Mexico Weddings

One part stunning wedding, one part totally awesome vacation, this darling duo knew exactly what they were doing when they whisked their friends and family off to the Secrets Silversands in the Riviera Maya to say “I do.”  Think a breathtaking seaside ceremony meets awe-inspiring details (read: dancing under the stars) meets a whole lot of pampering, Silversands style.  Head to The Vault for every last moment captured by Darling Photography.

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From the Bride… When Dave and I first got engaged we knew immediately that we wanted to have a destination wedding. Neither of us wanted a “traditional” wedding, and since traveling together has been a huge part of our relationship from the start, a destination wedding just fit. We both grew up spending most of our summers on the coast, so of course getting married on the beach would be perfect!

We told our travel agent that we wanted a place with a beautiful beach, high ratings, but still affordable for us to travel to (coming from the Northeast USA) and she immediately recommended the Riviera Maya area. We looked through all of the resorts available there, and quickly settled on Secrets Silversands because it was gorgeous, 18+, all-inclusive, and had great wedding options. We basically wanted to plan a vacation with our closest family and friends, and have our wedding be the pinnacle of the vacation.

Since we wanted our wedding to be simple the planning was really easy. The most important things to me were to have a great beach setting, and to be able to bring our photographer (Darling Photo)! The resort really took care of the rest of the details and I was able to focus on choosing my dress, the girls’ dresses, and finding great bouquets we could bring with us.

Our wedding day was perfect. I have relived it a million times and still wouldn’t change a thing. The resort spa nailed my hair, the weather turned out beautiful, and our wedding planner (and photographer, thank God for her) kept everything exactly on schedule. We had a great little ceremony on the beach, and then a fantastic cocktail hour beside the beach. If I could do it all over again I’d do it exactly the same!

Photography: Darling Photography | Floral Design: K & A Artistic Events | Venue: Secrets Silversands, Riviera Maya | Bridal Boutique: Marry & Tux

Destination weddings aren’t always easy to pull off. Especially destination weddings as beautiful as this one. With a merging of cultures and families, incredibly rich details, gorgeous rentals from Canteiro and a backdrop that makes you want to drop everything and pack your bags. And thanks to the lovely Diana Lupu who snapped the pics, we get to pretend like we were right there with them. More here!

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From Photographer Diana Lupu … Looking back, there was so much heart behind this wedding and so much love surrounded this special couple, that even the weather reflected the array of emotions. From sunshine to happy showers to rainbows, it was an incredible event to witness and be a part of. The Fairmont Mayakoba served as the backdrop for this lovely destination wedding, which hosted guests from around the world. Friends and family poured in from around the country as well across the “pond,” England. Their ceremony was especially significant and beautiful, decorated with traditional elements that celebrated Nazaneen’s family’s Persian culture. The wedding merged Nazaneen and Stephen’s Iranian-English background and it was just the perfect day for this perfectly matched couple.

Photography: Diana Lupu | Wedding Coordinator: Fairmont Mayakoba Riveria Maya Hotel | Wedding Dress: Alexia's Bridal | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Brideside | Catering: Fairmont Mayakoba Riveria Maya Hotel | Hair And Makeup: Carolina Bellavista | DJ: Blissful Entertainment | Groom's Attire: Burberry | Hotel: Fairmont Mayakoba Riveria Maya Hotel | Bridal Jewelry: Alexis Bittar | Furniture Rentals: Canteiro | Venue & Hotel: Fairmont Mayakoba Riveria Maya Hotel

Planning a destination wedding is no easy feat, but thanks to SIGNATURE, Event Consulting & Design every detail of this Riviera Maya affair went off without a hitch. From the bride who rocked a killer ballgown on the beach to the blooms all designed by Elena Damy, this tropical “I do” is going down as a favorite. More in the gallery from Samuel Lippke right here and don’t dare miss the film from Elysium Productions.

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From Signature Event Consulting & Design…Meredith and Rob truly represent the romance, joy and beauty of a meaningful destination wedding. You could tell they were very committed to each other and to their beloved families and friends from day one. Every single decision during the wedding planning process was ultimately made to honor that commitment.

When planning a destination wedding, some couples face the challenge of elevating the chosen destination to a desired level of sophistication. For Meredith & Rob’s wedding, this was not a challenge at all. The wedding was hosted at the beautiful Riviera Maya, where we worked together with an amazing team to deliver an elegant, fresh and very romantic soirée.

Meredith wanted a décor that wouldn’t feel heavy or unsuitable for such a beautiful area. Elena Damy was in charge of the floral design. She created a graceful, delicate and elegant look with every single bloom. We worked with a soft color palette of blush, ivory and hints of green. It was just perfection.

