“I had dreamed about my wedding for as long as I can remember. I wanted the day to feel romantic and almost otherworldly — the kind of celebration where, for one night, you feel like you’ve stepped into your own little world.”
The world that Yesenia and Mitchell imagined for their Barcelona wedding was full of storybook romance, cinematic drama, and personal touches only they could create. With planner and designer Paloma Cruz bringing the vision to life and photographer Joy Zamora capturing every frame, it became their very own fairytale, complete with a European castle and a firework happy ending.
The couple kicked off their destination wedding weekend with a welcome party on the water, where they channeled the vibrancy of the Mediterranean with bright colors, coastal details, and a live performance by flamenco dancers. Then, the following day, they transported their guests to a whole new world.
“We approached the wedding day almost like a film, where each part had its own mood and the experience continued to build as the night unfolded,” says Yesenia (who goes by Yesi). “The ceremony was soft, emotional, and romantic. Cocktail hour felt like an effortless summer evening in the gardens. Dinner was elegant and candlelit, and then the entire atmosphere transformed. The castle illuminated at night, fireworks filled the sky, and inside, the celebration became bold, sexy, and completely drenched in red.”
For one night, Yesi and Mitchell got to create their dream world, and the result was pure fairytale magic.
The style for Yesi and Mitchell’s wedding day was timeless, regal, and dripping with romance. To set the tone, they opted for elegant stationery by Sweet Sisters — including the most gorgeous custom vow books!
Chic Getting Ready Outfits
Start the day in style with matching bridesmaid PJs like Yesi and her crew.
A little sneak peek at Yesi’s petal-drenched wedding day look, complete with a whimsical deconstructed bouquet by Molist Floristes.
The Ceremony
POV: You get married at a literal castle. “When we found Castell de Sant Marçal outside Barcelona, everything began to take shape. There was something about celebrating in a centuries-old castle, surrounded by gardens and European architecture, that felt incredibly romantic and cinematic,” says Yesi.
“I wanted to embrace that history without creating a wedding that felt overly traditional or expected. Going from this colorful, energetic celebration by the Mediterranean one evening to an old-world castle the next made the weekend feel like two completely different chapters of the same story.”
The ceremony felt like a storybook romance with an ethereal modern twist. From the organic cascading flower arrangements to the dreamy vintage details (including stylish parasols for guests), the scene was set.
Our Favorite Memory
It is almost impossible to choose one, but walking down the aisle with my mother will always be one of the most profound moments of my life. My father passed away the year before our wedding after an eight-year battle with cancer. He and I were incredibly close, and figuring out how to walk into such an important moment without him physically beside me was one of the hardest parts of planning the wedding. What I never could have anticipated were all the little ways his presence seemed to find us throughout the weekend — including in details we hadn't planned at all.
“Our processional began at the top of the castle steps and continued all the way around the gardens before reaching the aisle, so it was a long walk. But instead of feeling nervous, I remember this overwhelming sense of calm coming over both of us. All of my nerves disappeared. I could feel the breeze against my skin, hear the music building around us, and really take in everything happening around me,” shares Yesi.
“I looked at all of these people who had traveled from near and far to share this moment with us, and then I looked ahead and saw Mitch waiting for me at the altar with tears streaming down his face. I had never felt so present in my life.”
Photographer Joy Zamora beautifully captured one of the most magical details of the day: the mirrored ceremony arch with a custom crystal-adorned chuppah. Combined with the ancient castle in the background, it was a truly unforgettable ceremony backdrop.
“We wanted the wedding to reflect the blending of our lives and backgrounds,” Yesi explains. “I come from a Cuban family in Miami, while Mitch comes from a Russian-Jewish family in Philadelphia. Bringing everyone together in Barcelona created this incredible mix of cultures, families, personalities, music, food, and traditions.”
A first kiss that feels like fireworks — literally!
“Our ceremony music was performed by strings, which gave the entrances this incredibly emotional, cinematic quality,” says Yesi.
Our Musical Choices
The Fashion
Yesi’s bridal look was truly fit for a fairytale. “I always knew I wanted my wedding-day look to feel timeless, feminine, and romantic, but still dramatic enough for the setting. Getting married at a castle outside Barcelona gave me permission to lean into that sense of fantasy.”
She wore Look 13 from Zuhair Murad’s Fall 2025 Bridal Collection, with a matching veil and gloves by the same designer. “The floral detailing felt perfect for the season and the garden setting, while the Swarovski crystals throughout the gown caught the light beautifully. I loved the connection between the crystals on my dress and the crystal chandelier chuppah we were married beneath.”
For an extra special touch, Yesi also had certain elements of the gown customized, including the bodice and neckline. “Those changes made the dress feel uniquely mine — my own version of a gown I had already fallen in love with.” She finished the look with Jimmy Choo Sacora 85 satin heels in ivory.
