Words by Caite Hamilton | Photography by Hannah Malloy Photography
Laura Muñiz & Dustin Harrell
April 30, 2022, at The Market at Grelen
A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Laura knew weddings there tend to be more formal. But when it came time to plan her own big day, she and her fiancé Dustin wanted to make sure the event felt like them: fun and friendly (with a little formal thrown in).
The venue helped guide the choices they made, right down to picking their wedding planner.
“I told [them] I had a vision of a black-and-white checkered dance floor, and ’60s mod colors like fuchsia, orange, pistachio and of course black, white, and metallics,” Laura says. “The team at Grelen said, ‘You need Heather Clarke.’”
The Richmond-based planner helped the look come to life, with a retro orange TV set and matching phone booth, plus pistachio table cloths, a checkered dance floor, and a disco ball.
“I had never seen a wedding like that,” says Laura. “All the elements came together harmoniously.”
Precious moments
The couple’s favorite moments? Laura says it was the first look, a moment when they could take in the day—and one another—alone together. Dustin’s? “Our first kiss.”
Big plans
Their original Japanese honeymoon was postponed thanks to COVID, so the couple re-routed, doing a tour of Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. “In May of 2023, we are planning to go to Japan and enjoy the second part of our honeymoon,” Dustin says.
Fancy meeting you here
The couple met in 2016 through a dating app called Happn, where you cross each other’s paths. Dustin sent Laura several heart charms, and they agreed to meet at Barnes & Noble.
Crazy hour
For the “hora loca,” a Latin wedding tradition, the couple amped up the party with blow-up farm animals, guitars, and a 6′-tall alien. “It was so random,” Laura says, “and a great addition to the fun feel of the wedding.”
The details
Event planner: Heather Clarke (The Hive Wedding Collective) Officiant: Casey Dokoupil Catering: Groovin’ Gourmets Flowers: Photosynthesis Floral Design Cake: Maliha Creations Music: Hercules Entertainment Bride’s attire: Atelier Lisa Porrata (Puerto Rico) Groom’s attire: Jos. A. Bank Groomsmen’s attire: Jos. A. Bank Rings: Brilliant Earth Invitations and stationery: Fingers in Ink Hair: Samphois Vickers Makeup: Rachel Austin Boxley Videographer: Amanda Monroe Finn Linens and décor: Rent Equip Rentals: Something Vintage Rentals
