Imagine getting married at a venue with bright tropical colors, lush green golf courses, and gorgeous ocean views! Nara and Claude’s wedding in the Dominican Republic (DR) was truly a slice of paradise. Nara always knew she wanted to get married in the DR. Her mother is Dominican, and she has fond memories of family visits made there during the Christmas holidays and summer months. So when her college sweetheart Claude proposed to her, they already knew they were going to have a destination wedding.
The couple’s wedding theme was “a modern wedding with an Island flair.” Even though they had a destination wedding, Nara was adamant that she didn’t want their nuptials to feel to “beachy.” She wore a gorgeous Kenneth Pool ballgown, and the couple was married in a chapel on the breathtaking grounds of Casa de Campo.
Guests then headed outside for the cocktail hour and reception. Nara worked with B3 Events to make sure her Dominican heritage was incorporated into the festivities and Alfredo Esteban captured every festive moment. (This wedding is featured in the FW14 issue of our magazine).
Bride’s Name: Nara Santarelli
Groom’s Name: Claude Murrell
Wedding Date: May 3, 2014
Wedding location: Casa de Campo, La Romana, Dominican Republic
Quick Facts
Wedding Theme – Modern Style with an Island Flair Color Scheme – Blush, Ivory, Raspberry, & Coral Wedding Flowers – The floral arraignments consisted of brilliant hues of pink, peach, coral, blush, & ivory. We chose sleek and modern vases to adorn each table. First Dance Song – Case ‘Happily Ever After’ Wedding Cake Flavors – Dulce de Leche Wedding Menu Favorite – Our guest were served French style. We served traditional Dominican dishes with a continental flare. My favorite thing about our wedding menu was the variety of main course options that included traditional Dominican White Fish, Truffle Mushroom Pasta, Churrasco Steak , Chicken Cordon Bleu, Pork Medallion, & Grilled Shrimp. Bridesmaids Gifts – Luggage tag, sandals and a personalized necklaces Groomsmen Gifts – A pair of New Balance Tennis Shoes & A custom shirt.
From the bride:
Nara shares, “We wanted our guests to experience a little of the island’s culture. As guest arrived to the reception villa, we had a traditional Dominican Scratch Band (Perico Ripaio) greet them. We had a cigar roller on hand throughout the evening and guests were given bottles of Mamajuana as a wedding favor. Mamajuana is traditional Dominican alcoholic beverage. We also ‘jumped the broom’ after the ceremony to incorporate Claude’s African American cultural tradition.” It was a spectacular night that ended with everyone in the pool!
Nara recalls, “The most memorable part of the wedding day was our end of the night fireworks show followed by our entire wedding party jumping into the pool – wedding dress and all!” The Murrells definitely know how to have a good time!
LOVE NOTES
Tell us one thing he loves most about you…
The way I love him unconditionally
Tell us one thing you love most about him…
The excitement that I still get to see him even after 10 years
Vendors
Wedding Venue – Casa de Campo, La Romana, Dominican Republic Ceremony Location – St. Stanislaus, Altos de Chavon, Casa de Campo Reception Location – Private Oceanfront Villa, Casa de Campo Event Design – B3 Events Wedding Planners – Nara Murrell, B3 Events , Eventos Y Catering Event Rental, Catering, Cake & Floral Design– Eventos Y Catering Wedding Gown – Kenneth Pool Wedding Shoes – Brian Atwood Wedding Veil – Custom Order / Kleinfeld Bridesmaid Dresses – Vivian Diamond Dessy Collection / www.vipoccassions.com Groom’s and Groomsmen Apparel – Parc 81 Photographer – Alfredo Esteban Invitations– www.elmandgray.com Hair & Makeup – Jason Tavares (of Miami) Entertainment – DJ Kwest On (of Chicago) Cigar Roller, Pianist & Perico Ripaio (Traditional Dominican Scratch Band) provided by Casa de Campo Favors – Mamajuana (Traditional Dominican Alcoholic Beverage) Rings – Oliverio Jewelers (of Chicago) / The ring was custom designed by Claude and the bands were designed by Nara Jumping Broom Design – Our custom jumping broom was designed by B3 Events Wedding Invitations & Stationery – Elm & Gray
Insanely beautiful. One of my deepest regrets is missing this auspicious occasion.
My son and daughter-in-law. One of the happiest days of my life. We were blessed to have 160 family and friends to come to the DR for the Wedding. It was beautiful every single day there. Live Life Love Life.
What an amazing editorial layout of our wedding! MunaLuchi Bridal did an incredible job of putting this together! Thank you sharing and featuring our wedding.
Nara & Claude
For all that was said…Amen! I was glad to have witnessed such a blessed, beautiful, and fabulous occasion. Every BODY and Every DETAIL was BODACIOUS!
To a joyful life together!
I am so proud of this young Man, my God Son, and the way he has lived his life so far. I have been blessed to have been with him and his parents as he came into this world, Now I can say that I have witnessed him as an adult as he took Nara as his beautiful Bride, and as I see it, I have one more grand event that I pray that I will also be there to share with this awesome Family. Can you guess?
My Love to All of the Murrells……………
WOW!!! Absolutely beautiful… Congratulations and blessings to the beautiful couple!
We felt terrible to miss your wedding…and now after seeing the beautiful photos, we feel even sadder! It looks like a hollywood dream! From the most gorgeous couple we have ever seen…to the amazing scenery, venue, flowers… a wedding of a lifetime. Blessings and happiness to you always, Nara and Claude ! All of the pictures are wonderful. Especially the beautiful bride and handsome groom … giving sweet Bella a smooch!
CONGRATULATIONS! You two make an incredibly beautiful couple.
Genesis 2:22, 23
22. And Jehovah God built the rib that he had taken from the man into a woman, and he brought her to the man. 23. Then the man said: “This is at last bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. This one will be called Woman, because from man she was taken.”
http://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/happy-family/god-happy-marriage/
In Loving memory of MY First Cousin – Trudy Lynn Murrell…. BEST WEDDING EVER and thanks for HOW you paid attention to EVERY Detail and Everyone enjoyed Every Second of the Wedding.
Thanks for Loving me Unconditionally !
Mickeyshell