Mexico Weddings

This wedding looks like soooo much fun.  You know what I am talking about – one of those fabulous destination affairs that is awesome from the word go.  Think an intimate ceremony on the beach, followed by a non-stop dance party.  In other words?  It’s everything a destination wedding should be.  See it all captured by Dustin Cantrell in the full gallery.

And a sweet film captured by Las Caletas… 

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From the Bride… Meeting in Puerto Rico and getting engaged in Cabo, it only felt natural to get married on a beach. Mexico offered an ideal middle ground that could bring together both my side (most from her home state of TX) and Brian’s side (most from his home state of CA). In addition to accessibility, the most important thing for us was to make sure our friends and family would have a fun time and enjoy the party spirit!

Brian always had a soft spot for Puerto Vallarta’s quaint town with a local flair, and it fit my criteria for a beach, warm weather, and laid back ambiance, so there we had it! Up until our arrival the week of the wedding, all research, wedding planning and reservations were done from California. And in the end, even though we didn’t have time to take a pre-wedding vacation to visit the venue or to taste the menu (or cocktails!), immediately upon arriving, we knew we had made the right choice. Mexico greeted us with sunny weather, tequila was pouring throughout the weekend, food was oh so delicious, and baby dolphins even happened to swim along our boat to the wedding venue! Everything exceeded our expectations!

It was a particularly special occasion for me, as my father passed away less than a year prior. To have our closest friends and family fly from all over the US to join us in a joyous occasion was an overwhelming feeling. The guest size was big enough to feel like a party, yet still small enough to feel intimate. With smiles all around, we felt the immense love and support that evening. HUGE thanks to Blanca Ramirez, our venue coordinator who seamlessly coordinated every aspect of the wedding, Kelly Kahrhoff, who coordinated every other detailed aspect of our week there, and also Dustin Cantrell, our amazing photographer who not only was a one-man show capturing every special moment, but also was so fun and became one of the gang!

If we could do it all over again, we wouldn’t change a thing. We had a blast hosting our friends throughout the weekend. Time’s a precious thing, and it was amazing to have so many people come together for our special wedding weekend.

From Dustin Cantrell Photography… Hoan-My and Brian picked Las Caletas in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for their destination wedding venue. Las Caletas is only accessible by boat and you have your own private beach for the entire wedding. The day started with Hoan-My, her bridesmaids, and mother taking a private boat to the Las Caletas. They spent the day relaxing, getting massages, eating, and hanging out in the jacuzzi in bridal suite.  As the ceremony approached Brian and the guests arrived by boat just in time for the ceremony.

The coordinator and staff did an amazing job. The flow of the entire evening was timed perfectly and not one detail was overlooked. The ceremony took place on the private beach right as the sun was setting. After the first kiss the couple and bridal party turned and threw on their custom sunglasses with the couples initials. The amazing rock formations and trees made for stunning for photos during the perfect light. After the toasts and dinner on the patio with views of the stunning beach, the couple was called out to the dance floor, which is located right on the beach. Family and guests watched from the patio. Following the first dance the guests were allowed to come down to the dance floor. After a bit of dance floor action the couple was surprised by fire dancers and fire breathers.

Between the dance floor action and the endless tequila shots the guests couldn’t have a bad time if they wanted to. And, if the guests weren’t into dancing and drinking the night away the fire pits and s’mores kept them satisfied. At the end of the night the wedding party including guests leave on the same party boat and the dancing action continues on until the boat docks.

Photography: Dustin Cantrell | Coordination: Adventure Weddings | Event Design: Adventure Weddings | Floral Design: Adventure Weddings | Wedding Dress: Casablanca | Ceremony Venue: Adventure Weddings | Reception Venue: Adventure Weddings | DJ: Adventure Weddings | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Accomodations: Sheraton

Having attended destination I do’s in this lovely locale, I can confidently say that Puerto Vallarta is a stunning spot to tie the knot. From the always perfect temps to the soft carpet of sand under your feet and the gorgeous venues like this one, Villa Romance, where The Dazzling Details planned this beach fete to perfection. Captured by Figlewicz Photographer, this tropical gallery is worth a little Monday morning escape!

From Figlewicz Photographer…We first met Jessie and Sean on the beach at Terranea to photograph them getting engaged. I know I have said this before, but we LOVE shooting proposals! We LOVE being there for that first moment. We LOVE hiding in the bushes and we LOVE that look the girl gives her man! It’s so candid and real. By the time the wedding rolls around we feel very connected to their story. Sean and Jessie are so special to us! They are a beautiful couple and they love each other so much. We were thrilled when they asked us to fly to Puerto Vallarta for their wedding. We went a few days before the wedding and we had a blast. We got to know everyone and enjoyed watching this family love each other.

