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Love Without Borders: Kasey and Rudy
Love without Borders - Jan 7, 2020
A magical love story set sail as Rudy proposed to his love in scenic New Zealand with mystical mountain peaks, ink-dark waters and superb dramatic forest-clad cliffs of Milford Sound playing witness. Here is a peek at their beautiful pre-wedding and wedding pictures which will leave you filled with feelings of warmth and happiness. Their intimate bond was captured wonderfully by their photographer friend Leygh Allison, who also played cupid to the couple. The wedding saw their friends and family come together from near and far to celebrate at Biltmore Hotel Miami, Coral Gables.
How They Met
“I hail from Miami, Florida, whereas Kasey was born and raised in Rochester, New York. Our story goes way back to 2016, when Kasey had just moved to Miami. For the longest time, we didn’t know we were neighbors. One fine day, I saw Kasey’s profile on my friend’s dating app. I instantly downloaded the same app on my phone and started talking to Kasey. I was spending the summer volunteering in Nicaragua, so we talked everyday via iMessage and FaceTime for a month before we finally went on our first date,” says Rudy.
First Date
Kasey, recalling their first date, says, “Rudy came back from his trip to Nicaragua a day early. He texted me and asked if I was available and willing to go on a run with him. Running is not one of my favorite activities, but I said ‘yes’ instantly. We hit it off immediately and spent the evening together, eating pizza and watching a movie. After calling it a night, we parted ways before seeing each other the next day. On our official first date, we went out to help people register as voters for the 2016 presidential election. It was an incredible day and we ended it with a trip to the pet shop to buy a Betta fish. We named the fish Leygh (after our photographer friend who was integral in our love story).”
Falling In Love
Kasey happily shares, “We fell in love quickly. There was inexplicable magic that we both felt from the moment we met. We used to stare into each other’s eyes without uttering a single word for hours on end. It didn’t take long for us to realize how perfect we were for each other. We are incredibly different humans, but somehow we balance each other out.”
Meeting Each Other’s Family And Friends
“We are both super outgoing and adaptable to many different people and situations, so it was easy for us to introduce each other to our friends and family quickly. It wasn’t long before the lines of our friends and families started to blur and eventually disappear. We are now creating our own family and are constantly making new friends together on our adventures as a couple,” says Rudy.
The Proposal
Blushing at the memory, Kasey says, “We took a three-week trip to Panama, Chile, New Zealand and Vietnam. Rudy made this whole plan to propose to me on top of a beautiful snow-capped mountain in New Zealand – Lord Of The Rings style. Due to strong winds, we weren’t able to take the helicopter up the mountain. Rudy made an impromptu plan and reorganized our trip last minute, and we took a boat out to the middle of Milford Sound, where he proposed to me. He asked me to take out my phone to record a video of the beautiful surroundings. We were surrounded by waterfalls and dolphins swimming in the water and, as soon as I panned my camera towards him, Rudy pulled out the ring and asked me to marry him. And yes, the whole proposal was caught on video.”
Wedding
Kasey says, “Getting married in front of our family and friends, in such a beautiful place, on a perfectly sunny day, was nothing short of magical. All of our hard work and sacrifices that we made helped us realize that it was all worth it. We made it a point to do our wedding in a way to set an example for the LGBTQ+ couples across the globe. A new decade is upon us. We hope to lead by example in bringing a new normalcy to how we define what marriage is, and who it’s for.”
Big Moments
Recalling their wedding ceremonies, Rudy says, “We didn’t finish our vows until the very last minute and were finalizing them as we were getting dressed. As soon as we stepped on the podium, it all came out organically. We had guests from 15 different countries and over seven US states to witness our nuptials. To see so many people from different cultures come together was undoubtedly a memorable experience.”
LGBTQ+ Involvement
Rudy sits on the board of Our Family Coalition, a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of equity for the LGBTQ community. Kasey adds, “We also both volunteer for an organization against gun violence in America, particularly because the LGBTQ community is vulnerable. As a couple, we strive to serve as an example for our community by fighting for social justice and eradicating poverty.”
Advice For LGBTQ+ Couples
“Be open and honest with each other and others about your relationship. It may be hard for some friends and family to understand you, but with time and transparent communication, people almost always come around to acceptance. Deep down many LGTBQ+ couples have the same urges to form a family that heterosexual couples do. Don’t be afraid to reach out and find resources that will help you realize this dream. And remember, you’re not alone!”
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Biltmore Hotel Miami, Coral Gables
Outfits: Sabyasachi
Photography: Leygh Allison
