The weekend is so close I can nearly taste it, and this wedding photographed by Kyle John has me ready to kick back with a cocktail and live like I’m on island time. Set in Tulum – a meaningful location for the couple – this beach affair is everything you want in a destination wedding with Vanessa Jaimes Floral Design brining loads of color, whimsy, and style into the mix. Head this way for even more and consider this a Happy Friday, indeed!
From the bride… Have you ever met someone for the first time and had déjà vu? Jeff and I think this isn’t the first time we have fallen in love, as if we end up finding each other again and again in each life. When we first found ourselves in the same room, neither one of us could take our eyes off of each other. From that moment on Jeff would whisk us away to last minute getaways, calling and telling me to be ready in an hour, never telling me of our destination. It was, and still is, the most romantic and exciting feeling to have someone who chooses to run away with you and only you over and over again. The first time he did this was to Mexico where we spent time in Tulum. Fast forward seven years later and true to form, Jeff surprised me with a last minute getaway to Keystone, Colorado where he got down on one knee and promised to stand by my side forever.
We thought we’d celebrate our commitment to each other at the first destination he ever whisked us away to, Mexico! We wasted no time; my mother, sisters, great aunt, cousin, and myself went to work right away to make my wedding dress from scratch. In my family, it’s tradition that my great aunt, Leila, make all the brides dresses. My only requests were that my dress had ostrich feathers (each put together by my mother, Lesa) at the bottom of the dress and pearls (hand strung by my cousin, Val) draping down my back. So we went to work, hand picking every piece of material from local fabric shops in Colorado as my aunt magically put it all together. Leila had sewn her own clothing tag into my dress with her name on it that my great grandmother had gifted her years before. This dress is special in so many ways, touched by the most important women in my life.
Jeff and I design and repurpose historic homes together sharing a deep passion for vintage style, which played a huge role in our wedding theme. We searched for beach wedding venues and ideas that could incorporate some non-traditional elements to the beach that fully encompassed our love for antiques and vintage décor. Enter owner and founder, Kristee Smith with Fresa Weddings. Every beach wedding photo we loved had one thing in common, they were all designed by Kristee and her team. We felt really lucky to have her as an expert to help coordinate florals, cake, venue, photography, food, hair and makeup, transport, décor and everything else under wedding planning from a distance. The hospitality and food at Akiin Beach venue was amazing, my guests are still raving about the food and staff! Kristee and her team, our photographer Kyle John, hair and makeup from BeSo Brides with Michael and Martina all worked together to create the vision we had and really brought everything to life. We really believe that no one else could have pulled off what we wanted like this group of people did, so we are forever grateful.
Being on a white, soft, sandy beach we were able to add fun details like a shoe valet at the beginning of the ceremony where everyone could ditch their shoes! Even as the bride, I didn’t wear shoes from the moment I got to the venue (talk about happy feet). Dinner and dancing were also on the beach, toes in the sand the entire time, market lights and a full moon. It was truly romantic from start to finish. We also had a cigar bar where someone was hand rolling cigars for guests right on the beach! It was great entertainment during cocktail hour while the wedding party and family were off taking pictures, our guests loved it. The altar and furniture were our favorite design pieces as we wanted something to define the space that would incorporate our vintage flair without taking away from our pretty backdrop of the ocean. Kristee and her florist Vanessa Jaimes designed exactly what we had envisioned! A half-circle garland with driftwood accents, greenery, and white anemones framed our ceremony with every flower more gorgeous than the next. All the furniture was a rich, dark wood, really popping from the white sand with plush, pastel furniture materials and natural brown leather undertones. It was a dream.
Jeff says his favorite part of the wedding was all the kissing we did during our photos on the beach (My poor mother was front and center for this as she helped hold props for the photographer, sorry Mom!). My favorite moment was seeing Jeff for the first time standing at the alter as the first man I ever loved held my hand and walked me down the aisle to him. Our advice for brides and grooms would be to create a wedding that is exactly what the two of you want and to stick to it. Enjoy every moment, it goes by so fast!
Photography: Kyle John Photography | Event Design: Fresa Weddings Mexico | Wedding Planning: Fresa Weddings Mexico | Floral Design: VANESSA JAIMES Floral Design | Ceremony Venue: Akin Beach Club | Hair + Makeup: Yukaton Hair | Decor: Archive Rentals | Decor rentals: Grupo Gama | Food & Beverage: Akin Beach Club