Melanie and Justin’s Pride and Prejudice-Inspired Wedding at Thalatta Estate
- Author: Natali Grace Levine
- Wedding date: 03/02/2025
- City: Miami
Love Story
Their love story began in 2018 with one of those beautiful coincidences that make you believe in fate. "We met through mutual friends after I had just moved to Baltimore," Melanie shares. What started as friendship blossomed into something deeper during a group trip to Germany for Oktoberfest in 2019. "We became fast friends and started dating after that trip," Melanie recalls. "Soon after, Justin officially asked me to be his girlfriend.That was about 5 and a half years ago now!"
The proposal came full circle in October 2023. "Justin took me to the same rooftop bar where he asked me to be his girlfriend. It had become our go-to place for celebrations and fancy date nights," Melanie remembers. “When we got there and he mentioned he had reserved a special booth for us, I knew this wasn't just another date night. He took me out to the balcony, got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife!"
"At our relationship's core, we're each other's best friends," Melanie explains. "We value each other as individuals, always find a way to have fun together, and are partners through everything!"
About Your Wedding
When it came to planning their dream wedding, Melanie and Justin knew exactly what they wanted. After a little over a year of planning, they created an intimate celebration for 80 guests that perfectly embodied their vision of "dreamy, timeless romance."
"I've always loved reading and watching romance books and movies. They give me this deep, heartwarming feeling and I felt like that truly represented how Justin and I feel about each other," Melanie explains. "A specific source of inspiration was the scene in Pride and Prejudice where Mr. Darcy is walking across the field at dawn towards Elizabeth to confess his love and propose to her. So the wedding style was rooted in recreating that feeling through the decor, florals, and music."
The couple chose a classic white and sage green color palette for an elegant, timeless look. "Thalatta Estate's natural beauty with its large garden overlooking the water paired with our gorgeous florals helped bring our vision to life!" Melanie shares. "Also during the ceremony and cocktail hour we had a string duo that played covers of modern songs. I might be biased but everything came together perfectly."
Morning Details
We love how Melanie incorporated personal touches into every detail of their special day. She designed their wedding invitations herself using Canva, adding that perfect personal touch to their stationery suite.
One of the most meaningful details was Melanie's bouquet pin, which beautifully incorporated her something old, borrowed, and blue. "My mom lent me an aquamarine gemstone she's had since I was born (we were both born in March and aquamarine is March's birthstone). That was my something borrowed and blue. I then had a locket with small photo of me with my late grandmother (my something old). I attached both to a pin for my bouquet."
Bride Getting Ready
The bridal preparations took place in the gorgeous bridal suite at Thalatta Estate, where Melanie was surrounded by her closest loved ones. "I got ready with my MOHs (my two younger sisters), my 4 bridesmaids, and my mom," she shares.
Finding her perfect dress was surprisingly straightforward. "I chose a dress by Essence of Australia. It didn't take me long to find. I went to a handful of shops during a weekend with my mom and two sisters. I spent all weekend trying on dresses that checked some boxes but not others. Then at the last shop where I had an appointment, I found a dress that had everything I was looking for!"
Melanie's bridal look was completed with a cathedral length veil featuring floral and pearl accents at the train's end, paired with white Badgley Mischka pointed toe heels with sheer, gauzy ankle bows. For jewelry, she chose "delicate pearl drop earrings and a matching bracelet from Olive & Piper."
Her romantic bouquet, created by Julia Rohde Designs, featured "white and cream garden roses, ranunculus, and stock flowers to create a loose, organic bouquet" that perfectly complemented her timeless aesthetic.
The bridesmaids looked stunning in coordinating dresses from Birdy Grey, creating a cohesive and elegant bridal party look.
Groom Getting Ready
Justin looked dapper in his tuxedo from The Black Tux, getting ready alongside his best man and groomsmen at Thalatta Estate. The masculine energy and excitement of the groomsmen perfectly balanced the feminine joy happening in the bridal suite.
