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Saturday April 26, 2025
Miami, FL, USA
23 days 18 hrs 17 mins ago
Story
Tidbits
Who made the first move? How?
Anthony made the first move when he bought me a drink the first night we met, but he also invited me to go fishing with him the following week — our first official date & the first time I caught a fish! It looks like I hooked more than a fish that day though :)
Who's going to take out the trash?
Whoever happens to be closer to the trash when it's nearly full ~ we are all about sharing the work load.
What was your most memorable date?
The day we got engaged of course! It started with a suprise proposal at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, PA & Anthony suprised me by flying both of our families in to join in on the festivities afterwards.
What's your favorite activity together?
We love to cook together and by cooking I mean Anthony is the chef and I am just the sous-chef waiting to assist!
Where are you going for your honeymoon?
We are currently planning our honeymoon - which will be our first real vacation together - a trip around Italy!
What's the best meal you have eaten together?
Essentially anything Anthony has ever cooked... seriously, I have never tried anything that Anthony has prepared that wasn’t outstanding. If we had to pick one meal though it would be a filet mignon topped with blue cheese crumbles, served with a side of seasoned vegetables. Dessert for Anthony, would be Italian lemon cookies or tiramisu, and for me, a warm chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice cream!
What's the most memorable trip you have taken together?
Our spontaneous little weekend getaway to Belfonte, PA…we stayed in a historical bed and breakfast, spent the day doing wine tastings at a local winery & had dinner on the back patio on a gorgeous evening where I saw fireflies for the first time. It was incredible!
We’re on the same page about
Our careers as physicians that will shape the trajectory of our lives & spending time with the people we love most. (All of you!)
A life goal of ours
To raise a family & grow very old together
The dorkiest thing about us is
Our detailed conversations about hypothetical medical situations & complex cases we saw in the operating room...we could talk about these for hours!
A social cause we care about
Health equity & reducing disparities in access to healthcare
We are regulars at
Chili's Bar & Grill...what can we say, we both love their beef queso paired with a good margarita.
We take pride in
Our ability to maintain a long distance relationship for the past four years! We have been more than a 4 hour drive apart, Anthony in Erie, PA and me in Harrisburg, PA, but we found a way to see each other at least twice a month even if it was for only 24 hours! Anthony is completing the last two years of his orthopedic residency training in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and moved there in June of 2024. I finish my OB/GYN residency training June of 2025, a month after our wedding, and plan to begin practicing in Ft. Lauderdale to finally be in the same city as Anthony! Anthony will have another year of Ortho residency before he begins a Trauma fellowship in San Antonio, Texas.
What is the most spontaneous thing you have done together?
We bought tickets to Field of Screams (the scariest attraction in Pennsylvania) during the month of October...okay... maybe this decision was not completely mutual, but if you know me, you know I really enjoy spooky things and horror movies!
Do you have any pets?
We share a brown tabby cat named Indy (yes, we named him after Anthony's favorite movie series Indiana Jones) and he is our world!
Ceremony
Accommodations
Travel
About the Venue
Construction of the Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux was begun in the year 1133 AD in Sacramenia, near Segovia in northern Spain. It was completed eight years later in 1141. It is currently the oldest standing building in the Western Hemisphere.
In 1925, William Randolph Hearst purchased the Cloisters and the Monastery's outbuildings after it fell into disrepair. The structures were dismantled stone by stone and shipped across the Atlantic to the United States. The massive crates remained in a warehouse in Brooklyn, New York, for 26 years after technicalities prevented their release. One year after Hearst’s' death in 1952, they were purchased by two entrepreneurs to reassemble in Miami. It took 19 months and the equivalent of nearly $20 million dollars (in today’s currency) to put the Monastery back together. In 1953 Time magazine called it “the biggest jigsaw puzzle in history." It is now a museum where Episcopal services and other cultural events take place.
To learn more about the history of the monastery follow the link below:
Closest Airports
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
- Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL)
We recommend flying into Miami International Airport, only because there are more flights and generally better fares. It is 18 miles from the venue and the recommended hotel.
Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport is only 10 miles from the venue and the Recommended hotel, so if you can find a deal on flights to this airport, it will be a bit less of a hassle than flying into Miami.
