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  5. A Formal Ballroom Destination Wedding in Vienna, Austria
Martha Stewart Weddings

A Formal Ballroom Destination Wedding in Vienna, Austria

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Carla and Luis

carla-luis-rw1112-356.jpg
Credit: Claire Morgan

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

carla-luis-rw1112-001.jpg
Credit: Claire Morgan

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

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Helpful Goodies

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Credit: Claire Morgan

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

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Credit: Claire Morgan

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

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Credit: Claire Morgan

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

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The Bouquet

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Credit: Claire Morgan

Vendela roses were tied together with beige silk lace.

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The Gown

carla-luis-rw1112-133.jpg
Credit: Claire Morgan

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

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Credit: Claire Morgan

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

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The Program

carla-luis-rw1112-189.jpg
Credit: Claire Morgan

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

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Credit: Claire Morgan

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

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Credit: Claire Morgan

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

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Credit: Claire Morgan

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

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Credit: Claire Morgan

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

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Credit: Claire Morgan

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

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Credit: Claire Morgan

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

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Credit: Claire Morgan

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

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Credit: Claire Morgan

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

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Love Notes

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Credit: Claire Morgan

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

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Credit: Claire Morgan

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

carla-luis-rw1112-636.jpg
Credit: Claire Morgan

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

carla-luis-rw1112-555.jpg
Credit: Claire Morgan

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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A Big Bang

couple watching fireworks
Credit: Claire Morgan

The evening concluded with a firework show over the palace's gardens that was choreographed to music.

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Sources

carla-luis-rw1112-181.jpg
Credit: Claire Morgan

Photography: Claire Morgan

Wedding Planner: Prime Moments

Locations: St. Peter's Church; Palais Auersperg

Catering: M*Eventcatering

Flowers: Doll's Flowers

Stationery: East Six; Technografik

Cake: Anika Post of Demel

Music and dancers: Wiener Residenz Orchestra

Hair and makeup: Alice Retzel

Rings: Cartier

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 23 Carla and Luis
    2 of 23 A Warm Welcome
    3 of 23 Helpful Goodies
    4 of 23 Location, Location
    5 of 23 Kind Keepsakes
    6 of 23 The Bouquet
    7 of 23 The Gown
    8 of 23 The Topper
    9 of 23 The Program
    10 of 23 The Ceremony Location
    11 of 23 A Grand Assembly
    12 of 23 The Newlyweds
    13 of 23 Picture Perfect
    14 of 23 The Seating
    15 of 23 The Reception
    16 of 23 The Musical Guide
    17 of 23 The Centerpieces
    18 of 23 Love Notes
    19 of 23 Sweet Treats
    20 of 23 The Cake
    21 of 23 The First Dance
    22 of 23 A Big Bang
    23 of 23 Sources

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    A Formal Ballroom Destination Wedding in Vienna, Austria
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