Inside Chanel Iman and Davon Godchaux’s Elopement on a Yacht in the Caribbean Sea

Model Chanel Iman and New England Patriots defensive tackle Davon Godchaux first met at a popular beach club in Miami—and in May of last year, Davon proposed while the couple were on vacation in Capri, Italy. “We had always dreamed of this moment, talking about marriage and our future together,” Chanel says of their engagement.

Chanel and Davon began setting a date and planning the wedding as soon as they got engaged. First, their civil ceremony was held in New York on January 10 of this year; then, they eloped at sea on a yacht called the Parillion in the Caribbean Sea on February 24. “We couldn’t wait for football season to be over so we can complete our union,” Chanel says, who gave birth to her third daughter back in May. (She also has two daughters from a previous marriage.) The supermodel planned the wedding herself with the help of Katie Macpherson at IYC Yachts and the Parillion crew, while Katherine Nuna of KBelle’s Design oversaw the florals and decor.

“We planned the wedding the way we desired—doing something together that we love with our kids and our blended family,” Chanel explains. “This was our ideal, dream day. A handful of people attended the wedding—including my best friend and soul sister, Heidy De la Rosa—and we chartered a yacht to sail from island to island in the Caribbean Sea.”

As a long-time fan of Zuhair Murad’s work, Chanel has always dreamed of getting married in one of the Lebanese designer s wedding dresses. “I am so thankful to his team for making it happen for me,” she says. “Season after season, I lust over his gowns.” The dress Chanel chose had an embellished bodice with off-the-shoulder straps and a full, romantic tulle skirt that cascaded across the deck of the boat.

First, however, the bride got ready in a Bronx and Banco dress that her stylist Monica Rose pulled for her. “Designer Natalie De-Banco and I had worked together in the past and had a special fashion bond,” Chanel says. “So when she sent the looks I just had to wear them.” (The bride’s hair was done by Amoy Pitters and makeup by Ivana Medina.) Before the ceremony, time was set aside for extra hugs and cuddles with Chanel’s three daughters Cali, Cassie, and baby Capri, who all wore flower girl dresses by Mona Lisa. “Family is everything to me and having my three girls by my side was so special,” says Chanel. “Cali and Cassie were so excited in the weeks leading up to the wedding. My daughters hold a special place in my heart and sharing this moment with them was priceless.”

The ceremony was held in Anguilla, and took place on the boat before they disembarked for some island hopping. “There were a lot of emotions on the day of the wedding,” Chanel says. “We laughed, we cried, we danced—and made incredible memories together. The trip actually moved us and inspired us to do this annually with our family.”

After the service in Anguilla, the newlyweds sailed to St. Barts, where they danced the night away. “We celebrated for three days on our charter—island hopping and making stops at beach clubs, where it all started,” she adds. Their final destination? Back to Anguilla for their honeymoon at Cap Juluca—the perfect way to end a fantasy wedding at sea.

That said, there was just one thing missing. “It was very heartbreaking to find out that we would have to proceed without one of our four,” Chanel says, explaining that Davon’s son was unable to attend the wedding at the last minute. “We look forward to celebrating our union with him all together at a later date this year [though].” Thankfully, it’s simply an excuse to toast to their family’s future one more time. In Chanel’s words: “This celebration will continue!”