Photographed By Roy and Laura

Miami Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Wedding

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I knew from the moment I met Jessie and Jason that there was this connection ~ and so it was amazing to have photographed their Miami Vizcaya Museum and Gardens wedding! From the  questionable weather (Thank you God!) to the amazing team of professionals working together to create the perfect wedding experience for family, friends and the blissful couple ~ this union had everything going for it! Well play the slide show above and you’ll see what I mean!

I love getting creative and looking for great ways to tell the story and capture all those important details that a wedding possesses! So this ring image is a double affirmation for me as Jessie said yes upon the proposal and “I do” during the ceremony and beautifully displayed on the soles of her shoes!

The Miami Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is the ideal place to have a romantic blissful wedding! Not only are the gardens and the architecture a delight to experience ~ in the eyes of an experienced photographer it’s a palette of infinite possibilities to create amazing!

It is said that the eyes are the windows to the heart and there I see Jason!

I made mention earlier of the amazing team of wedding professionals that brought Jessie and Jason’s wedding dream to reality. First of all we start off with the awesomely talented team at A Joy Wallace Catering, Production and Design! They not only created an incredible menu of scrumptious food, they also designed and created the floral artistry as well as pulled off this wonderful wedding to perfection! Family and friends were rocked to the core by the band Higher Ground and video was captured by the talented team at Broadway Video!

It was a joy to have captured and document the love story/history of this lovely couple ~ it’s always a very special feeling for all of us here at Roy Llera Photographers to be such an important component to a wedding story!

Cheers,

Roy ~ Contact Me

Photographed By Roy

St Mary Armenian Church Ritz Carlton Ft Lauderdale Wedding

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I am so excited as I am about to experience Stacy and Haig’s St Mary Armenian Church wedding and  Ritz Carlton Ft Lauderdale celebration this coming weekend!!!

Tomorrow I will witness love in it’s most perfect moment ~ the beginning of a life of adventures, moments shared, other lives created ~ but let’s focus on the wedding day! Tomorrow I’ll capture the first look of a Father as he sees his daughter in her wedding gown, I’ll hold forever in my camera the moment that Haig sees Stacy as his Bride! The first kiss as husband and wife, a first dance ~ notice how tomorrow there will be so many firsts as it truly is a new beginning!

Stay tuned for another great wedding Blog post featuring these two in the very near future!

Looking forward to so many amazing moments!

Roy ~ Contact Me

Photography By Roy and Laura

Temple Judea Miami Wedding and Ocean Club Reception

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Planning your wedding should be a blast! You get engaged, you run out and buy a magazine or two. Your Mom, Sister, Grandmother and best friends chime in…you’ve been looking at a few too many wedding blogs and it can just be too much ~ too many choices, ideas ~ too much inspiration! So how do you make this wedding yours?

Quite often I ask a Bride if she and her fiance have sat down and discussed with each other what kind of wedding they want to have. Quite often that questions is met with a brief pause and usually I hear “no we haven’t”.

So to make this process a little less stressful, I suggest that they have that chat and choose maybe 4-6 words that describe their idea of their unique wedding experience. Those words can range from formal to casual, traditional to contemporary, elegant to relaxed, fun, crazy, sophisticated ~ you get the idea but think of what makes this wedding a reflection of you and your fiance. I think you’ll find decision making a little easier.

Today I want to share with you Deborah and Jeremy’s Temple Judea Miami wedding! Their wedding had so many beautiful moments to capture. But it all started the moment that Deborah met Jeremy ~ then the parents met the girlfriend/boyfriend and then there’s the ” I want to marry your daughter” discussion and so began a series of special events that bring us to their wedding experience!

Once a love story that’s right begins its journey it’s always in a state of perpetual motion ~ so once Jeremy proposed, Deborah responded in the affirmative (see their engagement session) then the phones calls to Mom’s, girlfriends and best of friends are placed and the wedding planning begins in earnest!

The Rabbi and witnesses had just left the Rabbi’s study after the signing of the Ketubah. I find myself alone with Deborah and Jeremy. For me this moment is so wonderful! It’s a time on their wedding day where it’s just the two of them, quiet, pensive and you can see by Deborah’s expression joyful with the anticipation of the moment their are united under their Chupah.

