While Missy Holland and Alejandro Ruiz first met on Bumble, they soon discovered that they knew plenty of people in common “in real life,” like Alejandro’s brother. Three years together later, Missy was planning Alejandro’s 30th birthday bash weekend. The trip destination was none other than Miami, a special locale for the couple. Their itinerary featured their favorite Floridian haunt: the Delano Hotel bar. While enjoying a martini nightcap, Alejandro surprised Missy with his proposal. She beams and reminisces over the memory, saying, “We basked in the joy for another martini, not being able to hold it in any longer, then called our family and friends!”
Because of their love for summers in Montauk, the couple knew they wanted to have their wedding in the Hamptons. The very first venue they visited, Bridgehampton Tennis and Surf Club, was the only venue they looked at. Instantaneously, they both loved the oceanfront view and the exotic feel of the space, even though it was so close to home! The couple jointly called this beachside weekend destination, “Playa Ruiz.”
Missy started the planning process doing everything on her own. After the inevitable COVID-19 obstacles, though, she knew she needed guidance from the professionals and hired Brita Olsen Creative for assistance with partial planning.
In all honesty, Missy believes she may or may not have tried on every single wedding dress in New York City. “It wasn’t until my MOHs brought me to Bergdorf Bridal that I found the one, a couture piece that happened to be there for a trunk show that day,” Missy explains. The bridal inspiration was Kate Bosworth. Missy envisioned a classic ensemble with a flowing, voluminous veil. Britten Weddings UK had the perfect veil for this vision. Missy paired the outfit with Sophie Billie Brahe pearl drop earrings, Manolo Blahnik sandals, and an heirloom tennis bracelet.
Missy’s glowing skin was a testament to Joanna Vargas’s facial packages and her favorite makeup artist, Alexa Rae Johnson. When Missy’s hairdresser canceled the week of the wedding, Andria Tobey swooped in and executed the simply chic, sleek bun Missy wanted.
Alejandro’s look was suave and debonair. He donned a Ralph Lauren black tuxedo and slid on Giuseppe Zanotti velvet slippers. The shoes showcase embroidered lightning bolts, and Alejandro was basically struck by love at first sight when he saw them at Saks.
The bridesmaids were given a color palette dress code and chose gorgeous, complementary pieces. Alejandro’s sister wore a custom dress from Colombia, and the other ladies selected gowns from Michael LoSordo, Self-Portrait, Borgo de Nor, and MacDuggal.
The couple had a small church ceremony the Friday before their wedding. “It was such a special and intimate moment for us,” Missy shares. “I wore a Carolina Herrera mini with a Jennifer Behr veil and my Nana’s pearl ring. My mom got me a small bouquet from Sag Harbor Florist that morning, and both she and my dad walked me down the aisle.” Afterward, both set of grandmothers in Colombia FaceTimed and gave the couple their blessings.
For the rehearsal dinner and welcome party, Hampton Clambakes catered the celebration at Gin Lane Beach in Southampton. The families and wedding party noshed on lobsters, mussels, and rosé by the ocean shore before the rest of the weekend guests arrived at sunset for welcome drinks. “We hired Son Milanes, a local Colombian band, to play and got everyone warmed up with some salsa the night before the wedding! We took our signature sun motif by Julie King and made the cutest welcome bags including Playa Ruiz beach hats and Tate’s Southampton cookies,” Missy dishes. She wore a red Emilio de la Morena dress and a vintage shell purse and earrings from Kinnaman & Raemaekers.
On July 31, 2021, Missy spent the morning of the wedding in a slip dress and robe by Markarian. Her singular regret is that she didn’t spend more time and take more pictures in that outfit.
The ceremony began promptly at golden hour, which gave new meaning and sentiment to the song the wedding party walked to, Kasey Musgraves’s “Golden Hour.” Designs by Ahn transformed Missy’s earlier floral mood boards into a reality. “The flowers were so unique and with the backdrop of the ocean it all just felt like a dream,” she remembers. “After a rainy July, our wedding day had perfect weather, beautiful blue skies, and not an ounce of humidity.” Guests also received hand-painted Colombian Abanikos by Simone Lejour with motifs from the wedding invites, which were designed by Julie King Studio.
Tears of joy were shed as Missy walked down the aisle to an acoustic version of “Cinema.” From the officiant’s wonderful rendition of the couple’s love story to their personally penned vows, the ceremony was lovely. While it may have started with tears, the service ended with cheers as Missy and Alejandro were officially declared husband and wife. Their kiss was sealed to the tune of “This Will Be Our Year” by the Zombies, which, Missy notes, “should be every COVID-couple’s song.”
Seizing the sunset lighting, the couple snapped their wedding photos. Guests sipped on Montauk Summer Ale and tuned into Alejandro’s cocktail hour playlist. He still gets compliments on that mix today!
Missy and Alejandro wanted the rest of the reception to be the long-overdue dance party everyone needed. “I took a ton of inspiration from 1950s Copacabana, the old nightclub on East 60th St,” she explains. “I loved the idea of creating a Latin supper club in the middle of the Hamptons.” Missy adds, “We brought in leather tufted couches, small 4-top tables, large palms, and candlelight. We gave one rule within our weekend itinerary for guests to follow, and that was at ‘Playa Ruiz,’ there would be ‘No Standing, Only Dancing!'”
Guests entered the room while “Copacabana” by Barry Manilow played. Robbins Wolfe catered the dinner, while the party enjoyed speeches by Missy’s father, her maid of honor, sister Danielle, and Alejandro’s brother Anthony. His speech finished with a classic Colombian tradition, an Aguardiente shot toast.
After dinner, the couple had their first outfit change as newlyweds. Missy slipped into the aptly named “Hamptons” Galvan dress with Alessandra Rich heart earrings and Miu Miu heels, while Alejandro rocked a blue jacket from Bonobos.
DJ Ray of Jarrell Entertainment started playing Carlos Vives’s “Fruta Fresca,” which revved up the party. Missy’s friends started swinging their napkins in the air, and eventually, the whole room joined in too. Missy laughs, “We made our way to the dance floor and never left.” Espresso martinis and late-night empanadas were distributed throughout the crowd. DJ Ray finished the night with 2010 EDM. Missy adds, “We may or may not have ended up crowd surfing.” Whoever was still awake kept the party going at Murf’s, a dive bar in Sag Harbor.
