kristi Arketti applied makeup, Th e Beauty Bar perfected the ladies’ hair, and photographer Brittany Powell captured the special moments. When the bride was ready, she visited her dad for a first look, where her mom surprised her with a white Rolls Royce to deliver her to the first look for her groom. Th e couple said “I do” with their Toy Australian Shepherd, Roscoe, by their sides and Alessandra’s dad officiating. “Th is was all Andrew’s idea to ask dad!” Alessandra explains. “Dad was actually pretty sick with COVID-19 a few months before the wedding, and this was one more way we celebrated his wellness and our family.” Island Sounds DJ Morgan Crean kept everyone hopping at the reception, and the couple surprised the crowd with some newly acquired dance moves. Catering by Liz presented several food stations, Nana Teresa’s Bake Shop prepared a cake with cannoli filling as a nod to the couple’s Italian heritage, and Andrew’s family’s excellent BonAnno wine was enjoyed by all! Th e Bonannos are settling nicely into married life, with Andrew serving as CFO for a small Ohio company and Alessandra studying to become a physician’s assistant. Everyday you can fi nd this couple up early practicing yoga, hiking on the weekends, and most of all, loving their new life together.