Dreaming of Miami? This Bride Transported Her Hometown to North Beach

From a buzzy Latin playlist to a luxe eucalyptus canopy, Michael and Megan's Herrington on the Bay wedding was a taste of tropical paradise.

Couple: Megan Alayon + Michael Gounaris

Wedding date: September 8, 2019

Number of guests: 100

Favorite menu item: BBQ porkbelly hors d’oeuvres

// How They Met

When Michael Gounaris met Megan Alayon at a party in 2012, he made his intentions clear. But Megan, three years older and about to start veterinary school, wasn’t interested in dating her best friend’s wild younger brother. Three years later, however, when Michael was embarking on his own career as a vet, he invited Megan on a date to the local animal shelter to meet a dog he was interested in adopting. The pup didn’t make the cut, but Megan did. 

// Hollywood Glam

Megan found her dress, a delicate, body-hugging gown by Israeli bridal designer Berta at the Chic Parisien boutique in Miami. As soon as she saw it, she knew it was the one. “The meticulous beading, the sparkle, and the silhouette all screamed ‘me!’” she says.

// Miami Vibes

The pair chose to get married at Herrington on the Bay because it reminded Megan of her hometown, near Miami, Florida. “The tropical vibes with the palm trees and water view did it for me,” Megan explains. They also wanted a venue that allowed friends and family to stay onsite for a weekend’s worth of activities. “For our rehearsal dinner, we had a bonfire on the beach, so our families could have quality time with one another and also have the opportunity to meet all our friends,” Megan adds.

// Corn Hole & Candlelight

Megan and Michael decided to keep their guest list small to give their reception in Herrington on the Bay’s Paradise Ballroom an intimate touch. “I wanted it to feel like we were at an outdoor candlelit dinner,” Megan says. They worked with Kim Tyson of My Flower Box Events to design a eucalyptus and champagne rose canopy that adorned their head table. “We had tons of candles nestled in between the table greenery and the dusty blue table runner,” Megan adds. Their planner’s husband, Justin Hanrahan, made the couple two corn hole sets featuring their home states of Maryland and Florida, with a surprise detail he kept secret until the day of the wedding: the veterinary medicine caduceus and an EKG with paw prints laser-cut into the boards’ legs.

// The Old-Fashioned Oakley

The newlyweds concocted signature cocktails to celebrate their most beloved family members, dogs Simba and Oakley. They also handmade their wedding favors—Michael planted succulents in wine glasses that Megan personalized with their wedding date and initials. To keep the party pumpin’ and honor Megan’s Cuban heritage, the couple stacked the playlist with lots of Latin songs.

// The Details

Bride’s gown: Berta (designer), Chic Parisien (boutique) Bride’s hair & makeup: Vintage Veils Bride’s jewelry: Chic Parisien Bridesmaid dresses: After Six Calligraphy: Stephanie Gould Calligraphy Caterer: Herrington on the Bay Florals: My Flower Box Designs Invitations: Minted Men’s attire: Men’s Warehouse Music: Modern Era Weddings Planning & styling: Betty Lou Events Rentals: White Glove Rentals Rings: Saxon’s Diamond Centers Signage and corn hole boards: Justin Hanrahan Videographer: Samuel Kern Videography