When Shany and Brian matched on Hinge, both had just moved back to Miami searching for a new chapter post-COVID. They couldn’t have foreseen that this new chapter would bring them to saying ‘I do’ under a chuppah on an Islamorada beach in the Florida Keys.

Why the Keys

The couple knew early on what they wished their wedding to look like. “We wanted something smaller, more intimate with beautiful backdrops,” Shany says. 

About a two-hour drive south of Miami, Islamorada checked every box. Plus, it was close enough to home for easy trips back and forth during planning. Even better, the couple already had a soft spot for a venue down there! Cheeca Lodge played host to them once before, and a family friend who got married there had a lovely wedding experience.

Planning From Afar

Even though Shany and Brian could make it down for the occasional planning trip, logistics still presented their own headaches. Luckily, recruiting Guadalupe of Little Miss Planner made long-distance planning much less stress-inducing. Guadalupe could serve as their eyes and ears in the Keys, staying available for questions and introducing them to a roster of trusted local vendors.

All the Details

Shany came into planning with a clear vision for the florals. She pictured a color palette of burgundy, white, pink, and green, built from unexpected, “off the beaten path” blooms rather than the typical standard wedding stems. Duarte Floral Design took on the challenge and brought it to life.

But the detail most guests still talk about traces back to Brian. “My husband LOVES magic,” Shany says, “so in his honor I wanted to add a bit of a cards theme into the mix.”

Table numbers were designed on Canva to look like cards pulled from a deck, framed in magnetic holders. Personalized matchbooks styled after playing cards, ordered from ForYourParty.com, went home with guests. And instead of a traditional guest book, the couple set out blank playing cards from Etsy for guests to sign with their well wishes. In fact, Shany and Brian still shuffle and play with the deck today, catching a message from a loved one with every hand. How sweet is that?

A Sunny Florida Keys Wedding Day

Shany and Brian married under a chuppah in a ceremony that honored Jewish tradition while staying true to their own style. They kept the processional simple, with only family walking down the aisle. Well, family and one very important guest of honor: their dog, Rubin.

Their cantor, Mark Levine, gave the ceremony its emotional high point, weaving traditional Jewish melodies into the tunes of modern songs, including John Legend’s “All of Me.” The couple incorporated several classic elements into their ceremony, including:

• Circling the Groom: Shany circled Brian seven times upon reaching the chuppah, a tradition symbolizing the creation of a protective new world around their marriage and echoing the seven days of creation.
• The Exchange of Rings: Brian placed a plain, unbroken band on Shany’s right index finger, symbolizing a union free of blemish or hidden motive.
• The Seven Blessings: Recited over a shared cup of wine by the male members of their families, these blessings speak to the joy of the couple and the hope of renewal.
• Breaking of the Glass: Brian closed the ceremony by stepping on a cloth-wrapped glass, a joyful yet grounding reminder to hold onto gratitude and remember life’s fragility even in moments of celebration.

Advice for Fellow Destination Couples

Looking back, Shany and Brian have a few hard-won tips for couples planning their own trip down the aisle. First and foremost: hire a wedding planner. They’d also tell couples to think carefully about ceremony sightlines. For example, if you’re marrying under a canopy, seat guests on the opposite side from where you’ll be standing, since canopies can block the view and a diagonal sightline works better than a straight-on one. And finally, start getting ready earlier than you think you need to.

Vendors: Wedding Planner: Little Miss Planner; Photography: Macy Ryan Photography; Venue: Cheeca Lodge Resort & Spa; Florist: Duarte Floral Design; Videography: Gamut Cine; Stationery: Lucy March Studio; Cake: Ceci’s Pastry Shop; Bride’s Hair & Makeup: Dunia Rivero; Bridesmaids’ Makeup: Beauty by Bler; Wedding Dress: Sayes Miami; Bride’s Shoes: Stuart Weitzman; Groom’s Attire: Suitsupply; Officiant: Rabbi Iosi Benchimol; Cantor: Mark Levine; Entertainment: Avinu Events; Rentals: Eventfully Yours; Linens & Tableware: Nuage Designs