This Fashion Publicist Wore a Skirt Set From Sept for Her Beautiful South Florida Wedding

Welcome to Who What Wear Weddings, the destination for style-minded weddings. Expect insightful tips straight from the newlyweds, shoppable elements, and plenty of must-save imagery as we share the nuptials of our favorite fashion people getting married. For upcoming features, share your submissions here.

"If you ask Chris, he would say he was playing the long game, but I doubt this is what he had in mind our sophomore year in college," says Kelli Orihuela, VIP and influence manager at Hermès, as she reflects on the beginning of her relationship with now-husband fintech sales executive Chris Denci. The two first crossed paths at the University of Delaware, where they were in the same public speaking course. At the time, they only knew each other as classmates. "We barely spoke, but he forced me to pay attention to him during a class exercise where everyone in the audience had to raise their hand and could only put it down when the speaker made eye contact for a few seconds," Orihuela recalls. "When it was my turn, he was the last person raising his hand, and even though I spoke directly to him for a full minute, he refused to put his hand down just to lock in my attention."

It didn't lead to anything at the time, but the moment stayed with them. The night before graduation, the two found each other in line outside the same bar, but only a brief hello came from it—nothing more. Months later, while they were both in New York, fate intervened again. "I was at Vanity Fair at the time and attended a brand event downtown," Orihuela explains. " posted the venue on my Instagram story, and the next day, I received a message from Chris asking if I lived in New York." As it turned out, Denci was staying with a family friend in Tribeca just around the corner from Orihuela's office at One World Trade Center. "He finally asked me to grab drinks, and long story short, we have been together ever since, sharing a bottle of rosé and French fries at Grand Banks," she says.

Latest Videos From

You may like

When it came time for the proposal, Orihuela admits she had a feeling it was coming, but the moment still caught her completely off guard. "It was Christmas Day, and Chris was about a week away from relocating to London for six months, and I assumed he would finally pop the question across the pond," she says. Instead, it happened in a very intimate setting. "We were opening presents in our pajamas alongside our golden retriever, Tucker, when I noticed all of my presents were wrapped in white boxes with white ribbon," she says. It wasn't in the first box but the second, where Orihuela found a glass ornament with a ring inside—the same method Denci's dad used when he proposed to his mom. "I could barely form words and was so emotional, very off-brand for me," she says. "I am certainly grateful he proposed in our living room!"

Soon after the proposal, wedding planning began, and the couple chose Marco Island in Florida, a location with personal significance and stunning scenery that needed no embellishment. "Chris's parents have had a home in Marco Island for almost 15 years, a place I had never heard of before we got together, but now, I can't live without ," Orihuela shares. The two were instantly drawn to Hideaway Beach Club for its effortless charm and miles of private beach. "Every inch of the property was beautiful and new, not only in style but also a first-time experience for all of our guests," she says. Read on to admire the couple's very intentional yet effortless design approach; Orihuela's two-piece Sept wedding look, which she paired with her "something borrowed" veil; the "tropical dance club" after-party; and the handful of other special details that made the weekend feel uniquely their own.

"It was important to us to have some welcome event the day before the wedding as a thank-you to everyone making the trek to South Florida. My twin sister Nicole, who had gotten married a year prior, also said it was one of the best decisions she made so you can catch up with as many people as you can and leave small talk out of the big day. She was exactly right."

"I wanted to go for something more fun and nontraditional for the welcome party, which was my style but in a completely different direction than my wedding dress. With the help of a friend and VIP stylist, Yael Quint, I was connected with Albright Fashion Library, the home of everything from vintage Chanel to pieces from Christopher Esber's newest collection. I had worked with them on many photo shoots and was able to browse their collection a few weeks before my styling appointment since I was cutting it close. They had amazing options and styled me from head to toe. Ultimately, with input from industry friends, I went with a blush sequin knit Magda Butrym stunner with rhinestone straps. The slightly loose fit, satin-matching slingbacks, and simple drop earrings gave it the touch of effortless style I aim for in every outfit.