Bacardi Rum Heiress Hilda Maria Bacardi's Daughter Erica Is Married!

Congratulations are in order for the Bacardi family! Erica Vazquez-Bacardi and Joey Depriest-Capparelli were married on March 4, 2023, in Orlando, Florida, according to our sister brand People, who first shared the exclusive wedding news. Erica is the daughter of heiress Hilda Maria Bacardi, who is from the fifth generation of the Bacardi rum spirits family. To kick off the celebration, the couple traded vows at The Palm Ballroom at the Four Seasons Orlando at Walt Disney World, which their wedding planner, David Tutera, transformed into a magical forest setting. Alex Paul Photography was on hand to capture every special detail.

To create an illusion of water, Erica—who wore a Galia Lahav wedding dress—walked down a winding aisle, lined with moss, shrubs, and flowers. Once Erica met her soon-to-be husband at the altar, the bride and groom recited vows in front of a backdrop of stained glass windows and dripping wisteria. During the ceremony, which Tutera officiated, sounds of trickling water wafted around them. Moss and trees scattered around the perimeter also brought the dreamy theme to life.

After they were pronounced husband and wife, the newlyweds’ friends and family enjoyed refreshments at the Grand Ballroom Foyer for cocktail hour. An iron gate adorned with vines and flowers greeted guests once they entered the room. Then, they found their seats on escort cards affixed to tall trees and grabbed beverages that were each infused with a different Bacardi liquor to honor the family’s brand, such as an old Cuban with Bacardi 8, a lavender martini with Grey Goose, and a spicy margarita mixed with Patron Reposado.

The next phase of festivities took place at The Grand Ballroom, which again, featured the forest theme. Friends and family sat at X-shaped tables designed for intimacy and round tables, which were each draped in tablecloths with lavender silk underlays and sheer white overlays. Custom lavender amethyst candles and textured floral centerpieces added depth and dimension to the tablescapes. “The flowers are intended to take your breath away as you experience the visual beauty,” Tutera told People. Guests also sat on moss green chairs, which further enhanced the aesthetic.

A huge focal point of the evening was a custom dance floor, which the planner explained “looks like you are dancing on water in the middle of the forest.” Trees were planted on all four corners of the dance floor to create a canopy, and a hanging installation of wisteria floated above the scene. With performances from Grammy Award-winning hip hop violinist Ben Ari and Tony and Grammy-nominated Shoshana Bean, plus a killer playlist from DJ Valentina, the dance floor was popping all night.

During the introductions, first dance, and toasts, guests chose a traditional plated appetizer, such as a vegan basil hummus tart with Aleppo chili, mini brie bites with fig jam and macron almond, and beef Wellington with red onion marmalade, among other small bites. Then, the couple’s loved ones enjoyed a variety of entrée stations that served beef tenderloin, fish, or poultry, along with assorted breads and other side dishes. For dessert, the newlyweds debuted a light sage cake with a cascade of hand-painted sugar flowers in lilac, ivory, and blush tones. The confection featured a variety of the duo’s favorite flavors, from chocolate ganache to salted caramel gelato, and even included a nod to the family’s business with Bacardi 8 rum crème anglaise. Later, more sweets were available for loved ones: Floral cupcakes, macarons, and mini desserts designed in the celebration's color palette ensured a sweet end to the evening.

The wedding concluded with a bang. At the end of the night, LED graphic windows appeared and opened to show graphic illustrations of vines, butterflies, trees, and waterfalls. Then, cirque performers, mirrored dance performers, and choreographed flash mob put on a show. Friends and family also noshed on late-night snacks of truffle macaroni and cheese and mini hot dogs.