"I forced myself out that night," says Andrew Priston, who reluctantly joined friends at a Montreal restaurant on the first anniversary of his sister's death. Lindsay Rosen was perplexed that September evening by the charming Englishman, who held her gaze, but never approached her table. "Leaving already?" Andrew finally inquired, interrupting her departure with a dinner invitation. "When I saw Lindsay, all my trouble seemed to disappear. Her smile was mesmerizing," Andrew remembers.

"We had a laugh right from the beginning," he says of their date. "We saw each other continuously for three weeks straight," adds Lindsay. Eight months later, in May of 2008, she expected to fly home following the “Sex and the City” premiere in New York, but Andrew, who was headed to London, asked her to accompany him. Lindsay was unfazed when he revealed they were Venice-bound instead. "He's very spontaneous and romantic," she says of the futures trader. Although she didn't anticipate a proposal as they strolled through Hotel Cipriani's rose garden, "It felt natural," she says. Andrew, who "wanted it to go just right," was a bit thrown when it started to rain, but Lindsay reminisces: "We were both just over the moon afterward."

Disinclined to wait a year for summertime in Montreal, Lindsay discovered Fisher Island while browsing The Leading Hotels of the World website, and when the couple visited, "We absolutely fell in love," she says. Working with planner Guerdy Réjouis-Abraira, they designed a weekend-long vacation and celebration for 102 guests.

"Island chic" was the dress for Friday's welcome dinner featuring a reggae band, Brazilian dancers and a museum-style display of elaborate, edible sculptures by Ana Paz symbolizing aspects of the couple's life.

Saturday evening, charismatic Rabbi Frank presided over their exchange of vows beside the enormous banyan tree in the Vanderbilt Mansion's courtyard. His meaningful words allowed those of all faiths to appreciate the ceremony's symbolism.

"I find white to be very relaxing," says Lindsay of the cocktail hour's predominant hue. Stilt walkers and unicorn-costumed women circulated. A fire blower performance preceded dinner indoors, where Philippe Starck ghost chairs, lush florals, floating candles and custom-mirrored tabletops continued the color theme.

The supreme surprise came when a hidden stage was unveiled and Andrew introduced Diana Ross. "She's timeless," he says, of his late sister's and mum's "idol." Lindsay chimes in, "We were like 100 groupies. I knew it would be great, but I was still in awe that it was actually happening."

Lindsay donned a Melissa Odabash sequined mini dress at midnight and a DJ kept the party lively until 3:30 a.m. The newlyweds spent twelve days honeymooning in "the most glamorous desert. You haven't felt service" until you've visited Dubai, Lindsay insists.

"We had the best time," she says of their wedding, but more important than the event is their unwavering commitment: "Our energy and strength together as a couple shows, and it's contagious," she says.

As they eagerly anticipate their first child, their shared sense of humor ensures their bond. "Laughter is an important element of life," Andrew believes, and "there's no shortage of laughter in our house."

> Written by Kim Knox Beckius