An Intimate Coconut Grove Wedding at Mr. C Miami with Simple All-White Wedding Decor
Raquel Morales and Michael Carballosa were in high school when they first met back in 2002. During their third period TV Production class, Mike was tasked with showing Raquel how to play the morning announcements for the school. The two teens also grew up in the same neighborhood and had several mutual friends.
“After graduating high school,” Raquel shares, “we went our separate ways and didn't
see each other for twenty years. Fast-forward to November 2023, and we reconnected after our 20-year high school reunion. Mike asked me out on a sushi dinner date, to which I immediately agreed. As I walked up the stairs of the parking garage and we made eye contact, it was love at second sight.”
“When he grabbed my hand, he made me feel like I was in high school again.”
Unbeknownst to Mike, Raquel had a crush on him in high school and always thought he looked like Michael Bublé. At their reunion, his first words to her were: “You look exactly the same as you did in high school.”
Despite some initial nerves Mike felt during their first date, he instantly asked Raquel out for a second date. That was when he first met Daisy, their beautiful Goldendoodle, and they spent the day wining and dining in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood with Daisy in tow.
“At the time,” Raquel adds, “my father was ill with severe depression, and I understood how that could be a burden to some. Without hesitation, Mike looked at me and asked, ‘Where do I sign up?’ We ended the evening with a long walk, and when he grabbed my hand, he made me feel like I was in high school again. From then on, we were inseparable. We were a perfect fit from the beginning. We both are homebodies and enjoy quality time with each other, along with Daisy.”
Three magical months later, while at home, Mike got down on one knee with Daisy by his side and proposed in the one place the couple loves most – their home.
Planning a Wedding in Coconut Grove
With Raquel and Michael’s second date having been in Coconut Grove, an area where they spend most of their time, planning a wedding in Coconut Grove was an easy choice to make. The couple selected the ultra-stylish Mr. C Miami as their wedding venue; and after meeting with Erica Simons, the hotel’s Senior Catering Manager, they were referred to Kristen Cuba as their wedding planner.
“Kristen and Erica made the wedding planning seamless,” says Raquel. “Mike and I are easygoing people who allowed the planners to do their jobs without interfering. We told them what was important to us: food, photography, and music. When I tell you they delivered, they DELIVERED.”
“I need to dedicate a paragraph to my mom, Patrice,” she continues. “She was the unofficial second planner, and without her, all the small details of the wedding would not have come to fruition. Thank you, Mom, for all your help.”
The Mr. C Wedding Experience
The bride and groom couldn’t wait for their wedding day to arrive. Veering from tradition, they opted to stay together the night before, because they couldn’t fathom being apart until the next day. They also chose to do a “first look,” so they could see each other alone before the ceremony and take in that special moment together.
“Mike and I are very simple people,” the bride explains, “so we decided to use an all-white color scheme with calla lilies as the central flower. We kept the guest list intimate and only invited people who knew us and kept in touch with us regularly.”
The Mr. C wedding experience included an extensive menu, ranging from a cocktail hour with tuna tartare and risotto, to an incredible dinner: delectable gnocchi as an appetizer, and a choice of branzino or chicken as an entrée.
“The attention to detail with Mr. C's staff was incredible,” says the bride. “The staff provided our friends and family with unlimited beverages and food, and their attention to detail was unmatched. Our guests could not stop raving about how amazing everything was.”
For the celebration, Kristen Cuba brought in Event Factor in Miami, who set up a wrapped dance floor displaying the couple’s initials. Throughout the night, everyone danced to music played by DJ Mike Feria – a Miami local who also grew up in the area.
“Mike and I picked ‘Spin You Around 1/24 Version’ by Morgan Wallen as our first dance as husband and wife,” Raquel shares. “Mike and I constantly danced to this song at home, so we knew it would be the perfect choice. DJ Mike played music from our years in high school, keeping everyone on their toes throughout the night.
“As previously mentioned, my father had been battling severe depression, and we were not sure if he would be able to make the wedding. One of the best parts of the day was knowing that my father could walk me down the aisle with my mom. He was able to stay until the reception, and I was able to dance with him to his favorite song, ‘Brick House’ by the Commodores. To say our wedding day was the best day of our lives is an understatement. Our dream wedding would not have been possible without Kristen Cuba, Erica Simons, and Mr. C Hotels.”
The newlyweds have not gone on their honeymoon yet, but have their sights set on a future trip to Australia and New Zealand.
WEDDING TALENT
Location & Caterer: Mr. C Miami – Coconut Grove, Miami, FL; Planner: Kristen Cuba; Event Designer: Event Factor; Floral Designer: Events by Nicky; Invitations: Bliss Imprints & Gifts; Rentals & Linen: Contempo Linen and Event Rentals; Lighting & Entertainment: Event Factor; Painter: Cherished Rain; Photo Booth: Dipp Photo Booth; Cake: Earth and Sugar; Ceremony Dress: Ines Di Santo; Bridal Salon: Chic Parisien; Reception Dress: Jenny Yoo, Bella Bridesmaids Miami; Hair & Makeup: Vavavoom Artistry; Groom’s Attire: Sartori Amici, Coral Gables; Engagement Ring: Brilliant Earth; Photography & Cinematography: Kristina Karina Photography