“Mitch’s wedding-day look was equally personal. He wore a custom tuxedo by MDO Miami featuring a double-breasted Italian wool barathea jacket, selected in part because it was lightweight enough for Barcelona in June, with custom tuxedo trousers and Dior Timeless Derby shoes in black patent calfskin.”
Mitchell’s look also had a unique custom detail that made it extra meaningful. “Inside his tuxedo were details that almost no one could see, but meant everything to us. Our wedding date was embroidered into the collar, while the initials of his grandfathers and my father were embroidered inside his tuxedo pocket — a quiet way of carrying them with him throughout the day.”
For another meaningful finishing touch, Yesi added a tribute to her father to her wedding day look. “I had a charm wrapped around my bouquet with a photograph of my dad and me, engraved with his own words to me.” During the processional, her bridesmaids also each placed a calla lily on a chair reserved for him at the ceremony.
Speaking of bridesmaids, how stunning are the mismatched pastel gowns Yesi’s bridal party wore?! For more inspiration, check out our complete bridesmaid gown guide to choose your dream lineup.
The Reception
Yesi and Mitchell welcomed their guests to the reception with more vintage romance, including this gorgeous lace banner. Such a dreamy take on a wedding seating chart!
The fantasy world continued with the couple’s enchanting outdoor reception space. Lanterns hung from vines like oversized lilies. Candelabras dripped with greenery. Antique garden chairs dotted elegant curved tables. It was a romantic daydream brought to life.
If you love the look of this whimsical design, discover more creative reception table layouts here.
Personalized letters placed at each table setting included more romantic lace details, plus the chicest custom wax seals!
For Yesi and Mitch, the reception was about creating a fully immersive experience. “More than anything, we wanted our guests to feel something,” says Yesi. “We cared about the design, but we cared just as much about how people experienced the wedding. We wanted it to feel intimate and emotional in one moment, sophisticated and effortless in another, and completely unexpected by the end of the night.”
“The food, ambience, design, and little personalized moments all became part of that experience. We had artists creating watercolor fashion sketches of our guests, live artists customizing fans — which became particularly appreciated in the Barcelona summer heat — custom scarves for guests to wear and play with, and custom hats waiting for everyone once the party began. There were so many small details designed not simply to be photographed, but to make our guests feel included in the celebration.”
Our Advice
Make decisions based on the way you want your wedding to feel, not just the way you want it to look. It is incredibly easy to get lost in inspiration photos and tiny details, but your guests will ultimately remember the feeling of the weekend: the music, the energy, the food, the surprises, and the moments that felt personal to you.
The Party
For their final act, Yesi and Mitchell concluded the night with a glittering, champagne-fueled dance party cloaked in bold red drapery. Welcome to Club Vaysman.
“At dinner, we shifted into groovy, elevated lounge music, and by the time the party began, the music became much more energetic. We were incredibly intentional about our playlist, and our DJ completely understood the assignment,” Yesi shares.
To add to the festive atmosphere, the couple gave their guests flip-flops for dancing and custom embroidered hats as unique wedding favors.
“For a destination wedding especially, we learned that hospitality is just as important as design. Once our guests had traveled all the way to Barcelona for us, we wanted them to feel taken care of and considered,” says Yesi.
“By the end of the night, the castle was glowing, fireworks had filled the sky, everyone was dancing in a room drenched in red, and the people we loved most were all around us. For one night, it really did feel like our own movie — and somehow, we got to live inside it.”
And what movie ending is complete without an outfit change? For her second look, Yesi rocked a glamorous embellished mini dress paired with Aquazzura Sweetheart sandals. “My second look was by Rose Étienne and had a completely different energy — playful, glamorous, and a little Studio 54.”
Consider this your sign to change into something short, sequined, and sparkly for your second look! Don’t miss our favorite wedding after-party dresses for more inspo.
“The thing people talked about most afterward wasn’t one centerpiece, one song, or one detail. It was the feeling. There was just so much love in that castle.”
Congratulations Yesi and Mitchell on your storybook wedding day full of glamour, whimsy, and endless love. Best wishes from all of us here at GWS! ❤️
Featured in This Wedding
Molist Floristes
Paloma Cruz
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Other Vendors in This Wedding
Fashion: Jimmy Choo // Photography: Joy Zamora // Fashion: Zuhair Murad // Venue: Castell de Sant Marsal // Hair Stylist: Maria Lastochka // Makeup Artist: Maria Lastochka // Videography: Soul weddings // Paper Goods: Sweet sisters // Catering: Sibaris // Cake: Mericakes // Tabletop Rentals: Options // Furniture Rentals: Options // Linen Rentals: Options // Music: Panela Productions // Lighting: Kamal
