Tell us your love story! How did you meet and how did you get to a proposal?

We met six years ago in New York City, introduced by mutual friends at the Mandarin Oriental bar. From that night on, we were inseparable. Everything just clicked—our personalities, sense of humor, even our families and friend groups blended effortlessly.

A few years later, we made the decision to move to Miami to be closer to my family, and that move only brought us closer together.

Fast forward to December 2023—he planned a romantic beach proposal at The Setai in Miami Beach. But as anyone who’s lived in Florida knows, the weather has a mind of its own. It poured the entire weekend and what was meant to be a picture-perfect moment turned into a hilarious, unforgettable story that made the proposal even more special.

When you started planning your wedding what did you envision? How close did the actual wedding get to that vision?

When I first started planning the wedding, I had a completely different vision than what we ultimately created. It’s funny—what you think you want can change so much once the planning actually begins.

Initially, I imagined a flashy, sequined gown and a non-traditional venue—definitely not a hotel. But as things came together, I found myself falling in love with a timeless, simple fit-and-flare dress… and saying "yes" to a beautiful hotel venue in Miami. With 60% of our guests traveling from New York, choosing a hotel made perfect sense—and I wouldn’t change a thing.

My biggest advice? Don’t get too attached to any one idea early on. Be flexible, trust the process, and stay open to what feels right as you go. Sometimes the unexpected turns out to be exactly what you needed.

What were a few things that were important to you as a couple to include (or not include) in the wedding?

Looking back, the most important elements for us were entertainment, food, and drinks—those are the things guests truly remember. One of the biggest hits of the night was the live saxophone and trombone players we brought in to perform alongside the DJ on the dance floor. It brought such incredible energy, and we received so many compliments on it. That kind of experience sticks with people—no one notices if the small details don’t go exactly as planned.

We also wanted the overall vibe to feel authentic to us, which meant doing things a bit differently. I’ve always loved an unconventional touch, so I embraced the trend of letting my bridesmaids wear different styles and dresses. I gave them the freedom to choose what made them feel most confident and beautiful, and the result was even better than I imagined. They felt amazing—and it really showed.

How did you decide on the location?

We chose the location with our guests in mind—more than half of our wedding party was traveling from New York, so hosting everything at a hotel felt like the most convenient and comfortable option. It allowed everyone to stay in one place, relax, and fully enjoy the celebration without the hassle of transportation.

Since the wedding was in March, we knew our guests would appreciate escaping the cold and enjoying the pool as a pre-wedding kickoff.

As for the vibe, we were inspired by a Palm Royale theme—think Palm Beach glamour in the 1960s and ’70s. The Mondrian Hotel captured that retro-Miami aesthetic perfectly. It brought the vision to life in a way that felt both stylish and true to us.

Let's talk dress! Give us all the deets!

The dress was, without a doubt, one of the biggest talking points of the night—I received so many compliments, and I truly felt like a movie star. It was a gown by Chosen by Kyha, and their designs are nothing short of stunning. But what really brought it to life was the expert tailoring by Chic Parisien—they altered it so perfectly that it fit like it was custom-made just for me. I was genuinely speechless when I put it on.

Not only did it look incredible, but it was also surprisingly comfortable, which made it even more enjoyable to wear all night long. It struck that perfect balance between timeless elegance and modern glamour—I couldn't have asked for more.

How did your family, friends, etc play into your wedding planning and wedding day?

I was incredibly lucky to have such a supportive group of family and friends throughout the planning process and on the big day itself. Wedding planning comes with a lot of moving parts, and having a reliable support system made all the difference.

One of the best pieces of advice I received was to give each of my bridesmaids a specific role for the day of the wedding. It helped things run smoothly and took a lot of pressure off me. One bridesmaid handled steaming all the dresses, another played music to keep the energy and vibes high, one made sure we were all hydrated and had something to eat, and another kept us on schedule with hair and makeup. Everyone had a purpose, and it created such a fun, organized, and stress-free environment.

What's one specific memory you have from your wedding day that you don't think you'll ever forget.

There are so many unforgettable moments from our wedding day, but one that stands out the most was right before the ceremony. My husband and I did a first look, and it gave us a chance to pause, breathe, and share a quiet moment together. Seeing each other for the first time, taking in how we both looked and felt, and exchanging private vows before everything began was incredibly special—it grounded us before the whirlwind of the day.

Shortly after, as we headed to the church for the ceremony, we stopped to take photos in the beautiful, lush Miami Beach neighborhood surrounding it. As we were shooting in front of one of the homes, the owner happened to pull into her driveway. She smiled, rolled down her window, and said, “This is a sign—my husband and I have been married for over 30 years, and today is our anniversary.” She even invited us into her stunning home and allowed our photographer to take a few photos inside. It was such a serendipitous and heartwarming moment that made the day feel even more meaningful.

How did you decide on your hair and makeup look?

It’s actually a funny story—I only did one makeup trial, but I went through three hair trials because I was so indecisive about the style. I knew I wanted an updo, but I couldn’t settle on the exact look. In the end, the hairstyle I chose was one I hadn’t even tried during the trials—I wore it for the very first time on my wedding day! It was definitely a bit of a leap of faith, but it ended up being absolutely perfect, and I loved how it turned out.

Was there one vendor you used that you wish everyone knew about?

I have to give a huge shoutout to both my wedding planner and photographer—they were truly incredible and made the entire experience unforgettable.

My wedding planner not only handled the planning but also designed and executed all the florals. She brought my vision to life so beautifully while staying mindful of our budget, and she completely exceeded my expectations. I know some people consider skipping a planner, but honestly, they’re worth every penny.

As for my photographer, I shared my vision for a retro, editorial-style aesthetic, and she absolutely delivered. The photos captured the mood, style, and emotion of the day so perfectly. Choosing a great photographer is essential—at the end of the day, those images are what you’ll have forever to relive those memories.

Where did you go on your honeymoon and what was the best part?

We honeymooned in Maui and Kauai, and it was truly the trip of a lifetime. One of our favorite (and most unforgettable) experiences was the doors-off helicopter tour—it was a little wild, but completely worth it! The views were absolutely breathtaking, and it felt like something out of a movie.

Another highlight was our stay at the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay in Kauai. Hands down one of the best hotels I've ever been to and the perfect place to make the post wedding blues go away!

Dress: @kyhabride @chicparisien

Veil: @pronovias

Wedding planner: @cortezeventagency

Florals: @cortezeventagency

Photographer: @dmargherite

Makeup: @bombshellsbyamanda

Hair: @karolina_does_hair

Venue: @mondrianhotelsobe

#realchicbride Carolina in Kyha Bride's Palm Royale Inspired Miami Wedding