From Midwest to Miami: Allie & Joe’s Florida Destination Wedding
A postcard-perfect wedding day doesn’t always mean hopping on a plane. For couples like Allie and Joe, planning a celebration away from their hometowns wasn’t just about the location; it was about curating an experience rooted in love, legacy and a local flair.
While destination weddings often bring to mind visions of far-off coastlines or European villas, sometimes the perfect destination is the city where you’ve built your life.
For Allie and Joe, that place is Miami. After meeting in Chicago, the couple later relocated to the Magic City for work and to be closer to family. Their wedding weekend became a heartfelt way to welcome friends and family into both their love story and their new life in South Florida.
The couple exchanged vows at the historic Church of the Little Flower, a picturesque setting that honored their shared Catholic faith. Adding a heartfelt touch, a bagpiper performed during the ceremony, a nod to Allie’s Scottish and Joe’s Irish heritage that echoed their respect for family roots. The celebration continued at the iconic The Biltmore Hotel Miami – Coral Gables, a venue steeped in old- world glamour. It struck the perfect balance between Joe’s dream of a grand ballroom affair and Allie’s vision of a classic, country club-style setting.
With Mediterranean architecture to the green parrots roaming the grounds (a wink to the couple’s favorite island, Abaco in the Bahamas), the venue radiated the kind of timeless charm they hoped to share with guests.
From the start, the wedding was designed to blend elegance and tradition with just the right splash of Miami flair. Neutral-toned florals, including tulips, hydrangeas and white roses, brought soft sophistication, while palm fronds and monstera leaves added breezy, Floridian touches. Candlelit tables twinkled under the ballroom’s grand chandeliers, while silver accents and soft linens made the space feel like a scene from a classic film.
Though the day was classically beautiful, it was the thoughtful local touches that truly made it shine. From illustrated invitations and curated welcome bags to mojitos at the welcome party at The Rusty Pelican (the same spot where the couple celebrated their engagement) — every detail reflected the spirit of the city they now call home. With upbeat, Latin-inspired music keeping the dance floor alive, the energy of Miami pulsed through every moment.
Planning a destination wedding, even when you’re just inviting far-away guests to your own city, certainly comes with its challenges. But Allie and Joe embraced the process by staying focused on what mattered most: gathering their favorite people in a place that felt deeply personal. “The joyful spirit that filled the space reflected not only our life together in this city,” said Allie, “but also the celebration of love and connection that brought everyone together.”
Allie and Joe’s wedding proves that destination doesn’t have to mean distance. Sometimes, the perfect place to say “I do” is the place where your love story is still being written.
Vendors
PHOTOGRAPHY Nicodem Creative
CEREMONY VENUE Church of the Little Flower
RECEPTION VENUE The Biltmore Hotel Miami – Coral Gables
COORDINATOR Summer Nicole Events
FLORAL & DECOR Parrish Designs of London
HAIR & MAKEUP TheClyque
BRIDE’S GOWN Anne Barge from Mimi’s Bridal at Town & Country
GROOM’S FORMALWEAR The Black Tux
STATIONERY, ILLUSTRATIONS & SIGNAGE Taylor Made Designs
CATERING The Biltmore Hotel Miami – Coral Gables
CAKE Earth and Sugar
BAGPIPER Jason Wright (BagpipeMiami)
ENTERTAINMENT Event Factor Productions
ILLUSTRATIONS Sarah Sheridan Art
TRANSPORTATION Majestic Limos, American Transportation & Limo Service