From The Bride…My advice to future couples is to be connected and get to know your team of wedding planners and consultants, because if you trust and have confidence in them your day will be relaxing and you will enjoy every minute; communicate the vision you have for your special day and the elements that are important to you, but then let your team make your dream come true (they are talented and if you let them shine they will exceed every expectation); make it about you and your partner-to-be, this day is all about the two of you and your wedding should be an extension of you two. Take the moment in, as people will tell you the wedding will go faster, but trust us, it goes even faster than they say. Make sure to take a few minutes during the reception to step back and look around the room, take it all in. Because, I promise you will want to remember, the way the room looked, the way it made you feel, the expressions on people’s faces as they danced and every other detail that you no ticed because you helped plan those small things (the menu on the table, the table number, the centerpiece, the cocktail napkin, etc.). Finally, have fun! Say hi to people, but make sure to relax, have the food, dance dance dance, and have the time of your life. 

My favorite memory of our wedding day was that it was our dream made a reality and more. Specifically, two moments that stood out were (1) our ceremony, particularly the vows read by our Rabbi that Rob and I wrote to one another (without the other reading it) and that we held our rings over each other’s heart; this moment was so unique and special and (2) the reception, particularly that people had the time of their lives as evidenced by never leaving the dance floor. It was so much fun.

Photography: Samuel Lippke Studios | Cinematography: Elysium Productions | Event Planning: SIGNATURE, Event Consulting and Design | Floral Design: ELENA DAMY Destination Wedding Planners, Floral & Event Designers | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Invitations: Bella Figura | Wedding Venue: Rosewood Mayakoba

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It’s official – I need a vacation.  Or more specifically, a dream-worthy excursion to the Riviera Maya. Because if there is one thing that this gorgeous wedding has taught me, it’s that Secrets Maroma Beach is all kinds of awesome AND the perfect place to host a toes in the sand, party ’til dawn type of affair. Think elegant details meets stunning imagery captured by John Cain.  See them here.

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From John Cain Photography… For their wedding, Beth and Brook wanted to take their guests somewhere to escape. They transplanted their guests and their traditional style to a gorgeous Mexico destination wedding in the Riviera Maya. This winter resort wedding was a break from the freezing temperatures in Texas where the bride and groom and many of the guests came from.

Every element planned and unplanned spoke to the couple’s calm demeanor. The destination was the greatest significance that it created a location where friends and family could truly focus on celebrating the bride and groom.

White sands made for the perfect accent to their black and white bridal party. Guests entered the ceremony relaxed and took their seats to find sunglasses on their chairs to ease the tropical rays, while a guitarist invited their attention prior to the families and wedding party entering.

Traditional vows were exchanged surrounded by romantic landscape of palm trees and vibrant green foliage. The white lengthy staircase lined with Mexican pottery was the perfect backdrop for portraits leading into their poolside outdoor reception. You could taste the sea salt in the air and resort mariachis serenaded the cocktail hour underneath string lights and draping.

The night was spent under the stars and at a distance that allowed for the sound of the waves to keep time. Their seated dinner was followed by a monogrammed dessert table and dancing into the morning hours.

Photography: John Cain Photography | Planner: Emily Clarke Events | Venue: Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun Resort | Stationer: Stamped Paper Co.

Our dear editor Erin is off enjoying the beauties of Mexico, and as if I didn’t have enough reason to be jealous this little stunner has officially upped the ante. It’s everything you’d dream of in a destination wedding, and with Canteiro and 74 Events behind the scenes, it’s no wonder the day went off without a hitch. Prepare yourself for knot tying paradise, and have a look in the gallery from Emily Blake.

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From The Bride…Our “Weekend del Amor” was incredible! We chose Mexico because of it’s jungles and beaches, food and people, and Maroma because of it’s beauty and soul. 44 of our closest friends and family stayed the weekend to relax on the beach and celebrate our love. Friday night we hosted a welcome fiesta for all of our guests, but beforehand the hotel had a surprise: releasing baby sea turtles back in to the wild. This was an incredible and moving experience. Saturday was the wedding at sunset- we had a Mayan ceremony-mariachi band at cocktail hour and dancing and dining under the stars. At a certain point it began to rain so we all went indoors to continue the dance party.

Photography: Emily Blake Photography | Event Design: Canteiro | Event Planning: Belmond El Encanto | Wedding Dress: Mark Ingram Atelier | Invitations: Victoria Masters | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Bracelet: Melissa Joy Manning | Ring: Doyle And Doyle | Hair: Savannah Bentz | DJ: 74 Events | Grooms Attire: Brooklyn Tailors | Body Chain: Bliss Lau | Resort: Belmond Maroma Resort And Spa

When a wedding involves yoga during the ceremony, followed by an very cool underwater ‘trash the dress’ photo shoot, you know it’s going to be amazing! Del Sol Photography captured so many meaningful moments at this intimate Riviera Maya celebration that will leave you in awe. See the full gallery here.

