A Formal Ballroom Destination Wedding in Vienna, Austria

Carla and Luis

Carla and Luis's story began when they were undergraduates, attending the same summer program. Luis's roommate noticed Carla upon arrival and tipped him off to the pretty co-ed. Introductions were made, and two months later, they began dating. After a five-year long-distance relationship, they went their separate ways. But two years later, on August 8, 2008, they met up at the Empire State Building, in New York City. That rendezvous sparked a lasting romance, and on April 14, 2012, Carla and Luis tied the knot in another great city -- Vienna.

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A Warm Welcome

All 96 guests received tote bags made by The Wedding Chicks.

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Helpful Goodies

They contained the weekend's schedule, some of the pair's favorite spots around town, facts about the wedding, and a few fun German words to learn.

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Location, Location

Carla's sister painted the map that identified the couple's beloved haunts and the venues for each event over the weekend.

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Kind Keepsakes

The bride gave her mother an embroidered hankie to thank her for teaching her the meaning of love.

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The Bouquet

Vendela roses were tied together with beige silk lace.

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The Gown

Carla wore a Manuel Mota gown with an embellished Pronovias sash. She paired them with diamond-and-pearl earrings from her grandmother and a diamond-and-sapphire ring.

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The Topper

A custom-made Manuel de Vivar veil and headpiece completed her look.

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The Program

One of the main reasons the couple chose to wed in Vienna was the city's vivid musical history. Handkerchiefs for "tears of joy" were attached to programs honoring the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Opera La Notte di Figaro."

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The Ceremony Location

St. Peter's Church, the oldest Catholic Church in Vienna, was selected for its Old World charm and baroque interior. The intricate paintings and ornate architecture made a beautiful setting.

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A Grand Assembly

A choir, tenor, and soprano performed the ceremony music, starting with the bride's entrance to Ludwig van Beethoven's "Ode to Joy."

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The Newlyweds

When the couple exited the church as husband and wife, guests showered them with rose petals.

Luis donned a Hackett morning coat and the bride put on a cropped Manuel de Vivar jacket to keep warm.

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Picture Perfect

The newlywed's photographer, Claire Morgan, captured the pair ascending the staircase at their reception venue, the Palais Auersperg.

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The Seating

A unique chart using letters instead of numbers mapped out the floor plan and table assignments: "W I E N" for Vienna (in German), "L O V E", and "H" and "M", representing the bride and groom's last names. Gold satin bows were a fun touch.

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The Reception

Guests enjoyed a traditional Austrian lunch prepared by M*Eventcatering while listening to classical music played on the piano. A Waltz instructor and a troupe of professional dancers later guided guests on the dance floor.

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The Musical Guide

A program detailing the melodies heard throughout the reception, including a performance by opera singers, rested at each place setting. Inside was a note from the couple: "One of the greatest advantages of getting married in Vienna is that here, classical music enhances love like no other place in the world."

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The Centerpieces

Doll's Flowers decorated large candelabras with roses and jasmine.

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Love Notes

Carla wrote a letter to each guest, incorporating favorite love-centric poems and quotations. To achieve the authentic look, she used a feathered quill pen and handmade cotton paper. She then folded and closed them with a wax seal bearing the pair's monogram.

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Sweet Treats

The candy table was filled with sweets in the celebration's color palette of white, gold, blush, and light peach. Lindt Champagne truffles, Vosges caramel marshmallows, Laduree macarons, white Maltesers, and pink heart-shaped marshmallows were displayed with flowers.

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The Cake

A dense chocolate Döry torte cake (similar to the traditional Austrian Sacher cake, but with chocolate truffle mousse in lieu of a layer of apricot jam) and strawberry cake with layers of quark (a type of cheese) showcased local flavors. Festive sparklers surrounded this multi-tiered, piped creation by Anika Post of Demel.

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The First Dance

The newlyweds selected "The Emperor Waltz" by Johann Strauss II, the traditional opening tune at all royal balls, for its gorgeous melody, but also because of its special meaning. The groom's friend lovingly refers to the couple as the Emperor and Empress.

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