Aloft Miami Aventura
The Aloft Miami Aventura is the preferred hotel for this event. It is affordable and tech forward, with a swanky pool and lobby area. It's very close to Aventura Mall (0.5 miles) and walking distance to many restaurants. Rates run around $160 per night and self parking is $35 per day. It is 3 miles (15 min) from the wedding venue, and 2 miles (6 min) to Sunny Isles Beach.
SERENA Hotel Aventura Miami, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
If you prefer a Hilton property, this is a 4 star hotel with cool espresso machines in the rooms. Room prices start around $160 and covered self parking is $30 day. It is 1.5 miles to Aventura Mall and 3.3 miles to Sunny Isles Beach. Breakfast buffet is available 7:00 AM - 10:30 AM for $25 per person.
Oceanfront Resorts
DoubleTree Resort & Spa by Hilton:
17375 Collins Ave.
Resort fee $25 (includes 2 beach lounge chairs daily), valet parking $40. Rates start around $218.
Sole Miami a Noble House Resort:
17315 Collins Ave.
Resort fee $45, Valet $45,
Rates start around $83 (the best rates on the ocean).
JW Marriott Turnberry Resort & Spa:
19999 W Country Club Dr.
Not oceanfront but has access. It also has a golf course. Rates start at $419.
St. Regis Bal Harbor:
9703 Collins Ave.
Luxury 5 star
Ritz Carlton Bal Harbor:
10295 Collins Ave.
Luxury 5 star
Booking Assistant - Find Hotels Near Our Venue
Suggested Stay:
Fri, April 25 - Sat, April 26
North Miami Beach, FL, USA
Airbnb / Vrbo
If you are looking for Airbnb or Vrbo’s close to the venue, search North Miami Beach 33160 (zip code)
Local Restaurants
Caspian Persian Grill:
The OG - First Persian restaurant in South Florida. Still around for all the right reasons.
Pro tip: get the Faludeh for dessert with lime
Shahs of Kabob:
There are several locations in South Florida. I highly recommend the one in Doral, it’s a drive but it’s in a cool upscale food court called “Shoma Bazaar”
Pro tips: Try their garlic sauce with your kabobs & sit at the tables with swings for chairs
Pummarola Pizzeria Napoletana:
This pizza/pasta place has a few locations in South Florida. The closest to Aventura is Midtown - close to Wynwood and Miami Design District. This pizza /pasta place has spectacular pasta & their dough is to die for!
Hands down best value in South Florida
Pro tip: get the olive oil (spicy or regular) and balsamic next to the ovens to dip your crust (or bread).
Versaille Notorious Authentic Cuban Cuisine
Brush up on your spanish. Don't forget plantains. The cafe con leche puts starbucks to shame.
Skinny Louie’s Smash Burgers
Like In-n-Out but with nightlife and graffiti. Be prepared to wait in line and to fight for a table...get extra napkins!
This is in Wynwood, which is known for it’s colorful murals and fun nightlife, is one of the city’s most happening districts. Wynwood Walls is an outdoor museum showcasing large-scale works by some of the world’s best-known street artists. The surrounding streets have converted warehouses housing craft breweries and funky art galleries,
Wynwood Pro tip: find the Wynwood Jungle and then find your way to the rooftop (Fable) for a drink, Moroccan desert vibes, and breathtaking nighttime views.
Tambourine Room by Tristan Brandt at Carillon Resort South Beach:
Elevated Michelin Star dining experience. Known for the ten-course tasting menu. Intimate, beautiful setting & modern French dishes with Asian influences.
Pro tip: your wallet will definitely feel lighter upon leaving
Mia Market:
Food court at the top of Miami Design District. I recommend the little italian place in the back. Grab a cocktail at the front, order your ravioli, and slide in to a booth in the back for some primo people watching. Swing on the swings on your way in or out.
Things To Do in Miami
Aventura Mall:
Miami's best luxury shopping mall
Beaches:
There is public beach access with a small parking lot in Sunny Isles, just north of Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Marco Polo Resort. This is directly across the intracoastal causeway from Aventura (5 min).
There is parking a bit further south at Newport Fishing Pier (10 min).
