Photo: Robert Zuckerman
Katherine and Jordan's love story started long before their wedding on November 23rd, 2013. "I've had a crush on him since the ninth grade!" Katherine reveals. But it wasn't until the two reconnected after college that they started dating. "We bumped into each other at a friend's wedding," Katherine says. "Jordan was on his way out, but we started talking and ended up being some of the last people to leave, hours later."
When it came time to propose, Jordan let the Florida sunset do the hard work. "We were walking on the beach, talking about our relationship, when we came across a blanket and champagne that he'd set up in the sand," Katherine says. "We were taking photos and enjoying the sunset when he got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife!" The couple spent the next eight months planning their dream wedding celebration at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove in Miami, Florida.
Photo: Carlos Chattah
"We wanted our wedding to be classic, with an Old Hollywood twist," says Katherine, who wore a form-fitting Romona Keveza gown. She added a sheer lace layer by Rosa Clara to cover her shoulders during the ceremony.
Photo: Carlos Chattah
Katherine's vintage diamond earrings were borrowed from her mother. "My cousin wore them for her wedding, and they'll be lent to future brides in our family, too," she says.
Katherine loved how her wedding dress combined a lace bodice with a skirt made of seven layers of tulle. "I'm tall and thin, so I wanted to stay away from something too princess-y, but still wanted a romantic style," she says. She carried an all-white bouquet of peonies, cuffed with soft lamb's ear.
Jordan wore a classic Hugo Boss tuxedo, which was accented with a boutonniere of stephanotis blossoms.
Photo: Carlos Chattah
The bridesmaids wore champagne-hued dresses of their own choosing. "One of my sisters wore a custom dress with pearls draped down the back, while the other wore a beaded Gatsby-inspired gown," says Katherine.
Photo: Carlos Chattah
The wedding ceremony took place beneath a modern Lucite chuppah decorated with a damask pattern. Arrangements of orchids and Queen Anne's Lace were surrounded by glowing candles. "The ceremony was supposed to be outdoors," reveals Katherine, "but we moved it inside because of the risk of rain. My sister works at a Miami news station, and had the meteorologist on speed dial all morning!" Just before Katherine made her way down the aisle, she peeked outside to see palm trees swaying in the strong winds. "I'm so glad we made the switch!"
The ballroom reception was decorated in cream and gold tones. A combination of square and round tables were topped with crystal chandeliers, Queen Anne's Lace, hydrangeas, and orchids. Each place setting featured a napkin embroidered with the couple's last initial. Younger guests settled into the lounge area where, instead of a seated dinner, they dined on passed hors d'oeuvres like mini flatbreads and tuna sliders. And instead of a signature cocktail? "We had waiters passing trays of tequila shots!" says the bride.
Photo: Carlos Chattah
Soft candlelight and shimmering accents added to the room's warm glow.
Photo: Carlos Chattah
The favors were a DIY effort by Katherine's mother. "We wrapped bottles of coffee milk with shimmering linen and tied on a cookie," explains Katherine. The finishing touch was a sweet message from the bride and groom.
Photo: Carlos Chattah
Two tiers of the chocolate and vanilla wedding cake were decked out with shimmering pearls. "We also served chocolate covered strawberries, alfajores, and mini cotton candy cones," says Katherine. "Everyone loved all the sweets!"
Photo: Carlos Chattah
Toward the end of the evening, Katherine tossed her bouquet to a crowd of eagerly-awaiting guests—including the flower girl, Jordan's niece.
Photo: Carlos Chattah
Jordan and Katherine had both a band and a DJ at the reception. "We surprised our guest with a performance by an electric violinist," she says. The couple's first dance was to "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers, and Katherine danced with her father to Strauss's "Blue Danube." "We danced to the song when I was a little girl," she says, "and it's a tradition for Peruvian brides to use the song on their wedding day."
Shortly after the wedding, Katherine and Jordan hired photographer Robert Zuckerman to shoot a series of portraits in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood. They took advantage of the brightly-colored murals and graffiti, which caused their formal outfits to really stand out. What a great way to get a little more use out of your wedding gown, and to create some gorgeous memories of your wedding day!
The couple took a trip to Peru to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and are heading to South Africa this summer for an extended honeymoon. "I've loved starting to build our life together!" says Katherine. "Parts of the wedding planning process were stressful, but I just kept reminding myself that all that mattered was us getting married."
Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove || Wedding Planner: Design 42 || Bride's Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza, Lace Top by Rosa Clara || Shoes: Sergio Rossi || Jewelry: The Bride's Mother || Hair: Raul Munoz Hair Studio || Makeup: Makeup by Celso || Groom's Tuxedo: Hugo Boss || Wedding Bands: Michael Bitton Diamond House || Florist: Design 42 || Music: DJ - Mauricio Parra, Violinist - Sarah Charness || Catering: The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove || Cake: Elegant Temptations || Rentals: Design 42 || Photography: Carlos Chattah, Robert Zuckerman
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