Hana and Kyle are married! They planned a gorgeous (and colorful!) Rusty Pelican Miami wedding day that I had the honor of photographing. Hana is actually the sister of one of my past grooms, so being a part of her wedding day felt like a big family reunion – getting to see everyone again. I love when I get to build relationships like this with my couples. They become more like family and friends than my clients, and that’s such a beautiful gift! Hana and Kyle’s wedding day (and welcome party at the Mayfair House Hotel) were so fun – full of personal details and cultural inspiration that created a unique and special celebration for them and their guests. 

Their Love Story 

Hana and Kyle met in 2018 through a mutual friend, Kyle’s cousin. At first, neither expected anything romantic to come of their meeting. They kept in touch over the years as Hana lived in Miami and Kyle was in New York. When their schedules aligned, they’d get together and hang out – but still, nothing more than friends. A year later in December 2019, Kyle’s cousin’s sister got married in Antigua, where they reconnected in person. That’s when things became more serious! 

Hana and Kyle wound up being on the same flight home and Hana made sure they wound up getting to sit together on the plane home. So sweet! The two began to work through a long distance relationship through the pandemic shutdowns and finally, in 2022, Kyle moved to Miami for good! In May 2023, Kyle proposed at the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, where they go every first Friday of the month for date night. It was the perfect, private moment that they both had dreamed of! 

Colorful Rusty Pelican Miami Wedding Day

Hana and Kyle are all about fun – and it was clear to see that in the bright and colorful details they chose for both their welcome party and wedding day. They encouraged their guests to attend in colorful attire and they didn’t shy away from bold choices in their florals or decor. With the help of their Tampa wedding vendors, Hana and Kyle created elevated and luxurious floral displays filled with red, pink, and white roses transforming the spaces at the Rusty Pelican Miami. Plus, their getting ready photos took place in the colorful Mayfair House Hotel – another way to effortlessly bring in a pop of color! 

Palestinian and Caribbean Traditions for Miami Wedding

Throughout their wedding day, Hana and Kyle highlighted their cultures by incorporating decor elements and traditions from their Palestinian and Caribbean backgrounds. One of my favorite little nods to Kyle’s Caribbean background was the steel pan drummer at their wedding ceremony! It was so fun! During their reception, Al Fursan and Dabke performers brought high energy and fun vibes to the celebration, too. Al Fursan is a group specializing in Dabke and Zaffah dances, which are both integral parts of Arab wedding days. Dabke is a line dance and the Zaffrah dance has many varieties depending on where the family is from. I always love getting a glimpse into these beautiful and exciting traditions when my couples bring them to their Miami wedding days! 

Special Moments at their Rusty Pelican Miami Wedding 

In addition to the fun and playful moments of Hana and Kyle’s colorful wedding day, they were also blessed with truly deep emotional moments celebrating their connection and love. Perhaps my favorite was Kyle giving a touching speech at the reception, you could really feel the love he has for Hana, his now wife. Their relationship is something special. For another sentimental touch, Kyle got custom cufflinks for him, his dad and his brother. His dad’s has his grandfather’s initials, and his brothers’ has the initials of all the siblings. These small things show how thoughtful Hana and Kyle truly are. 

Personalized Touches for Florida Wedding Day

They’re also so much fun and very playful. Hana had personalized newspapers for us to use during her getting ready photos with her bridesmaids, which turned out to be adorable!! In a unique twist on the first dance, Hana and Kyle chose to dance to “Adore You” by Harry Styles. Instead of a traditional first dance that was slow, they really leaned into just being together and having a great time. They also made sure to have a confetti cannon blast during the reception and had lots of yummy late night snacks of burgers and fries for their guests. Everything felt so intentional to really create a special party for their loved ones that reflected who they are as people. Honestly, it was so much fun and I know that I wasn’t the only one who felt that way. 

Congratulations again, Hana and Kyle! Your wedding day was fun and playful, bold and bright – all while feeling truly elegant and elevated. I had a wonderful time spending the weekend with your families! I wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness.

Miami FL Wedding Vendors

Planner and Florist: Events by Nicky
Venue: Rusty Pelican Miami
Getting Ready Venue: Mayfair House Hotel
Photographer: Ruth Terrero Photography
Beauty: One Site Beauty
Videography: Neuen Films
Entertainment: DJ Sas Samer and Alfursan Zaffah
Cake: Edda’s Cake Design
Wedding Gown: Ines Di Santo
Bridal Bouquet: Chic Parisian
Men’s Attire: The Black Tux
Steel Pan Drummer: Island Groove Entertainment
Lighting: Event Factor 

I love getting to capture these special moments so that you can remember your wedding day for the rest of your life! For me, your wedding day is so much more than just a day.

You deserve a wedding photographer who is invested in you and capturing every moment! Reach out and let’s connect to book your wedding day here in Florida (or around the world)!