Written and Photographed By Roy

Eden Roc Miami Beach Wedding

Love is ALIVE! Romance never goes out of style and I never tire of hearing about your engagement “moment”!

Michelle knew that something was up when David started the day saying “He could not wait to marry me one day”.

Going to class that day, Michelle assumed that David was at work~little did she know that he was busy~ setting up the perfect proposal!

On her way home she realized that no one in the family was answering the phone and that David kept calling. Something inside her said this was it~that it was happening!

“As I stepped out of our elevator rose petals led the way to our door, upon entering our home rose petals covered the floor, candles set the mood and there was David all dressed up waiting for me!”

“I started to cry once I realized what was going on. All I could say was “your not doing this your not doing this!” David dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him and of course I said YES!”

Now what happens next shows me that David values the love and support of family!

“After the best of proposals, David told me to get dressed because we were going to dinner to celebrate. When we got to my favorite restaurant both of our families were there waiting to celebrate with us. David even got my cousin (who is the maid of honor) who lives in California to come in for the night and surprise me!”

Michelle and David will be getting married at the beautiful Eden Roc Resort on Miami Beach in the fall and we are looking forward to an amazing wedding!

Check out this engaging slide show below by clicking on the play button:

For those of you that are engaged, consider an engagement session as a great opportunity to get to know your photographer better. For me it’s wonderful to see how you “dance” together, to observe the little subtle ways that you love each other. With this experience, your wedding photos will truly reflect you two as a couple. Aside from that these images make great Save the Date images, gift portraits for parents and grandparents and it makes for a great guest book that’s as personal as you are!

This just in! After this Blog post was published we got the most amazing note from Michelle!:

“Roy- I can’t thank you enough for doing such a good job with these pictures. Since the pictures went up, I have received so many emails/phone calls telling him how amazing the pictures are. We are so happy with them. I just wanted to say thank you again for everything! You have made us so excited for the wedding because we can’t wait to see how incredible those pictures will be.”

Give me a call and let’s get engaged in an amazing relationship creating great memories of the two of you together!

XOXO

Roy Llera~ Contact Me

Written By Roy  |  Photographed By Roy

Coral Gables Congregational Wedding  |  Comber Hall Reception

I love weddings! Love the love stories, getting to know each of my couples, and best of all capturing their wedding day experience! Knowing that these photographs will grace the homes of happy parents, grandparents and that an amazing album will reflect the love of our Brides and Grooms inspires me to give 100% of all that I am to create a wonderful experience. So it was with much anticipation that I was looking forward to Ashlee and Alexis’s wedding day! From the moment we met and then photographing their engagement session I knew that this was going to be a fun and spontaneous wedding.

As a Miami wedding photographer I am focused on many details that make a wedding and I love seeing what the Bride is wearing but check out the shoe behind Ashlee’s shoe. She surprised Alexis ~ These are his party shoes!

Ashlee and Alexis decided to get ready and have their “first look” at the beautiful Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. This image is what I call a transition shot~taken as we go from one lovely setting to another. With the couple captured in the moment~spontaneously! Refreshing isn’t it?

A wedding is a collection of amazing moments and subtle details. In the months leading up to a wedding, I get to know my couples and understand the story behind all the subtlety. The brooch that is lovingly attached to Ashlee’s bouquet has a photo of her Grandparents that could not attend the wedding. This photo was taken at Ashlee’s parents wedding.

Ashlee looks stunning in her Lazaro designer gown and together they make a beautiful couple. This portrait was taken moments after the ceremony at Coral Gables Congregational Church before dashing off for the reception.

And what a reception it was! The joy of life I saw in this lovely couple was magnified by the awesome family and friends partying like there was no tomorrow! They even had a “la hora loca” literally a crazy hour to take the party to another level. The music cranks up, out comes masks and fun trinkets that has a definite carnival feel to it!

I bet you can’t wait to see their amazing slide show~~Click on the play button below for a fantastic wedding experience! I guarantee that after you see this you’re going to feel like you were a guest at their wedding!

