Rachel Martino
Rachel Martino
On this week’s episode of Weddings-ish with Jove, I was joined by content creator Rachel Martino and designer/content creator Leo Camacho—newlyweds whose love story has all the magic of a Hollywood rom-com (with a Disney twist). From a serendipitous meeting on a Disney cruise to a rainstorm wedding day that turned into pure joy, their journey is full of creativity, resilience, and love.
Photos from Rachel Martino’s Instagram
Rachel and Leo first crossed paths on a Disney cruise in 2019. Rachel, known for her fashion and lifestyle content (with a penchant for dressing up as Disney princesses), had brought along her Little Mermaid costume. Leo, who often cosplays Prince Eric, improvised with a simple white shirt—and the two staged a photo shoot that would foreshadow their future wedding.
Though initially long-distance—Rachel in New York and Leo in Los Angeles—the couple’s connection deepened over time. When Covid hit, Rachel moved to LA, and the two leaned into their shared creativity with photo shoots and design projects. Eventually, they created Dream Loft Studio, a space that merged their love of design, fashion, and content creation.
Leo knew he wanted to surprise Rachel with a proposal she’d never see coming. With the help of her agency, he staged a fake brand garden party, complete with clipboards, check-in tables, and live music. Rachel thought she was attending a work event—until Leo got down on one knee.
Photography: David Alan Sauerhoff
The proposal went viral, complete with a live musician and the couple’s song, Can’t Help Falling in Love. Rachel recalls it as one of the most emotional, unexpected, and beautiful moments of their love story.
When it came time to plan their wedding, Rachel and Leo wanted New York City to be at the heart of it. They landed on Sound River Studio in Greenpoint, with the Manhattan skyline as the backdrop—a nod to the waterfront walks they loved with their dog, Taxi.
But Mother Nature had other plans. The day of their September wedding brought flash floods and torrential rain—despite Rachel specifically picking a date that was “least likely to rain.” Guests worried, vendors scrambled, and plans shifted rapidly.
Yet, just as Rachel and Leo shared their first look, the skies cleared. They rushed to the venue and insisted on moving the ceremony back outdoors. With Leo arriving on a motorcycle and Rachel in a vintage taxi cab, they made the most dramatic, theatrical entrances—worthy of their backgrounds in cosplay and performance.
Wedding Photos by: Mary Costa Photo
As Rachel walked down the aisle to Here Comes the Sun, the clouds parted and golden light broke through. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
The reception was filled with personality and playful glamour. Rachel wowed in a custom blush Hayley Paige gown, complete with bold floral appliqué and a fitted bodice. The design married her love of fashion with a touch of Carrie Bradshaw-inspired couture.
The décor leaned into old Hollywood cinema: custom movie posters the couple created together served as table numbers, escort cards looked like playing cards, and guests even received custom decks as favors.
In true show-stopping fashion, Rachel surprised guests by emerging from a giant cake—channeling Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend. Built by a friend who typically crafts monster sets for TV and film, the cake-on-wheels became one of the most unforgettable moments of the night.
Despite rain, delays, and even a broken-down vintage cab, Rachel and Leo embraced the mantra: the show must go on.Their willingness to laugh, pivot, and soak in the joy set the tone for their guests. As Rachel shared, once she saw Leo’s face at the altar, she let go of the stress and leaned fully into the moment.
Their wedding proved that while you can plan every detail, it’s often the unexpected twists that make the story unforgettable!
In this week’s Ask Jove Segment, Sloan + Jove chat wedding favors!
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