They chose Villa Romance for their wedding venue. All their guests were so excited to finally see this secret location. It was perfect… private beach covered in shells, aqua pool, and a fantastic view! Everyone was in heaven! Jessie is a nanny and all her kids flew down to be in the wedding. The whole team from Dazzling Details did an amazing job at making all the kids feel very welcome. They even had a playhouse filled with toys!

Photography: Figlewicz Photography | Coordination: The Dazzling Details | Event Planning: The Dazzling Details | Floral Design: The Dazzling Details | Wedding Dress: Reem Acra | Cake: Charme Reposteria | Invitations: Designers Fine Press | Ceremony Venue: Villa Romance | Reception Venue: Villa Romance | Bride's Shoes: Steve Madden | Rings: Boscus Designs | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Kirstie Kelly | Catering: Plush Catering & Events | Hair & Makeup: Sebastian Salon | Groom's Attire: Evolution Of Style | Groomsmen's Attire: Boscus Designs | 10 Piece Mariachi: The Dazzling Details | Accomodations: Villa La Estancia | Ceremony Officiate: The Dazzling Details | DJ & Dance Floor Rental: The Dazzling Details | Groom's Shoes: Sperry | Guest Gift Bags: The Dazzling Details | Late Night Tacos: The Dazzling Details

Everyone has a different aspect of their wedding with which they are particularly preoccupied. For some of us it’s the dress, the food, or the ceremony, and for some of us (raises hand) it’s the party. This is a HUGE day and I am a firm believer in an all-out celebration. Photographed by Jillian Mitchell, this Punta Mita bash is also totally gorgeous. You can see the whole pretty-packed fiesta right here in the gallery.

From the bride… Chris is super corporate America with a twist of hippie (since meeting me) and I’m totally a southern grown granola. Chris and I have always had a love hate relationship with Margaritas and Mexican food. Being from Texas, its our way of life – I don’t think there has been a week in our alomst 5 years together where we haven’t had Mexican food and Margaritas every Sunday – then come home for an afternoon siesta!

We didn’t want a big wedding at all – and we knew if we had a Houston wedding, it would have been a 500 person event. Chris and I are both SUPER laid back and easy going. We wanted our wedding to reflect our personalities and our favorite things: spending time with our friends and margaritas!

We chose Punta Mita – because we have friends who have houses there and we think its a beautiful, quaint little spot. We also didn’t want to ask our guests to fly more than 2 hours to our wedding destination. We wanted a resort that was killer, yet we wanted somewhere really fun for our guests to have a fun “vacation”. We didn’t want them to think they were traveling for a wedding. We wanted them to go on vacation – and happen to just go to a wedding during their trip!

We didn’t want to choose between our friends – so we decided we wouldn’t have a bridal/grooms party. We’ve both been in a ton of weddings and we agreed, its just too stressful and causes way too much drama. We agreed that our wedding was about two people: Chris and myself.

As far as vendors – I wanted to keep things super simple. Chris wore simple Bonobos blue pants (his favorite color) and a white linen shirt with his sleeves rolled up. I wanted him to feel comfortable, not stuffy. Shoes are always optional in our lives.. I absolutely hate wearing shoes. My dress, was Alvina Valenta purchased at Ivory Bridal Couture. I wanted a dress that was simple and reflected the beach – I didn’t want too poofy or fancy looking – because that’s not me. I didn’t wear shoes.

The food was simple: Mexican. The drinks were our favorite: Margaritas, Corona’s and Champagne with berries – we also had an open bar for our guests. We had tequila at each table – because why not? Our friends spent a ton of money coming to Mexico to party – we wanted to give them a party. I think we accomplished that!

Overall we had the best, most perfect wedding. People are STILL talking about it in Houston. It was wild, crazy, free spirited – just the way we wanted it.

Photography: Jillian Mitchell | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Ceremony Venue: Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis | Groom's Attire: Bonobos

A gathering of loved ones in tropical paradise – AKA, Dreams Villamagna – is about the best way to tie the knot, if you ask me. It’s a travel adventure and wedding all rolled into one, and thanks to the fabulous Travel & Events With Style, each special moment was planned to a perfect T. Victoria Anne Photography came along for the ride, and the results are a gallery you don’t want to miss!