From Del Sol Photography… Bride Leanne has a wealth of experience with destination weddings managing her own event coordination business in the Riviera Maya. Planning hundreds of weddings a year, she is definitely a bride who knew how to put together an incredible experience for herself, her groom and her guests. Her extensive knowledge of venues and vendors in the area ensured a perfect and unique day. Bride and groom met doing acro-yoga and incorporated their passion in the ceremony, the reception and the trash the dress shoot in a cenote.

The ceremony in the Pueblo Sac-Be amphitheater and the reception in a private villa in Akumal were intimate and very personal, the newlyweds were surrounded by the beauty of nature, pretty decor and the love of their family and friends (and their dog Charly of course).

From The Bride…I actually never thought I was going to get married. Not in the “can’t find a guy to marry” kind of way, but in a more “I’m 100% happy being my free spirit self, able to go and play as I please.” Then, of course, the right guy came along and my world was changed and somehow I ended up engaged (I’m pretty sure it was my idea!)

The wedding location, an outdoor amphitheater in the SacBe eco development of the Riviera Maya, was our location of choice. It held a lot of special memories for me during my time living in Playa, and a jungle setting with a cenote in the background was exactly what we were looking for.

Aaron & I agreed that Matt of del Sol would be our photographer of choice, we were soooo EXCITED when we found out Deborah was our second shooter! And not only that, Sol would be coming along as well. WOAH! Of course Marcos from Artevelas had free reign to do as he pleased with our venue, since truthfully, I trust his taste more than my own. And Maju, my amazing business partner, would be there to run the show along with my favorite DJ – Mood Events. It all came together so nicely.

Probably the biggest gift was from Aaron’s Brother-in-Law and my Spiritual teachers from Ananda Yoga Desde el Corzaon who put together the most meaningful ceremony would could have imagined. Bringing together those two elements really represented who we are as a couple and allowed all of our family, friends, and loved ones to know us a little deeper that day.

Photography: del Sol Photography | Event Coordinator: LM Weddings | Flowers: Floreria Jardin | Cake: GY Pasteleria | DJ: Mood Event Services | Candles: Arte Velas | Hair/Makeup: Melissa V. Parry | Jewelry Designer: Red-i By Chelsea | Music: Bole Musica | Outdoor Amphitheater: Pueblo Sac Be | Private Villa: Villa Valhalla Akumal

This Mexico destination affair is the kind of wedding that deserves to be swooned with a cocktail in hand. A margarita on the rocks, to be be specific. Because when you’ve got images as beautiful as Emily Blake’s and glam-filled moments designed by Mishka Designs and Canteiro there’s just no telling how long a trip to the gorgeous gallery will last. Get started here!

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From the Bride… Sean & I value our time with our friends and family above all, so our top priority was finding a big house near the water where we could gather for several days before and after the actual wedding celebration. We both love Mexico, so we narrowed our search to the Caribbean side (equidistance from our families on the West and East coasts) and went in search of a venue that would set the stage for the multi-day wedding celebration we envisioned.

Although we knew the elements that inspired us, we needed help putting it all together. That is where Mishka Designs came into play. The first time we met Mishka in Mexico, we both breathed a sigh of relief and knew we wanted her on our team. She coordinated site visits for us and helped us find our dream venue in Puerto Aventuras.

The Haciendas’ gorgeous architecture and decor definitely inspired us. We envisioned a romantic, nature-inspired, elegant, Old World wedding there. Hacienda Del Mar’s courtyard provided the soulful space we sought for our ceremony. The tree-lined walkway made a stunning natural aisle. The Caribbean Sea was elegantly framed by the arched portals. We fell in love with the place and couldn’t wait to bring our friends and family there.

We chose ivory, poppy red and Mexican pink as our primary colors and used soft blush and peach to create a natural, romantic feel. We accented with gold metallics and lace details. The bridal party wore rich shades of charcoal which contrasted beautifully with the ivories, greens and vibrant colors of Mexico. We wanted to bring natural elements into the courtyards, so florals and greenery were our priority in the design process. Colorful Bougainvillea surrounded the guest seating area. Gabi of Planner One Events blew us away with her exquisite arch and romantic floral centerpieces.

