Sarah Klugh & Juan Carciente

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Sarah Klugh and Juan Carciente's affinity for decades past inspired a multi-cultural wedding replete with personal touches … and a whole lot of glam. Juan is from Rosario, Argentina, and Sarah is from “all over.” Accordingly, their 175 guests were drawn from across the United States and from South and Central America.

They picked The Fountains Ballroom in Glenwood, Iowa, for their ceremony and reception. Their retro wedding incorporated elements reminiscent of the Victorian Era, the Roaring Twenties, the Golden Age of the Thirties, the glamour of the Forties and the “Happy Days” of the Fifties. Sarah admits to sweating the details — dangling crystals, candelabras, votives, feathers and chandeliers — set against a soft palette of lavender, eggplant, cream, blush, pink and pale green. But the end result, she says, was worth it.

Sarah's Emerald Couture dress made her feel like a “1950s Glamour Barbie.” The gown's hemline was tapered in the front to show off satin heels adorned with crystal brooches. Sarah was all-Hollywood in her red lipstick, nails and dramatic Audrey Hepburn-esque up-do. Juan and his groomsmen wore black James Bond-style tuxes with Juan in a white dinner coat.

Sarah and Juan live a long way from immediate family members, but did everything they could to include them in their special day. Sarah's father officiated; an uncle sang “Only Fools Rush In” by Elvis Presley, and old family photos were displayed on antique easels. Sarah even had her grandmother's wedding dress on display.

Juan and Sarah wrote their vows; Sarah's nephews were ring bearers. During the ceremony, Juan and Sarah presented their mothers with jade-and- sterling-silver artisan bracelets to symbolize that they both now have a new and loving family in another country.

Guests were served Malbec, a red wine made with Argentina's signature grape, and a rosé from an Iowa winery Juan and Sarah had visited the night before their engagement. Guests were assigned to tables named for Argentine cities; the DJ called out each city to release guests to the buffet.

A dramatic moment of the evening came when Sarah — in a change of dress — descended the staircase to serenade Juan with a Doris Day version of “When I Fall in Love.”

Then the dancing began!

Juan and Sarah are avid Latin dancers. Salsa, meringue, and bachata were among the most popular numbers. The dance that stole the night, however, saw Juan and his mother doing a graceful Argentine tango.

WHO DID WHAT

CEREMONY & RECEPTION SITE The Fountains Ballroom, Glenwood, Iowa

CATERING John Ford, Contemporary Food Management, Omaha

CAKE Linda Tills, Fremont, Neb.

BRIDAL GOWN Emerald Couture

RECEPTION DRESS Alfred Angelo

BRIDE'S HAIR Peg Brown, Ambiance Salon, onsite. The bride, formerly with Lancome, did her makeup.

MEN'S ATTIRE Men's Wearhouse

RINGS Hers, Brodkey's; his, J.C. Penney

FLOWERS Fountains Ballroom

PHOTOGRAPHY Fountains Photography

MUSIC Ben Doll, 360 Entertainment

TRANSPORTATION The Bus Inc., Council Bluffs