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When Mariella Garcia-Velez, daughter of Mayli and Calixto Garcia-Velez, Casa de Campo’s Director of polo, headed down to Casa de Campo for a vacation she was expecting a relaxing time with her family and friends – but instead was thrilled to receive a marriage proposal and enjoy a whirlwind week of celebrations!
For both Ernie Villar and Mariella Garcia-Velez, the beautiful Casa de Campo resort has and always will hold a special place in their hearts, being somewhere they have both regularly visited since childhood and although the couple didn’t meet until their college days at UCF (University of Central Florida) perhaps with their shared history and love of Casa de Campo, their paths were always meant to cross……
“I have been coming to Casa de Campo my whole life. Ernie loves golf and these courses – so we love coming down here.” — Mariella
“Casa de Campo has been a special place for both of us (and our families) for most of our lives and we’ve shared a lot of great memories there – even before the engagement.” — Ernie
Having reconnected for good on New Year’s Eve 2009, during a chance meeting in a romantic “stuck elevator” story in New York, the young couple began their now 3 and a half year romance with“lots of skyping, face-timing and frequent flyer miles” as Ernie worked for ESPN in New York and Mariella worked at Emilio Pucci in Palm Beach.
Having now moved to ESPN’s Coral Cables office in Miami and with Mariella moving to the Emilio Pucci in Miami’s Design District this November, the couple were finally planning on living together – which is when Mariella confessed she was hoping to receive a ring! But of course, as always seems to be the case, men are much more romantic and unpredictable than we give them credit for – and so when Ernie did pop the question on Casa de Campo’s Minitas Beach during a romantic stroll, “right by the small tree that hangs over the water” – Mariella was blissfully surprised.
Ernie pops the question at Minitas Beach!
“I was beyond surprised because I always thought I would have a hint and didn’t think it would happen until next year. It didn’t click till I actually saw the ring. It was a major major shock.” — Mariella
And no doubt a wonderfully pleasant shock, because after some coaxing and a few romantic moments together, Mariella and Ernie returned hand in hand to one of the Beach Club by Le Cirque’s beautiful private cabañas, where, not only Mariella’s parents; Calixto and Mayli Garcia-Velex, but also Ernie’s parents; Julie and Ernie Vilar were waiting (having flown in incognito the day before) – yet another surprise for the newly engaged Mariella!
SURPRISE!! We’re engaged!
“I never wanted a public proposal, but always knew I’d like to celebrate if my family and friends were close by. It couldn’t have been more perfect and sweeter having my family there and my best friends.” – Mariella
And so there in the sand in their bathing suits and flip flops, Mariella and Ernie with their parents, Mariella’s brother Cachi, his girlfriend Allegra Fanjul and their best friends shared a toast to their engagement with the “Napa champagne” Ernie’s parents had brought with them especially.
“It was quite special as they are both great kids and we were able to have all the family here along with a big group of their friends for the week. Casa de Campo is a magical place and it looks like the wedding will be here as well.” — Calixto Garcia-Velez, Director of Polo at the Casa de Campo resort
Later, the couple and their large group continued their celebration with lunch at the Beach Club by Le Cirque, where head chef Luca Banfi served up a special congratulatory desert!
A special desert at the Beach Club by Le Cirque
“It was quite the week. Two b-day celebrations – Cachi turned 22 and Ernie turned 27, our 27th wedding anniversary, one engagement and one Mother’s Day!” – Mayli Garcia-Velez, Mariella’s mother
And with so much to celebrate the fun group really took advantage of all Casa de Campo has to offer by celebrating all over the resort; the birthday’s were celebrated on 2 separate nights at a private Casa de Campo villa, the engagement was celebrated at Minitas Beach, with a dinner at La Piazzetta in Altos de Chavón and even with some late night partying at Onno’s Bar, whilst Mother’s Day was a relaxed affair enjoyed at La Caña Restaurant and Lounge by Il Circo.
Celebratory dinner at La Piazzetta in Altos de Chavón
And now the happy couple and their excited families are already planning the wedding – which will of course be in Casa de Campo! Where else?
“Mariella has always wanted to get married in Casa de Campo and it didn’t take much for her to sell me on the idea.” — Ernie
“Ernie and I always knew in our heads that if and when we got married it would be in Casa de Campo, it was an unspoken agreement. Ever since I have been coming to Casa de Campo I always said to myself I’d get married there and I can’t believe we are making it happen, it feels right. Altos de Chavón is magical and we want it to be a fun weekend for everyone who can make it.” — Mariella
Although the wedding arrangements are far from being settled, the big day is already set for mid-April 2013 with the ceremony probably at the St.Stanislaus church in Altos de Chavón followed by the reception at the La Romana Country Club in Casa de Campo………..with Pitbull performing as a special guest???
“I am a big Pitbul fan so my mom wants me to write him letters asking him to plan a concert at the Altos de Chavón amphitheater and then he can come on over and sing some songs….. So we will do our best to find the most entertaining band in the Dominican Republic we can to make this party what we want it to be, a celebration of us and everyone who is a part of our lives.” — Mariella
So no Pitbull then?
CONGRATULATIONS Mariella and Ernie!
Mariella, Cachi, Allegra and Ernie