Fashion, Florals, and Family Heritage Were the Guiding Principles at One Couple's Florida Wedding

Marlena Stablein, the COO of a technology startup, and Maurice "Moe" Harkless, a professional basketball player, met in Miami in 2013 and became fast friends. A few years later, that platonic relationship turned romantic and the two started to build a life together. In August of 2023, a full decade after they met, the couple took the next step with an engagement during a trip to Japan. After a traditional 10-course Japanese lunch at a restaurant with a private garden in Kyoto, Moe popped the question. “Afterwards, we did a traditional Japanese green tea ceremony and a guided meditation with a monk, which was a perfect reset after so much excitement,” Marlena says. 

The couple celebrated their wedding on September 1, 2024, in Tampa, Florida, when they invited 93 guests to join them at The Tampa EDITION for a ceremony and reception. “We own a condo at The Tampa EDITION, so it felt like home,” the bride says. “We loved the idea of being able to use four distinct spaces, each with their own style.” To take full advantage of all the property had to offer, the couple hosted their cocktail hour in the Punch Room, enjoyed dinner in the ballroom, and spent the evening dancing in the Arts Club, where a dazzling disco ball ceiling helped reinforce the party-ready vibe the Marlena and Moe were going for. All in all, the venue ensured the couple was able to create a dynamic event across multiple settings, and it gave guests an opportunity to get to know a space the bride and groom love.

As they planned their wedding, Marlena and Moe envisioned a flower-filled celebration with a color palette of green and purple, then further personalized the day by scenting each space that fragrances they use in their own home. Another way they made the wedding unique to them? The couple asked guests to wear black in honor of Marlena’s late grandmother.

With help from Amber, a wedding planner from Oh My Occasions, they brought intentional design details to every space and personalized the day as much as possible. Read on to see their joyful, fashion-forward wedding day, as captured by photographer Joshua Kane.

When Marlena was looking for her wedding dress, she did her research and pre-selected various styles she wanted to try on, but when she arrived at Loho Bride, her stylist recommended she look through the showroom and see if anything spoke to her in person. And something did: “I picked up my dress because the underskirt with tulle draped over it looked so unique, I thought it would be fun to try on,” she says of the strapless Danielle Frankel ball gown she wore down the aisle. “Turns out it was perfect for me, and it was so different than anything I ever thought I would choose for my wedding day!”

The dress also featured a tulle skirt and mini-underskirt and a corset bodice. She paired her gown with platform Saint Laurant heels and a veil she found at a Paris boutique on her bachelorette trip. “The veil had a classic lace trim that reminded me of the Catholic weddings in my family,” she says. She wore her cousin’s bracelet—a three tone heart bracelet that once belonged to their grandmother—as her "something borrowed." "It felt fitting as the wedding was on her birthday, so she was there in spirit," the bride says.

Marlena also carried a bouquet of moody purple garden-inspired flowers and greenery, which was made to mimic the shape of her gown.

Moe wore a custom tuxedo featuring a dark green velvet jacket, black bow tie, and cummerbund. “I added green socks for another touch of color,” he says. He accessorized with black leather Patek Phillipe 5961 watch, diamond earrings, a diamond and emerald ring (his birthstone!), and a green Van Cleef bracelet.

The couple went back and forth on having a first look, but they ultimately decided to go for it since they wanted to spend as much time as possible with their guests once the party started. "Both of us had a whirlwind of a day, so the first look was an incredible way to ground us and take away that anxiety ahead of the ceremony," Marlena remembers. "It wasn't something we were sold on before the wedding, but we are so glad we had that intimate time together."

The couple’s planning team brought drapery into the ceremony space to allow just the right amount of natural light to spill into the room. Two arched floral installations were placed along the aisle for a dramatic touch. Pink, purple, and white floral arrangements were displayed at varying heights to frame the altar.

Guests also grabbed cones of flower petals that were customized with the couple’s custom logo and wedding date; after the bride and groom were pronounced husband and wife, attendees were instructed to shower them with the flowers.

