Dr. Jose García and Crystal Quach first met in high school and soon became close friends. Crystal even came over to give Jose’s younger sister art lessons, effectively becoming a de facto member of the family. Jose immediately knew he would marry Crystal one day but refrained from asking her out because he knew he needed to be more mature to impress her. Finally, while attending the University of Florida, they began dating.
On the weekend of the couple’s fifth anniversary, Jose proposed to Crystal in Miami Beach with a photographer, rose petals, champagne, a picnic basket, and stunning sunset in tow.
The couple loves Spanish architecture, and there could be no better example of premier Southern Floridian design than the Biltmore Coral Gables. “As for the aesthetic—classic, elegant, timeless, and with a feminine flair—it’s very me,” Crystal says of the venue. Florana Flowers planned the fairytale day that followed, and Shauna & Jordon photographed every moment.
After scouring four different boutiques, the bride-to-be found an incredible, regal Lazaro dress. She marvels at the serendipity, “It must be destiny because Lazaro is a Cuban designer and the Garcías are proud Cuban Americans.” She topped the outfit with a matching veil and a custom Maria Elena headpiece from Chic Parisien. For the reception, Crystal detached the full skirt. Makeup by Darsys applied her glamorous beauty look. Jose kept his groom’s look classic with a black Sartori tuxedo and switched to a white jacket after the ceremony.
The groomsmen were dapper in custom tuxedos from My Grooms Room, and the bridesmaids dressed in Kennedy Blue.
On May 29, 2021, the wedding party descended the aisle while a harpist and string quartet played “Merry-Go-Round of Life” from Howl’s Moving Castle. The ring bearer was picture-perfect in his white shorts and Peter Pan-collared shirt uniform. The stylishly dressed flower girl had a little meltdown before it was time to carry out her duties, so she chose to sit this ceremony out. Crystal walked down the aisle of impeccable flowers to meet her groom and their pastor underneath the statement-making arch.
While guests sipped cocktails, Crystal and Jose snuck off to a private room with all of the hors d’oeuvres splayed on a table for them to eat. “We had a coordinator from Party Designs by Terri in the room with us to keep track of time while we ate and caught up,” Crystal shares. “She commented that we look like best friends just by seeing how we interacted.”
After the ceremony, string instrumentalists and a harpist from Master Musician Inc. played “Piel Canela” and other favorites. “Think Bridgerton soundtrack,” Crystal explains. “But with a Miami Cuban twist.” The reception in the Granada Ballroom was spectacular. Floral arrangements of alternating heights, bounties of candles, and contrasting linens brought further elegance to the space. When the salsa and the pop-heavy playlist wasn’t playing, the maid of honor and best man delivered touching speeches. Crystal and Jose cut into their delectable Todo Dulces cake.
The newlyweds surprised the crowd with their first dance. They began with a foxtrot to “Mango Tree” by Zac Brown Band and just as the song dwindled to a close, they launched a salsa number to “Tu Amor Me Hace Bien” by Marc Anthony.
After all of the laughing, dancing, and wonder of the night, the couple went straight to sleep. “We thought it was a brilliant idea to book a 6:00 a.m. flight the next morning,” Crystal says. Then, she sagely adds, “Do not recommend.”