When Luis Met Myriah
Not many people meet their soulmate on their first day in a new country, but that’s exactly what happened for Myriah McKenzie. When Myriah was studying abroad in Peru in 2016, her host family owned a veterinarian clinic out of their home. On her first day there, she met Luis Puma, who worked at the clinic. “He was very willing to teach me things and show me around his country,” Myriah says. Although they started out as just friends, Luis confessed his love for Myriah before she had to go back to the United States. For the next three years, Luis and Myriah kept up their long-distance relationship with daily video chats, virtual dates and movie nights.

She Said Yes
Myriah returned to Peru in 2019, and the couple spent a day seeing the sights in Cusco, a historical city in the Andes mountains. Next, the couple went to el Parque de Aguas, the site of their first date, where water fountains are lit with colorful lights at night. “We arrived at this gorgeous rainbow fountain where I thought we were going to take a picture,” Myriah says. “He surprised me when he got on one knee and proposed.”

The Big Day
Myriah and Luis planned to get married in the United States in 2021 after Luis was able to get his visa. In the hopes of speeding up the process, they decided to wed in Peru in 2019 with only Luis’ family and Myriah’s parents present. The coronavirus pandemic threw the rest of their plans for a loop — the Peruvian embassy shut down, Luis’ paperwork was held up, Peru was on lockdown and Luis wasn’t able to join Myriah in the U.S. for three years. They rescheduled their celebration for September 2022.

“[Our guests] did not know [we were married] until we were giving our speeches,” Myriah says.

They wanted their day to blend Myriah’s Jamaican heritage and Luis’ Peruvian upbringing, with bright colors, authentic Peruvian textiles, tropical flowers, conch shells from Jamaica and much more. “It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve experienced,” Myriah says.

As a final touch on the blending of their cultures, Myriah and Luis had a meet and greet with one of Peru’s native and Myriah’s favorite animals — alpacas. Between the church and the reception, guests had the opportunity to snag a selfie along with doughnuts and coffee from local food trucks.

Happily Ever After
Myriah, 28, and Luis, 32, live in Springdale. Myriah is a teacher who just finished her master’s degree in early childhood education, and Luis is an installer for Armina Stone.

Vendors
Ceremony Site: Saint Joseph Church, New Kensington.
Reception Site: Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, Highland Park.
Caterer: Taste Catering.
Cake: Tasty Bakery.
Cookie: Table Mazziotti Bakery; Ladylocks by Carlene; Sweet Tillies; assorted cookies by friends and family.
Dress: MB Bride.
Hair: Dimensions in Hair and Suzie’s Barbershop.
Makeup: Andrea Costabile.
Suit: Top Hat Tuxedo.
Rings: Kay Jewelers.
Flowers: Mother of the bride (former owner of Irene’s Floral Art).
Entertainment: Loyalty Entertainment.
Stationery/Invitations: Truly Engaging by Magnetstreet.
Lighting: Loyalty Entertainment.
Rentals/Linens: Mosaic; Peruvian table cloths handmade in Peru.
Favors: Chocolate seashells made by mother of the bride.
Wine Glasses (for bridal party): Amanda Lee Glassware.
Food Trucks: Curly Tail Coffee and Galaxy Donuts.
Alpacas: Stone’s Throw Farm.
Videographer: Loyalty Entertainment.
Officiant: Fr. Segundino Laude.
Wedding Planner: Mother of the bride.