The Most Purrfect Proposal (and Stunning Wedding)

I am so excited to share this blog about Lauren and Peter. I was captivated by how much they express their love with for each other—you can’t help but feel it by the way they act around each other and talk about each other; not to mention their stunning wedding from beginning to end! But first, can you believe they first started out as pen pals? It couldn’t get more rom-com than that!

Lauren and Peter on the back lawn of the historic Stone House at the Deering Estate

A little rewind before the wedding—a sweet and intimate proposal!

“Peter & I went to a Timberwolves vs Miami Heat basketball game the day before Thanksgiving. It was a very normal evening, I didn’t expect anything at all—other than enjoying a nice dinner with my partner and going to the game. After the game, he was in a rush to get home, and I kept telling him to relax cuz we literally have nothing to do tomorrow other than drink, eat, and be merry. To my surprise, when we got home, there was a gift box on the floor waiting for me—and it MOVED. I had been wanting a kitten for a long time, BUT he swore off cats. When I opened the box, our sweet Gracie was in there—I just thought I was getting a pet cat as an early Christmas gift! I was over the moon! So much so, when he kept asking me the cat’s name, I told him to relax! I just got her. He had put the engagement ring around her neck, and because she was so fluffy, I didn’t see it right away. Finally after a little push back, I looked at her collar and burst into tears. It was a super special and intimate moment with just Peter and I in the entry way of our home, and I would not have had it any other way!”

Fast forward to their wedding at the Deering Estate—a completely stunning and epic-ly romantic venue to celebrate one’s nuptials. This historical landmark boasts some really beautiful Mediterranean-Revival architecture, and a huge restorative project decades ago to the lush, botanical gardens on the grounds. This is what wedding dreams are made of! You don’t have to take my word for it, let these photos of Lauren and Peter’s love-filled day speak for themselves!

Ceremony overlooking Biscayne Bay, flanked by palms

I am absolutely obsessed with this venue! I wanted to take photos in every corner, because everything was so picturesque. I loved the “marriage” of tropical-meets-Mediterranean, where the lush natural foliage of Miami intersects with the architecture of the handsome Stone House. As I adore learning about the rich history of places I visit, thought I’d share a little description of it that I found interesting:

“The oldest existing buildings on the estate are those built by the Richmond family and Charles Deering. In 1896, Samuel H. Richmond built a pioneer home for his family on the estate as part of the settlement of the Town of Cutler. In 1900, an addition to the home was built and then opened to the paid public as The Richmond Hotel—the first hotel between Coconut Grove and Key West. The graceful Mediterranean revival–style Stone House, built by Charles Deering to showcase his valuable art collection, was constructed in 1922.

Over the few next years, Deering brought in renowned botanists David Fairchild and John Kunkle Small to implement a restoration of the area’s natural environment. Deering contracted the notable Coral Gables architect Phineas Paist to build a fireproof structure capable of housing the massive art collection he was removing from his homes in Spain, New York and Chicago. By 1922, the Stone House was completed and was being filled with the tapestries, paintings, books and antique furnishings he had spent decades collecting…”

Lauren looking absolutely stunning in the threshold of the Great Hall at Stone House

I loved being able to celebrate and document these two. The whole day was just capturing an out-pouring of their love with each other and amongst their friends and family.

And I hope you’ve fallen in love with the venue as I did the moment I stepped foot there. The landmark is open to visitors complete with tours (maybe book the Ghost Tour if you’re feeling extra bold?).

If you’d like to read more love stories you can find more on my blog and as always if you would like to inquire for your elopement or wedding please visit my contact page. If you would like to see more photos from their wedding you can view those here.