Tell us about your wedding! What was the inspiration behind your day?
It was inspired by the sexy, hazy vibe of Havana, Cuba and mixed with the natural, simplistic, lush vibes of Bali. It created a space that felt enchanted and filled with love!
Let’s talk wedding decor. How did you decorate your space for the ceremony and the reception? Was any part of the decor DIY?
My wedding designer Diverso understood I wanted a simple and chic ceremony and party. We didn’t want large centerpieces, fussy flowers, or anything that would be a distraction from this magically opulent venue. Rust, marigold, and various shades of green were already on site, so we incorporated terracotta, various shades of wood, and touches of metallic gold. We used a ton of candles since it was an outdoor night party to create a sexier vibe.
What were the florals like in your wedding? Did you use flowers in any of your design elements like the bridal bouquets, centerpieces or ceremony backdrop? Did they play an important part in the overall style of your wedding?
Outside of my white orchid bouquet, the venue provided an almost movie-set tropical decor that needed no additions when it came to florals. Fixed already with colorful plants, lush tropical trees, and greenery, the florals would have taken away from the organic feel of the venue we wanted our guests to feel.
Additionally, for the men’s boutonniere, instead of flowers, we opted for gold feather pins, and again instead of flowers adorning us in front of the “altar” of the ceremony, we opted for Balinese umbrellas, tassels, and pampas grass.
Did you personalize the day in any way? What were some of your favorite parts of your wedding?
Our wedding planner Diana Lomeli of Charming Studios made sure we had so many favorite moments and that our guests had so many special surprises. However, the ones that stood out were centered around the music and musical production during the wedding. Being that the groom is a former international rapper, and the bride a former music journalist, music meant everything to us. We created a very special mix of celebrity audio quotes laid over a custom-created track by international Thailand producer Hamza Rahman Khan, who is also a good friend. As a wedding gift, he also created a blend of tracks for our ceremony entrance music that included both the bride and groom having solo entrances.
We were able to incorporate a unique Yucatan Drummer group who awakened everyone’s spirits in a very cultural way and took the party to even higher heights.
Let’s talk fashion. How did you both choose your wedding day look?
I decided to go for an Allure Bridal mermaid-styled dress that hugged my curves but featured subtle white glass beading, and ornate lace detail on the back for an elegant touch. To make my dress work for an outdoor Hacienda wedding, I had an alterations team add halter straps to make the dress feel more effortless and less formal. I was inspired by Bali and Indonesian and Asian culture, and wanted to add something striking to my look with a three-tier crystal maang tikka I found on Poshmark and the 25 ft train I wore into the ceremony – creating a perfect balance to my look.
The groom kept it sharp and chic with an ivory tuxedo jacket with black lapels and black pants, paired with gold and diamond jewelry from his personal NY jeweler Souly & Co., and his signature braided crown.
Tell us about the proposal.
After traveling the world consecutively for two years before arriving in Argentina for the 2020 pandemic, we were finally allowed to fly back to the United States in August. When we went to see my family for the first time in 2 years, Rafael got down on one knee and proposed.
What was the most anticipated or special moment of your wedding day?
The fireworks that happened under the stars during our first dance. It brought people to tears of joy hearing Luke Burr’s acoustic cover of Bob Marley’s “Is This Love?” while seeing the sky illuminate.
Do you have any wedding planning or marriage advice that you’d like to share with other couples planning their day?
When you make your wedding budget, create a line for pre-marital counseling. It will be the one investment that goes beyond your wedding and into your actual marriage.
