A Tropical Romance: Kimberly & Ruslan's Dream Wedding at The Palms Hotel & Spa

Love Story

Meeting through a dating app, Kimberly and Ruslan's first encounter at an authentic Cocktail Bar in Chinatown set the stage for what would become a whirlwind romance. "It felt very natural from the first moment, like we had met before," Kimberly remembers with a soft smile. The connection was so immediate that they officially began dating on their second date – the same calendar date they would choose two years later to say "I do."

The proposal came during a romantic trip to Hawaii. "We were at a Buddhist temple, starting to make our usual video," Kimberly recalls, "and instead of our usual high-five, he got down on one knee surprising me."

Planned in just six months, Kimberly and Ruslan's wedding was an exquisite celebration bringing together 100 of their closest friends and family. The couple, who live in New York, chose Miami's stunning Palms Hotel & Spa as their destination venue, perfectly capturing their vision of a "classic and elegant yet boho-chic and free-spirited" aesthetic.

"Our wedding describes exactly what we had in mind for our ideal wedding," explains Kimberly. "Our goal was to create an environment of love, laughter, and dancing, and most importantly, be able to bring together all our friends and families."

"What inspired me most during preparation was to create a romantic atmosphere for my husband and me, to be able to create the wedding of our dreams," Kimberly reflects. "And to transmit some of that energy to our guests so they get drunk with love." Ruslan laughs, adding, "My wife, haha, who was very detail-oriented, didn't miss any part of the wedding and didn't sleep until everything was perfect."

Morning details

The wedding stationery, a labor of love designed entirely by Kimberly, set the tone for their special day. "I designed the invitations, it was a big job for me," she admits. "It took me a long time to finish them because I had very high expectations, but in the end, I was very happy with the results."

Their wedding rings, selected together at Brilliant Earth, reflected their desire for something "very classic and elegant." The couple chose pieces that spoke to their hearts in the moment, embracing spontaneity while honoring tradition.

Kimberly also wore a special necklace given to her by Ruslan on their first anniversary – a small but significant reminder of their journey together. The wedding stationery suite included save-the-dates, formal invitations, a detailed location map highlighting important venues, and a carefully crafted seating chart.

Bride getting ready

Finding the perfect dress was no small feat for Kimberly, who tried approximately 50 different gowns before discovering "the one" at a small boutique in Doral. "It ended up being very different from what I had in mind," she confesses, "but we knew it was the one when my sister, my mom, and I cried walking out of the fitting room to show it to them, and it was the only one we cried in." And when she finally stepped into that dress on her wedding day, she looked absolutely stunning—graceful, radiant, and every bit the vision of a bride's dream come true.

The morning of the wedding found Kimberly in her hotel suite, surrounded by her mother, bridesmaids, and close friends. Her bridal look was completed with a stunning veil and a breathtaking bouquet combining orchids and dried flowers – a perfect blend of traditional elegance and boho-chic style.

In a gesture of friendship and personal expression, Kimberly gave her bridesmaids creative freedom with their attire. "I wanted to give my bridesmaids some freedom and allow them to express their own creativity," she explains. "I just mentioned a color, and they could choose whatever design they preferred."

Groom getting ready

Meanwhile, Ruslan prepared for the big day in his own hotel suite, surrounded by his groomsmen and closest friends. The atmosphere was a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation as they helped each other perfect their looks and shared stories and laughter.

First Look

The couple's first look took place near the hotel's gazebo – a private, emotional moment before the ceremony began. When Ruslan saw Kimberly for the first time in her wedding dress, he was completely overcome. "When I saw my bride, I was speechless by her beauty, I was lost in my thoughts, and I couldn't speak," Ruslan recalls, his voice still filled with emotion. "I felt just like the first time I saw her like I couldn't speak, and butterflies in my stomach, and I was confident that she was my wife."

Kimberly's thoughts were equally moving: "How lucky I was to be there with the love of my life, he looked more handsome than ever."

Photoshoot before the ceremony

The couple chose the hotel's lush bamboo garden for their pre-ceremony photoshoot – a verdant backdrop that complemented their vision perfectly. The bamboo garden gave them this serene, intimate setting that felt like they were in their own little world.

Ceremony

As the sun cast a golden glow across the horizon, Kimberly and Ruslan's beachfront ceremony began. Walking hand in hand with her parents, Kimberly experienced what would become one of her most treasured memories. "As I walked hand in hand with my parents to the ceremony at the beachfront, I saw all my friends and family turning around and waiting for us, and I saw my husband waiting for me, along with his most important people, his parents, with such loving eyes," she recalls.

Ruslan agrees this was the most profound moment for him as well: "In that moment you feel a cocktail of emotions of happiness, worries, and excitement. This is the moment you have been preparing for all these months."

The non-religious ceremony was nonetheless deeply spiritual, emphasizing God's blessing on their union. One particularly meaningful ritual involved a magnolia plant,where soil from both sets of parents' homes was combined to symbolize the merging of their families.

As "I am Yours" by Jason Mars played, Kimberly made her way down the aisle. Their young friends, Sonia as flower girl and Danil as ring bearer, added innocence and joy to the proceedings. When asked about the most special moment from the ceremony, both answer without hesitation: "When we both said 'Yes, I do.'"

Photoshoot after the ceremony

Before guests moved to their reception tables, the newlyweds took advantage of the beautifully decorated lawn area for additional photos. The resulting images showcase not only the couple's obvious love for one another but also the extraordinary care they took in creating a visually stunning experience for their guests.

Wedding Venue & Decor

The Palms Hotel & Spa provided the ideal canvas for Kimberly and Ruslan's vision. "We had been to a couple of places before but this one seemed to have the vibe we were looking for, something cool, with a tropical bohemian vibe, grass for tables and our deciding factor was a beach view," shares Kimberly.

Their color palette of white, beige, and sage green created an atmosphere of understated elegance that complemented the natural beauty of their surroundings. Personalized touches included custom hand fans for the bridesmaids, both mothers, and the mother-in-law – practical in the Miami heat yet stylish and thoughtful.

Reception

The reception began with a unique first dance to Al Green's "Let's Stay Together," made even more special when the couple invited both sets of parents to join them on the dance floor. Guests enjoyed an innovative Asian fusion menu, which reflected the couple's appreciation for creative cuisine.

It was a night filled with love, laughter, and pure magic—the kind of celebration that felt like a beautiful dream unfolding under twinkling lights and the warmth of cherished company.

"They were both by far the most amazing vendors we had," the couple gushed about their photo and video team.