90 Day Fiancé stars Marissa Rubinetti and Edward Miguel Gomez are married!

The couple said “I do” on Friday, Nov. 7, during a “neutral, sophisticated, romantic, and cozy” wedding, which played out on the season 12 finale of the TLC series on Sunday, Sept. 6. Exclusively speaking to PEOPLE, the newlyweds describe their nuptials as “a dream come true” and “one of the most special days” of their lives.

“Getting married represented the culmination of a long and sometimes difficult journey,” says Marissa, who met Edward in his native country, the Dominican Republic, while on a girls’ trip. “We spent years in a long-distance relationship and worked hard to build a future together in the United States.”

She continues, “Marriage means committing to one another through every season of life, whether it’s exciting, challenging, joyful, or difficult. It’s knowing that we’re choosing each other every day and continuing to move forward together no matter what comes our way.”

The couple wed in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. They chose to “speak from the heart” by exchanging personal vows. The union also incorporated a lasso ceremony, a Dominican wedding tradition in which a lasso was placed around the couple by their mothers to symbolize their eternal bond and two families joining into one.

“It was a beautiful and meaningful way to honor Edward’s culture while celebrating the love and support surrounding our marriage,” Marissa shares, adding, “I also wanted to include smaller Dominican-inspired details throughout the celebration. For example, every guest received custom chocolates wrapped in packaging featuring the Dominican flag.”

The bride notes that she wanted the celebration to feel “intimate,” unlike her first wedding, which “felt overwhelming at times” because it was attended by more than 200 guests. So, Marissa and Edward invited just 55 loved ones, including Marissa’s two sons with her ex-husband, to prioritize “quality time.”

“I wanted something that felt intimate, timeless, and true to who we are,” Marissa tells PEOPLE.

It was most important to Marissa and Edward, who has also been previously married, that their celebration was “authentic” to them, reflecting their relationship and family. Everything came together “pretty quickly” once they began planning after Edward arrived in the U.S. Instead of getting caught up in small details, they focused on “big-picture elements,” such as the food.

“We made sure there was something for everyone,” Marissa says. “As an Italian American, I firmly believe food is one of the stars of any wedding, so having a variety of delicious options for our guests was incredibly important to us.”

Slices of the three-tiered, gold-accented wedding cake — vanilla cake with buttercream icing and strawberry cake with buttercream icing — were served for dessert

As a longtime employee of Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City, Marissa has seen her fair share of wedding dresses. Over her career, she developed a “special relationship” with designer Pnina Tornai, so she knew she would have her own Say Yes to the Dress moment in one of her gowns.

“Finding the dress wasn’t easy because there were so many beautiful options, but I ultimately chose a gown that felt sexy yet tasteful,” Marissa says. “I wanted to highlight my figure, incorporate some sparkle, and embrace modern bridal trends.”

The gown’s corset-style bodice and intricate detailing “immediately” caught Marissa’s eye.

Instead of a traditional veil, Marissa wore a choker with long, flowing pieces extending from the back, creating a dramatic veil-like effect. She says, “It felt unique, fashion-forward, and completely aligned with my vision.”

Meanwhile, Edward sported a classic black tux with a white rose boutonniere.

“One of the things I admire most about Edward is his positivity,” Marissa gushes. “No matter the obstacle, he always believes there is a solution and a brighter future ahead. He’s incredibly patient, kind, supportive, and willing to do anything to make me happy.”

The couple loves spending time together, including the simple, everyday moments.

“It’s sharing dinner, spending time with the kids, watching television together, running errands, and simply having a true partner who supports you and stands by your side,” Marissa tells PEOPLE.

The newlyweds say they’re “excited about whatever comes next.”

“I recently started my own business, and Edward continues exploring opportunities in baseball and building his future in the United States,” Marissa explains.

Marissa credits effective communication as the key to her relationship.

“Like any couple, we’ve faced challenges, but we’ve learned how to communicate through them,” she shares. “One of the strongest aspects of our relationship is our ability to talk openly, solve problems together, and continue growing as a team.”