Marlena and Moe included their siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews in their wedding party. After their wedding party (including their dog, Biggie Smalls) walked down the aisle, Moe made his way to the altar to the tune of "Ultralight Beam." Marlena’s uncle walked her down the aisle to a live rendition of Beyonce’s "Dangerously in Love" was performed. "We included a harpist and saxophone to complement music recordings," Marlena says. "The harp is so ethereal, and the saxophone romantic, they really set the tone for our guests."

Personalizing the ceremony was important to Marlena and Moe, so they worked with their officiant from Lhegendary Weddings to customize their vow exchange. That effort paid off: “He told our love story for us and led specific prayers focused on positivity,” Marlena says.

Once the couple exchanged vows and were pronounced husband and wife, they celebrated back up the aisle as their guests showered them in flower petals.

The floral arches seen lining the ceremony aisle were repurposed as reception décor, a clever idea from the couple's planning team, who facilitated their move from space to space. They also used the pedestal-style floral arrangements from the ceremony to decorate around the DJ booth.

A mix of round and rectangular dinner tables filled the room and were decorated with floral centerpieces in a variety of styles, including tall pedestal arrangements and floral runners. Roses, hydrangeas, anemones, ranunculus, lisianthus, and more were all included in the centerpieces. “The linens were chosen to bring in my favorite color with a subtle texture that felt whimsical, yet still formal,” Marlena notes.

Each place setting included a green goblet, deep purple textured napkins with wooden napkin rings, and custom menus featuring the bride and groom's joint monogram, which was made to look like a tulip with their first initials.

The bride and groom sat at a head table in front of a floral wall. "This was a beautiful backdrop that would be featured in photos of our reactions during toasts and while we were dancing,” the bride says. The table was decorated with bud arrangements, taper candles in textured glass hurricanes, and a lush floor installation accented with pillar candles.

For dinner, guests enjoyed a corn soup starter, then had a choice of red snapper (Moe's favorite!), pulled shortrib, or a vegetarian heirloom tomato dish as their entrée.

Marlena and Moe shared their first dance to “Love” by Maxwell. Guests enjoyed signature cocktails including the Mar-garita and Mar-tini as Marlena’s choices and a whiskey cocktail as Maurice’s selection. “Our close friend sang us one of his original songs in front of all our guests, it was a very special moment!” the couple notes.

Before moving into the dancing portion of the evening, Marlena changed into a strapless corset featuring carnation embroidery details, which she wore over a satin and tulle mini skirt with a bow detail from Weiderhoeft. “For my second look, I had a bit more fun with my accessories,” she explains. She styled her look with a vintage Chanel gold mini-purse cuff bracelet and an oversized hair bow to compliment the corset’s beading.

Moe changed into a fun green patterned tux jacket for the rest of the night.

When Marlena and Moe were considering venues for their wedding, the Art Club’s disco ball ceiling helped seal the deal. They combined three rooms with unique looks for this part of the evening, including a disco-themed room, a leather-themed lounge, and a velvet-themed space. “In the black leather lounge, we brought in custom silver soccer and basketballs since both of us played those sports,” Marlena says. The couple’s MM flower logo was laser cut into each of the centerpieces.

After dinner, Marlena and Moe moved into the velvet lounge for an intimate private cake cutting while guests enjoyed a spread of desserts in another space. They chose a white tiered gluten free red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting.

Marlena and Maurice brought in a DJ from Curate Entertainment to keep the party going. “It felt like such a night club, everyone danced and had a ball,” Marlena says.

The couple had a private photo session in their second outfits before the night ended.

Instead of a traditional honeymoon, the couple decided to bring their friends along with them, enjoying what's known as a buddymoon post-wedding. They explored London and Paris before taking a ski trip in Les Alleus. “We had so much fun celebrating as newlyweds with the people we love,” Marlena says.

To couples planning their wedding celebration, Marlena recommends asking for help when you need it and focusing on the most important elements to you as a couple. “Do exactly what will bring you joy and romance on your most special day, not whatever you think you’re 'supposed' to,” she says.