A Few Details: Wedding Venue: Coral Gables Congregational Church; Reception Venue: Comber Hall; Bridal Gown: Lazaro; Catering and Decor: Sylvia’s Weddings of Distinction; Limousine: Meilan Limousine; Music: DJ Connection

Another interesting detail, Ashlee’s grandmother created with a lot of love each one of the pastries you see in the details image above.

A special “thank you’ to Sylvia Viyella of Sylvia’s Weddings of Distinction for introducing me to this amazing couple! It’s such a joy to work side by side with one who shares an equal passion for weddings!

Finally we received a lovely note from Ashlee and Alexis:

“I finally had a chance to get through all of the pictures this weekend (a few times) and I felt compelled to express my gratitude. You managed to capture all the emotions of our wedding while showcasing “fun” as the central theme of it all. The pictures capture everything we could have ever wanted AND MORE. They are beautiful, fun, sentimental and HILARIOUS. If I had to do it all over again, I would pick you again and again without hesitation. You’re an incredible photographer and you just blew us away with your dedication to our day.  You and your team bent over backwards to capture every detail of our day and even stuck around to the very end.  I am certain these pictures will give us the same feeling of nostalgia we had on our wedding day EVERY TIME we look at them.”

Now this is how every bride should feel after getting her wedding photos!

OK, I am super excited for this Saturday’s wedding! If you want your wedding to be captured as you dreamed it would be~then call me~ I guarantee that you’ll be glad that you invited us to be at your wedding!

Loving life!

Roy~ Contact Me

Written and Photographed by Roy

The Omphoy Ocean Resort Wedding

If you find your task is hard,
Time will bring you your reward,
Try, try again ~  T.H. Palmer

The other night, I was reading a story to my sons and the story spoke of perseverance and never giving up. The Toy Story Movies message is never to give up on trying. And so Vanina was on her fifth and last day of J-Date when she happened upon Brandon’s profile. A flirty comment and a great smile peaked Brandon’s attention and destiny was set in motion.

Emails and long phone conversations led to a dinner date on a Tuesday but the Sunday before Brandon called and wondered “Why not tonight?” Vanina said “Yes”.

“So, off we went for sushi, talked for hours, ate gelato and then…we kissed. That kiss sparked a chemistry and romance neither of us had ever felt before.  We spent ten of the next 14 days together and were inseparable – the two of us finally found true love – and we owe it all to patience, positivity and yes, J-date.” The next year was life at warp speed as they met each others families, traveled together, moved in together and shared each others dreams. Brandon knew that Vanina was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

Vanina’s parents excitedly gave him permission to marry their daughter. Now comes the thought that every guy has to ponder~ How to ask her?. “When Vanina was planning my birthday party, I knew I had found the opportune time to ask her to marry me.  Right before the cake came out, and in front of 50 friends and family, I asked Vanina if she would continue making me the happiest man on earth for the rest of my life and then…we kissed.”

Enjoy their engaging slide show below by clicking on the play button. The image below was their “Save the Date” to tell all their family and friends about their exciting news!

Vanina and Brandon will be getting married in the very near future at the Omphoy Ocean Resort, the only beachfront boutique hotel on Palm Beach island.

What a great love story! What about yours? I’d love to capture your love story with an eye for romance, love and all these wonderful moments that are going on in your lives!

Engage in life!

Roy~ Contact Me

Written and Photographed by Roy

St Patrick Catholic Church | Miami Beach Wedding  |  Four Seasons Miami Reception

I’m beginning to see a pattern with these engaging proposal stories. The guys take this really seriously and so things happen. With Maria and Miguel it was their third dating anniversary and for Miguel the day to propose had arrived! New Years Day 2009. As they arrived at the Biltmore Hotel for lunch, Maria found it odd that Miguel was having some trouble getting out of the car~so much so that he hit his head. Maria thought, “That’s odd, but I guess everyone has their days.”

What she didn’t realize was that Miguel had a ring box that he was trying to conceal! After a wonderful lunch, they had a delightful walk around this stunning hotel. When they neared the fountain by the golf course, Miguel wanted to take pictures of Maria and then have Maria take a few pics of him. I think it’s here that he’s thinking, “How do I segue into the proposal moment?”

