Latin Inspired Boho Chic Wedding at the Howey Mansion

When Stephanie Velez (25 and a photographer) met Pablo Atencio Elia (26 and a mechanic) on a mission trip to Cuba, he didn’t have a US visa or even a phone—yet he still called daily after she returned to Florida. “He worked hard to buy an internet card so we could talk,” Stephanie says. Soon enough, she was flying to Havana for visits, culminating in the duo getting engaged in the city a year later. Pablo’s family couldn’t come to the US for the wedding, so the pair mindfully chose a venue reminiscent of Pablo’s home country to ensure he felt at home.
Stephanie carried an ethereal mix of blush roses, babies breath, bleached ruscus, dried palms, protea and more.
Stephanie’s bridesmaids rocked white crowns of dried grasses and flowers that complemented their neutral dresses. The newlyweds cut into an almond and coffee rum cake with cream cheese buttercream. They also served a dark chocolate groom’s cake with raspberry filling. Stephanie’s cousin designed and calligraphed the minimalistic letterpressed stationery suite. “A lot of it was inspired by abstract paintings,” Stephanie says of the neutral, botanical design.
Guests dined on Caribbean salad with mangoes and strawberries, Manchego chicken and grilled filet mignon with roasted wild mushrooms. Arch shapes were a reoccuring theme throughout the day’s décor, echoing the architecture at their historic mansion venue. Pablo made the wood ceremony arch, while Stephanie cut the board used for the seating chart. “Neutrals are my favorite, so I wanted pale tones and lots of dried white flowers,” Stephanie says.