I’ve seen a lot of gorgeous Cancun weddings in my day, but never one done quite like this. Think sophisticated gold hues, a stunning al fresco reception (complete with chandeliers) and a fun four day weekend with some crazy pampering. This, my friends, is Cancun glamour to the extreme. See it all captured by Ashley McCormick right here, and in the breathtaking film from Justin Clough below.
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From Ashley McCormick… Lindsey and Jeremy were married at the gorgeous Le Blanc Resort in Cancun, Mexico. The pair loves to travel together, and having been to Cancun a few times throughout their relationship, they knew it would be the perfect destination spot for their intimate, 50 person wedding. Le Blanc is a gorgeous hotel that is all white, giving the wedding a modern and airy feel to it. Lindsey left no detail undone, flying over seven suitcases down with her “details” for their big day. One of the most unique details was their “kissing maracas”, meant for the guests to shake to make the couple kiss; a little nod to the country they were in.
From the Mother of the Bride… Before stepping out, I took a long look behind me. I could barely see her through the assembled wedding party who excitedly chatted in their flowing blush pink dresses and black tuxes with bow ties. The late afternoon sun was still bright in a cloudless sky and palm trees bowed to the warm breeze… it was Cancún, after all. My daughter, Lindsey, was about to marry her best friend, Jeremy, and I wanted to cherish the moment.
Finally I caught a glimpse of the beautiful bride. We were gathered in the resort’s lobby ready to proceed to the ceremony on a grassy area overlooking the ocean. Lindsey looked radiant… a bouquet of assorted soft-colored peonies in one hand and her father’s arm in the other. After 16 months of preparations, it was time to walk down the aisle.
Lindsey grew up in Wisconsin and when she moved west, I jokingly told her to “find a nice Midwestern boy.” And within a year she met Jeremy, who is also from Wisconsin! After four years of dating, he proposed to her during a Sunday morning hike through the McDowell Sonoran Preserve near their Arizona home.
They wanted a destination wedding because it offered more than just a day to celebrate, although, finding the right place took time. They explored tropical locations from the Dominican Republic to Jamaica. It was the all-inclusive Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancún that offered everything they were looking, so they set the date for April 26, 2014.
Lindsey has exquisite style, so we knew everything would be exceptional, yet we were stunned by her impeccable attention to detail. It started with the invitation that arrived in a gold-lined, ivory envelope addressed in her creative handwriting. Inside she wrapped the ivory linen cards together in black grosgrain ribbon secured with a pearl-studded pin. Lindsey chose elegant calligraphy for the invitation that had details about the weekend’s festivities, resort accommodations, and activities including golf and spa treatments. There was also a link to the bride and groom’s website with information about booking flights and passports, profiles of the wedding party and their love story.
Upon arriving at Le Blanc, we were welcomed with champagne flutes filled with luxurious coconut milk. While seated at the check-in desk, the staff offered us warm neck wraps and every woman received a rose. It was impossible not to be distracted by the wall-to-wall glass doors framing a spectacular view of the infinity pool and stunning blue ocean! The adorably-kind butlers delivered gift bags from the bride and groom to every guest room before our arrival. Lindsey had stamped “LJ” in gold on the bags and filled them with little treats and necessities, plus some of the couple’s favorite things. An especially great idea was the covered cups with straws to use by the pool that she customized with “LJ” and a sparkly diamond ring sticker for the girls and a mustache for the guys. Also enclosed was a “Welcome to México!” packet printed on ivory linen cards and tied with pretty tulle ribbon. It included a schedule of the wedding events, helpful Spanish phrases, information about the resort and spa, and a sweet note from Lindsey and Jeremy.
The four-day celebration began on Thursday evening with the wedding rehearsal. On Friday evening, the Lindsey and Jeremy hosted a Welcome White Party on the beach. We all dressed in white, left our shoes behind and enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and signature “white” drinks with gold foil napkins saying “Every great love story begins with a cocktail, at least ours did!” As the sun set, we lingered and mingled on the white, cushioned couches for hours.
The wedding was at 4 o’clock on Saturday afternoon. Before the ceremony, Lindsey and Jeremy shared an emotional “first look.” They met in the lobby where its floor-to-ceiling white draperies provided a studio-like backdrop for photographs. After pictures with the wedding party and family, it was time for the wedding. Well, after the bridesmaids shared a private toast with Lemon Drop shots!
About 55 guests welcomed the bride as she walked down an aisle covered in pale pink and ivory rose petals. The accompanying music was Canon in D, a song Lindsey had grown up playing on the piano and dreamt about hearing someday as she walked toward her handsome groom. Lindsey and Jeremy shared individually-written vows and happy tears. After a sentimental blessing by the officiant, the new Mr. and Mrs. Riechers kissed and glowingly retreated hand-in-hand to Queen’s “You’re My Best Friend.”
While the wedding party took pictures and had fun with the videographer, guests were led to an outdoor minibar featuring bride and groom specialty drinks with blush/white or gold/white striped straws. Lindsey also had gold foil napkins reading “Mr. & Mrs. Jeremy and Lindsey Riechers.” When the wedding party joined the guests, we toasted the newlyweds with champagne. Before dinner everyone gathered in the lobby where Lindsey’s brother, Owen, surprised the couple by playing “River Flows in You” on the grand piano.
As we stepped onto the private terrace for the reception, the sunset was breathtaking. Guests were seated at round tables with gold sequined tablecloths and statuesque vases of peonies, roses and ranunculus. The lavender lighting and floating candles in staggered vessels created a magical atmosphere. On each gold-beaded dinner charger was a menu card rimmed in sparkling gold with place cards set in crystal, diamond-shaped holders. The bride and groom were seated with the wedding party at a large table. Vases wrapped in ivory silk bows held the bridesmaid’s bouquets. Lindsey and Jeremy planned their wedding to be black tie, yet they also wanted a touch of México. So they provided gold maracas decorated with tulle ribbon and a tag saying, “Shake this to make the Mr. & Mrs. Kiss!”
Following dessert, Jeremy made a loving toast to his bride and guests. Then suddenly the large, terrace double doors opened to a lighted dance floor and energetic music by Miami DJ Benji Solis. We all flooded the dance floor! In the terrace lobby, everyone had fun taking Polaroids for the guest book and writing in marriage advice, silly memories and good wishes for the newlyweds. On an adjoining table, black & white wedding photos of Lindsey and Jeremy’s relatives were displayed in antique gold frames. Midnight arrived much too soon!
The day after the wedding was set aside for relaxing in the warm México sunshine. Guests lounged by the pool or in beachfront cabanas, walked along the shore and took advantage of spa treatments.
On Monday morning Lindsey and Jeremy hosted a Newlywed Brunch in a secluded poolside area. There were platters of scrumptious pastries, fresh fruits, mimosas, hot or chilled coffees, and plenty of luxurious coconut milk! All of the food and service at Le Blanc was excellent — the staff always replied to guests with “It’s my pleasure!” We admitted to being spoiled for life!
Before leaving for the airport that afternoon, I looked back and cherished seeing my daughter with her new husband both so happily in love and ready to begin their new life together!
Photography: Ashley McCormick Photography | Videography: Justin Clough | Floral Design: Maya Floral | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Cake: Le Blanc | Bride's Shoes: Valentino | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Monique Lhuillier | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BCBGMAXAZRIA | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Le Blanc | DJ: Benji Solis | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Audio/Visual: JSAV | Bridal Salon: Destiny's Bridal | Groom's Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo | Location: Le Blanc | Rentals: Le Blanc