Well he distracts her by stating that he thinks he sees a turtle in the fountain, “When I turn to tell him that those were lights I find him on one knee and I start not believing what is happening and he laughed and told me “Mari, will you marry me?” and while I am a very composed person most of the time, I lost it!” She stated over and over again, “Are you serious? No way! Oh my God!” Then the tears starting pouring from Maria’s eyes and Miguel asks her again, “Will you marry me?”

Well, we all know the answer to this one because tomorrow Maria and Miguel are having a wedding!

You’re invited to take a look at their amazing slide show. Just click the play button below~Enjoy!

Maria and Miguel will be getting married at the beautiful St Patrick Catholic Church in Miami Beach followed by their reception at the Four Seasons Miami. Click to view more weddings that we have photographed at St Patrick and at the Four Seasons.

I just had a thought, if you’re a guy planning on asking your best girl the “question” think about having this moment photographed. It would be amazing to capture her expression in that moment of surprise and sheer joy! I’d love to be there for you!

Have a great weekend! I know I will~

XOXO,

Roy- Contact me

Written and Photographed by Roy

Ocean Reef Club | Key Largo Wedding

Sometimes plans go accordingly and then other times things can’t wait! The more I listen to these amazing proposal stories, the more I am intrigued with their originality and creative flair. For Peter, the proposal was an important moment. One that had to be just right.

On the flight together to Hawaii, Peter kept asking Molly when they were planning to have dinner at Mama’s Fish House. “Tuesday…Wednesday? When?” You see Molly’s step-dad told Peter it was one of  the most romantic restaurants on Maui.

So Sunday was their first full day on the island. After a day that started with watching the sunrise from atop a volcano it was going to have a perfect ending watching the sunset at Kamaole Beach in a park that was very special to Molly.

“Peter and I had our glasses of wine and were sitting together and then out of nowhere he pulled out a ring and asked me to be his wife! I said yes and then started crying! Honestly, it was such a cute, sweet, simple proposal I wouldn’t have asked for it any other way. I didn’t need the fancy Mama’s Fish House proposal. It was more special to me that he did it when we were sitting on the grass  because that was where I used to sit with my Grandparents all the time when I was younger.”

So whether it went according to plan or not, it was just right! “He said the ring was burning a hole in his pocket and he couldn’t wait any longer. He didn’t want to risk losing the ring somewhere on the island, and just wanted to get the proposal over with and enjoy his vacation. Sometimes men are just so practical with their answers!!”

Enjoy their beautiful and engaging slide show by clicking on the play button below. Enjoy!

Molly and Peter will be getting married at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo. Click for more weddings that we have photographed at the Ocean Reef Club.

A special thank you to Yari and Ren for sharing their outstanding choice of wedding photographers with Molly and Peter. Molly shared this sentiment with me: “You did an absolutely amazing job on Yari’s wedding!!!!! I can’t what to see what you do with our wedding. P.S. Our engagement pics are great!!!! They are so spectacular!”

Engaged? I think it’s time you gave me a call to see the spectacular images I can create for you!

XOXO,

Roy~ Contact Me

Written and Photographed by Roy

St. Patrick Catholic Church | Miami Beach Wedding  |  Epic Hotel Miami

Imagine it’s your one year dating anniversary and your boyfriend has a special weekend planned. First you have dinner at a favorite restaurant. You’re greeted with red roses, heart shaped confetti and a  specially printed menu that reads, “Happy Anniversary”.  So he’s doing pretty good on the romance scale but you still don’t see what’s coming. This is what Antonio (TJ) had planned for Anacristina (Ani).

After dinner, TJ had made arrangements to take Ani to a wonderful upscale beach hotel for a romantic, relaxing weekend. “When we arrived at the room, TJ let me in first and when he put the lights on all I saw were rose petals leading to the bedroom. On the bed spelled out with what I thought was like 1000 chocolate kisses was, “ANI WILL YOU MARRY ME?”

“I was in complete SHOCK! TJ held my hand and turned me around to face him, he was on one knee with my beautiful ring in his hand and  asked, “WILL YOU?” and I said, “YES!” like 1000 times and kissed him like a 1000 times.”

