“I was never a ‘wedding person,’ but somehow, Antonio and I ended up with the dreamiest Persian ceremony imaginable — an unforgettable blend of love, tradition, and style.”
As the saying goes, true love conquers all — even a Netflix reality show! When Roxanne Kaiser and Jose Antonio Mattei (who goes by Antonio) put their relationship to the test on Netflix’s The Ultimatum, no one thought they would make it to the alter. But two years after filming, they proved everyone wrong with a breathtaking ceremony as unique and romantic as their love story.
What started as the ultimate question — marry, or move on? — has been answered with a wedding day for the storybooks. And we can’t wait to show you our exclusive peek into their dreamy celebration, complete with meaningful Persian traditions, a soulful soundtrack, and an edgy Madonna-inspired bridal look. (Three words: Swarvoski choker necklace!)
Now that’s what we call a happy ending!
Episode One: The Outfits
Fans of The Ultimatum know Roxanne for her stand-out personal style, and her bridal look did NOT disappoint. From the modern corset gown to the edgy bridal accessories, the look perfectly captured her statement fashion sense.
Can we take a moment to appreciate that necklace?! Roxanne’s custom choker featured dozens of dazzling Swarvoski diamonds and a bold cross detail. OBSESSED.
“Honestly, finding my wedding dress started with the accessories — the platform shoes and the necklace. My inspiration was a Madonna-esque vibe, so when it came time to search for the dress, I focused on finding one that perfectly complemented the statement pieces I had in mind.”
Another moment of silence for these platform heels! We love the Victorian-era vibes of the pearl details contrasted with the sexy sky-high platforms. Madonna would definitely approve.
The iconic wedding day style continues with Antonio’s dapper vintage-inspired look. We love the satin tuxedo jacket paired with the bold silver chains. It’s giving us Old Hollywood vibes, but with a unique modern twist.
The couple kept the edgy vibes going with this elegant black wedding party attire. How stunning are those sheer black gloves for the bridesmaids?!
Check out our list of black bridesmaid dresses to channel this chic look for your big day.
Black tuxedos + black sunglasses? Yep, it doesn’t get much cooler than that.
Episode Two: The First Look
After years of missed connections and twists of fate, Roxanne and Antonio’s love story has built up to this perfect-perfect moment.
“Picture this: It’s 2013, we’re both at a party — Antonio with his then-girlfriend, and me with my then-boyfriend — celebrating a mutual friend. I remember shaking his hand and thanking him for coming, and that was it. No small talk, no Instagram follows, nothing. We met once and then poof, it was like we vanished from each other’s worlds for seven years. Who knew that brief handshake would set the stage for the most important relationship of our lives?”
Fast forward to 2020, and Roxanne couldn’t get “that one guy at that one party years ago” out of her mind. She tracked down his number (after a little sleuthing) and ended up on a group date with what would become her future husband. But timing still wasn’t on their side, and after years of an on-again, off-again relationship, they ended up on The Ultimatum.
“That experience was a whirlwind, but it made us stronger and brought us to where we are today.”
Their experience on the Netflix show ended with Antonio getting down on one knee and Roxanne tearfully saying “Yes!” as the rest of us cheered on from our couches.
Who says ultimatums don’t work??
Episode Three: The Ceremony
With such a unique love story, Roxanne and Antonio wanted their ceremony to reflect all the things that make their relationship so one-of-a-kind.
“Every detail reflected our personalities, from bold fashion statements to meaningful Persian traditions, including a stunning Sofreh Aghd centerpiece.”
The entire ceremony was a vision of elegance, from the ivory floral arches to the black tie dress code.
“It was also deeply important to honor our cultures, blending Persian and Puerto Rican traditions into the celebration. From the Sofreh Aghd to meaningful nods to Antonio’s heritage, these elements added layers of richness and significance of our families and cultures.”
It’s always the unique and personal details that make a ceremony stand out. Case in point: this honey ritual!
“One of the most special moments was the traditional ritual of licking honey off each other’s fingers, symbolizing sweetness and harmony in our marriage.” So sweet — literally!
Episode Four: The Reception
POV: That feeling when you finally see all your wedding planning dreams come true!
“As cliché as it might sound, [one of] the most unforgettable moments of the day was walking into our reception room for the first time — it was absolutely breathtaking to see our vision brought to life.”
“Every detail of our wedding was thoughtfully curated to reflect who we are as a couple, stripping away anything that didn’t feel authentic to us. We steered clear of traditional elements that didn’t resonate — like the bouquet toss or the garter moment — and instead focused on incorporating meaningful touches that mirrored our everyday lives and shared passions. For instance, the all-candle aesthetic was quintessentially us. Antonio and I are obsessed with candles, often filling our home with a moody, candlelit glow to unwind after long days.”
Talk about a wedding day glow!
The couple’s first dance song was also an homage to their everyday lives. They chose “Nothing Can Change This Love” by Sam Cooke — “the same soulful music we love playing while cooking together.”
Our Musical Choices
Another one of Roxanne’s favorite memories from the big day? Sharing her first dance with her father.
P.S. We’ve rounded up the best father daughter dance songs for your special moment!
Raise a glass for Roxanne and Antonio’s gorgeous wedding cake! Like the rest of their decor, the couple opted for an elegant and timeless design, complete with white orchids and a candlelit table. Swoon!
Our Advice
From the bride: "Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming, but one piece of advice I swear by is this: stay true to what you and your partner want. Weddings are a big investment, so it’s crucial to prioritize what matters most to you. Early in the planning process, sit down together and create two lists: one with your top 5 'must-haves' and another with 5 things you’re happy to skip. For example, on my must-have list were candles, a checkered dance floor, and dramatic ceiling drapes, while my 'skip-it' list included elaborate floral arrangements and pricey bouquets. Once you have these lists, stick to them — no matter how many opinions come your way. This approach not only keeps you grounded but also helps you stay on budget while creating a wedding that feels authentic to you."
Episode Five: The Party
The cake has been cut, the speeches have been toasted, and the champagne is flowing — now it’s time to party!
How rad is this snapshot from the sweetheart table? Such a unique alternative to a traditional wedding flat lay! Featuring the bride and groom’s wedding cake, place cards, and polaroids from the dance floor, it perfectly captures the party vibes of the reception.
Next stop: waffles! Because no truly great night is complete without a midnight run to Waffle House, amiright?!
And the same goes for sparklers! Roxanne and Antonio made their grand exit under the glow of a dozen sparklers. Pure magic!
A final word from the glowing bride: “Every choice, from the ambiance to the music to the cultural influences, was about telling our unique story. It wasn’t about following tradition — it was about creating an experience that felt authentically ‘me and Antonio.'”
If that’s not the perfect wedding advice, we don’t know what is!
Congratulations to the happy couple, and we can’t wait to see where else your epic love story takes you. All the best wishes from GWS!
Wedding Vendors
Photography: Larissa Soroka // Venue: Château Élan Winery & Resort // Event Design: Design House Weddings // Florals: Design House Weddings & Events // Wedding Dress: Blanche Bridal // Dress Boutique: White Magnolia // Getting Ready Robes: Robed with Love // Hair Stylist: Drybar Atlanta // Makeup Artist: Beauty By Beé // Groom Attire: Mens Warehouse // Groomsmen Attire: Mens Warehouse // Videography: Ebb n Flow // Paper Goods: Tigerlily Invitations & Stationery // Calligraphy: Tigerlily Invitations & Stationery // Furniture Rentals: Atlanta Dance Floor // Specialty Rentals: Atlas Weddings // social media content: Memorable Moments // jewelry: Anuja Tolia Jewelry