A wonderful sendoff as the happy couple leave Temple Judea Miami ~ I like to think that the hundreds of bubbles floating around are wishes of joy and love from each and every guest for the newlyweds.

The wedding ceremony took place at the beautiful Temple Judea in Coral Gables and was performed by Rabbi Edwin Goldberg. The celebration followed at the Ocean Club on Key Biscayne. Floral decor was designed by Raffi of Petal Productions and the party was an amazing celebration with Drew T Productions keeping everyone on their toes all night long! Now keeping this all flowing in harmony was the amazing planner Robyn Bruck!

So planning your wedding can and should be an amazing experience! Finding the right team to take your wedding dreams to reality successfully is a must! Look carefully, ask for referrals from those that have had the wedding experience be they a friend who just got married, the Mom who helped planned her daughter’s wedding, that amazing wedding planner that knows the value of a great team working together in harmony to bring it all together perfectly. You won’t be sorry doing your homework and choosing wisely!

Looking forward to being on your wedding dream team!

Roy ~ Contact Me

Victoria + Randy  |  Married

Photography By Roy and Cristobal

Cathedral of St Mary Miami Wedding And Moore Building Reception

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Every wedding and event I have the good fortunate to experience and capture with my eyes and feelings is for me a unique moment in time. Unique in the exclusivity of the couple that I am photographing ~ their love story ~ their love of family and friends. True that these are common factors in many weddings but as individual as there are grains of sand in the ocean. My pleasure in capturing weddings that make each one a joy to photograph is the individuality of each Bride and Groom and what they bring to their wedding story. Now let me share with you what makes Victoria and Randy’s  Cathedral of St Mary Miami wedding and Moore Building reception so unique!

Let me start off with stating that it takes a team to execute all this awesomeness and Eric Trelles of ET Events to see that it went off without a hitch ~

Now you’ll need to see the slide show to understand ~ but the day started with me being introduced to Claymore! Now Claymore is Victoria’s baby ~ pooch! Why is it that couples get a dog in the beginning as if maybe their practicing for parenthood?

Next ~ It’s not everyday that your wedding ceremony is performed by an Archbishop! Yes, Archbishop Thomas Wenski of the Archdiocese of Miami conducted this wedding mass at the beautiful Cathedral of St Mary in Miami!

Now when we arrived at the very cool Moore Building in the Design District Miami all were amazed by the beauty and WOW factor of this very chic location!

Now what took this wedding over the top was the food! Victoria decided to surprise Randy with his favorite Chef John Sorensen of Sorensen Catering in Napa Valley. Now Chef Sorensen is famous for his Lobster Feeds in Napa Valley. I know your wondering what’s a Lobster Feed…well there are no plates, dishes or utensils well except for these claw crackers to break open the claws with and the really cool bibs so your black tie attire doesn’t get stuff on it! Now it wasn’t just great food ~ the surprise at the end was churros from Victoria’s bridesmaid ~ Nicole Valls whose family owns the worlds most famous Cuban restaurant ~ Versailles!

Now a few more details to make this Blog post complete! Invitations were created by Invitations By Leston, Floral Design by Avant Gardens, Transportation provided by Meilan Limousines, Cake by Edda’s Cake Design, Music by DJRobDinero

Now if you’re planning a wedding ~ call me as I would love to capture that which is yours alone!

Hugs,

Roy ~ Contact Me

Photographed by Laura  |  Written By Roy

The Palms Hotel and Spa, Miami Beach Wedding

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You’re engaged and you begin to visualize the wedding that prior to your engagement was but a dream ~ but now it’s really happening! So when Todd proposed to Lareshska the planning started with the questions “what do we want this wedding to be?” and ” what experience do we want for our family and friends?”

Today’s I share with you their Palms Hotel Miami Beach wedding that was the essence of a beautiful, elegant but very simple affair. As destination weddings go you can count on family and your most intimate of friends to be there and this is exactly what Lareshka and Todd wanted ~ an intimate weekend of joy and celebration that transcends the typical wedding.

And what more exciting location for a wedding than in a tropical setting that takes your senses to some far away paradise and my partner, Laura Massa had an amazing time capturing the essence of their wedding!

A delightful first dance ~ oh the hours of rehearsal that went into this moment!