I agree with the advice other brides have given: enjoy the day above all else. For us, that meant having a professional team. We saw our wedding reception as an opportunity to throw a great party for our guests—one that would require help to pull off. We knew we wanted to be ‘hands on’ in planning, but we wanted to be able to let go once the wedding day arrived. So, my advice is to hire a team of people you like and trust. Not only was Mishka’s design exactly like we imagined, but she became our friend and supported us the whole way. Neither she nor the LM Wedding team balked at any request. We feel so blessed to have found Mishka Designs, the amazingly talented Emily Blake, hairstylist Kristen McNulty, and our coordinator, LM Weddings, who made planning a wedding 4,000 miles away a breeze.

One of our highlights from the day was right after the ceremony. While our guests made their way to the cocktail reception, Sean and I stole a minute alone to enjoy our first sip of champagne as newlyweds. We entered the reception alongside our Mariachi band as they burst out an impressive version of Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire. We felt exuberant and the sound of the horn playing could not have been a better fit for that moment.

There were so many moments throughout the afternoon and evening when we locked eyes, held hands, kissed, and just breathed in the love all around us. We felt all the planning, everything had been executed exactly as we had hoped. But our biggest success was that our guests seemed to exude happiness and radiate love. We could truly feel the love in the air. Whenever we think back on it, we feel that rush of love and we see the smiling faces of our dearest friends and family. That, to us, made it the wedding day of our dreams.

Photography: Emily Blake Photography | Coordination: LM Weddings | Event Design: Mishka Designs | Floral Design: Canteiro | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Invitations: Oblation Papers & Press | Bridesmaids Dresses: Monique Lhuillier | Catering: Gourmet Soberanis | Makeup: Melissa V. Parry | Calligraphy: Alesia Zorn Calligraphy | Grooms Attire: Estes Men's Clothing | Venue: Riviera Maya Haciendas | Dress Boutique: Devine Design Bridal

For those of you currently spending your cold winter days dreaming of a sun-filled Mexican vaca (read: all of you), this darling day captured by M&J Photography is for you.  An oceanside affair with those stunning crystal blue waters as an amazing backdrop, it’s a beautiful BHLDN gown meets bundles of vibrant colors meets all kinds of happy.  See every last moment right here in the full gallery.

From the Bride… From the first moment Martin walked into the room, time stood still. My cousin introduced us, and from there our conversation began immediately as if we were old friends catching up. When we met, Martin was living in California and we began our long distance friendship through snail mail. Our love continued to grow deeper for one another through the years.

While Martin was living in California, I made a weekend trip to visit him in Laguna Beach. He surprised me by renting a Duffy boat in Newport harbor.When we got into the boat, he told me to go to the front where I found a small mailbox (we had written letters to each other, every day, for the past year!). By the time I finished reading the letter that was inside, he was down on his knee asking me to marry him. After I said yes, he asked me to look at the pier where a photographer was documenting the moment. Unforgettable!

Martin and I fell in love with the natural beauty of Mexico. The Riviera Maya worked for ease of travel for our family and guests. The fact that we were able to say our vows on the beach, in front of one of the largest coral reefs in the world, is something that has a spirit of grace and unity.

Planning the details of our wedding was a way to express who Martin and I are as a couple. I started with designing the save the date magnets, which led to envisioning and creating our wedding invitations.Throughout our journey we have used the scallop shell as our “wedding symbol”. Being a sign of a pilgrim and pilgrimage, it has many meanings within Christianity as well as in daily life. Martin had a scallop shell on his boutonniere that his grandfather had given to Martin’s grandmother on their wedding day.

The magazine, with digital and printed versions, was a way to let everyone know the events of the wedding week and to introduce all of the guests (and the photographers).

We placed custom mailboxes on all of the dinner tables, since we have a strong tradition of writing letters while apart. Each guest’s place card had space for them to give us advice and then place the card into the mailbox. We plan to open a mailbox each year and read the cards for the next several years on our anniversary.

I made my bouquet with silk flowers, then took the first gift Martin gave to me and a cross he always wears and hid them inthe bouquet. The lace wrapped around the flowers came from my mother’s wedding veil. The brooch holding the lace together was a gift from my grandma. The bridesmaids flowers were made by the resort, but I gave them color swatches of the dresses so the flowers would match the pastel tones they would be wearing.

My dress was by Catherine Deane for BHLDN, with some custom touches. The buttons on the back came from my mother’s and my grandmother’s wedding dresses. The sandals were Klub Nico, also from BHLDN. OPI’s “Teal the cows come home” not only acted as my “something blue on my toes” but it honored the “Schreiber” family name, since they are cattle farmers. The fingertip veil was custom designed by Carol Tuazon in Chicago, to create a “waterfall”. We used magnetic weights by Jill Watson of Save the Veil, so it wouldn’t blow away in the Riviera Maya breeze.

