Couple Spent 2 Years Hand-Building a Magical Outdoor Wedding Sanctuary Featuring Waterfalls, Koi Ponds and More (Exclusive)

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Mary Luz Rodriguez Alvarez and Robert "Bob" J. McKee turned their passion for nature into a true labor of love
The couple, who wed in 2015, transformed a South Florida property into a magical wedding "sanctuary" where they could exchange vows surrounded by the calming energy of nature
"Building it took blood, sweat and tears, but above all, love and gratitude," Mary tells PEOPLE
The venue, called Living Sculpture Sanctuary, features lush botanical plants, tranquil waterfalls, koi ponds and more. It has since hosted hundreds of events and become a popular wedding destination in the Miami areaWhen Mary Luz Rodriguez Alvarez and Robert "Bob" J. McKee planned their 2015 wedding, it was a true labor of love.
The couple, seeking to celebrate and honor their passion for nature, had the idea to create a truly unique space — or "sanctuary" — where they could exchange vows surrounded by lush botanical plants and the calming energy of the natural environment. They tackled the ambitious project mostly by themselves, with help from specialist contractors such as plumbers and electricians as needed.
"It took us about two years to complete. Bob is an exceptionally skilled woodworker, which made a tremendous difference," Mary, 42, tells PEOPLE.
The two attorneys met through their shared interest and work in environmental law. During the early days of their relationship, Mary recalls Bob, 68, giving her a tour of the South Florida property where the wedding venue — now called Living Sculpture Sanctuary — would eventually be rooted. Bob had taken over the sprawling property about a year before they met.
"At that time, there was absolutely nothing on the property, not even a single bathroom," Mary says. "And yet, there was everything. It's one of the rare properties in Florida with ancient oak trees forming a majestic canopy. The environment is magical, with the trees overlooking a central lake, and you can hear birds chirping through the branches."
"The moment you stepped onto the land, you could feel an overwhelming sense of peace and belonging. It felt as though the property could speak to you, like the calming energy of a spa," she continues, sharing how the seeds of their love story were planted that day. "As we rode through the trees in a little golf cart, something special blossomed between us."
A few months later, Bob popped the question, and when he asked his then-fiancée where she wanted to get married, her answer was immediate. "I said, 'At the nursery, the place where we fell in love,' " she recalls.
And so it all began. The couple embarked on their journey of hand-building their sanctuary. "Little by little," Mary says, their wedding project took shape. To complement the surroundings, they used only natural materials such as stone, wood, travertine, granite, quartzite and onyx.
"High-end elements like Italian ceramic flooring, amethyst crystals, walnut and cedar woods, petrified wood, driftwood and even metalwork also were incorporated," Mary adds. "One highlight is the use of exotic woods like monkey pod, handcrafted into bespoke pieces like credenzas and minibars."
After lots of hard work and dedication, the end result was a stunning outdoor venue surrounded by plants and towering, 100-year-old oak trees, as well as tranquil features such as waterfalls, koi ponds, a bonsai wall, an orchid forest and a rock zen garden.
When the day finally arrived for Mary and Bob to celebrate their ceremony in the special space they had created, it was a truly unforgettable experience, Mary tells PEOPLE.
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"As a little girl, I never imagined I would one day have a fairytale wedding like that. It was such a magical moment. You could feel the energy of everyone, our family and friends, coming together at the sanctuary to celebrate our love," she says.
Not surprisingly, word spread about the one-of-a-kind place, and Mary and Bob began offering the sanctuary for use by other couples. Before long, they found themselves running a booming wedding venue, something they never planned or expected when first dreaming up the project.
"Watching brides and grooms, their families and guests connect with the magic of the space — the waterfalls, the trees, the breeze — it was breathtaking. Seeing a father look at his daughter before walking her down the aisle, full of emotion… that's when we understood the power of what we had created," Mary explains.
By the end of 2025, they will have hosted nearly 1,000 events on the property, which over the years has expanded with additions such as the Lotus Lounge and Zen Suite. But for the couple, every one of those weddings is unique and treated as if it's their own.
"Weddings at the sanctuary are truly different. We're not a 'package A, B or C' kind of venue. You don't see multiple weddings happening simultaneously. There's no rush, no conveyor belt feeling. Each ceremony is deeply intimate and intentional," Mary says.
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She tells PEOPLE it's "the greatest gift" — and an emotional experience — to watch other couples tie the knot in the place that's at the heart of her own union with Bob. "When they cry, we cry," she says of their clients. "[Weddings are] a witness to the birth of a family, the foundation of society, rooted in love and meaning."
Reflecting on creating The Sanctuary more than 10 years ago, she adds, "Building it took blood, sweat and tears, but above all, love and gratitude. That's the foundation we stand on."
Read the original article on People