Danielle and Alex designed a black-tie wedding in a monastery courtyard, featuring a full baroque still-life celebration by Zeiry by Design. Think stone cloisters, repeating arches, dense tropical greenery, and one long table running through the corridor. Now imagine the most unexpected backdrop for that entire vision: Miami.
Their big idea was visible from the first frame. “We wanted the wedding to feel romantic, timeless, and old-world. We focused on rich colors and elegant floral arrangements that matched our vision of European elegance,” Danielle shares. “Working alongside Z made everything seamless from beginning to end. Her attention to detail and personalized approach brought our vision to life effortlessly.”
Location: Miami, Florida, USA
Style: Romantic, Old-world, Timeless
Time of planning: 14 months
Number of guests: 82
Setting: Monastery
Season: Spring
Danielle and Alex met the most New York way possible, on the corner of Grand and Lafayette. A literal downtown intersection, and they instantly clicked. Months later, Danielle flew back to New York, thinking she was there for a friend’s bachelorette, unaware Alex had a completely different plan.
At Dear Irving, surrounded by candles and white rose petals, he proposed in an intimate moment before their friends and family joined to celebrate. The next morning turned into a celebratory brunch, because one night clearly wasn’t enough. That story led to their courtyard wedding, captured by Anna Vieira of Always Forever Films.
Bride's Morning & Fashion
The morning started with stationery, setting the tone first: creamy paper, broad red accents, clean typography, nothing overly sweet. Next to it, the bouquet from Simple Florals looked even more like a Dutch still life in real life.
The bridesmaids stepped in wearing rich burgundy dresses that locked the color story in place. Proper wine tones against pale stone. It felt intentional, graphic, almost editorial against the monastery walls.
The bride wore Danielle Frankel. This brand is not princess-core. It reads as NYC cool bride. The gown featured thin straps and a fluid satin silhouette that skimmed the body. She styled the look with Badgley Mischka shoes that added a subtle classic finish, and diamond earrings that Alex gifted her the morning of the wedding.
Groom’s Fashion
Alex wore a Suit Supply suit that aligned perfectly with the day’s black-tie theme. He finished the look with cufflinks featuring a Canadian flag, a subtle nod to his roots.
First Look
Their first look took place in the monastery gardens, framed by wild greenery and old stone, which honestly felt like a film set without trying. The moment he turned around, Alex was visibly overwhelmed, fully in it, hands to his face, completely stunned in the best way.
Ceremony
Planned by Zeiry by Design, the ceremony unfolded inside the Ancient Spanish Monastery, a structure that quite literally traveled across the ocean stone by stone before finding its place in Miami. There’s something quietly powerful about saying your vows in a space that has already lived several lifetimes.
The florals leaned into depth rather than airiness: heavy, velvety textures, cascading grapes, dark berries, layered greens. Dense and intentional, almost like a baroque painting unfolding around the altar.
The ceremony itself was edited down to its core. Danielle’s brother officiated, which made the entire exchange feel personal from the first word. The wedding party didn’t stand beside. The focus stayed exactly where they wanted it: just the two of them. Reading their own vows became the emotional center of the day, and for both of them, it was the moment that stood still the longest.
Moments Together
After the ceremony, guests moved into the monastery gardens for cocktail hour, and the energy shifted without losing the mood. A live saxophonist set the tone, the kind of soundtrack that feels cinematic without trying too hard. The engraved charcuterie boards with their names and wedding date were passed around, blending into the overall design.
While everyone settled into the garden, Danielle and Alex slipped away for a quiet wander through the cloisters. Photographer Stephanie Velez captured them against the gothic arches and aged stone corridors, leaning into shadow, symmetry, and texture.
Alongside the photography, Anna of Always Forever Films documented the day Super 8 too. This footage adds a softer, grainier layer to the story, something more tactile and nostalgic that contrasts beautifully with the precision of the setting. It feels intimate, slightly imperfect in the best way, and completely in sync with the old-world atmosphere.
Reception
The reception design started at table level, and it was precise. White linens created a clean base, gold flatware added structure, and deep red menus acted as graphic accents against the neutral palette. The berry-toned florals echoed the stationery. Grapes cascaded from the arrangements in dramatic clusters, and artichokes appeared as sculptural elements. The overall effect was rich and intentional, never rustic or “market-inspired,” but controlled and art-directed.
At the entrance, a mirrored sign set in a gilded frame greeted guests, reflecting the arches and candlelight behind them. It immediately reinforced the old-world tone of the monastery setting. The arches framed the tables, the stone amplified the candle glow, and the architecture created natural symmetry. The entire space felt cohesive, from paper goods to florals to lighting.
Before the evening shifted into full celebration mode, Danielle made a subtle change. She draped a long, fluid scarf-like piece over her shoulders, instantly softening and reshaping her ceremony look without requiring a full outfit change. Their first dance took place in the center of the courtyard to Loved by You by Kirby. With half of the guests traveling from Canada and the other half from New York, the atmosphere felt intimate but electric.
Then the champagne tower appeared. Glasses stacked high in the middle of the space, catching flash photography as the evening moved into its party chapter. The cake followed in an ivory tone with a slightly vintage shape, finished with cocktail cherries that added a playful, retro detail.
After the cake cutting, Danielle changed into her second look, a two-piece set that introduced a completely different mood. The shorter silhouette, paired with a birdcage veil, shifted the aesthetic into vintage bombshell. The courtyard became the dance floor, speeches echoed through the arches, and the architecture continued to frame every moment.
Advice from the couple:
• Don’t second-guess yourself. When you make a decision, stick to your vision. Trusting your taste and instincts makes everything come together beautifully.
PLANNER & DESIGNER Zeiry by Design | PHOTOGRAPHER Stephanie Velez | VIDEOGRAPHER Always Forever Films | FLORIST Simple Florals | MUAH The Clyque | GOWN Danielle Frankel | CAKE Cloud 9 Bakery | SIGNAGE Dainty Hands Co. | ENTERTAINMENT Mike Sipe Entertainment | FOOD CART La Tabla | CATERING & RENTALS Bill Hansen Luxury Catering
