This NFL Player and Model Married in the Gardens of a French-Style Chateau on Long Island
Model Emily Caro and NFL player Evan Engram’s love story feels straight out of a romantic comedy. The two met by chance at a Los Angeles restaurant in 2019 when Emily was on a girl’s night, and sparked up a conversation that continued for hours. “We ended up exchanging social media handles and just watched each other’s lives as friends through pictures and story posts,” shares Emily.
Two years later, Evan was playing for the New York Giants and Emily made a move to NYC for her modeling career. Unbeknownst to Emily, Evan had “never stopped hoping for a chance to shoot his shot with me.” So while she initially set her friend up with him for a double date—where she would be present as a wingwoman—on the evening itself, their feelings became clear. “There was a mix-up in communications and he thought the double date was for us,” remembers Emily. “He revealed his intentions on that double-date night and it flipped the night on its head. When he confessed his feelings that he had for years, it was as if the sky parted for me and a beam of light shined on him. I realized he was the one this whole time.”
On a trip to Sail Rock Resort in Turks and Caicos in July 2021, the couple moved into the next stage of their relationship. “Evan is typically very relaxed and lets me plan everything, but this trip he was very specific,” recounts Emily. “The first night, he required us to have a romantic dinner on the beach. Once we got ready, Evan led me down to the beach away from the resort at sunset. There was a blanket with orchids, my favorite flowers, in the sand. The song ‘Best Part’ by Daniel Caesar was playing on our portable speaker. He took a pause with me to take a deep breath and then got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife!”
Emily and Evan said wedding planning for their big celebration at Oheka Castle was a breeze, thanks to taking their time with their two-year engagement. “Our wedding planner Lauren and her team [at Elle Audrey Events] made it such a fun and easy process,” the couple shares. “We chose to marry in New York since that is where our love story started. New York was where we shared our first home together and many firsts in our relationship.”
One exciting part of preparing for the big day was selecting the wedding wardrobe. Emily ultimately had a custom Enaura design created for the ceremony. “I wanted a dress I hadn’t seen before,” she says. “I cried when trying on several other dresses, but once I left boutiques, I would either see the dresses on someone else’s wedding or all over social media! Flo at Bridals by Lori in Atlanta helped me create a custom look.”
To achieve a unique look, Emily essentially had two Enaura gown designs fused into one. A strapless body-hugging gown with embellished details was lent a dramatic touch with an overskirt full of soft tulle ruffles. Instead of a bouquet, the bride carried a rosary given to her by her grandmother. “I knew I wanted to honor her tradition but also surprise her by carrying it on my wedding day,” she shares. Emily’s bridal party stood by her side at the ceremony in sage bridesmaid dresses of their own choosing, and they later infused the color into their reception décor to create a cohesive palette for the day. After dinner, the bride would don a Dilber Gunel mini to dance the night away.
As for the groom? “Evan wanted a sleek look,” says the bride. He worked with Arminius to create a bespoke ensemble for himself. “His inspiration was James Bond with a twist,” shares Emily. A textured suit over a pattern, clean lines, and small details to keep his look classic and chic!” The groomsmen were also outfitted in black looks by the brand.
Given the grounds of Oheka Castle are reminiscent of a French chateau, it already offered a suitably romantic backdrop for their spring wedding, which took place on April 12. “Evan and I had dreamed of having an outdoor ceremony on the iconic grounds of the castle,” says Emily. “Seeing our ceremony for the first time was such a surreal moment. Our vision was truly brought to life with an array of white flowers and lots of lush greenery, as if to be surrounded by nature.” While rain tested the plans for the couple to wed outside, “I had faith that the sky would clear and the ceremony would be perfection,” shares the bride. Luckily, the clouds took a turn at the last minute, and the flow of the day continued as planned.
The ceremony was a culmination of many emotions for the couple. Since the pair opted to do a first touch rather than a first look, they didn’t set eyes on each other until Emily began her procession. “I entered first so that Evan would have a moment to take it all in,” remembers the bride. “It wasn’t until I was outside and locked eyes with Evan that I couldn’t help but smile. Then, my dad came to join me to escort me down the aisle. It was an emotional moment for all of us. I lost it during our vows. I couldn’t contain the tears, but was overwhelmed with joy!”
Evan also felt the gravity of the moment. “He was so flooded with emotions during the day and into the ceremony,” shares Emily. “He was worried he wouldn t cry at the altar because he had already cried so much during the day. He did end up crying at the altar once he saw me. He says it really hit him at that moment that his forever was walking right towards him.”
The celebration made moves indoors to a space filled with white florals, hanging installations, and long tables centered around the dance floor. The newlyweds opted for a head table so they could make the most of the time with their nearest and dearest—and after heartfelt speeches from those closest to them, the couple got ready to dance the night away. According to the bride, “to know Evan and I is to know we love a good party.”
As they move forward into their next stage of life, the couple is still riding off the high of their big day. “Newlywed bliss is definitely a real thing,” they share. “We find it so weird to say husband and wife now after having said fiancé for two years! But it’s the most wonderful change we have ever had.”
Photo: Twah Dougherty1/53The gorgeous castle grounds reminded us of a French chateau—one of the many reasons we chose Oheka Castle as our wedding venue.
Photo: Twah Dougherty2/53Throughout the day, rain and harsh winds threatened our outdoor ceremony. Evan and I kept our faith, knowing the skies would open up to the most beautiful ceremony.
