This absolutely adorable couple makes me smile. This sunny color combination makes me smile. Pretty much every single element of this sweet, sweet wedding makes me smile and the dreamy images from Sarah Yates combined with the styling from the ladies at Sitting in a Tree just add to that warm and fuzzy feeling. Held in Southern California, though steeped in Mexican tradition, this is one of those weddings that will definitely inspire wedding design from now until forever.
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A writer. A graphic designer. A rich Mexican heritage combined with a modern aesthetic. The desire to wow traditional family and friends in a new way. A wedding that is the perfect marriage of creativity, inspiration, culture, and design. Junia and Andres are a dream couple and dream clients. Blissfully in love and brimming over with creative juices. From their perfectly crafted DIY invitations to their hand painted cake toppers each element was crafted with care and love in a way that truly represented who they are.
Myka and I fell in love with this couple from day one. Junia is a bouncing bubbly thing full of ideas and Andres is quiet and analytical- dreaming up the execution of Junia’s ideas. A perfect match. Dating since they were teenagers in school, they’ve truly grown up together merging into a perfect union. From the beginning of our planning stages they made it clear that they didn’t want just. another. mexican. wedding. There would be no sombreros or mariachis. They really wanted to show their family and friends something very, very different than they had ever experienced. The centerpieces were made from library books (Junia is an avid reader and a writer) that the couple collected at thrift stores in shades of yellow, moss, and grey. Their love of vinyl toys meant that each table would have a Munny atop the books, hand painted by the couple to match the fabric used throughout their wedding (and on the back of their invites). Succulents grown by Andres’ dad were potted and placed on the tables along with crocheted pieces made lovingly by Junia’s mom. Every single element was a DIY project that came together perfectly in the venue. Hand painted Munny cake toppers mirrored the couple, tiny succulent candles were handed out as favors, a traditional Mexican punch mixed by the best man was served during cocktail hour, bookmarks were handed out during the ceremony, and tiny yarn pom poms made by Andres’ mom were tossed from cones. Andres’ aunt created all the boutonnières, flowers and adorned the ceremony arch (again, created by Junia’s dad) with her touch. Every single thing had their stamp. Their graphic designer stamp.
While this couple really wanted to make a statement about the adults they’ve become since moving from Southern California to San Francisco, they also wanted to recall childhood memories and the world they grew up in. MIHO Gastrotruck brought the perfect solution. Traditional Mexican favorites were mixed with really fresh ingredients, flavors that knocked your socks off and a killer salsa bar. Fresh churros were served alongside choco flan and a sweet bar of Mexican candy for dessert. Friends and family walked away with full tummies and a new idea about what a modern wedding was. I can’t tell you how many people asked us during the night about the books on the table or the vinyl toys. Or the way people swooned over the painted cake toppers. They were floored by these unique twists.
The venue was the perfect compliment to all these contrasts—an old school Spanish style clubhouse with wrought iron and dark wood floors. White and sage colored linens created a clean, soft palette allowing the bright bursts of yellow to bring in that sunny California feel. We strung dozens of yellow tissue paper pom poms across the ceiling with fishing line to keep the massive space cozy and warm. Not only were we blessed to work with this dream couple on creating their vision, but we were lucky enough to collaborate with our amazing friends from Sarah Yates Photography and MIHO. What a team with a vision. Miho’s food brought a feeling of nostalgia to this modern wedding and Sarah’s photos really capture the sweet warmth that surrounds these two people and was especially evident on this happy day. She truly has the magic eye. Our favorite people, with the most lovely inspired couple meant that this wedding was a once in a lifetime experience. Dreamy. Fabulous. Rich with culture. Modern in design. A perfect study in contrasts.
Tori Hendrix, Sitting in a Tree
Photography: Sarah Yates / Venue: The Woods Clubhouse, Chula Vista / Event Design and Coordination: Sitting in a Tree / Invitations and all paper goods: Andres Montano / Catering: MIHO Gastrotruck / Wedding Dress: Rosa Clara / Shoes: BCBG / Veil: made from tulle cut from dress during alterations / Groom’s Suit: J Crew / Tie: Band of Outsiders / Groom’s Shoes: Ben Sherman