The first time Robert Woods III approached Alexandra Barbee, she blew him off. “We were at a party and she was amazing in all white with a beautiful smile and great legs,” he says. But her friends froze him out thinking, “Who is this guy?” Later, after a mutual acquaintance urged her to get to know him, Alexandra introduced herself to Robert. They talked, exchanged information and the next evening went on a casual date.
Robert—at that time a pro football player for the Buffalo Bills, who now plays for the LA Rams—was home in Los Angeles in the off-season, and he and Alexandra started to see more of each other. When he returned to Buffalo, they stayed in touch. “Not a day went by when we didn’t talk, text or FaceTime,” says Robert. She flew cross-country to visit him and he spent his breaks in California with her.
“OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS WERE THERE FOR US... IT WAS AN AMAZING PARTY EVEN BEFORE DINNER WAS SERVED!”
After two years of dating, they took a trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands, where Alexandra found their room filled with white roses—her favorite. On their final night, Robert arranged a private dinner on the beach. “It was sunset and there were tiki torches and champagne,” says Alexandra. “We felt like the entire beach was ours alone.” Between courses they went for a stroll, and Robert began to calmly profess his love for her before dropping to one knee and asking her to marry him. She said, “Yes,” and on returning to their room discovered the white roses had been replaced with red ones.
Alexandra’s vision for a formal all white wedding required a venue that was both luxurious and modern, so the couple chose the Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, California. Guests were asked to wear all black, which provided a striking contrast to Alexandra and Robert dressed in white.
Immediately before the ceremony, an attendant stopped by their dressing rooms to deliver private vows that the bride and groom had written just for each other. Carrying those words in their hearts, they headed to the altar. Live cello music accompanied the wedding party down the aisle, while a dove release delighted the crowd during the couple’s first kiss as husband and wife.
When the newlyweds entered the reception for their first dance, the guests stood and surrounded the dance floor to celebrate the couple’s new status. “Our family and friends were there for us,” says Alexandra. “It was an amazing party even before dinner was served!”
Along with the all white theme, décor elements included a mirrored wall with hand-painted seating assignments, mirrored tabletops and mirrored dinner menus. Gold accents appeared on monograms, tableware and the edges of the wedding cake. The couple sat at a sweetheart table for dinner, shedding tears as their parents spoke, and laughing at the best man’s stories.
“It was a crazy, fun party,” says Robert. “Seven-year-olds were dancing and 77-year-olds were dancing.” According to Alexandra everyone had all eyes on them at one time or another as they broke out their best dance moves.
It seems that even while honeymooning, a football player’s work follows him. With Robert set to attend training camp immediately upon their return, daily workouts were a given. “He had me up every morning because he had to come back in shape,”
Alexandra playfully laments. But a Grecian honeymoon in three parts, providing the best of everything—sightseeing and culture in Athens, romance and relaxation in Santorini, and partying and shopping in Mykonos—more than made up for any inconveniences.
WEDDING TALENT
Location: Monarch Beach Resort Dana Point, CA; Wedding Dresses: Berta; Groom’s Attire: David August; Cinematography: Eric Film, Los Angeles CA
