22 years of waiting came to an end!

Leaving my country of birth was never on my plans as a child, but following my parent’s desire for a better life for us was. I was born and raised in a tiny fishing town surrounded by clear blue water; a town where the colorful houses were build out of wood. This little place named Cojimar was also a favorite of a very famous writer who we took in as one of our own: “Ernest Hemingway.” Today Cojimar is visited by most of the tourists that go to Havana, Cuba. As a child, I had the chance of a lifetime to look at the sea every time I opened my eyes and breathe a clean but salty air every single day, without realizing that I was taking for granted those moments that are so precious to me today.

Twenty-two years had passed without me having the opportunity to go back, but as expected, the day to return arrived and with it all my past memories. This past 9th of April, I went back to visit for nine days that beautiful island of mine. Yes…it is damaged and in desperate need of everything, but the warmth, kindness and humility of the people there is still intact, at least for most of the population. To my surprise, I was recognized by a lot of people who still remembered my face and exactly who I was. I was greeted with a love impossible to fake. I received no shortage of kisses and hugs from those that were once part of my life and that I feel still are.

I visited the house I spent my youth at and of course, our famous “Malecon,” where we spent most of the dark nights playing with at least 30 other teens when there was not electricity to light up the town. I also had the chance to absorb all the fresh air possible and of course cry like a baby when I couldn’t recognize some of the places that were supposed to be familiar to me, due to both to the new construction and destruction of many parts of Cuba.

Overall, I was able to reawaken all those memories I had and didn’t even remember they existed. It was a sweet and sour trip that left me wanting more and I loved it.

The New Yorkers!

Most of the time I meet sweet people who are madly in love with each other, but time ago I met Shavie and Rafa.  This two are the sweetest couple ever. Everything about them is to love; their voices, the way the talk to each other, their wonderful and smart daughter even the family is like honey.  Like most of us they choose the magical, most wanted city for their wedding, of course we are talking about Miami Beach (what better right?). This couple had their big event at the Deauville in Miami Beach together with 125 guests who were treated with a nice cocktail hour and a super buffet.  The ceremony was outdoors and thanks God the day couldn't have been more beautiful.  The colors of Shavie and Rafa choice were the brown and Turquoise blue to compliment the fantastic view they experience throught the complete event.   The wedding happened smoothly and all events were seamless. Now, one thing I have to say...this is a couple that will last a life time and you can probably tell on their faces...enjoy!

Miami wedding going back in time

I know, it has been a while since I blog! But is never too late, especially when I will be talking about the wedding of this super cool and special people – Ruby and Anthony!

This wonderful couple hired me to make their dream wedding a reality.  After a while of brain storming on ideas and styles, they came to the conclusion that vintage, chic, pinup and delicate where the exact words to describe the theme they are going for. 

The planning is on its way and the ideas are becoming a reality one by one, more than expected.  I can promise you this wedding is not your everyday wedding. Colors are all pastels, flowers will look like handpicked from grandma’s backyard and at the end you will feel like have been transported back in time to the 50’s, so stay tuned!

Revealing Time...?

This has been one well discuss issue in my family since like you probably already know I have a photographer sister who is in love with this idea.  What are your ideas for this? Do you know what it is? Will you do it?

Revealing time in Miami is very common now, it is nothing more than allocate some time for the bride to reveal herself before the ceremony to the groom.  The idea is to choose a beautiful, romantic and lonely spot for the bride to stand to wait for the groom (or it can also be the groom waiting for the bride); there, they will exchange gifts or just have about 10 to 15 private minutes for each other without interruptions.  Most of the photographer will instruct whoever is walking to tap the other’s shoulder (specifying which shoulder) and also will precisely let the person whose shoulder is being tapped to turn towards the side being tapped.  This will allowed the photographer to capture from far the emotions that are legit for this moment. 

Personally, I never push for this, in my personal opinion is altering the day for just a convenient  photo-opportunity that it will be capture also when they first see each other at church or ceremony site, it is just easier for the photographer the other way (ops.. in trouble!)

I very deeply respect the traditional choice of not seeing each other before the ceremony.  I don’t see the advantage of changing that first kiss until after the ceremony (other than having more control of the shot).  

Ultimately, it is the wedding couple choice and all vendors involved will have to adapt to the situation they want to create.

What would you do at your wedding?

The unique Llinet!

Planning a wedding is stressful, planing a wedding in Miami more, imagine now planing my little cousin's wedding in Miami! just like I suspected on April when she called me, the wedding was a unique experience. Finally this past November her and now husband Bruno promised eternal love and trust to each other.  The ceremony was at Saint Timothy Catholic Church in Kendall and the reception in a beautiful, modern style banquet hall.

The pictures you are about to see taken by marcelin photography will more or less tell the story of events that happened at the wedding, just like Llinet, the complete wedding was filled with surprises, fun and VERY emotional moments.  My favorite of course was to see my uncle (dad's brother) dancing with her, it just made me cry for quite a while and wished like every moment of my life for one more dance with my father.

Engaged and now what?

Well, it is my recommendation that after having an idea of the number of guests, style and budget for your big day you should start researching the venues for your ceremony and reception.

It's no a secret that a wedding can be expensive,  but if you do your homework you can find an inexpensive venue. Popular wedding venues and hotels can afford to charge their clients the price they feel is right just because they have a constant flow of couples wanting to book their wedding at this locations.  So if it is your priority to save money stay away from this places and instead consider less popular venues like restaurants and nightclubs.  It is imperative that you keep in mind the style and budget and the amount of guest that will possible be attending, not all venues have the same space available neither the same style.                                        

Other things to keep in mind are:

• moving the event from the big city to a small, nearby town
• have your wedding other day than Saturday and if possible the Sunday of a three day weekend
• Combine your Ceremony with Reception space
• Stay away from seasonal wedding period, usually venues lower their price from November to April

Overall, don't be afraid to ask for the manager and negotiate, at the end you are dealing with sales personal who's job is to get you to say yes at the higher price and please don't take your sweet time, good affordable venues book fast.

Merry Christmas!

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree.  In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall. Christmas is the time of the year when we wait for jingle bells and wishing our near and dear ones the best of everything we ask from life. No celebration is complete until we pray to GOD for our relatives and friends who are near or far from us. 

Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts, keep your Christmas-heart open all the year round, keep GOD present on your lives all the year round.  As for me, my best gift is to see my family unwrapped seating around the Christmas tree.

Merry Christmas!