Martin’s suit came from Zara on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, IL, and his ocean-blue bow tie was from “1910”. His shoes were from Nordstrom, and his ‘something blue’ socks were by Paul Stuart. I sewed his initials along with our wedding day into the lining. Both of our rings also have the wedding day and the saying “All is Well” engraved into them– a saying that we have used throughout our wedding planning!

Photography: M J Photography | Wedding Planner: LM Weddings | Dress: BHLDN | Invitations: Moo | Hair & Makeup: The Bride | Venue: Azul Beach Hotel | Floral Design, Catering & DJ: Azul Beach Hotel | Veil: Save The Veil | Video: Cancun Wedding Video

We’ve had a long time love affair with the work of Twin Lens. They are the masters of wedding photography from a photojournalistic approach, and today they’re here to share just what makes them tick. Read on for our special Q&A with Kitty and Craig, and you can find more of their fabulous work in the full gallery right here. Just make sure to really take the time to devour each image on it’s own as they just might take your breath away. 

SMP: Tell us a bit about yourselves and how you got your start in wedding photography.

TL: Craig and I both come to wedding photography via newspaper photojournalism. We met while working in the newsroom at the Santa Fe New Mexican. Our resulting wedding photography has everything to do with telling the story of the wedding day through photographs.

We’ve been married for 13 years now and have an amazing little girl named Maya. We created Twin Lens 8 years ago, knowing that the newspaper Craig was working for would be closing. We decided that instead of chasing the next journalism job, we’d take a leap of faith and try to do what we love while working for ourselves.

SMP: Can you tell us a bit about your process with each couple before the big day? Specifically this lovely couple!

TL: We have been INCREDIBLY fortunate that our approach and imagery have attracted a particular type of couple. People who book our services are folks who are very comfortable and confident in who they are and who want an honest, beautiful and truly unique record of their wedding day. Lopa and Vijay definitely fell into this category. They wanted us to tell the story of their wedding weekend not only by documenting the very involved traditions of their Hindu ceremonies, but also by capturing the moments between them, their families and friends without posing or orchestrating.

Lopa and Vijay had chosen to bring their favorite people in the world to the Rosewood Mayakoba for their wedding weekend. Mayakoba is a phenomenal tropical venue in the Riviera Maya. They told us they wanted their wedding images to remind them of the people and the place, and how it all felt. They wanted to be able to relive the weekend through the images. Here are Lopa’s words upon seeing her wedding photographs:

“… I want to let you know I’ve been going through the pictures you sent us… often. They are so beautiful, and I cannot begin to describe how absolutely amazing they are, but I will try… you not only met my hopes and dreams, you far exceeded anything I could imagine. You have not only given us stunning images and beautiful memories, but an honest and at the same time fairytale story that I can relive and share with my family (perhaps children one day!). This is a priceless gift, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.“

SMP: Your photos tell beautiful stories and evoke such emotion. What is your approach to achieving this while standing out from other photographers?

TL: This is where our journalism backgrounds come into play. We never know exactly what the picture is going to be until it unfolds in front of us, so we’ve learned to anticipate the moment and to compose on the fly. We try very hard to be unobtrusive and to wait for the decisive moment, light or composition to come together. We love that our couples accept us as part of the event, that we are able to be in the midst of everything, documenting without interfering with the flow of what’s happening.

Our hope is that our images show what is truly real and unique about a couple and their wedding day. We don’t try to fit each wedding into a “formula”. We like to roll along with the day and see what’s visual and storytelling. We look for the big moments and small details and weave them together into a one-of-a-kind photo essay which narrates the day.

SMP: What type of equipment do you use that give your photos such a distinct look?

TL: We fell in love with photography during the days of film and darkrooms, and so that’s become a huge part of our approach at Twin Lens. We combine the latest digital technology with the old school principles and look of film. The combination of these two sensibilities is what creates our look. We find that the digital cameras are best for capturing fleeting moments, while the twin lens reflex cameras allow us to slow down and be more artistic in certain situations.

We also bring along a couple of Holga cameras to each wedding. The Holga is a specialty film camera which creates images with an ethereal, old-time feel. The Holga has a plastic lens which creates a beautiful vignette around the edge of the image… very nostalgic feeling. The Holga “look” is the visual predecessor to what is now Instagram… think square and artsy. (except we can make giant, gorgeous prints for the wall from our negatives!) These are often our favorite images from a wedding day and seem to reinforce that sense of memory that you want wedding images to embody.

SMP: What is your favorite shot from this wedding and why?

