An Elegant, Glamorous Garden Wedding at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, Florida

About five years after Melanie Fernandez (27 and CEO and founder of House of Lilac) and Alexander Fernandez (32 and in business) met through mutual friends, Alex popped the question. Melanie was watching TV in her apartment when he knelt down by the bed and proposed with a round-cut diamond engagement ring. “It was a very nonchalant and simple proposal, but exactly what I wanted and needed to be surprised,” says Melanie. Originally wanting a white and ivory wedding, the couple and Events by Francesca planned an elegant, glamorous wedding in 15 months filled with white, blush, silver and gold accents. The couple had a traditional ceremony at Gesu Catholic Church in Miami, accented with two lush floral arrangements behind the altar. After they said “I do,” the couple’s 350 guests moved to the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden for a cocktail hour filled with sushi, ceviche and mojitos, as well as a luxurious tented reception. “If I had to sum up my decor in three words I would say classic, elegant, and heirloom vintage,” says Melanie. Vintage neutral and gold furniture was placed behind rows of family-style and round sequin-linen-covered tables. Draped white fabric and delicate champagne chandeliers hung from the tent, and gold napoleon chairs, floating white candles in glass orb-topped candle sticks and a mixture of tall and low white floral centerpieces complemented each gold-rimmed place setting. After a dinner of Southern cuisine, steakhouse-inspired dishes and kabobs, the couple treated their guests to an assortment of goodies that included a four-tier white wedding cake with cascading sugar roses and an ivory ribbon trim. “My husband and I both agreed on one thing before we started planning -- we wanted a party more than a sit-down affair,” says Melanie. Their night was filled with a three-piece Cuban band, music from a DJ and live musicians with light-up instruments during their “Hora Loca,” or crazy hour. Melanie, Alex and their guests enjoyed a late-night grilled buffet before all left the celebration with a mini bottle of champagne.