Having been best friends since middle school, the love story for this bride and groom blossomed over 15 years of friendship, dating, and getting engaged. Their dream was to celebrate their love surrounded by family and their closest friends, so they toyed with the idea of planning a wedding in various locations. The bride and groom fell in love with Mexico City after a weekend trip with the bride’s parents. It was a destination where they and their guests could create unique memories while experiencing the art, architecture, and world-class food that CDMX has to offer. Planned with the help of Marweddings, and captured by efege, this luxury Mexico City wedding is a must-see for anyone dreaming of a luxury destination wedding experience.
Style goals: Old meets new
The goal for the wedding was to harmonize old and new by using a natural color palette and sculptural florals to create feelings of romance, warmth, and intimacy using various forms of ambient lighting. The bride was inspired by their venue’s linear and voluminous structural planning, and the use of natural materials such as volcanic stone, natural & pastel pigments, ceramics from Oaxaca, custom furnishings, and native wood that speak to the richness of the Mexican landscape. The color palette needed to create a sense of continuity with the exterior landscaping and highlight the architectural materials, so the bride opted for natural hues – whites, ivory, dusty golds accented by shades of celadon and light blue.
Rooftop welcome party
The couple kicked off the weekend in Condesa with a fabulous welcome party at the Condesa DF Hotel rooftop. The bride wore a Rime Arodaky gown that felt fitting for a night-before Mexico City look. A Prada jewel and satin clutch with satin Armani heels and Eriness jewelry completed the look. The couple worked with Bash Please to coordinate a two-part event filled with toasts, food, and a surprise after party. Their brother-in-law hosted toasts, roasts, and well-wishes while guests sipped margaritas and mezcalitas. After the toasts, the bride and groom surprised guests by bringing down to the private speakeasy in the hotel where they continued the party all through the night.
Authentic yet architectural elements
As an interior designer, choosing the right venue was one of the most important decisions for the bride. She had always dreamed of getting married in a garden, but the groom had hoped to get married by the beach or in a private home. Casa Pedregal, by renowned Mexican architect Luis Barragan, took their breath away with its authentic Mexican architecture yet modernist elements. It truly felt like a private oasis – a “home away from home” – amidst the hustle and bustle of Mexico City.
Blue (yes, blue!) custom Galia Lahav
The bride wore a stunning, couture Galia Lahav gown that was commissioned after Sharon Sever, head designer at Galia Lahav, happened to be in Serenity Weddings LA on the same day the bride was trying on wedding dresses with stylist Desiree Beimler. The bride envisioned something celestial, and boy did Sharon deliver with a sketch of stunning blue wedding dress. The blue was developed from layers of white, ivory, nude, and blue tulle underneath the signature floral applique. Sharon and his team then hand dyed the veil to match the blue of the dress, and custom fingerless gloves were added in a nude fabric with strategically placed floral applique along the arms, hand, and wrist. Natalya Valentine (formerly Galia Lahav) of Natalya Valentine Atelier, tailored the gown to perfection and added additional lace to the back of the corset to enhance the look.
Jewelry: All in in the family
To accessorize her Cinderella moment, the bride selected a silver crown by Maria Elena Headpieces, complete with off-white beads, pearls, and crystals. The final touch was having the honor of wearing a pair of her mother’s beautiful earrings, her beaded purse that she wore on her wedding day 35 years ago, and a pair of classic satin Stuart Weitzman heels. Because the groom had proposed with his grandmother’s wedding ring, the couple wanted to keep it in the family and had his sister, Erin of Eriness Jewelry, design their wedding bands.
Groom’s style: Hugo Boss
The groom wore a black tuxedo and shoes by Hugo Boss, with custom tuxedo shirts made by Zeglio Custom Clothiers in Los Angeles. As a personal touch, his tuxedo shirts were monogramed with the couple’s initials and wedding date in a blue embroidery to match the bride’s dress.
When to start skincare (hint: early!)
As an aspiring esthetician and owner of The Best in Skin, the bride makes it her mission to pair clients with the best of the best skincare providers in their area to help them achieve their skincare goals. Her recommendation? Start early with your skin prep (9 months ahead if you can!). Be patient and consistent with the process, and work with people that are as invested in your skincare as you are. And if you feel a little lost and need a great team, call us!
Custom designed ketubah
The home was designed in such a way that allowed the bride to utilize each level of the house to achieve elements of surprise as one event flowed into the next. Guests arrived and were welcomed with cocktails in the interior courtyard, using the iconic pink walls as the perfect pre-wedding photo backdrop. The first level of the house was then open to guests to explore as they made their way to the garden, where the ceremony was held, complete with a private Ketubah signing. The Ketubah was custom designed with Mickie Caspi of Caspi Cards & Arts.
Floral design: Elevated natural landscape
The concept for the chuppah was no small feat as the bride wanted it to appear as if the structure was literally growing out of the natural landscape. Ale from Ophelia Florist flawlessly executed the vision – a series of intertwining branches that created a treelike structure, laced with cascading sculptural florals in white and green tones. The aisle was then covered in white rose petals to create a delicate and romantic transition.
Soft colors, strong design elements
After enjoying cocktails and bites in the garden, guests were led to the second level of the home for dinner and dancing surrounding Barragan’s iconic green pool. Seating cards featured everyone’s AOL screennames as a nod to how the bride and groom met. The florals and centerpieces throughout maintained that sculptural, Ikebana-esque touch that softened the stark architectural forms in the background. Ambient lighting was used to intentionally highlight the home and garden, accented by hanging, floating, and table-top candles everywhere. The tabletop decor was artisanal and elegant with a hint of sparkle, layering floral beaded chargers in gold hues with a mix of ceramic and glass textured plates and glassware in celadon and blue tones.
Custom menu with personalized wines
Carmela y Sal with Chef Gabriela Ruiz were up for the challenge of creating a top-to-bottom menu for the wedding including signature welcome cocktails, a five-course plated dinner, deserts, and after-party munchies. Gabriela Ruiz was on site overseeing the production as each dish left the kitchen. Many of her signature dishes were served including the Toast of Lies, Mole Rosa and Fish en Pipian. Carmela y Sal and Vineira worked in tandem to handle the mixology that evening. They were mixing everything from Mezcal Espresso Martinis and Carajillos to margaritas and incredible tequila all night long! The bride and groom also sourced their favorite wines from vineyards they had visited in Valle de Guadeloupe to personalize that drink experience.
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Cake design: Sculptural fondant
Sugar and Soul created a beautiful, tiered wedding cake that had cascading sculptural fondant work reminiscent of abstract flower petals. It was a delicious as it was striking!
After party at a private speakeasy
The final surprise of the night involved the couple walking with guests next door to Tetetlan, where they transformed the Barragan-designed restaurant space into a full-blown after party venue. Thanks to band Old Days and DJ Billy Castro, guests danced the night away to the couple’s favorite oldies classics and plenty of late-night vinyl.