Lareshka and Todd’s dream wedding featured the talents of the incredible staff at the Palms Hotel~ Miami Beach, St Jude Counseling Ministries officiating the ceremony, Ana Paz Cakes creating delicious art as always and beautiful floral design by Bayfront Floral and Event Design

Have a great day!

Roy ~ Contact Me

Jessie + Jason  |  Engaged

Photographed By Roy

Vizcaya Miami Wedding

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So excited as we are about to experience Jessie and Jason’s Miami Vizcaya wedding this coming weekend! As I was photographing these two I had visions of a Ralph Lauren ad in the pages of some amazing fashion magazine as these two exuded a beautifully simple love for each other ~ cool, sophisticated and elegant!

So looking forward to Saturday! Stay tuned for their amazing wedding to be featured on this Blog very soon!

Roy ~ Contact Me

Photography By Stella

Biltmore Hotel Coral Gables Wedding

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Love is a funny thing and works in mysterious ways. Like in the case of Patti and Dennis—they lived their whole youth together from elementary school to high school. They had many of the same friends and definitely crossed each other’s paths many a time as they were growing up. Time passed and they both walked down different life paths. Years later at a high school reunion, they met again and this time, love was ready for the two of them. That reunion led to a wonderful new and exciting marriage!

I was never able to meet Patti before her wedding day. In meeting her and getting to know her personality as well as Dennis’s, I could see this couple was meant to be. The Biltmore Hotel was a wonderful place to really bring out both Patti and Dennis’s sophisticated, yet fun-loving characters.

The Biltmore Hotel, with its rich history and amazing architecture, comes alive with all the celebrations that are held there. It looks as grand as it probably ever looked when it was in its heyday and the air of romance is everywhere. On this particular day, three couples were sharing the splendor of a Biltmore Hotel wedding and the mood really helped Patti and Dennis let loose. There are so many sweet and tender moments between them and capturing the moments (one of my most favorite things to photograph) was the highlight of our mini portrait session.

I mentioned that I absolutely love to capture moments as they happen and the moment of the first embrace and dancing in front of your friends and family is one of the most touching parts of the night! The organic, real moments are the things I feel most of our couples treasure the most as it is a reminder of the love and warmth that was present at the particular moment.

Patti and Dennis’s celebration was a small, intimate affair and getting to know their families was something I will always cherish. The laughs and smiles I captured really expressed to me how close the bond of this family was. The comfort they had with me as well as being able to really enjoy my presence recording their good time is very important and I make sure that all my couples as well as their families know they can trust me.

As the night wound down, the warmth and love never did! I know that they will forever treasure the photos as a reminder of the beautiful pact they’ve made to each other.

My thanks to Patti and Dennis for including me in their day and to you for stopping by and sharing in their photos!

Stella ~ Contact Me

Photographed By Roy + Cristobal

Four Season Palm Beach Wedding

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“An anniversary is a time to celebrate the joys of today, the memories of yesterday, and the hopes of tomorrow.” ~Author Unknown

We spend so much time thinking about the wedding details and the experience that we want and have on this amazing day but we don’t think about the days, weeks and years after ~ the anniversaries!

A year ago today Aryn and Jeremy pledge their lives to each other ~ a year has gone by already! But it’s only a tick on their clock of life. Just yesterday I met a man at a wedding that introduced me to his Bride of 65 years…when I commented that she must have been a child Bride he responded with ” I was 12 and she was 8!”

Being a Miami wedding photographer, I realize that on this day I am capturing their love story, their history! That the images taken this day will be looked upon with tears of joy, laughter and memories reaffirmed.

Their children and grandchildren will ooh and ahh at every detail and they too will dream of their day.

I wish for every couple whose wedding that we photograph that they look back on their past with the same pleasure as they look toward their future!

I can’t help but think that these images of joy, delight and exuberance will not at some point in their lives affirm their devotion and love for each other.

“Here’s to you both – a beautiful pair, on the birthday of your love affair.”
~Unknown

A few Details ~

Venue ~ Four Seasons  Hotel Palm Beach

Music ~ Powerhouse Band

Floral Decor ~ Daniel Events

Video ~ Broadway Video

So here’s to all you lovers celebrating your times together, apart and those great reunions!