First Look
"Our first look took place by a pretty, little pond area behind the main estate house that was secluded from the main garden area," Melanie explains. Justin's reaction was pure magic: "I remember being so excited waiting for the first look to happen that I thought my heart was going to beat out of my chest! When she put her hand on my shoulder and I turned around and saw the most perfect, beautiful person in front of me and was overcome with emotion. Once I saw her, all of my worries and concerns around everything going perfectly went away and I was just beyond excited that I was getting to marry the love of my life."
For Melanie, the moment was equally emotional: "Leading up to the first look, all I could think about was how I excited I was to finally see and talk with Justin! He's my best friend and all I wanted was to get to the point in the day where we could start experiencing our wedding day together. Seeing him turn around for the first look is one of my favorite memories of the day. He looked so classically handsome and the way he looked at me was full of love. I knew in that moment we were going to have one of the best days of our lives."
Photoshoot Before The Ceremony
“We had our pre-ceremony photos taken around Thalatta Estate. We trusted our photographer, Priscilla and her husband David, from Pure Zeal Photography, to find the right locations to perfectly capture us,” they share.
Ceremony
The ceremony itself was nothing short of magical, taking place "at the end of the garden that overlooks the water" at Thalatta Estate. The musical choices perfectly reflected their love story - Justin walked down the aisle to "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles, while Melanie made her grand entrance to "Dawn" from the Pride & Prejudice movie soundtrack, bringing her romantic vision full circle.
Their friend Chris officiated the wedding, adding a personal touch to their vows. Melanie's most treasured memory from the ceremony was "us saying our vows to each other, specifically when Justin told me I was 'exquisite'. But there are so many more! The moments with my mom and dad before they walked me down the aisle. Chris's speech was so perfect and lovely. Being mesmerized by Justin once we were up at the altar, the rest of the world faded away. The string duo playing Kiss Me during our first kiss. The ceremony was magical!"
Justin's perspective was equally romantic: "I remember seeing Mel walk down the aisle with her parents at her side. Even though we already saw each other for the first look, I couldn't get over how amazing she looked. Everyone else faded away and I had tunnel vision on just her throughout the rest of the ceremony. She shared countless heartfelt memories and beautiful sentiments throughout her vows that I treasure still to this day. Once we were declared husband and wife, I remember kissing her and looking out to seeing all of our family and friends cheering for us. Walking down that aisle together officially as husband and wife is a memory I will always cherish."
Photoshoot After The Ceremony
The post-ceremony photos captured some of the most breathtaking moments of their wedding day. "We took our post-ceremony photos in the area that overlooked the water and throughout the gardens. That's where Priscilla got the most gorgeous photo of us about to kiss underneath my veil," Melanie shares.
Wedding Venue & Decor
Thalatta Estate proved to be the perfect backdrop for Melanie and Justin's romantic vision. The venue's natural beauty, with its expansive gardens overlooking the water, provided an enchanting setting that needed little enhancement beyond their elegant white and sage green color palette.
The decor perfectly embodied that Pride and Prejudice-inspired romance Melanie had always dreamed of, creating an atmosphere that was both timeless and deeply personal to their love story.
Reception
The celebration continued with their first dance to "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" by Natalie Cole - a perfect choice that reflected their joyful, enduring love. The evening was sweetened by a beautiful wedding cake from Cloud 9 Bakery, adorned with flowers from their florist Julia Rohde Designs.
Their incredible vendor team brought every detail to life flawlessly. "All of our vendors were incredible to work with! They were so professional, accommodating, and made it easy to bring our wedding day vision to life!" Melanie enthuses.
Wedding Team
- Photographer Pure Zeal
- Planning @alovefordetail
- Catering & Events @billhansenluxurycatering
- Florals @juliarohdedesigns
- DJs @visiondjs
- Cake @cloud9bakery
- Hair Stylist @junkiebride
- Makeup Artist @lindsaybrooke.mua
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