Acing Weddings with Aced Affairs CEO D'vanya!

I am beyond thrilled to share today’s chat with someone who truly knows how to turn wedding dreams into dazzling realities—D'Vanya Hinsey! She’s the brilliant mind behind Aced Affairs, a luxury wedding and event planning company she launched during the pandemic (talk about making the most of a challenge!). With over a decade of experience, D'Vanya has this magical ability to take a couple's vision and transform it into an unforgettable experience that’s just as unique as the couple.

In our conversation, D'Vanya spills the tea on some of her most jaw-dropping weddings, including one that had us both on the edge of our seats—a three-day, six-event Indian wedding that threw every possible curveball at her but still ended up being nothing short of spectacular. We also chatted about how she sprinkles in some Bahamian flavour to make each celebration stand out, the secrets to choosing the perfect venue in The Bahamas, and, of course, a few stories where a little Bahamian magic saved the day.

So, grab a cup of your favourite drink and settle in—this is going to be a fun one!

What’s the most unforgettable wedding you’ve planned in The Bahamas, and what made it stand out from the rest?

I recently planned a three-day / six-event Indian wedding that we planned in about 4 months’ time. I always love seeing the Indian wedding culture and traditions, but this particular wedding was most memorable because during the planning process, the bride was very meticulous about what she wanted and how she wanted it. During the planning process, I like to make sure my couples remember that they are celebrating their new chapter, their love, and the merging of their families. When wedding week came, it was like a domino effect of things going wrong, topped off with rain the entire week of the nuptials and other events causing us to have to move everything to weather backups and change up designs to accommodate the moves. Moving inside is the last thing any destination bride wants to hear; it obviously is not what they came to The Bahamas for. She was so devastated, but we treaded on, and the end results were AMAZING! She was so happy with how everything turned out, and she still, to this day, talks about her perfectly imperfect wedding. 

How do you weave Bahamian culture into your weddings to create a celebration that’s truly unique?

As a planner whose clients are 90% desirous of a destination wedding, I make it my business to at least suggest something that is reminiscent of our country/ culture. I normally suggest they include Bahamian-made items in their welcome bags like a local beer, Goombay Punch soda, a mini rum cake from  Bahamas Rum Cake Factory, or treats from Mortimer Candies. For the wedding event itself, for me, it’s always Junkanoo! The sound of Junkanoo just resonates with anyone regardless of where they are from, and I love seeing guests enjoy the experience of the greatest show on earth. I have also had pop-up Bahamian dance performances at a few of my receptions that are always well received. 

With so many stunning venues across the islands, how do you help couples choose the perfect spot to say ”I do”?

I simply get to know the couple. There are no two couples who are alike, so I try to learn about who they are as a couple and what they envision for their big day to help them select the perfect venue. There are some couples who want to be right on the water and others who are just glad to be in The Bahamas but prefer to be indoors. 

Can you share a moment where you had to pull off a little Bahamian magic to save the day?

A part of being a planner is knowing how to pivot if things go wrong, but a more important part of being a planner is being able to foresee anything that could go wrong and prevent it. I try to be as proactive as possible, so I can't say I’ve ever had anything seriously go wrong (knock on wood). The first story I shared, though, was quite the experience where pivoting was in overdrive. 

What’s the hottest wedding trend in The Bahamas right now, and how do you see it evolving?

I would have to say colours have really been trending as of late. We have couples who are embracing bright and colourful shades, schemes and florals. 

What’s your favourite part of being a wedding planner in The Bahamas, and what keeps you passionate about what you do?

There is one answer to both these questions. The end result and seeing my couples dance the night away with their closest friends and family at the end of their perfect day always makes it worth it. People tend to think being a wedding planner is all fun and glamour,  but the truth is wedding planners spend a minimum of 100 hours on any wedding, and that’s being modest; add to that boots on the ground to secure the ideal wedding location for a destination bride and the hours are multiplied.  I love showing off my country and sharing our traditions, food and culture with my clients and having them incorporate them in their wedding day.

I have to say, chatting with D'Vanya Hinsey has been an absolute delight. Her passion for creating extraordinary weddings is contagious, and her stories are proof that no challenge is too big when you’ve got a little Bahamian magic up your sleeve. From weathering the storm (literally) to blending cultural traditions in the most beautiful ways, D'Vanya’s approach to wedding planning is nothing short of inspiring.

If there’s one thing I’m taking away from our chat, it’s that the true magic of any wedding lies in the love and joy that fill the day, no matter what unexpected twists may arise. D'Vanya’s ability to pivot, innovate, and make each couple’s dreams come true is exactly why Aced Affairs has become, a go-to for anyone looking to say "I do" in The Bahamas.

Whether you’re planning your own destination wedding or just love hearing about the behind-the-scenes action, I hope you enjoyed this peek into D'Vanya’s world as much as I did. And who knows—maybe one day, you’ll be dancing the night away at your own perfectly imperfect Bahamian wedding, with D'Vanya by your side making sure it’s everything you ever dreamed of.