From Travel & Events With Style… Sweet and sunny; lace and orchids; this is the simplicity that made this wedding by the beach lovely. Leanne and Ryan are on of the couples where love surrounds them at all times. Tight family units, silly infectious laughter, was the “sugar and spice” that made this wedding more than just “nice.”

Decor was inspired by beachy itself. When the overall vision was created, it was focused on traditional things such a lace to inspire the traditional aspect of family. While the white and beige mirrored the beach and the surroundings. Fun, silly, yet elegant. This couple made for wedding simple yet perfectly planned wedding in paradise.

Photography: Victoria Anne Photography | Stationary: With Style Designs | Venue: Dreams Puerto Vallarta | Wedding Planner And Decor Designer: Travel and Event With Style

Give me a tropical escape to paradise and I’ll be one very happy blogger. But when that escape just so happens to be set at the amazing Dreams Villamagna Nuevo Vallarta? Let’s just say it takes everything I have not to pack up and book a vacay for myself. Shot by Melissa Green it’s the destination wedding at its prettiest, and you can see if all for yourself in the gallery right here.

This beautiful destination wedding took place at Dreams Villamagna in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Tony and Julia were the most stunning of couples and had impeccable taste in style, music, friends, and wedding locations! Tony being from Canada and Julia from New Zealand, guests were coming from all parts of the world.

Dreams Villamagna fit Tony & Julia’s destination wedding dream perfectly, providing beautiful landscaping, surrounded by palm trees and pools leading to the ocean. The resort was mostly white with orange and green accents, which gave many options for portrait scouting. And the beach was simply beautiful and perfect.

Dreams Villamagna provided the flowers and cake. Tony & Julia decided on everything else from the wedding colors to the centerpieces to the music played throughout the ceremony and reception.

This destination wedding was exquisite and with just the right amount of Mexican flare and touches to bring all the foreigners together, made this wedding a one of a kind.

Photography: Melissa Green | Wedding Shoes: Arte Latica | Bridesmaids Dresses: Coralie Beatrix | Grooms Attire: Wedge Wood Rings | Groomsmen Attire: Banana Republic | Wedding Venue: Dreams Puerto Vallarta | Bride's Engagement & Wedding Rings: Blue Nile | Bride's Hair & Makeup: Dreams Puerto Vallarta | Bridesmaid's Necklaces: Gem Passion Jewelry | Catering/Cake: Dreams Puerto Vallarta | Flower Bouquets: Dreams Puerto Vallarta | Groom's Ring: Wedge Wood Rings | Hair Comb: David's Bridal | Veil: Under The Veil | Wedding Dress - Belt: Davie & Chiyo

On a day like today, where the temperature will barely reach thirty (brrr), a wedding like this Puerto Vallarta pretty is just what the doctor ordered. A good ol’ dose of stylish vitamin D by way of the gorgeous images from Studio Castillero Photography. And with The Dazzling Details at the design helm, you know this gallery is as good as they get. See even more here.

From the Bride…Kevin and I knew we wanted a destination wedding before we were even engaged. We visited Dreams in Puerto Vallarta on a last minute mini vacation back in 2008 and absolutely fell in love with the area’s pristine beaches, lush jungles and vibrant culture. That trip was the beginning of the couple we are today and has always held a special place in our hearts. Both Southern Californian natives, we knew we had to say our vows with the ocean as our backdrop, and knowing we would be paying for our wedding ourselves, affordable Puerto Vallarta became the perfect choice. After scouring the internet, we found the lovely and talented ladies of The Dazzling Details, their services and the venue were booked before Kevin even popped the question! (Yes, I am a planner and booking before the New Year meant additional savings, ha!)

Our wedding day was nothing short of spectacular! Over 80 friends and family made the trip to Dreams over President’s Day Weekend 2012 to celebrate with us. The Dazzling Details used every detail and element I had described or suggested in our emails (even ordering a coral chevron fabric I had fallen in love with months ahead of time) and turned the affair into a beautiful mix of classic elegance and modern flair. From the ghost chairs and paper lantern lit tent, to the handmade programs and maracas, no detail was left unnoticed. They even managed to incorporate Kevin’s favorite pastime – hockey – in a classy way as a backdrop for the table numbers.

