Location: Marrakech, Morocco
Setting: Resort
Wedding season: Summer
How long did the couple plan the event: 13 months
Number of guests: 57
Wedding theme/style: Desert, boho glam, garden chic.
Jamie and Peter are two lawyers who live in NYC. They met in law school in Georgia when he was in his last year and pre-committed to the USAF JAG Corps, and she was in her first year. They had long-distance relationships for 7 years, visiting each other every month, and when he got out of the JAG Corps, they moved to NYC. After more than 10 years together, they decided to get married and planned a magical celebration in the Moroccan desert with the warmth of sunset, endless dunes, and starlit nights.
The photographer’s work brought the lively atmosphere of the wedding to life. Nina Wernicke’s skill in using light and shadow added depth to the images, making each frame feel dynamic. In both close-up shots and sweeping views of the setting, the photographer managed to balance the subjects with their surroundings, pulling the viewer into the scene and clearly conveying the feel of those moments.
The wedding weekend started with the dinner in desert. “We wanted something reflective of our relationship and a fun, special place to have our wedding event and host everyone. We wanted the pre-wedding dinner for the actual stunning location in Agafay Desert. That was for people to enjoy the beautiful terrain and experience a lively, candlelit, family-style dinner in the desert.” said the bride.
The ceremony style was garden party chic, so Jamie chose an elegant white lace Vera Wang Haute dress with a flowing tulle skirt and a classic, long veil. Her look was completed with a simple bouquet of white flowers. The bridesmaids, dressed in pastel gowns, helped her with the final touches.
Peter chose a black tuxedo by Hugo Boss, a white shirt and a black bow tie. His polished black shoes and a watch were the perfect accessories for a classic groom’s attire.
The ceremony was held in a sunlit glasshouse, surrounded by lush greenery and cascading white flowers. Jamie walked down the aisle with her father by her side, her white gown trailing behind her. This intimate and heartfelt moment concluded with a shower of petals as Jamie and Peter walked back through their friends and family as a newlyweds.
“Having people there who know you so well and are like family makes all the difference. It was so awesome having people who have your back just that close and there for you during such a huge event.” Jamie shared.
The cocktail hour was held in an BELDI Country Club open-air courtyard under the warmth of the late afternoon sun. Vibrant orange throws and intricate rugs were spread across the grass, creating cozy eclectic nooks for conversations. Guests mingled on the lush green lawn, enjoying the appetizers and refreshing drinks while a trio of musicians in traditional attire played soothing melodies.
Jamie and Pete took a quiet walk around the Moroccan-style surroundings with red-tiled pathways and walls that held the warmth of the day. They paused in the rose garden, where the air was fresh with the scent of flowers, and danced in the light of the setting sun.
The reception started under a canopy of Moroccan lanterns, casting a warm glow throughout the venue. Tables were elegantly set with white linens and complemented by delicate floral arrangements and soft candlelight.
Guests raised their glasses in cheerful toasts, drawing heartfelt laughter from the radiant bride. The air buzzed with celebration, echoing the joy of the occasion.
As the evening drew to a close, the couple cut a multi-tiered cake decorated with soft peach roses. A champagne tower poured over with festive bubbles under the shimmer of sparklers held by the smiling guests. With music spinning from the DJ’s booth, everyone took to the dance floor, swaying and stepping into the night.
“Just enjoying the gorgeous venue with all the flowers everywhere during the day and then the candles at night with Moroccan rugs everywhere was just really special.” – said the bride. After the reception ended, the couple hung out with some friends for a little and then just the two of them walked around the venue. “It was a really fun and special moment that we shared after everything, at 2 in the morning, just enjoying each other’s company and the gorgeous place.” – she concluded.
Advice from the couple:
• My tailor made my welcome dinner dress too short, it was my fault for getting it tailored last minute. I panicked but then realized that it didn’t matter and no one would notice. Advice would be to stop stressing about the little things and really try to be present.
We had a blast planning the wedding and didn’t stress too much on the day of the wedding about things most people freak out about. After, we realized that maybe certain things weren’t perfect, but it was so worth just enjoying the day and we realized that no one cared about any of those imperfect things. Remember the reason for the wedding, and don’t let the little things bother you!
PHOTOGRAPHER Nina Wernicke | VIDEOGRAPHER Chris Buckley | PLANNER La Perl Events with support of Party Maroc | VENUE BELDI Country Club | FLORAL The Bloom Room | CAKE Mounia Eloukkal | MUAH Joana Ronquillo and team | DRESS Vera Wang Haute | SUIT Hugo Boss | DJ Momo Mac
