When this fun-loving couple decided to renew their vows on their 10 year anniversary, they wanted to plan a celebration that paid homage to their wedding, included the bride’s heritage, and incorporated their love as a couple for Mexican cuisine and culture – so naturally, they landed on a fiesta! With the planning and styling help of Two Be Wed and the crazy talented floral arranging skills of Flower Power Productions, the bride (half of the duo behind Mustard Seed Photography) created a vibrant celebration filled with Mexican touches including churros, tequila tasting, a cigar bar, a taco truck, and so much more! Hello, best day ever. Captured by Paloma Blanca Fine Art Photography, this is a gallery that cannot be missed.
From the Bride… When Derek and I got married 10 years ago, we were young 21 year old college kids eager to spend the rest of our lives together. I won’t say we rushed the wedding, but I will say he proposed in June and we were married by September. All the formalities of weddings just weren’t our thing then, so we decided to do a quick ceremony at our favorite art gallery in San Antonio, had a friend shoot the big day, and celebrated with about 40 close friends and family at our favorite Mexican restaurant. We honeymooned in Mexico City – it’s full of vibrant colors and art, music and fun.
The next few years of our lives were a whirlwind! As we passed our nine year anniversary, we knew we wanted to do something special for the big 10, but we weren’t sure what. We talked about how we could pay homage to our love story, somehow including my Mexican heritage and our love of the Mexican culture, and it was then that we decided on a fiesta.
If 10 years of marriage has taught us anything, it’s that above all else, you have to focus on what matters to you most – so we ran with it! Being in the wedding industry, I contacted some of my closest friends to help me put my ideas into motion. We brought on an incredibly talented florist, known for his unique and vibrant designs, and a styling/planning company who always puts together the most creative and well-thought out weddings. Together they created something magical – like a fiesta, but even better. The celebration was filled with unique design elements and lots of fun stations for our guests to enjoy: churros, tequila tasting, a cigar bar, and so much more! It took my husband just over a month, but he personally made all the wooden signage for each station AND did the calligraphy! Yes, I know he’s amazing. Instead of a traditional seated dinner, we had a food truck come from one of our favorite restaurants.
Instead of a traditional ceremony, we did a special vow exchange. We had a mariachi band play during our guests’ arrival and were then introduced to our friends and family. We went straight into our vow exchange, with our guests circling all around us. I have never felt so connected to those who mean everything to me. We sobbed during our vow renewal and heard our guests crying happy tears too. We made sure to incorporate our eight-year-old daughter by giving her a beautiful Mexican necklace. As we kissed and danced, our guests all shook maracas. It was so magical and fun!
It was without a doubt one of the best nights of my life and the perfect complement to our wedding. We have SO many gorgeous photos documenting the day, taken by my best friend (and partner at Mustard Seed), Alicia Pyne, who shoots film under her brand Paloma Blanca Fine Art. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to celebrate our anniversary!
After 10 years of marriage, we have learned that it isn’t always easy. There will be hardships and there will be tough times, but overcoming those hardships together as a couple is what makes a marriage worth it all – to know that you will still be able to stand across from the one you love and come out on top. Make time for each other above all else because after the wedding day is over and the honeymoon has come to an end, work will get busy, days will seem shorter, and on the really hard days you may even forget the “whys” of marriage. Keep your love close and never forget that the two of you are what matters the most. And most importantly, be best friends! Laugh together often and always find ways to keep having fun with one another. Even on our worst days, I can always count on my husband to put a smile on my face!
Photography: Paloma Blanca Fine Art | Floral Design: Flower Power Productions | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Shoes: Topshop | Hair + Makeup : Sunkissed And Made Up | DJ: GTX Productions | Groom's Attire: Nordstrom | Venue: Madera Estates | Bowtie: The Bird & Pear | Churro Station: Don Churro | Event Planning + Styling: Two Be Wed | Food Truck: Tila's | Laser Cut Fiesta Details: Post-Studio Projects | Maracas + Fans: Amols | Mariachis: Yaneros Mariachis | Papel Picado Signage: Vintagebabydoll | Personalized Party Goods: Sip Hip Hooray | Table Runners: Mesa Chic | Veil: Brides And Hairpins | Wooden Signs: Handmade by Groom