TL: There are so many shots that I love from this wedding, and each one plays its own role in telling the story. The photo that makes me laugh every time I look at it is the black-and-white frame of Vijay while he’s getting ready for the wedding ceremony. He had a room full of relatives attempting to help him get dressed, each one offering a different opinion as to how he should wear each item of clothing. He had no experience with any of this, and was baffled himself. At one point, he just became overwhelmed by all the input, and this photo is a window into that fun, crazy pre-ceremony hour.

I also really love the image of Lopa & Vijay on the beach. They had just changed out of their traditional outfits, into their swanky reception clothes. The sun was going down and they were taking a moment together before heading to the reception to see their friends. Just a sweet, quiet portrait of the two of them being young and beautiful and in love.

From Kitty and Craig of Twin Lens… We want to take a moment to give credit to the ridiculously talented wedding planner for this event, Kimberly Richmond, of Runaway Bride Destination Weddings. While the venue and colorful Hindu rituals were visual in and of themselves, Kimberly built on all of it, and designed one of the most flawless and visual events we’ve ever had the pleasure of photographing.

Photography: Twin Lens | Videography: Cinematic Wedding | Wedding Planner: Runaway Bride Destinations | Hair & Makeup: Melissa V. Parry | DJ: Marky Enriquez | Venue: Rosewood Mayakoba | Chocolate Truffle Cake Creation: Rosewood Mayakoba | Decor/Florals: Alquimia Events | Guitarists: Rumba Soul | Henna Artist: Arpita Patel | Invitation Suite: Mr. Boddington Studio | Live Musical Trio: Arpason | Lopa's Reception Dress: Stella McCartney | Wedding: Rosewood Mayakoba

We might have the best jobs ever here at Style Me Pretty.  Who else gets to be a part of some of the most heartwarming, magical, beautiful moments in people’s lives every single day?  I love sharing gorgeous photographs but there is just something so special about getting to experience a wedding day through film.  We not only get to see all the romantic details of this Riviera Maya wedding from Percy Sales Events and Canteiro, but San Jose Filmmakers captured every sweet, heart-string-tugging moment as well for our viewing pleasure!

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From Percy Sales Events… This wedding was a great adventure. As soon as Racquel got engaged, she immediately called me at Percy Sales Events, and said, “I want a destination wedding, and I want you to plan it!” Destination wedding are so fun, and it takes a lot of thought to make sure that the location fits the needs of the couple and also stays within their budget. After talking about different locations — Europe, Philippines, the Caribbean and Hawaii — Racquel and Lynn honed in on the ever-tropical Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Their wedding reflected who they are as a couple, and the articulate, beautiful newswoman and the budding chef made their wedding unique and enjoyable for all. Their ceremony took place at St. Francis of Assisi Chapel at Xcaret, which overlooks the Caribbean Ocean. It integrated Racquel’s Filipino heritage while infusing Lynn’s Puerto Rican and Chinese background. Their reception took place at La Isla at Xcaret, an underground open air cave, a unique location that really played into regions Mayan roots. Racquel and Lynn offered their guests a top-notch culinary meal that they crafted with the chef at Xcaret. They surprised their guests with a Mayan stage show, a perfect touch during dinner. They danced and they celebrated until midnight in the tropical weather of the Riviera Maya. Guests walked away with blown glass hearts picked from a wrought iron tree that read, “Take A Piece of Our Hearts – Racquel + Lynn 09.27.11.”

The day after the celebration, Racquel and Lynn did a trash the dress session with San Jose Filmmakers and San Jose Photography at some local cenotes in Riviera Maya, Mexico. They swam in their wedding attire in some of the region’s most beautiful rain forests and in ancient wells that made for beautiful. This video captures a glimpse to their beautiful day.

Wedding Cinematography: San Jose Filmmakers / Ceremony: St. Francis of Assisi Chapel at Xcaret in Riviera Maya, Cancun, Mexico / Reception: La Isla at Xcaret in Riviera Maya, Cancun, Mexico / Wedding Photography: San Jose Photography / Wedding Design + Planning: Percy Sales of Percy Sales Events / Floral Design, Centerpieces + Rentals: Canteiro / Local Coordination: Graciela Carmona Rivera + Gabriela Rodarte Medrano / Wedding Cake: Dolcet Cakes / Wedding Invitations: Jocelyn the Paper Stylist / Accommodations: Occidental Grand Xcaret / Wedding Dress: Studio 1 (Bought During a Brides Against Breast Cancer Event in Syracuse, New York) / Hair + Makeup: The Spa at Occidental Grand Xcaret

You know we L.O.V.E our destination weddings here at SMP.  The gorgeous sunsets, crystal blue waters, stunning seaside ceremonies… we just can’t get enough.  And when it comes to choosing that perfect destination wedding location, we’re head over heels for all things Grand Velas Resorts. Comprised of two spectacular properties, Riviera Nayarit and Riviera Maya, Grand Velas Resorts is all about making your dreams.come.true with their romantic settings, breathtaking beaches and award-winning hospitality.  Yep, the perfect place to say “I Do.”

