When Lindsay Cieri and Paul Reyes first connected on a dating app, she was living in Manhattan while he was based in Queens. What began as a first date quickly turned into something much more meaningful. “After talking for eight hours on our first date, we quickly made it official!” Lindsay recalls. Years later, Paul planned a romantic proposal. “Paul planned a beach picnic with floral elements, candles, and treats,” Lindsay shares. “We had photographs taken as we got engaged.”

The couple spent the next 10 months planning their wedding celebration, working closely with their planner, Carrie Darling, to bring their vision to life. Lindsay credits her mother, friends, and planner for offering invaluable guidance along the way. “Enjoy the little moments of the day and everything will work out!” she says of the best advice she received while planning.

Now residing in Bonita Springs, Florida, Lindsay and Paul chose to host their wedding in nearby Naples after hearing glowing recommendations about the venue they selected. On the afternoon of February 15th, 120 guests gathered for the ceremony. With a large wedding party of nine bridesmaids, five groomsmen, six flower girls, and four ring bearers, a joyful and lively atmosphere was created as the procession of loved ones across all ages began.

Throughout the nuptials, honoring both their family and heritage was important to the couple. Paul, who is Ecuadorian, and Lindsay, who is half Italian, incorporated cultural elements throughout the day. To recognize Paul’s roots, their reverend delivered portions of the ceremony in both Spanish and English and the reception music included Spanish selections and a traditional Ecuadorian song that guests enjoyed dancing to together. Additional details reflected Lindsay’s Italian heritage, such as a dessert room filled with Italian desserts including cannoli and gelato.

From the beginning, Lindsay envisioned a wedding aesthetic that felt dramatic and romantic. Since the celebration took place over Valentine’s Day Weekend, the design incorporated rich black tones paired with vibrant accents of red and pink. “I wanted the wedding to have a moody, glam, dramatic, opulent, romantic feel,” she adds of her vision. The reception space was transformed with black draping, dramatic lighting, candle installations, and lush floral arrangements, and to create an especially striking and immersive atmosphere, custom furnishings, linens, and décor were incorporated throughout.

“I wanted elements that were important to us to be reflected in our wedding, such as where we met and lived together, our cats, our cultures, and opulent and romantic touches of Valentine’s Day with pinks, reds, candles, and the red dessert room.”

Throughout the evening, thoughtful details reflected the couple’s shared history – particularly their connection to New York City, where they met and built their relationship. Tables were named after iconic NYC landmarks including the Empire State Building, Times Square, Grand Central Terminal, Central Park, and Rockefeller Center, and escort cards inspired by subway tiles as well as custom neon signage added further nods to the city.

“The small details matter to me,” Lindsay explains. “I wanted elements that were important to us to be reflected in our wedding, such as where we met and lived together, our cats, our cultures, and opulent and romantic touches of Valentine’s Day with pinks, reds, candles, and the red dessert room.”

The culinary experience was another highlight of the evening. The team at their venue worked closely with Lindsay to accommodate her food allergies, while also ensuring all guests were well cared for. “It was wonderful,” the bride says. They also made sure to select specialty signature cocktails, named after the couple’s beloved cats. Guests could order “The Angel,” a Kir Royale made with Prosecco, crème de cassis, and fresh raspberries, or “The Charli,” a prickly pear margarita featuring tequila, lime juice, and rose-shaped ice.

Later in the evening, guests explored a dessert room filled with sweets including lemon bars, brownies, cheesecake bars, fruit tarts, gelato, and cannoli, alongside slices of the couple’s dramatic four-tiered wedding cake. Decorated in black with sugar flowers and a custom monogram, the confection featured flavors such as white cake with key lime mousse, chocolate cake with chocolate mousse, carrot cake with cream-cheese icing, and pineapple cake with cream-cheese icing. Each guest also discovered a thoughtful favor waiting at their place setting: a black velvet-ribboned box that doubled as a menu presentation. Inside were heart-shaped chocolates adorned with the couple’s monogram.

For Lindsay, one of the most meaningful aspects of the day was seeing loved ones experience the celebration she had so carefully envisioned. Her favorite experiences were “being with family and friends from all over the country [and] seeing guests’ reactions to the details and how much they enjoyed the wedding, especially the dessert room, food, the small details and music!” she shares. Walking down the aisle with her father also held emotional significance. “A few years before, my dad was sick, and I didn’t think I would have this opportunity – this was really special to me,” Lindsay reflects.

From the couple’s first look to the lively dance floor and the reactions of guests exploring each thoughtfully designed space, the evening unfolded exactly as Lindsay and Paul had hoped. Looking back, the bride wouldn’t change a thing about their wedding day. Instead, she encourages other couples to focus on the details that matter most. “Include the small details that are meaningful to you,” she advises. “Enjoy the moments with family and friends.”