There is something so, so sweet about this highlight film. Something that makes me want to watch it over and over again. Something that will make you smile from the very beginning to the very end, and then will make you press play just once (or twice) more. Blueshore Cinema got lucky with a gorgeous in love couple, and then worked their magic to make us all fall in love!
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You can say that Yascel and I were destined to meet. In December 2007, we both decided to go to a dinner club one Friday night after a long day at work. The owners of the dinner club were friends of mine and were sponsoring a teacher’s happy hour. So naturally both my co-workers and I decided to attend. As I walked towards the ladies room, I recognized Yacsel from a picture on my cousins MySpace page, out of all places right? We made eye contact and entered into a short conversation where we discussed our mutual friends. A few days later, I receive a request on MySpace from him. This started a short online courtship that led to a 4 year relationship where we realized we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. I guess you can credit social networking for breaking the ice that first night.
My husband loves marine life and owns a 120 gallon salt water tank. His hobby is expanding and maintaining this tank. So, it didn’t surprised me that on July 4th, 2010, he preferred to be working on his tank instead of watching the fireworks outside. While he was working on it, he asks for my help in removing a fish that had become a nuisance eating his coral. He told me to hold a small fishing rod that was attached to a string buried in the sand. He told me to pull it up at the count of three and as I did, I uncovered my beautiful engagement ring. Before I knew it, he was down on one knee asking me to marry him.
Very soon after our engagement, we began planning the big day. We both had very different ideas and it took us some time to agree on how we wanted this day to unfold. We paid for the wedding ourselves, so it was difficult to develop a budget that would both give us the wedding of our dreams, without leaving us in a financial bind. So, we prioritized and allocated funds to what was most important to us and then found economic alternatives to those items that weren’t as important. In the end, it all worked out and we could not have been happier with the outcome.
I am an elementary school teacher and have worked in that capacity for the past 11 years. I am currently working on a Masters Degree in Reading. I also tutor on the side as an extra income on weekdays and teach enrichment classes on Saturdays. I was born in Cuba and my family immigrated to the United Stated in search for a better life. I’ve lived in the US since I was 3 years old. We are a very tight-knit group and family is very important to us.
Yacsel works for Federal Express and also owns a small company that wraps vehicles for advertising purposes. At the age of 10, his mother made the difficult decision to allow Yacsel to come to the United States to live with his father. Yacsel was her first-born and to this day she second guesses her choice. After one reunion 5 years later, Yacsel wasn’t able to go back and visit due to financial constraints.
It was important to us for Yacsel’s mother to be present the day of our wedding. We decided as a couple to start the process to bring his mother to the United States. A year before the wedding, we began all the necessary paperwork. It is a long and arduous process. We each saved more money and worked more hours. Every week we got news that she was one step closer in coming. After 16 years, Yacsel’s mother would get to not only embrace her son, but would also walk him down the aisle on his wedding day. Two weeks before the wedding, we received the most disappointing news. Yacsel’s mother was denied in her efforts to come the United States. We were all heartbroken, especially Yacsel . We vowed to have her in our thoughts but to do the very best we could to enjoy the beginning of our lives together.
I would say the highlight of our wedding was the best man’s toast. His idea was brilliant. He made Yacsel’s night even more monumental by including the one person he longed so much to be present on the day of his wedding, his beloved mother. At the conclusion of his toast, Yascel’s mother’s voice came over the sound equipment, speaking to us and giving us her blessing. It was a very special and emotional moment.
The decision to have the wedding at this particular venue was almost instant. From the moment I walked into the Starlight Room, in the Miami Beach Resort and Spa, I fell in love. I knew then I wanted my wedding reception to be there. The ceiling looks like a night sky. There are thousands of white lights that make it look like a sky filled with infinite stars. It was a romantic setting and that was exactly how I wanted my wedding to look and feel.
I had to work with the existing color scheme of the ballroom in order to choose a complimentary color scheme. I decided on Navy blue, Silver and White. My centerpieces along with the ceiling made the ballroom a romantic Starry Night. My flower arrangements, by Elegant Bodas, made an impact once you entered the ballroom. I had 16 centerpieces, all different in heights, with long clear beads hanging from the centerpieces. I chose navy blue pintuck table linens and silver chivari chairs.
During my religious ceremony, I incorporated la mantilla. La mantilla is a lace or silk veil or shawl worn over the head and shoulders used to unite the couple while the priest recites a prayer. This tradition is passed down from generation. We were given our mantilla as a gift and God willingly will be able to pass our mantilla down to our children. Since my grandmother was not present for my wedding I wore her wedding band as a symbol of my love and her presence on the day of my wedding.
We decided on two wedding favors for our wedding; One favor being edible. A silver box containing three LINDT truffles, white chocolate, milk chocolate and dark chocolate, tied with a navy blue ribbon. Our second favor became an instant hit, Snapshot Memories Photo Booth Entertainment. I provided some funny props and my guests enjoyed hours of picture snapping with friends and family. The best part was that my guests got to take a piece of my wedding home with them. I too received the best gift. I was given an album at the end of the night with a copy of everyone’s picture, as well as everyone’s heartfelt well wishes.
I want to thank ALL my vendors for making March 10, 2012 PERFECT! I especially want to thank two vendors in particular. First, my event planner Letty Gobel, for making the wedding process easy, and for being so patient with me. My event planner put me in contact with most of my amazing vendors. In particular, the most brilliant and skilled cinematographer on the planet, Jeremy Nelson from Blueshore Productions. Before even being engaged, I would watch trailers made by Blueshore Productions and would get lost in his films, almost as if I was the bride in every trailer. I know it sounds crazy but its true. That is just how skilled Jeremy and his team truly are. Film truly is such a vital medium, because if it wasn’t for film, Yacsel’s mother wouldn’t have the opportunity to see, and feel what she did when she viewed our wedding trailer in Cuba. By the way, June 17, 2012, after 16 years Yacsel was reunited with his mother in Cuba. When they arrived at his mother’s house, the first thing Yacsel did was play our wedding trailer for his mother to see. Words cannot express the emotion that mother felt viewing her son and daughter-in- law exchanging vows; and then as if the exchanging of vows weren’t enough, hearing her voice on the film, watching her son cry, made her realize that physically she wasn’t there but definitely spirituality she was.
Cinematography: Blueshore Productions / Photography: Gail Chatelain / Flowers: Elegant Bodas / Event Planning: LMG Events / Ceremony Location: Saint Francis de Sales / Reception Location: Miami Beach Resort and Spa – Starlight Room / Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas / Shoes: White Satin Badgley Mischka / Dress Designer: Priscilla of Boston / Bridesmaid Dress Designer: Bill Levkoff / Men’s Fashion: Formal One Tuxedo / Any special jewelry: Bride’s grandmother’s wedding band