Roy ~ Contact Me

Photography by Roy

Miami Wedding Engagement Photography

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Trust is huge in any serious relationship,  with it one can let their guard down ~ be authentic and genuine. That goes for the loving relationship we have with our parents, siblings and our “fiances”! Now imagine that trust in your wedding photographer ~ with it your images will be real. A wonderful way to build that trust is with your engagement session. Not only do you get to know each other on a deeper level in conversation but the results will confirm that you have made a great choice in your wedding photographer!

We recently had a wonderful engagement session with Joie and Reinier. During our time together I learned how they met ~ I got to observe how they “dance” together ~ those subtle nuances that allow me to capture the personality of an engaged couple. Those observations, combined with the excited reactions to their engagement images ~ create a trust in me that will translate to great photographs on their wedding day.

I know that on the wedding day I need no introduction as the families, wedding party and friends will have already experienced our photography! Joie and Reinier will be binding their lives together at the beautiful St Hugh Catholic Church in Coconut Grove followed by a celebration that will be rocking downtown Miami at the unique The Miami Tower.

As Miami wedding photographers, we love creating images that as many of you know will bring a lifetime of reliving special moments in your lives. Photographs that will give your children, grandchildren and generations beyond a moment of reflection about who you are. What will they think? I know that if it’s an image that we have taken that they will get a glimpse of the “real ” you!

Trust us with your wedding ~ I guarantee that we will never let you down!

Roy ~ Contact Me

Lynna’s Bat Mitzvah

Photographed by Stella and Laura

Temple Beth Shalom Bat Mitzvah | Set Nightclub Miami Beach

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While I was preparing to photograph Lynna’s Bat Mizvah, I took a look at the history behind this Jewish coming of age ritual, typically held around a young woman’s 12th birthday. What I found was a long and storied history, steeped in culture and tradition. It’s an event that not only signifies a milestone into adulthood, but is also a time of celebration and family reunion. A few weeks back, I had the opportunity to photograph Lynna and her family as they gathered for this occasion at Temple Beth Shalom in Miami. Of course Lynna kept with tradition while at at the temple – however, as you’ll see as we experience her day she definitely put her own spin on the party!

Lynna looked absolutely beautiful in one of the two dresses that she would wear that day. As a matter of fact, Lynna actually designed both dresses to match the vision that she had. Just before the service, Lynna gathered at the temple with her mom, dad and younger brother, Liam. We created a short set of  photos to mark this occasion. I really enjoyed the decor in the temple – can you see the design in the stained glass of the image below?

After the service, family and friends all converged on Set Nightclub on Miami Beach. Lynna’s vision shone through in so many ways – most notably for the burlesque theme that gave the night its distinctive touch. Here, Lynna strolls the catwalk as she kicks off a party that would break records for excitement! This is the second of the two dresses Lynna designed for her special day.

What better than to have your best friends celebrate with you? Lynna, her family and friends all enjoyed the incredible music and atmosphere of the club. That combined with the decor  and food from A Joy Wallace Catering made for an incredibly enjoyable evening!

 The evening was nothing if not filled with surprises. First up a complete tropical dance show featuring talent from Mangos Tropical Cafe in South Beach took to the dance floor. Next up – not one, but a trio of Michael Jackson impersonators wow’d the crowd!

It seemed that everyone wanted to get up on stage and dance! What great energy! You probably can’t see me, but I am down there in the middle of all that fun and excitement. However, my partner Laura took the high road and captured this incredible view from above. Obviously, if you’re looking to for a venue to host your Bat Mitzvah party on Miami Beach, Set Nightclub is well worth considering.

This is a montage that shows off all the incredible decor dreamed up by Lynna, her family and A Joy Wallace Design. I had a small hand in that as well – take a look at the images that frame the entrance-way to to the club. Those are images that I created with Lynna in our studio. What fun we had – you can see for yourself right here: Lynna’s Studio Session.

Lynna, I had an incredible time with you, your family and friends. Thank you so much for including myself, Laura and our studio! Congratulations and Happy Birthday!

~ Stella

A Few Details:

Decor and Catering: A Joy Wallace Catering Production and Design
Entertainment: Mangos Tropical Cafe
Venue: Set Nightclub

Contact Our Studio!