It was 2015 and after a long day of work with the Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB utility player Kiké Hernandez took some time to relax and watch a movie: Hot Tub Time Machine 2. He was intrigued by an actress in the film and looked her up online. He was pleasantly surprised to learn Mariana Paola Vicente was Puerto Rican and living in Los Angeles – just like him! “He found me on social media and sent a message congratulating me on my performance,” she smiles.

Two months later, they arranged to have lunch. Kiké admits the very moment he saw her, he knew he was going to propose one day. “She was as beautiful in person as she was in her modeling pictures,” he confirms of the former Miss Puerto Rico. After six months of friendship, they finally confessed to having romantic feelings for one another.

A couple of years later, Mariana and Kiké decided to vacation in Big Sur during a baseball break. The bridge to the hotel was closed, so the couple was flown up via helicopter to the inn. They waited by the bar until their room was ready. Unbeknownst to Mariana, they were actually waiting for the photographer. “He had to hike up, poor guy!” she exclaims. They finally made it into their room, which had been beautifully decorated. Kiké furiously shuffled through his backpack to locate the ring. Meanwhile, Mariana, clueless, thought the hotel had done something nice for them and began filming to share the lovely accommodations with her family. “I turned around and he was on one knee,” she remembers of the intimate proposal. “Also, I got it all on that Snapchat video… which, I deleted by mistake.”

Wedding planning quickly began and the search for a venue in Puerto Rico was the first task on the list. The couple knew a large majority of their guests would be from out of town, with most never having visited the locale. “We also knew they would probably travel exclusively for our wedding day and would have to leave quickly, so it was a priority to show them as much of a ‘Puerto Rican experience’ as possible,” the bride explains. “I was very happy with our choice of locations because they brought together all the elements that I feel describe the island best: our beautiful ocean, history, and culture!”

A modern invitation suite with metallic accents invited guests to arrive for the ceremony at 3PM, however the ceremony was really set for 4PM. “We wrote an hour early because island time is real!” Mariana laughs. The historical Spanish fort did not require much for decorations, which is one reason the bride loved it so, yet it did prove to be a challenge for guest-seating formation. “I didn’t know which way to face the chairs because we had the fort, the ocean, and the capitol,” she illustrates. “We opted for a circular ceremony, where guests could enjoy different views, with us in the center.” Two uniformed “soldiers” greeted attendees and a piragua cart with Puerto Rican snow cones was set up to offer cool treats to loved ones.

Mariana was a vision in an ethereal silk-organza gown in shades of champagne with delicate embroidery throughout the tulle bodice and skirt. She paired it with a matching cape in lieu of a traditional veil. Kiké also made a grand impression with a custom burgundy tuxedo featuring a photo collage, which included their two pups, in the lining. Once the officiant announced the pair husband and wife, the newlyweds kissed, and the string trio began to perform Drake’s “In My Feelings.” A portion of the chorus from the hit song asks, “Kiki, do you love me?” which is a play on the groom’s nickname. “It was a cute surprise for Kiké,” Mariana affirms.

Desiring the remainder of the day to be a big party, the couple decided to “crash the cocktail hour” with traditional pleneros – a group of musicians who sing while playing the drums. From there, Mariana and Kiké introduced family and friends to their reception area, which was inspired by a romantic, modern concept. Stunning arrangements of greenery and bold-colored florals warmed up the all-white ballroom. Tablescapes were clean and showcased gold metallic details, such as bullion-rimmed charger plates. As favors, the bride’s mother – formerly a full-time painter whose work was featured internationally – made glicées of the San Cristóbal fort.

At the conclusion of the sit-down dinner, which was a highlight for the groom since he missed tastings due to the baseball season, slices of the guava-and-cheese wedding cake were passed. “I wanted a simple marble cake to match the marble floors of the casino,” says Mariana. “I also requested a hidden Batman logo as a nod to Kiké’s love of the superhero.”

The bride was thrilled with how perfectly everything came together. “If anything went wrong, I never noticed,” she reveals. “That’s the best thing about working with vendors you trust!” She also suggests that other newlyweds try to stay by each other’s side throughout the day because it’s easy to get pulled apart with all the excitement. As for the groom, he relishes in his favorite memory: seeing Mariana walk down the aisle towards him – much like the first time he met her.