DJs and music producer Tiësto Veraest and model Annika Backes were spotted at Catch Restaurant in New York City in February 2015. The couple had mutual friends and started off with a good foot. "We started going out the next couple of months together and decided to go to Coachella the day before it started," says Annika. ?We spent the weekend having fun at the festival, just the two of us. We didn't tire of each other for a second. Even when we returned to the city we did not want to leave each other. That's where we found out what was going on with us. ?
Three years later, Tijs proposed during Thanksgiving. "We went on holiday to the Maldives," the bride recalled. ?Unfortunately, it rained there for the first nine days. They waited for the perfect sunset and on our last day, the time opened. He rented the entire restaurant. I thought we would eat a romantic dinner, but once we got to the restaurant, I realized something was going to happen. There was a path of pink petals leading to a single table and a band of music. They had brought our favorite wine and champagne. It was so romantic. We celebrated all night on the beach. ?
The couple stayed engaged for two years, meaning they had plenty of time to plan their dream wedding. ?We wanted a holiday in the desert, just outside Las Vegas. That's where Amangiri's mind went. "
The resort in the middle of the Utah wilderness made the pair fall in love and opt for the ceremony. ?We love the stillness and the scenery. It looks like you're on another planet, ?Anikka tells. ?We wanted a glamorous, romantic and sexy ceremony, both natural and intimate. So we rented the whole resort for our 80 guests. ?
Amangiri, the resort in the Utah desert
Wedding invitations, designed by the bride herself
Tijs and Annika in a dress by Ralph Lauren for the party after the ceremony
