Six of England's medieval queens used the castle as a royal residence. The Miamians discovered the castle while attending summer classes at University College through the University of Miami School of Law's London study program. The two met while attending law school at University of Miami. More than 35 guests from Miami will attend the civil ceremony. Others attending include Jerry Markowitz, managing partner of Lapote's current firm and its office manager Cecilia Pelaez.
English law requires people who marry in the country to establish residency.
On March 1, the day after taking the bar exam, Lapote and Rubio flew to London, stayed the seven days required and applied for residency. The two plan to honeymoon in Ireland. Miami Beach police arrested Merl, a former president of the Dade County Trial Lawyers Association, on March 7 for DUI, possession of marijuana and a controlled substance. When officer Glen Hodges approached Merl, he noticed Merl had watery, bloodshot eyes and an odor of alcoholic beverage on his breath. An inventory of Merl's vehicle revealed a small amount of marijuana, a pipe, a brown bottle with a white powder residue and a baggie with numerous prescription drugs inside a black overnight bag, the report said.