Choosing one of Grand Velas Resorts’ AAA Five-Diamond locations means you’ll be spending your wedding day in the lap of luxury.  Just imagine vowing forever in a sweet gazebo overlooking the golden beaches of the Bay of Banderas or that first kiss in the white sands of the Caribbean.  With Riviera Nayarit and Riviera Maya, the possibilities are literally endless – and always filled with romance. Plus, Grand Velas Resorts’ wedding specialists are there to help you every step of the way, so you can totally depend on their years of experience and rest easy knowing your big day will go off without a hitch.  Fabulous.

So, whether you’ve been dreaming of a wedding on the coast of the Mexican Pacific or that beachy Caribbean paradise, Grand Velas Resorts has a locale that is right for you.  From awe-inspiring oceanfront ceremonies, to lush garden receptions to lavish salons for those larger soirees, Grand Velas Resorts will turn your visions into a complete reality – creating a magical day that you will NEVER forget.

There is nothing, nothing, nothing better than walking down that aisle with your eyes locked on the person you are about to marry. Especially if that aisle is made of sand and you can hear the waves subtly crashing in the background. We’re suckers for romance here, but romance AND a beach get us every single time. Captured by Callaway Gable Photography, this wedding has the romance, has the beach, and has the undeniable style we just LOVE. Click here for more!

David is a recent business school graduate who started his own business, and Melissa is an economics PhD student. How else do an outgoing Jewish boy who grew up on a kibbutz and a bookish first-generation American girl meet, but in college! We love traveling and doing outdoor activities together, and David proposed underwater on a scuba diving excursion in Maui. A “stunt ring” in a heart-shaped shell had been strategically placed on a ledge about 40 feet underwater, and Melissa immediately noticed it (the ribbon gave it away).

Melissa’s family is from the Caribbean, and she and David love, love, love a great beach vacation. We wanted a place that was naturally beautiful but easily accessible for our guests. The Riviera Maya, between Cancun and Playa del Carmen along Mexico’s east coast, is exactly that. We chose our hotel, Ceiba del Mar, because it is physically beautiful (it’s owned by a Mexican architect who incorporated lots of local artistry and natural landscaping), the staff is incredibly friendly and competent, and it was just the right size for us (about 85 rooms, and we had about 155 guests).

For colors, the beach itself was our inspiration — the muted gold of a handful of sand, the coral blush of a shell, and the brown of a washed-up piece of driftwood. We wanted the wedding overall to feel very tropical and relaxed, but in a sophisticated, modern way. That’s why we stuck to a pretty simple palette, and incorporated sketches of sea life into the designs of many elements (our invitations, ceremony program, reception place cards and table numbers).

In addition to being beautiful, we really wanted our celebration to be personal and a celebration of bringing together two families and cultures (Haitian and Jewish), plus friends from all over the world. We designed our own ceremony, and family members played all the roles, from officiant to violinist. We chose to incorporate the most meaningful elements of each of our faith traditions, including signing a ketubah and breaking the glass. We honored the memories of loved ones who couldn’t be there by placing flowers on a seat in the front row, and Melissa wore the wedding ring of her deceased uncle on a necklace.

At the reception, the table names were beach towns we have been to together, from Malibu, CA to Goa, India. Our wedding cake flavor was rum, in honor of Melissa’s favorite — her aunt’s Haitian rum cake. We also gave the DJ a very eclectic playlist, which included everything from the horah to reggae.

Photographer: Callaway Gable / Cinematography: Reel Tributes / Floral Designer: Eventos Euforia / Event Planning & Design: Tropical Wedding Experts / Invitation Designer: Hammerpress / Cake & Desserts: Ceiba del Mar / Wedding Gown Designer: Casablanca / Bridesmaid’s Dress Designer: David’s Bridal / Groom’s suit tailor: Diwan Saheb / Wedding bands and engagement ring: Santisi & Bove / Venue: Ceiba del Mar

I just fell madly in love with the Riviera Maya.  And when I say madly, I mean madly, because all it took was just one look at this stunning fête by the ever-amazing Elegant Occasions and I was done for.  The breathtaking setting, the beyond gorgeous florals, the seaside reception… I simply can’t say enough about this beach chic meets elegant affair.  Which is why I’ll be spending my Thursday soaking in every last brilliant image captured by Craig Okraska Photography… and I suggest you do the same.  Join me in the gallery for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Elegant Occasions… Erin Crandall, former buyer for Shopbop.com and now owner of NYC boutique, A Man and A Woman, chose The Tides as the venue of her wedding because of the eco-friendly resort as well as the beauty of it. It was important to her and her fiance, Ben Phillips, that the weekend was relaxing and fun. Their inspiration was the palm trees that grew all around the resort. They used this to create their theme of palm trees throughout the wedding, from the save the dates to the welcome bags.