That moment was followed with champagne and chocolate covered strawberries and created an amazing start to the perfect weekend. I would say that TJ rocked the proposal!

Enjoy the beautiful slide show of their engagement session by clicking on the play button below:

Ani and TJ will be getting married at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Miami Beach. This is one of my favorite churches to photograph weddings at. To see more weddings that we have photographed there click: St Patrick Weddings. Their reception will be held at the Epic Hotel. I can’t wait!

A little note from Ani:  “The pictures are gorgeous and we couldn’t be happier!”

I so enjoy creating great engagement portraits during this special time in each couples lives. It gives me an opportunity to get to know each couple in a wonderful way and makes for some amazing images for “Save the Date” cards, guest books and gift portraits for parents and family.

Engaged? I think it’s time you gave me a call to see what wonderful images I can create for you!

Have a great day!

Roy~ Contact Me

Written + Photographed by Roy

Four Seasons Hotel Miami Wedding

I am fascinated with the way that guys ask their girls to marry them. As unique as each couple is, these moments are original and it’s refreshing to see that the art of romance is so alive. Let me tell you a bit about David and Jordana and the way David proposed.

So David creates this amazing photo book. A gorgeous, detailed recollection of their 3 1/2 years together through images. On the final page  “Will you marry me?” was written. Jordana recollected that, “Out of nowhere he was on one knee with a ring. I wish I could remember now what I said, although I know that it involved the word yes, over and over again and a lot of happy tears.”

Now the story gets even better. “In case I wasn’t surprised enough, he then pulled out a bottle of my favorite champagne and chocolate covered strawberries that he had somehow managed to purchase and sneak into the room without me noticing. It was so nice sipping champagne in between calls and text messages home to let our friends and family know that we were engaged.”

Enjoy their beautiful slide show by clicking on the play button:

I am so looking forward to their wedding this weekend at the beautiful Four Seasons Hotel Miami!

Life is like writing a book~what chapter are you going to write today?

Roy- Contact me!

Photographed + Written by Roy

Biltmore Hotel Miami Wedding

It all started with an invitation to dance! When Alejandro asked Emily to dance the tango, I think she must have been intrigued with the idea of sharing a very romantic dance with a man who originated from the birthplace of tango~Argentina. Not only that, but he is tall and handsome!

It seems that when they’re together, Emily and Alejandro are always ready to dance!

Attention to the smallest of details is a must with every wedding that I photograph. Not only is this image colorful, but it carries a small secret; the engagement ring belonged to Alejandro’s Grandmother.

This is the stunning Danielson Gallery in the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. The rectangular table layout only adds to the old world charm and romantic feel of this room. No wonder our newlyweds can’t help but to steal a kiss during dinner!

As dances go, the tango has to be one of the most romantic of them all. An intense embrace and beautifully rich footwork make for an incredibly enjoyable dance to watch.  Emily and Alex danced their first dance in tango. As the evening flowed on, many of the guests would exhibit amazing grace and style dancing their tango. Maybe I should take lessons!

A Few Details: Venue: Biltmore Hotel Miami; Floral Design: Avant Gardens; Wedding Cake: Cake Designs By Edda; Music: South Florida Wedding DJ’s Jessie Valladares,

Enjoy this lovely slide show below by clicking the play button.

Emily just sent us a little note: ” You are a superstar! What a beautiful montage of photos. And I love the soundtrack .You’ve been an amazing photographer for us. We feel so lucky to have had you photograph our wedding. Thanks for keeping both of us “cool” before, during and after the event. Let us know if you decide to learn tango ”

I hope you dance in life!

Roy- Contact Me!

Photography By Roy + Stella  |  Written By Roy

St Jude Catholic Church Wedding  |  Four Seasons Hotel Miami Reception

Do you recall Yari + Ren’s engagement blog post? Ren said then “Throughout your time together, you’re likely to go through some rough patches, but if you stick together and stay positive, you’ll get to experience some beautiful moments.” He’s has a point and did these guys stay positive–read on!

The man in the middle is known by his wife Yari “as the most incredible man on the face of the planet”. When faced with the reality that Yarima was without a wedding dress less than 24 hours before the wedding ceremony, Ren was there in the most reassuring way. He told her “I would marry you in a garbage bag and you would still be the most beautiful girl in the world”.

