When it comes to choosing the perfect date to throw a stop-you-in-your-tracks soiree, New Year’s Eve never EVER fails to deliver the fun (+ glamour) in every.which.way. I mean, what’s better than celebrating your newly minted married status with fab fireworks, party hats and hundreds of your closest friends and family? And this stunning Fort Lauderdale affair? Well, this is what we call seriously amazing with crazy beautiful blooms by Ocean Flowers, dazzling traditional details and one breathtaking image after another by Sara Kauss Photography. See them all right here.
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Ready for even more pretty? Check out this gorgeous film from Reinhardt Productions. Amazing.
From the Bride… We met just before leaving for Cornell University, and we were introduced by Carlos’ parents, who already knew me. We spent the first two years of school as best friends, along with our two best men, Alex Ross and Jeff Reinstein. As most would say, we FINALLY started dating in May of 2005 and have been together ever since. While dating, we lived in Madrid and New York during our studies, Los Angeles after graduation, and we moved back home to Miami just before our wedding. After six wonderful years together, Carlos proposed at home on my birthday, amidst flickering candlelight, rose petals and a photo album chronicling our life together thus far.
When looking for wedding locations and dates we knew we had some criteria: good food and service, in or near Miami and a great party. The New Year’s Eve idea was first to come and our first reaction was: AMAZING! New Year’s is our favorite holiday, and we loved the idea that everyone around the world would be celebrating with us, plus the added benefit of fireworks on every anniversary to come. However, South Beach on that crazy night just didn’t scream “classy black tie wedding affair.” So we looked north and fell in love with The Ritz Carlton Fort Lauderdale’s ballroom and its sparkly chandelier. I’ve planned a few weddings on the side, so I had a pretty detailed picture of how it would look. Black and white colors, non-traditional florals and a retro, candy-filled after party were some of the details that brought it all together.
The night turned out amazing. Our ceremony set before a changing sunset to moonlit night was spectacular. Our big band orchestra rocked out Sinatra and Miami Sound Machine all night. The food was great and the service sublime; the Ritz-Carlton really executed flawlessly. It turned out to be an all-out bash, capped off by a spirited New Years countdown, complete with props and fireworks out on the beach for everyone to enjoy.
Wedding Photography: Sara Kauss Photography / Wedding Venue: The Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale in Fort Lauderdale, Florida / Floral Design: Guerdy of Ocean Flowers / Wedding Day Planning: Divine Design by Guerdy / Officiant: Pastor Al LaCour / Wedding Cinematography: Reinhardt Productions / Catering: The Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale / Printing of Programs, Menus, Place Cards + Escort Cards: Psalmody by Francie (A Friend of the Groom’s Family) / Ceremony Cello + Flute: Rebecca Coy + Fausto Miro (UCF Students) / Band: Dave Damiani of No Vacancy Entertainment / Favors: Mini Chocolate Chip Dockside Cakes from Key West / Photobooth: Rob Zuckerberg of Shutterbox / Dance Lessons: Dance Moves by Danny / Wedding Dress: Legends by Romona Keveza / Bride’s Shoes: Manolo Blahnik / Bride’s Earrings: Her Mother’s via Maurice’s Jewelers / Bride’s Hair Pin + Bracelet: Twinkle Twinkle / Rings: David K. Jewelers / Hair + Makeup: Jennette Sandifer of Beauty Couture / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew