Steven and Lindsay are a genuine wanderlust couple. After college, they lived in China and Mexico and traveled through every country in Central America. For a well-traveled couple, it was the natural choice to have a destination wedding, and they selected Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula’s new hot spot, Tulum.
This jungle-shrouded area with white sandy beaches and easy access to the well-preserved ruins of an ancient Mayan port city was the ideal wedding spot for Steven and Lindsay’s destination wedding. You can see all the tropical wedding photos in the full gallery here photographed by Memory Box Photography.
Read on for their love story, insider details from Mexico wedding planner, Arlenis Ruiz Weddings. Including more information on how she found the perfect chef to design their Vegan/Gluten Free refined wedding menu.
Don’t miss the wedding film by Frame. I just watched it and Tulum looks amazing.
Selecting Tulum, Mexico
For Their Destination Wedding
From wedding planner, Arlenis Ruiz Weddings. Steven and Lindsay tied the knot last October in Tulum, Mexico. They wanted a beach ceremony with the jungle vibes of Tulum, so instead of having the ceremony with the sea as a background, they fell in love with a special spot at Sanara Tulum surrounded by palm trees, an intimate Place to say I do.
They were talking about getting married for a long time and picked out a ring together, and Steven proposed to Lindsay on Christmas morning the previous. It was just the two of them home alone with Lucho their dog. It was private, special, and just right for them.
Last October 2019 was going to be their 10th anniversary of being together, which is why they picked that day for their wedding. The couple started to plan the wedding back home in North Carolina but were unhappy. A big, fancy wedding did not feel like them. Having a small, intimate family-only wedding in Mexico was perfect, the reason why Tulum was the place to be!!
Getting Wedding Ready
During getting ready, Lindsay enjoyed the company of her mum and grad mum 80 years old (she had the best hairstyle of the wedding) We love the sweet getting ready, 3 generations sharing a very special moment.
First Look With Father
Lindsay did a first look with her father, followed by the bride and groom first look, before looking into each other eyes they read love notes that they exchanged before the ceremony, a very emotional moment. Scroll down to see the photos.
Wedding Ceremony
The ceremony was designed with tropical red colors, guests entered the ceremony area welcomed by cold personalized coconuts and a bag of petals to toss with joy. The bride looked stunning wearing a gown from Essense of Australia.
Print Your Own
Kraft Paper Bags
Did you know you can customize and download art for your own kraft paper bags on Wedding Chicks? See the various designs here. Customize and print. We even let you know where to purchase the kraft bag. This design is my favorite.
Rainy Day Wedding
The day was wonderful, warm and sunny, so in tropical weather, we were surprised by rain right at the end of the ceremony, we were prepared for a backup area for cocktail hour, we had Los Reyes Del Mayab for live music and all the guests enjoyed the experience, while the couple went to the beach that was all for themselves, because of the “rain” no one was at the beach beside the couple, it was the ultimate dancing under the rain best experience ever.
Vegan / Gluten Free
Wedding Menu
Steven and Lindsay love food! They both went vegan together in college and are still vegan today. They made that change for their health, for animals, and for the environment, they cook most of our meals every day from scratch.
We had planned the reception The Real Coconut Restaurant and Spa in Tulum, tables decor included an artisanal Mexican tile as a thank you gift. The floral wedding design was inspired in tropical red colors, and the bride wore a second gown by Allure Bridals.
As a wedding planner the biggest challenge I had during planning Lindsay and Steven’s wedding was to find a place that could provide a special menu for the couple, I knew The Real Coconut Restaurant as one of the best restaurants in Tulum that could certainly provide what the couple was looking for, they use sustainably sourced ingredients mixed to create mouth-watering dishes for digestives wellbeing.
The chef Clementina from real coconut restaurant was amazing and she helped us to create a customized menu, the couple needed a vegan and gluten-free menu that was also sugar refined free too. The wedding cake was so delicious, you will not believe that it was sugar and gluten-free, apple cider flavor and 1 tier vegan chocolate with cocoa butter icing.
