Photo: Stanley Babb/Stanlo Photography
Sloane Stephens andfiancéJozy Altidore are husband and wife.
The tennis star and the soccer player, who announced their engagement in April 2019, were married on Saturday, Jan. 1 at theSt. Regis Bal Harbourin Miami Beach, Florida, PEOPLE can confirm.
Stanley Babb/Stanlo Photography
Even their loved ones not physically present were included, as the couple left specific space for those they’ve lost, including Stephens' grandparents, who died in early 2021 from COVID-19.
The bride and groom’s elegant and classic wedding stationery wasdesigned through Zola, which also hosted the couple’s website and registry.
Planning their wedding together has been a journey as they’ve dealt with “all of the variables out of our control,” Stephens tells PEOPLE.
“I empathize with all the COVID couples out there who have had to make the tough calls and be flexible with the ever-changing pandemic,” says Stephens. “We’ve all had to be super flexible, and I appreciate how accommodating our loved ones have been in making sure we have as safe and special a day as possible.”
Still, they’ve found the silver lining in the extensive planning process, says Altidore: “I’ve loved reflecting on all of the moments that culminated to this day and how we’ve arrived at this life-changing moment. It’s been so nostalgic to go down memory lane and revisit all the moments that brought us to this time in our lives. It’s made me fall in love with Sloane all over again.”
Sloane — the 2017 US Open champion — tells PEOPLE she’s a natural planner and “very detail-oriented,” so seeing her vision executed at the St. Regis was a dream come true. Still, she says she can’t pick any one aspect of their nuptials that stood out more than the rest.
In fact, in the days leading up to the wedding, the couple held a variety of events: a tennis tournament, of course (which got “crazy competitive,” they say); a crawfish boil and wine tasting; and a beach picnic.
Still, what Altidore, who plays for Toronto FC, was looking forward to most was watching his now-wife walk down the aisle.
“It’s one of those moments that I know will live in my mind forever and time will stand still when I see her,” he says.
PHOTO: Stanley Babb/Stanlo PhotographyPHOTO: Stanley Babb/Stanlo Photography
Asked what they were looking forward to most about marriage, Altidore tells PEOPLE, simply, “Just being with my best friend every day. What’s better than that?”
And Stephens says she feels “the same way.”
“We both have incredible crazy jobs and lives, and knowing that through it all, we have each other as our constant and true home base is such a comforting feeling,” Stephens gushes.
And the deep love they already have for each other will continue to grow.
“She has such a big heart and has empathy for everyone,” Altidore says, adding, “She amazes me every single day.”
The feeling is mutual, of course. Stephens is most in awe of Altidore when he’s parenting his son from a previous relationship: “He loves his son so much and gives so selflessly. Jozy and I have known each other since we were kids, but watching him grow as a father showed me what it would be like to spend forever with him.”
source: people.com
