< Real Weddings in Florida

Priscilla Saraiva Ford and Nicholas Anthony Bedo

Married

May 16, 2026
Miami , Florida

Photo Credit

Dani Parada Photography

Style Guide

Style

Glamour

Season

Spring

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The Proposal

Despite Nicholas’s not-so-secretive questions about Priscilla’s wardrobe, dinner preferences, and encouragement to get her nails done, the couple was on their way to Savannah’s historic Bellwether House and arrived late afternoon. It was time for the proposal. After a few busy weeks and the drive from Atlanta to Savannah, Priscilla was ready to take a nap before dinner – set for 8:30 pm. On the fly, and nervous that the day was getting away, Nicholas told Priscilla he had made a mistake on the dinner reservation and that dinner was instead set for 5:00 pm. After some not-so-subtle protesting, Priscilla quickly got ready, and the couple began to scuttle their way through the cobblestone sidewalks and admire the city’s charm. Priscilla caught a look at the back of The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist and said: “I had no idea this was here; it’s perfect”. The couple strolled to the park across the street from the Basilica,  where Nicholas got down on one knee and asked Priscilla to marry him. Nicholas was very nervous, and Priscilla was so shocked that it was happening right then and there, both of them froze in the excitement of the moment. Nonetheless, Priscilla said yes!

Nicholas’s friend captured the moment and the couple celebrated with cocktails at a local speakeasy, the Peacock Lounge, and dinner at Garibaldi’s Café before taking a car to the neighboring river to sit, and take it all in.

In Preparation

Every couple who has planned a wedding knows it can feel like a rollercoaster ride. After debating between a few different locations (Los Angeles, Atlanta, and South Florida), Priscilla and Nicholas chose to get married in South Florida. North Miami provided a vibrant, convenient, and unique location for guests to travel to — including Priscilla’s family who were traveling from Brazil. With two airports within thirty minutes of the venue, guests were encouraged to create their own adventure for the wedding weekend.

Priscilla’s philosophy on hosting stems from her background in hospitality. She believes in giving guests structured freedom, especially when they are traveling. It was important to make every aspect of the experience accessible while being mindful of guests’ time and effort.

Although adding value to the guest experience was of the utmost importance, she did not want guests to feel fatigued by several planned activities before the evening nuptials. The natural solution was to deviate from the traditional rehearsal dinner and instead invite all guests to an elevated welcome party.

With this in mind, Priscilla’s mother, Claudia Ford, quickly took over the reins of planning the weekend as she is an experienced event planner who leveraged her existing relationships to help streamline the planning process. Priscilla had the vision, and Claudia made the vision come to life.

After the decision for the wedding weekend was made, and the dates aligned, it was time to focus on other things; specifically their attire.
Nick wore a classic black tuxedo (the Kincaid No. 3 Peak Lapel Tuxedo), custom-tailored by a local men’s clothing outfit, Sid Mashburn, located in Atlanta, Georgia. Everything from the sleek black boots to the tuxedo shirt was thought out to achieve the timeless look.

Priscilla’s journey to finding her wedding dress took a little longer after recovering from surgery. After visiting several bridal shops and ateliers, she chose a Pompadour gown with a custom bolero by Galia Lahav from Boca Raton Bridals.

An honorary mention goes to Unbridaled Boutique in Austin, Texas, where she found her welcome party dress, Pisces, by designer Guardiola.

 

The Big Day

For the wedding weekend, Nicholas and Priscilla planned a welcome party on the beach with a surprise Hawaiian entertainment, which included fire, hula lessons for the women, and haka for the men. After sunset, the guests boarded a shuttle from the beach to a 1920s Mediterranean-style home in the neighborhood, where they enjoyed a traditional, Brazilian-style churasco buffet.

The wedding day was a work of art. Claudia took the opportunity to showcase the Ancient Spanish Monastery, a 13th-century decommissioned monastery from Spain that was transported brick by brick and rebuilt in what would eventually become the heart of North Miami, Florida.

The monastery is tucked away in a gentle grove with expansive grounds, welcoming guests into a banyan tree, chapel, and its famous semi-open Gothic-style hallways. The Monastery has a quiet echo of a bygone era not only in European history, but one that predates American history. Claudia and Priscilla chose to emphasize and appreciate the Monastery’s storied limestone walls by filling the space with blush pinks, white florals, goblets, and gold-accented decorations, playing off the six hundred-year-old statutes and original-to-the-building lanterns.

Guests were treated to a five-course French-inspired menu, a gourmet pizza station, coffee bar, two open bars, Brazilian-inspired candies and desserts, and a Photo Booth. The Bay Kings Band, an eight-person ensemble, was the perfect band for the couple’s evening. The lead singers were talented and interactive. A separate DJ ensured the dancing vibes never wavered. The wedding was a party, and most importantly, it was a night that provided the space the appreciation it so deserves. The guests were surprised as they walked into the space that felt so romantic, inviting, liberating, and calm. Nicholas and Priscilla were sent off into the night with a 1930s-style vintage car and continued the party with friends and family at South Florida’s Hard Rock Casino and Hotel until the early hours of the morning.

The Retreat

Priscilla and Nicholas decided to honeymoon in Honolulu, Hawaii. Priscilla was born in Honolulu and celebrated her first birthday at the “pink palace by the sea” – the Royal Hawaiian.

The Royal Hawaiian was everything that embodies the Aloha Spirit of Hawaii. Upon arrival, the couple was greeted with leis, scheduled a dinner cruise, surf lessons, and secured their spot at the local Luau. The Royal Hawaiian is the home of the BEST and most educational Luau on the island.

The couple spent three days at the Royal Hawaiian before heading up to the North Shore of Oahu and stayed at the Ritz-Carlton at Turtle Bay, or “Turtle Bay” for short amongst locals. Turtle Bay offers a welcomed reprieve from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. The couple hopped aboard “The Bus,” Oahu’s public transportation system, exploring the North Shore like locals, making their way up to Kahuku to eat at their famous food trucks and all the way down to Haleiwa to shop and connect with local artisans and surfboard shapers. After two nights and three days at Turtle Bay, the couple missed the energy of Waikiki and decided to go back to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. It was a perfect way to say hello to the island and goodbye to the experience of a lifetime.

 

Contributing Vendors

Ceremony Reception & Venue: Ancient Spanish Monastery | Event Planner & Producer: Claudia Ford | Event Manager and Director of the Ancient Spanish Monastery: Carolina Del Vecchio | Day of Coordinator: An Exclusive Event LLC | Bridal Gown & Veil: Galia Lav | Bridal Salon: Boca Raton Bridals | Hairstylist: Louis Alberto | Makeup: Karen Villareal | Music (ceremony and reception) Ceremony-Venue, Reception: Bay Kings Band | Catering: Lavish Gastronomy Privee (Chef Jermone) | Cake: Sweet Guilt | Rentals: Cache Tents and Events | Favors: Clever Bonfin | Transportation: Larry’s Private Car | Videographer: Poem of Us | Photography: Dani Parada Photography | Bar: Royal True Services | Videographer: THE POEM OF US