Chari Cuthbert, the Jamaican jewellery designer whose Vote necklace worn by former US First Lady Michelle Obama at the 2020 Democratic National Convention crashed the Internet; wed tech executive Matthew Haehl on Wednesday, August 21 2024, in Mallorca, Spain.

Their intimate exchange of vows witnessed by a mere seven guests — the bride’s mum, stepfather, sisters and brother-in-law, the groom’s mum and stepfather — followed almost three years after their initial encounter in Los Angeles at a mutual friend’s 40th birthday.

“Matt was visiting LA for a friend’s 40th birthday,” recounted Chari to Style Observer (SO). “What started as a big celebration ended up as an intimate group on the rooftop at Petit Ermitage, chatting and listening to music.” “He happened to be sitting behind me when I overheard our friend’s wife singing his praises, saying what a great guy he was and how she wanted to set him up with all her friends. Something — still don’t know what — came over me, and I turned around and asked, ‘Are you dateable?’ We both laughed, exchanged a few more pleasantries as the night went on, and exchanged numbers. The next evening we met at Barney’s Beanery for drinks, and well, that was it! We were in.”

Indeed they were! The engagement took place on Christmas Day 2023 complete with a few glitches…

“We were running pretty late for Christmas dinner,” explained Matthew to SO.” We were at the home of Chari’s mum and I was doing my best to distract her so I could sneak the ring under the tree without her noticing. After a few failed attempts she finally stepped outside, and I managed to tuck the box under the branches just in time.

“As we were heading out the door, I told her there was one more gift under the tree. She gave me this puzzled look [as, in her mind] she’d already packed up everything to take with us. She knelt, lifted the box and when she realised what it was, her whole face lit up with the biggest smile. Right then, without hesitation, I asked her to be my wife. She said ‘Yes!’ And we just held each other, laughing and crying at the same time. I finally had to tease her and ask, ‘Aren’t you going to look at the ring?’

“She opened the box, and I could tell it was just what she’d wanted — classic, simple and timeless. It’s not easy making a ring for a jewellery designer, but seeing her reaction, I knew I’d done something right,” he added.

Say Yes To The Dress

“I started trying on dresses in March… I had gone to a few boutiques but to no avail… I wasn’t in love [with any] and they just didn’t feel like me. At my last appointment at Loho Bride in LA, my stylist Celeste suggested I try a Katherine Tash gown. She was absolutely right; it was the one,” Chari said.

“When we decided to elope, I had to find out if I could get my dream dress in time. Luckily, by the grace of God and the goddess that Katherine Tash is, the dress could be rushed in six weeks. I had enough time for only one fitting and alterations before it had to be overnighted to me, arriving just three days before we left for Spain… Whatever cosmic alignment made that possible, thank you, Universe! I married the love of my life in the perfect dress.”

The A-line silk crêpe de Chine, strapless mermaid silhouette comprised a generous train.

Creating the perfect setting

Chari’s vision for her special day was for an intimate ceremony surrounded by family with every detail thoughtfully curated, even though they’d chosen to elope. She drew inspiration from the local landscape, incorporating clusters of white flowers and lush foliage to create a setting that felt organic and elegant.

There was no wedding planner. Chari, with lots of spreadsheets and a wedding day timeline, managed it all. She had stumbled on a villa and had saved it on her
IG page. She’d even half-joked to Matthew about how incredible it would be to get married there… his response? “Why don’t we!”

They did and were thrilled to find the villa looked exactly like the photos. The space was perfect: open airy rooms framed by warm, limewash walls, and a landscape dotted with olive trees and wildflowers… it was everything they’d hoped for — effortlessly beautiful and intimate.

With a photographer, notably Maria Hibbs, secured, as well as caterer, videographer, hair and make-up, it was all systems go.

The hardest part, Chari admitted, was planning it herself with very little time. The easiest was the décor. “I knew what I wanted and once Matthew and I landed on the details I created an inspo board and sent it to my décor coordinator Magali at Orocantur. She sent me a 21-page pdf with every detail, diagrams and layout. The colour palette was white with green accents.”

For the ceremony, Chari opted for whimsical arrangements featuring clusters of hydrangeas, calla and Casablanca lilies, complemented by delicate greenery and anchored with moss.

The reception featured an intimate candlelit dinner with draped table linens, organic ceramic dinnerware and clusters of lilies and fruit. There were also custom napkins monogrammed with an H, a memento of their special day. Guests enjoyed Mediterranean fare. Cake cutting and the couple’s first dance as husband and wife to the Ella Fitzerald classic I Love You For Sentimental Reasons… The song featured Chari’s grandmother, Coleen Chong.

Reflecting on their special day Chari and Matthew shared some of their most memorable moments:

Our first look and vows; our portrait session after the ceremony… We were now husband and wife and had such a good time. Our dinner was amazing; we all sat at the table listening to music until the early morning…I love a long, fun dinner and that’s exactly what we got.

Mr & Mrs Matthew Haehl’s honeymoon commenced in Mallorca and continued with stops in Barcelona, Sorrento and Positano.

WEDDING TEAM

PHOTOGRAPHY Maria Hibbs

VIDEOGRAPHY Soul Weddings

INVITATIONS Minted

FLOWERS Otro Cantar

HAIR AND MAKE-UP Rebecca Spendlove

CATERING Natural Chef Mallorca

The wedding accessories: Jimmy Choo Rosie Satin Sandals with a six pence on the arch of the shoe, a tradition from her mum. Ethereal necklace with a single diamond, cuff bracelets and diamond studs. For the bridegroom Chari created a custom pearl lapel pin and matching cufflinks. Maria Hibbs

Chari stuns in a Katherine Tash A-line silk crêpe de Chine, strapless mermaid gown complete with Cathedral veil. Maria Hibbs

Matthew and Chari share an intimate moment. (Maria Hibbs)

The bride designed a chic gold handle to secure her calla lily bouquet from florist Otro Cantar. (Maria Hibbs)

Matthew and Chari pour Cava for their guests. Maria Hibbs

Chari and her bridal party don matching floral lounge sets in the couple’s green and white colour palette on the morning of the wedding. Maria Hibbs

Chari with (from left) sister Kelli Cuthbert, mum Charmaine Campbell, sister Ashli Dugosh and the groom’s mum Deidre Jordan. Maria Hibbs

Chari and Matthew are joined as one. (Maria Hibbs)

Sharing a passionate first kiss as husband and wife are Chari Cuthbert and Matthew Haehl. (Maria Hibbs)

Chari and Matt cut a simple, elegant lemon-filled white sponge cake, decorated by the bride with grapes and pears. (Maria Hibbs)

The wedding cake: A simple white sponge cake with fresh lemon filling topped with grapes and pears by Chari (Maria Hibbs)

On writing their own vows: “We wrote from the heart and it was truly special,” share the newly-weds. (Maria Hibbs)

Chari and Matt had a clear vision for their reception. “We wanted an intimate, candlelit dinner with draped table linens, organic ceramic dinnerware, and clusters of lilies and fruit,” Chari tells brides.com. Maria Hibbs

A first look, a quiet moment… “Just for us, where we could share our vows. It was a beautiful pause, a chance to ground ourselves in each other’s love before stepping forward, together, to begin this next chapter surrounded by family.”Maria Hibbs

With his custom tan suit from Michel’s Bespoke, Matt wears Gucci loafers and a Rolex watch Chari had given him for his 40th birthday, and a custom pearl lapel pin and matching cufflinks made by his bride.