“Everyone said something always goes wrong, but really, did it have to be the dress? It was by the grace of God and the generosity of spirit which the owner and staff of Chic Parisien showed me,  that I made it through the night.  With the dress of my dreams in hand, I was ready to get married.”

I love brides–their beautiful, romantic and in love. To understand what Yarima went through and to witness her poise, grace and gentle spirit, it was any amazing moment when we all saw Yari for the first time.

“Walking into the church I was anxious to find Ren.  Once our eyes met nothing else mattered.  I was going to marry the man of my dreams, my best friend.”

I look at a moment in wonderful detail and within a  setting there are mini details that I look for. The image above is one of those wonderful mini details.

Weddings are full of moments–there’s so much action going on! And the action is obvious, but it’s the “reaction” that completes the story. While Yari and Ren shared their first dance–the Mothers shared a moment of  total joy together!

You think Ren is flying high at this point? This was one amazing party that even had the Dad’s taking a leap of faith into the crowd. Check out the slide show and you’ll see what I mean.

“We spent the evening intoxicated with happiness.  I think it was in the air   We danced and ate and laughed and danced some more and before we knew it, they were playing the last song and we were heading up to our magnificent suite as man and wife.  Mrs. Garcia … fits like a pair of fuchsia Louboutins … perfect!!!!!!” Check out the amazing slide show below and check out the stunning Christian Louboutin’s and yes they are fuchsia! Click the play button…

A Few Details: Ceremony: St Jude Catholic Church Miami; Reception: Four Seasons Hotel Miami; Wedding Coordination: Cheryl Clisby Event Design + Management; Decor: Always Flowers; Music:  Luis Bode Music Service; Video: Utopia Video Productions; Make Up: Jessie Sierra

“We wanted to thank you for the amazing work you have created from our engagement session to those images that you sent us the night, or should I say morning after our wedding. You are a madman!!!”

Mad no but definitely crazy about photograph amazing weddings!

Stay positive!

Roy Llera – Contact me

Photographed By Roy + Ricardo  |  Written By Roy

Biltmore Hotel Miami | Wedding

Today I’d like to share Jennifer and Charles’ love story in photographs. You’ve no doubt heard the phrase, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. Well, I think that Jennifer and Charles could inspire 10,000 words! Take a look at their photographs and I’m sure that you will agree.

Here’s Jennifer, a living goddess, as she spies Charles having his portrait taken in one of the many arches in the courtyard of the Biltmore Country Club.

On a wedding day, it is so easy to key in on a beautiful bride (she deserves the attention!), however I think its important to highlight the groom as well. Charles is no doubt very excited and looking forward to a life together with Jennifer.

I love this image and the flirtatious way that Jennifer is looking back as Charles gazes at his lovely bride.

Jennifer and Charles chose to have their ceremony outdoors. Under the gaze of the landmark tower of the Biltmore Hotel in Miami, an architectural treasure, family and friends look on as vows are taken and rings exchanged.  The Biltmore is an amazing collection of arches, pillars, sweeping stairways and makes for an exquisite setting.

Following their ceremony, their guests were treated to an amazing reception in the Granada ballroom of this legendary hotel. You can feel the release of joy and exhilaration as Jennifer and Charles celebrate their lives now entwined in marriage.

Details are important at every wedding. If you’re an engaged couple now, you might spend months focused on creating a great experience for family and friends. All of it will come together with an incredible setting, beautiful flowers, delicious food and yummy desserts! You might like to visit the Biltmore Hotel’s Website.

I love Jennifer’s tattoo. In a word it sums up what life, love and getting married is all about!

Enjoy the slide show below by clicking the play button.

After Jennifer received her photographs, she took a moment to write me, “I just wanted to let you know that we received that pictures. They are even more beautiful that I could have imagined. Thank you so much for your wonderful work.  We’ve looked at them about 10 times already .” Thank you Jennifer!

To see more Biltmore Hotel weddings that we have photographed click here: Biltmore Miami Hotel Weddings

Have an amazing day today!

Roy- Contact Me