Two parks further south have large parking lots: Haulover Park and North Beach Oceanfront Park, 15 min. Of course, If you are feeling adventurous, you can head to Ocean Drive, South Miami Beach (25 min).
Pro tip: Haulover Beach is clothing optional
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens:
Built in 1916 as the private home and winter retreat of James Deering, this lavish villa is a tribute to the Italian Renaissance. The museum contains much of the original furnishings and artwork, and is surrounded by lush, formal gardens (23 min).
Perez Art Museum:
Pérez Art Museum Miami is a modern and contemporary art museum. A private institution with a permanent collection dedicated to international art of the 20th and 21st centuries that reflects Miami's diverse community and pivotal geographic location at the crossroads of the Americas (22 min).
The Miami Design District:
Neighborhood dedicated to innovative fashion, design, architecture and dining experiences. Home to Art Basel, Miami Design District embodies a singular dedication to the unity of design, fashion, art and architecture, and a commitment to encourage a neighborhood comprised of creative experiences (19 min).
Lincoln Road:
Extending from the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Biscayne Bay to the west on Miami Beach
Here you will see trees you have never seen before.
Lincoln Road has shops, cafés, ( most with outdoor seating) galleries, restaurants, and bars.
Lincoln Road is an iconic pedestrian district that serves as a hub for modern culture seekers. There are more than 11 million visitors annually from all over the world not just for shopping, restaurants, and nightlife but also for its architecture.
Lincoln Road serves is a charging station for the mind, body and spirit (28 min).
Key West, Florida:
The island of Key West is Florida's southernmost point, lying roughly 90 miles north of Cuba. Famed for its pastel-hued, conch-style houses, it’s a cruise-ship stop, and also accessible from the mainland via the Overseas Highway - of the coolest drives in the USA. Anywhere you stop along the route be prepared to see chickens and turtles- probably not alligators - but no beaches!
It’s known more for its coral reefs and destinations for diving and snorkeling
than for its beaches (3 hrs 19 min).
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park:
Approximately 178 nautical square miles of coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove swamps. The park extends 3 miles into the Atlantic Ocean and is approximately 25 miles in length. These areas were established to protect and preserve a portion of the only living coral reef in the continental United States. 1 hour 19 min.
For divers: don’t miss the sunken statues on the reef’s ocean floor.
Hard Rock Casino:
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood's gaming area offers guests a selection of 2,500 of the most popular slots, nearly 200 table games, and a new 45-table Poker Room.
Betting denominations range from one cent to $5 on the general gaming floor, while the High Limit Slots room offers $1 to $1,000 bets.
Table Games feature live dealers for games like craps, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, mini-baccarat video poker, video craps and video roulette games.
Pro tip: quit while you are ahead (32 min).
Golfing:
There is golfing at Turnberry Isle right next to the Aloft Aventura. If you want to stay at a golf resort- there is only one by the beaches - Turnberry Isle is a JW Marriott property - but not recommended due to there being a waterpark on the resort that will interfere with your ability to sleep past 6 am. Closer to Miami is Shula’s in Miami Lakes, it has the best rates and nice golf. The Biltmore is historic and stunning with an incredible pool and great golf. It is in Coral Gables and rates start around $260.
Last would be Doral, very expensive golfing and a far distance away. (Southwest )
Everglades National Park:
The largest subtropical wilderness in the United States
Everglades National Park protects an unparalleled landscape that provides important habitats for numerous rare and endangered species like the manatee, American crocodile, and the elusive Florida panther.
It is an international treasure as well - a World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve, a Wetland of International Importance, and a specially protected area.
Activities include tours - ranger led - boating & kayaking.
Boat Tours:
If you want an inexpensive day on the water while checking out the stunning homes along the intracoastal waterway -
Watertaxi Ft Lauderdale - one price of about $40 lets you hop on hop off all day with an app that tells you when and where the next watertaxi is arriving/departing. Or just get on the watertaxi in Ft Lauderdale going to Margaritaville, Hollywood - a nice leisurely hour long cruise each way.
