Sayulita Garden Wedding by Jillian Mitchell Photography
We are having a Mexico Wedding kind of day. It must be the grip of Spring fever that has us New Englanders dreaming of sandy beaches and cocktails in the warm sun. Or maybe it’s just that this dreamy garden wedding meets Mexico is out of this world GORGEOUS. Photographed by the lovely Jillian Mitchell with design and styling courtesy of Mishka Designs, this is a full on destination wedding extravaganza and you all are invited. See more of the day here.
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From the Bride… It was 4 years ago Thanksgiving that Kent and I met in Sayulita, Mexico. My best friend, Rachael, from growing up married Kent’s god brother. I had never heard of Sayulita before in my life and was excited to escape NYC over the holidays for a week of sun and fun with old friends. Little did I know that week would change my life so dramatically and wonderfully. Over the next few days we spent all our free time together swimming in the ocean, strolling on the beach, enjoying the local scene. Four years later we are headed back to the beautiful place where we first met. I couldn’t think of a better place to fall in love.
Since picking the spot for the wedding was sorted the day we met, now it was time for me to work out how we were going to do it. Luckily Rachael put me in touch with the wedding planner she used four years prior for her nuptials – Kerry Moehler. Kerry was a pleasure to work with and helped us choose the perfect venue for the big day – Don Pedro’s Palapa at the south end of town. We looked at a few places, but knew the Palapa was right for us since it sits atop this hill overlooking the ocean with panoramic views of the coast and town. Next was trying to decide on a design for the space. Kerry had just finished doing a wedding at the Palapa and had worked with Mishka Designs to turn the space into something so amazing. I scoured all the pictures – which were featured in Travel and Leisure magazine a few months ago – and was blown away. I knew right then I had to get Mishka on board in order to create the perfect setting for our big day.
And then the heavy internet searching day in and day out began. I would scour wedding websites, blogs and other favorite lifestyle blogs to find pictures of event space design, flowers and other ideas that stood out to me. It came to be that the pictures I sent all had a similar theme that Mishka eventually coined as Vintage Garden Chic. Perfection! I love the feel of a cozy backyard party with lots of candles, white lights, old benches, comfy pillows, a space that feels familiar and comfortable with a shabby chic spin to it. Or as Mishka told me in an email – “I’m totally seeing spring and garden and light and airy and romantic.” The one thing I told Mishka we must have as part of the design were mason jars to put candles in. I bought a ton of blue vintage mason jars on EBAY and brought them down with me to Sayulita. Mishka really surprised me with her design for the dance floor – hand painted mason jars hanging from the Palapa ceiling with Candles inside. It was truly magical and super special!
I had told Mishka and Kerry that we wanted to create a loungey feel outside of the Palapa where guests could go to enjoy the views, chat and relax. Mishka went above and beyond and came up with her awesome photo booth set up and then Jillian, our amazing photographer, leveraged Mishka’s set-up to get some of the most awesomely funny photo booth shots of the night.
Choosing my wedding dress proved to be an easy task. I ended up buying the first dress I tried on here in Portland. It was everything I had ever wanted in a wedding gown – delicate, elegant and feminine. Monique Lhuillier really knows how to make a wedding dress and after a few alterations, my lace Miranda gown fit like a glove. I paired it with a champagne satin sash and petal pink Badgely Mishka heels. I thought the lace would work really well in Mexico.

Wedding Photographer: Jillian Mitchell Photography / Bridal Gown: Monique Lhuillier / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Tommy Bahama / Bridesmaids Attire: J.Crew / Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Location: La Terrazola Restaurant, Sayulita, Mexico / Wedding Ceremony Location: Brisa del Mar Palapa, Sayulita, Mexico / Event Design: Mishka Designs / Wedding Coordinator: Kerry Moehler / Hair and Makeup: Kolor by Kori
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All of it is soooo lovely, but the dress is amazing!!!
Where did you get the coffee mugs at? I've been looking for a favor like that, but everything I've found is chesy.
Gorgeous wedding!!! Are the favors shot glasses or coffee mugs? Either way they are so cute! Where did you find them?
It has just enough flavor without being too themed. Beautiful colors.. so very classy and really unique. The bride has great style and it shows!
This wedding is perfection! Could anyone tell me where I can find those gorgeous pillows?!
Yes that location is beautiful.
The mugs are actually shot glasses! Probably the biggest I've ever seen. The pillows were made by Mishka Designs. www.mishkadesignspv.com.
Loved your whole look - the bouquets of flowers - all one color and variety, the necklaces for the bridemaids, the sand / sun colors the simplicity, the warmth. You did a fabulous job and I so wish I could have been there.
love the aqua necklaces paired with the peach colored bridesmaids dresses! fab!
LOVE it! Wish I could have been there. Jenn did an amazing job creating a vision, and it was executed on beautifully. And yes, as a close friend, I can tell you that the bride does have great style!
Thanks for all the awesome comments. Jillian is so talented and really did an amazing job of capturing so many beautiful moments and all the amazing details. The shot glasses were made in Oregon by Michael Metz. His website is www.metzstudio.com.
OMG the necklaces the bridesmaids are wearing, where can I get one? Have been looking for one for a year now, but is nowhere to be found in Copenhagen. Gorgeous wedding!
The necklaces came from www.stelladot.com! They are fabulous. And also check out www.elvafields.com for other awesome finds.
I knew I recognized those necklaces as Stella and Dot pieces! I'm a new Stella & Dot Stylist and the necklaces are wonderful. I just ordered that one for my jewelry presentation. http://www.stelladot.com/sites/elegantcoretta .
What a lovely idea; the ceramic cup favors! Something I've never seen.
I like the 50's color look and the brides simple but beautiful dress
A huge thank you to Mishka Designs for her amazing creativity and gorgeous designs. She is absolutely the best there is in wedding styling. :) http://www.mishkadesignspv.blogspot.com/
Lovely wedding!! Did you say you brought the mason jars with you? I'm getting married in Mexico in June and was also wanted to use mason jars. How did you package them?
Gorgeous! Very detail inspired!
Which dress design is this---it is gorgeous!!!!