Because they wanted everyone to enjoy themselves, the rehearsal dinner was meant to bring everyone a little closer together. Elegant Occasions designed a long table seating about 80 people. The organic-like structure was created to go with the feeling of eco-friendly and relaxed yet chic. The Tides was a great choice to host this fun-filled wedding weekend.

For the night of the party, the couple used a mixture of square and round tables to keep it interesting. The tables were set around the pool of the resort so at night when the pool lit up, it would add to the atmosphere. Lights were strung across the pool and more floating lights were put into the pool, again, to make the night even more romantic. This fashionably trendy couple got the wedding of their dreams!

Wedding Planning: Elegant Occasions / Event Design: Elegant Occasions + The Bride / Wedding Photography: Craig Okraska Photography / Music: DJ Monk / Wedding Venue: The Tides, Riviera Maya

If only there was a way to snap my fingers and magically end up in this dream of a destination photo shoot styled by Grey Likes Weddings – I would appear amidst the sand in less than 2.5 seconds. Believe me, I am snapping over here with all my might trying to do just that. It doesn’t hurt that the amazingly breathtaking Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya provided the stunning backdrop and the images from Troy and Aimee of Troy Grover Photography (who also played models for the day – adorable) are just a vacation within themselves. I don’t know about you, but I think I might just take a little Thursday vacation in the oh so pretty full gallery of this stunning shoot, care to join me?

Take a little trip on over to 100 Layer Cake for more of this dreamy destination photo shoot and information on Summer Watkins’ upcoming workshop!

Destination weddings are always a lovely opportunity to combine the excitement of a wedding with the relaxation of a vacation. Summer Watkins of Grey Likes Weddings recently teamed up with honeymoon planner, Katie of Ever After Honeymoons, to plan an inspiration shoot for destination brides.  Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita in Riviera Maya, Mexico hosted our team and helped put on a simple beachside affair doused in local flavor.  Photographers (and models) Troy and Aimee Grover captured all of the lovely images. Megan of MaeMae Paperie designed a custom invitation suite with loads of color and whimsical patterns.

We made an effort to utilize ideas that can easily be packed in a suitcase for airplane travel. Flowers were picked fresh onsite for the bouquets and boutonniere. Red fringe was attached to poles found at the resort for carefree ceremony decor. Tequila shots greeted guests at their place cards, while Zoetry’s sommelier provided a variety of tequilas for an impromptu tequila tasting. Mini bottles of boutique tequila varieties, along with shot glasses and a lime were used as favors.

In addition to the wedding, we shot a rehearsal dinner on a catamaran,which is actually available daily to all Zoetry guests. Coronas and street tacos were served as guests enjoyed a seafaring tour of the Mexican coastline.

Location: Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya / Stylist: Summer Watkins of Grey Likes Weddings / Honeymoon Destination Planner and Coordinator: Katie Frederick of Ever After Honeymoons / Photography and Modeling: Troy and Aimee of Troy Grover Photographers / Paper goods: Megan of MaeMae Paperie / Wedding Dress: Terra Amore by Jessica Charles

Today’s featured Little Black Book Member is Aime of A.Dominick Wedding And Event Planner based in the Washington DC area. But DC is just one of the many many places she showcases her talents! Today’s destination wedding took place in ….. Mexico, the El Dorado Royale, an all-inclusive, adult-only resort in Riviera Maya.  The striking photography is by Andrew Reilly.

Sand, sea, sky … you don’t need much of anything else for inspiration here!

Love, love, love these colors … stay tuned for a few more of the finishing touches from Aimee Dominick. Photography provided by Andrew Reilly.

A dreamy, warm and wonderful destination wedding … ahhhhh…

Jaime and Carl were married in June 08 at the exclusive beach resort, the El Dorado Royale in Riviera Maya, Mexico.  The El Dorado Royale is part of a collection of luxurious all-inclusive, adult-only resorts known for their exceptional hospitality, cuisine and amazing vacation experiences!

Aimee of A.Dominick Events, one of our fabulous Little Black Book wedding planners coordinated this lovely destination affair for Jaime and Carl. We’ll have lots more beautiful photos from Andrew Reilly Photography in just a bit…