Catch the scenic boat tour out of Bayside, Miami, to view “the homes of celebrities” on the islands in Biscayne Bay. Surprisingly un- cheesy. About $30
Wedding Party
Leila Sabet
Maid of Honor
Krista Alexon
Bridesmaid
Dr. Alexandra Kimchy
Bridesmaid
Dr. Nicole Gentile-Nugent
Bridesmaid
Dr. Christopher Johnson
Best Man
Scott Niemi
Groomsman
Dr. Matthew Montanarella
Groomsman
Alex Howell
Groomsman
Q & A
For all our friends and family who have lots of questions, please check out our Q & A first!
What will the weather be like?
Welcome to beautiful Miami!
The weather forecast for April 26 is partly cloudy with a high of 80 degrees and a low of 77 degrees.
On average expect the weather during late spring will be mostly sunny, averaging 70-80 degrees farenheit, with very light humidity and can get slightly chilly at night.
Where should I park?
There is plenty of free parking in the lot near the entrance of the museum.
Are the ceremony and reception locations wheelchair accessible?
Yes, it is all one level with the exception of one small step up to the side chapel entrance.
What should I wear?
We would love for you to dress up with us for the celebration! The dress code is black tie. Please dress in black tie formal wear. A tuxedo or dark suit, a long gown or cocktail dress. The more sparkle the better! We expect low humidity and average temps of 77 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of the wedding.
Is the wedding indoors or outdoors?
Our wedding ceremony is inside the air conditioned, intimate chapel of St. Bernard de Clairvaux. Following the ceremony, join us for a sugar sanding ritual, a vibrant celebration with a touch of Persian tradition where love and culture blend seemlessly into our special day. Then the celebration begins with a cocktail reception and hors d'oeuvres. Evening dining will be held within the open air, vaulted cloisters, followed by dancing under the stars in the open stone courtyard.
What kind of shoes should/shouldn't I wear?
Calling all ladies! As far as footwear, the parking lot and walkways are paved, the flooring is smooth tile, there is only a small section at the entrance of the chapel that is gravel and grass.
Is it okay to take pictures with our phones and cameras during the wedding?
Fathe Greg, our officiant, has a very strict policy regarding photography during the ceremony. During the ceremony no one can leave their seat or hold up a camera or phone to get a photo. He does not want any guest’s view to be obstructed, preventing them from fully enjoying and participating in the ceremony. Please save photos until after the bride and groom are pronounced husband and wife.
What time should I arrive?
The ceremony is scheduled to begin PROMPTLY at 5:30 PM. The side chapel doors will be open at 5:00 PM, and it is air conditioned. It's a good idea to arrive at the venue no later than 5pm, to give yourself time to park, walk to the chapel, and be seated on the pews within the quaint chapel. The guests enter through the side door of the chapel, and this door will be closed at 5:30 so the ceremony can begin. Unfortunately, the side entry cannot be opened once the ceremony begins at 5:30. If you arrive after 5:30, please wait till the front double doors are opened at 5:50 for the Persian Ceremony in the courtyard. Restrooms are available in the front building close to the parking lot.
Will I have to pay for parking?
There is no charge to park in the museum parking lot. There is no street parking available near the museum.
Is there transportation being provided between reception and hotels?
The Aloft Aventura is recommended for guests who wish to stay close to the venue. Once we acertain our guest's accomodation choices and transportation needs, we will provide updates on transportation options here on this website.
Does your wedding have a theme?
The theme of the wedding is Renaissance Art with a touch of moody & romantic. Ariana is a fine art and architecture enthusiast, having minored in Art History and studied Renaissance art in Florence, Italy as an undergraduate.
What time will the reception end?
The Bride and groom will depart at 10:30pm. Guests will be asked to proceed to the front of the Monastery to see the newlyweds off at 10:15pm. The bar will close at 10pm. and the reception will finish at 10:30pm.
Is there a gifts registry?
We understand that attending a destination wedding can be very costly, so the greatest gift you could give to us would be joining us on our wedding day. For those of you who are determined, a small donation to our honeymoon fund would be hugely appreciated.
You can find a registry tab at the top of the homepage of this website’s menu.
The reason for the limited registry: we do not have a "nest" to put things in. Following the wedding, we will be in a temporary living situation until we complete their residencies. Only then will we move to the yet undetermined city where we will begin their practices.
Registry
We truly consider your presence a gift to us!
But for those of you who are determined,
we've included the option to contribute to our honeymoon experience if you so desire.
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