New England is getting hit with yet another snow storm today, so I’m somewhat selfishly sharing this Mexico wedding by Style Art Life to virtually soak up all the gorgeous virtual sunshine. It’s for the greater good though, because this seaside soiree is just too pretty to pass up whatever the weather. It’s an example of why destination weddings are just so darn dreamy, and you can join me in a little faux sunshine right here.

 

From the Bride… Having been to the Riviera Maya before, we knew it would be the perfect setting when we decided to have a destination wedding. Our goal was to have a place that would be easily accessible for our guests but also more importantly, a place that was going to be all about having fun!

Since our wedding was a beach wedding set in Mexico, we wanted the wedding style to incorporate some hints of the sea to our Spanish theme. Wedding colors were chosen based on the colors found inside of a conch. Light peach, pinks, nudes & crème. We kept our ceremony décor simple and clean to keep the focus on the beauty of beach. We were blessed with perfect weather and kept the party going al fresco next to the beach for the reception.

Nelson proposed to me in Oia, Santorini in Greece and we had collected sand from both the Red Beach and the Black Beach during our stay there. This was not planned while we were collecting the sand but once we decided to have our wedding in Mexico, it became important for us that we used the sand from our engagement destination for the sand ceremony at our wedding destination. It made the sand ceremony that much more special for us.

We planned and designed all of the details of the wedding ourselves and did a lot of DIY projects. The groom hand drew the wedding map that was incorporated into our invitations with the help of our good friend Margaret Park who is a graphic designer. We had the most fun choosing our photo props and creating our photo prop signs which perfectly set the mood for what we wanted our wedding to be: Crazy!

Wedding Photography: Twah Dougherty from Style Art Life | Wedding Venue: Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa in Cancun, Mexico | Floral Design: Flores Julieta | Event Design + Planning: Bride + Groom | Cake Topper + Signs: Lazy Caterpillar | Paper Goods Design + Monogram: DIY by Bride + Margaret Park | Invitation Map: Hand Drawn by the Groom | DJ: DJ Bijan from Mayan Vibes | Photo Booth Props: DIY by Bride + Groom | Favors: Patron Tequila | Wedding Dress: Anna Maier Ulla Maija via Bergdorf Goodman | Veil: Erica Elizabeth Designs | Bride’s Accessories: Nordstrom |Garter: Mirela Olariu | Hair Accessories: BHLDN | Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin + TOMS | Clutch: Anya Hindmarch | Bridesmaids’ Shoes: TOMS | Groom’s Attire: Louis Purple | Groomsmen Attire: Express | Groomsmen Ties: Me and Matilda

Simplicity is probably my favorite style. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll swoon over a ballroom wedding in a hot second – but show me a wedding where love is the greatest detail of all, and I’ll show you one happy blogger. Because that’s when the real details have room to shine. Take for instance, this Puerto Vallarta wedding captured by Rouxby. Just a simple candlelit party, where all the guests were groomsmen or bridesmaids on some of the prettiest beaches in Mexico – all centering around two people head over heels in love. Simplicity has never looked more fabulous, and you can see it all right here.

 

From Rouxby… This simple wedding kept true to who the couple is, while paying homage to the Mexican beach on which it took place. The guests were all bridesmaids and groomsmen of sort; they all wore black attire (most of the girls’ dresses made by the bride’s mother) and created a kind of cohesion in the wedding guests that did indeed feel like a wedding party in attendance. The ceremony and reception took place on a beach impossible to get to by car. The bride, her mother and grandmother (three generations) took a boat over early and relaxed in a mountaintop open-air cottage, enjoying champagne and simple seafood from the bay below.

The guests and the groom arrived by boat shortly before the ceremony commenced at sunset. The entire beach and hacienda where dinner was served was lit only by candlelight. Hundreds of tea light candles lined pathways and tables. The bride’s flowers were the bright tropical pinks and oranges that are at home in the jungle environment. The simple, well-made tables and chairs were constructed by local villagers, and all of the food – even tortillas and breads – were made on site. The bride’s mother made ceramic sea creatures that lined the table, but aside from that there were only flowers and candlelight for decor.

The bride and groom themselves were simply dressed. The bride wore her great grandmother’s antique earrings and necklace; a something old and something blue all in one. The dress was simple; her shoes were sandals or none at all. After a candlelight dinner, guests moved to a bonfire on the beach below and danced until the boat docked to take them back to hotels. This wedding was delightful in its simplicity. The power of candlelight; of a truly breathtaking location; of a simple dress code for intimate guests — it all created an incredibly beautiful, old-fashioned evening. A reminder that well-placed simplicity–and a priority of who attends and where–can be all you need.

Wedding Photography: Rouxby | Wedding Venue: Las Caletas in in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico | Event Planning: Blanca Ramirez from Vallarta Adventures | Floral Design: Vallarta Adventures

The second my eyes graced all the gorgeous sitting in this post, I was a goner. I knew from that moment on, I would spend this day drooling over all the Cabo prettiness captured by Callaway Gable, inevitably delaying my productivity a bit. But it’s worth it and then some, because every image is a dream come true. And the couple in the middle of it all? They are a vision, making your hours spent in this gallery feel like you are flipping through the most stylish of magazines. See it all here.

 

From the Bride…We both love to travel and knew we wanted to tie the knot in a destination setting but wanted it close enough so most of our guest would be able to attend the celebration with us. Since we live in California and a lot of our guests were from California we choose Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. I knew I wanted to keep everything very simple and clean because I did not want to take away from the beautiful architecture. My colors were light grey, tan, white and an accent of green.The wedding was held in a beautiful wooden chapel that looks over the water. It is open on both ends to let the ocean breeze through and it has a giant iron cross hanging down in the front. The chapel was not a working chapel but an architectural setting for weddings to take place. This all took place at The Cabo Azul Resort.

We had a traditional Christian Ceremony and my father was the one who officiated the wedding. It was a very emotional ceremony for everyone because he was able to tell personal stories that were from the heart. The ceremony was very personal to us since my father was marrying us and he was able to tell specifics from our lives that everyone was able to relate to. It was also very emotional because he was giving away his first daughter to a man that she loves.

The reception was held at Javier’s Restaurant on the deck outside which was also located at the resort and  My husband surprised everyone by hiring fire dancers and it was such a hit. Even people from other resorts and people who had been walking on the beach came over to see the amazing show. Friends of ours had their yacht there and they let us take it out for a week after the wedding. We invited 3 other couples from the wedding party and all lived on the boat for a week. We fished, snorkeled, swam with sea lions and went exploring in all the cities around Cabo. My favorite memory of the day was my husband’s speech to me during the reception. I had never heard my husband speak in public and it was the most beautiful speech and I could tell he meant every word he said

Wedding Photography: Brian and Allison Callaway from Callaway Gable | Wedding Venue: Cabo Azul Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico | Floral Design: Areté Florals | Dessert: Cabo Azul Resort | Ceremony Music: Trio Los Mosquitos | Reception Music: DJ Ricardo Patino from DJ System | Wedding Dress: Anne Barge | Groom’s Attire: Joseph Abboud | Hair: Carolyn Kennebeck | Makeup: Keely Brown

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