📸: Kim Lyn Photography // @kimlynphotography
These childhood friends chose the Newport Beach House in Middletown, Rhode Island for their dream celebration.
The Meet Cute: The couple met in New York City through mutual friends in 2014. His friends were her neighbors in Spanish Harlem in New York City. After living in the Big Apple for a while, they relocated to Boston for work.
The Engagement: Zuren was on a business trip in Vegas and invited Bella for the weekend. They had been many times but had never been to the Grand Canyon. One of the most beautiful views of the national park is from the bottom of the valley, but the only way to reach it is by helicopter. The couple took off in the air and once they landed in the valley, a surprise picnic and Champagne were ready, and that’s when Zuren popped the question. Zuren had to plan ahead and take a trip to the valley with his supplies, since the helicopter was small and couldn’t hide any of the setup. Because it was so small, they didn’t even have a photographer to capture the moment! “It was just us and the pilot,” Bella says. “It was so cute, sweet and unexpected.”
The Venue: Bella and Zuren fell in love with Newport: the beach, weather, vibes. “It feels like a wedding destination,” Bella swoons. They didn’t want to travel far away and wanted to keep the destination within a two-hour drive. Since they were still in the middle of the pandemic, they didn’t want their wedding guests to travel too far. They also decided against a city, cabin or farm wedding.
The First Look: While most partners may cry during a first look, Zuren made sure he was all smiles for Bella. He made silly faces and danced around to ease her nerves. “He always has a way to make me laugh,” she says. “I was so nervous right before the ceremony.” He assured her there was nothing to worry about, as he was excited for that day and the weather was beautiful.
The Ceremony: The couple kept the guest list small, originally planning for 100 to 150 guests but ending up with fifty. “We weren’t even sure if we could have a wedding with COVID restrictions,” Bella recalls. That didn’t keep guests with four paws out of the question. “Teddy, our dog, was part of the wedding! He wore a tux. We hired a local dog sitter to bring him and have him be a part of the ceremony,” Bella says. The music wasn’t your typical wedding lineup, either. While Zuren is Asian, he is from Uruguay and has friends from South American countries. Everyone jammed out to a mix of Latin music, and the couple hired a band only ten days before the wedding.
The First Dance: Bella and Zuren took it to the next level by enrolling in dance classes. They chose “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Hailey Reinhart. “It’s the only situation where you can force your significant other to go to a dance class with you,” Bella says. “I enjoyed the process very much! It’s a cool thing to do as a couple.”
The Details
Ceremony, Reception and Catering: Newport Beach House in Middletown, RI | Bridal Gown: Hayley Paige from Flair in Boston | Groom’s Tuxedo: Kashiyama | Florals: Leslie Lee Floral Design | Stationery: Minted | Marquee Letters and Rentals: Peak Event Services | Transportation: Leisure Limousine | Videographer: Blueflash Photography