An Exclusive Look Inside 'The Real Housewives of Miami' Star Guerdy Abraira's Wedding

Long before she rose to fame on The Real Housewives of Miami, Guerdy Abraira made a name for herself as one of the top wedding planners in the world—and before that, she was a bride planning her own wedding. (Bravolebrities: They really are just like us!)

Guerdy Abraira and her husband Russell share one of the most inspiring relationships on Bravo. The high school sweethearts met as teenagers, and their love story blossomed in the school hallway. The strength of their partnership was exemplified on the most recent season of RHOM, when the firefighter supported his wife through her emotional breast cancer journey. Now, over 20 years and two kids after they tied the knot, the Abraiaras are more in love than ever before.

With Guerdy gracing the cover of The Knot Magazine's Fall 2024 issue, we caught up with her to relive her 2002 wedding. Look back on her favorite memories from the Spanish-inspired affair, including how she "Guerdyfied" the event, and what she would do differently today.

Inside Russell and Guerdy Abraira's Wedding

Photo: Courtesy of Guerdy Abraira

Guerdy Abraira's wedding to her husband, Russell, took place on November 16, 2002, at the Ancient Spanish Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux in Miami, Florida. When conceptualizing the vision for her nuptials, the bride allowed her time spent traveling abroad to inspire the aesthetic. "[Our wedding] had an 'espaniola' theme, as I had been to Spain during college and fell in love with the Spanish style," Abraira tells The Knot.

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The couple didn't have to look far to find their dream wedding venue. In fact, she says, the monastery was on their radar before Russell proposed. "We lived close to our wedding venue and drove past it almost every week while going to the mall," she remembers. "I always said to myself that if we got married, we would do it there."

Photo: Courtesy of Guerdy Abraira

Drawn to the rich history of the historic church, which was dismantled in Spain and rebuilt in the US over the course of 19 months in 1952, the couple didn't schedule any other venue tours after their engagement. "This was a no-brainer when it was time to plan," she says.

Photo: Courtesy of Guerdy Abraira

Since she already had an established career in the events industry, Abraira opted to forgo hiring a planner—but if she could re-do her wedding again today, this is one decision she'd approach differently. "Things get lost in translation," she remembers. While she did hire a day-of coordinator, they sent their assistant on the day of the event, which led to shifts in the details, like different napkin placements at the reception tables. "I couldn't do anything about it by the time I saw it, but I kept my cool and focused on my new husband and our guests," she adds. "This is why I'm now an avid advocate of hiring a full-time planner."

Photo: Courtesy of Guerdy Abraira

Using the expertise she picked up as a catering manager, Abraira herself decorated the ceremony space with a gothic mix of dried greenery, mini spray burgundy roses, and black magic red roses, saying, "I was quite the Martha Stewart."

Photo: Courtesy of Guerdy Abraira

Perhaps one of the most unconventional elements of Abraira's wedding was her gown. "I ended up renting my wedding dress," she says of her minimalistic look. "I only went to two locations before I realized that purchasing a gown for one night was not my version of a lasting investment." Ultimately, she selected a simple A-line strapless wedding dress, which she "Guerdyfied" with custom beaded straps.

Photo: Courtesy of Guerdy Abraira

Looking back, Abraira recalls her bridesmaids encouraging her to hide tissues in her dress while she was getting ready. "I was so adamant that I would not get emotional during the ceremony that I declined," she smiles. "But as soon as the doors opened, I began to hysterically cry tears of joy. Needless to say, I cried the entire ceremony and had to ask someone to run and get tissues."

Photo: Courtesy of Guerdy Abraira

As the evening transitioned into cocktail hour, the newlyweds and their loved ones enjoyed a curated menu inspired by flavors of the Mediterranean. "Specialty cocktails were not a thing back then, but naturally, I had to serve sangria to match the Spanish theme," Abraira explains. For dinner, guests dined on paella with lobster, which was cooked in front of the crowd to create an "experiential atmosphere."

Photo: Courtesy of Guerdy Abraira

For their inaugural spin on the dance floor, the newlyweds shared their first dance to George Michael's cover of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." ("Every word resonated," she says of the song choice.)

Photo: Courtesy of Guerdy Abraira

Later in the evening, the groom was treated to a surprise performance courtesy of his coworkers. "One of Russell's friends is an amazing singer, and he had all of the firefighters gather around me to serenade me with a sweet song," Abraira recalls with a laugh. "But they started singing, 'You've lost that loving feeling.' We were puzzled, yet intrigued, and fond of their sweet gesture."

Photo: Courtesy of Guerdy Abraira

Now, as Guerdy and Russell prepare to celebrate their 22nd anniversary, she confirms there isn't much she would change about her wedding planning experience—including the role they both played in the process. "We are both aware of our strengths, and planning an event is definitely not his," she says with a laugh. "Russell had no part in selecting anything for the wedding, and that is why I love him."

Photo: Courtesy of Guerdy Abraira