Most importantly, our friends and family had the time of their lives and are still reminiscing about the amazing time they had and how it was the most incredible wedding they had ever been to. Rachel and Rico, our photographers from Studio Castillero and Tom and Mindy, our videographers from Aqua Vivus captured every moment beautifully. It was a day we will cherish forever and can now continue to relive through their work. We wish we could come back every year and repeat the same party complete with fireworks!

Photography: Studio Castillero | Cinematography: Aqua Vivus Productions | Wedding Planning and Design: The Dazzling Details | Flowers: The Dazzling Details | Wedding Dress: Rivini | Men's Attire: J.Crew | Hotel: Dreams Puerto Vallarta | Bride's Shoes #1: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaid Dress: J.Crew

Right about now, as my house lies snuggled in a foot of snow, Mexico is sounding pretty amazing. It’s a land where sunshine is a mainstay and seaside nuptials are a part of the landscape. And local darlings, The Dazzling Details, know just how to whip those nuptials into shape. The result is a neutral palette and oceanfront cocktailing all captured by Clary Pfeiffer. Click here for more.

From the Bride… Brad and I knew very early on we wanted a destination wedding. We both fell in love with Puerto Vallarta and knew it was the perfect location for our wedding. Puerto Vallarta is a city filled with remnants of classic architecture, cobblestone streets and breathtaking views from the hills that surround the bay. It is absolutely beautiful and completely charming.

I wanted to juxtapose the rustic charm of Puerto Vallarta and our venue, Villa Celeste, with chic, simple details and a soft color palette. Brad had only one request when planning the wedding: a ridiculously fun reception. We hired The Dazzling Details {wedding planners extraordinaire!} to bring our vision to life.

When the day arrived, I felt so relaxed and happy and I attribute this to The Dazzling Details. I knew they would take care of everything and all we had to do was have fun and live in the moment.

Our wedding day was steaming hot, but our guests made the best of it jumping in the pool between limbo contests, dance offs and visits to the late night churro stand and taco cart. Everyone ended up in bathing suits and cover ups by the end of the night, which wasn’t what I had envisioned, but it was a perfect ending to our crazy reception!

Photography: Clary Pfeiffer Photography | Videographer: Promo Vision PV | Coordination: The Dazzling Details | Floral Design: The Dazzling Details | Wedding Dress: Stardust Celebrations | Ceremony Venue: Puerto Vallarta Beach | Reception Venue: Villa Celeste | Jewelry: Samantha Wills | Bridesmaids Dresses: Joanna August | Bridesmaid Dress Boutique: Bella Bridesmaid | Invitations + Save The Dates: Steracle Press | Save The Date Calligrapher: For The Love Of Letters

Anytime a Jillian Mitchell wedding pops through our inbox, we put on our wedding blogger party hats and prepare. to. swoon. Her gorgeous, light-drenched captures get our hearts time and time again, and this destination beauty is the latest on the list. The Dazzling Details styled every bloom in flawless fashion, and you can find even more pin-able moments in the gallery right here.

From the Bride… I have always wanted to get married in my hometown of Santa Barbara but after my husband Matt and I started talking about our wedding we knew we wanted to have a destination wedding. We loved the idea of having an intimate group of our family and closest friends with us on vacation celebrating our love. Next we needed to decide on our wedding location. We decided against more remote locations like Fiji and decided on Mexico. Matt let me decide on the town! I searched online for weeks and came across The Dazzling Details. After seeing their weddings I knew I wanted them to plan my wedding so we decided on Puerto Vallarta.

My favorite moment of the day was standing bare foot in the sand exchanging our handwritten vows. I have never had so many emotions come over me. We both thought we would be able to hold it together but we both had tears running down our cheeks by the end of our vows.

I thought having a destination wedding would be ten times more stressful but it was the exact opposite. The Dazzling Details made the wedding process extremely easy and fun! If you are thinking of about having a destination wedding… do it! You won’t regret it!

Photography: Jillian Mitchell | Event Design: The Dazzling Details | Floral Design: The Dazzling Details | Wedding Dress: Amy Kuschel | Reception Venue: La Mansion | Shoes: Valentino | Jewelry: Aquinnah Jewelry | Bridesmaid Dresses: Nordstrom | Catering: ByB Banquetes | Hair + Makeup: Sebastian Salon | DJ: DJ Extassis | Groom's Attire:: Faconnable | Bride's Belt/Sash: Ivy And Aster | Cigar Rolling: Leopoldo Ponce | Desserts: Charme Reposteria | Groom's Shoes: Rainbow

Saying “I do” with sand between your tootsies sounds like heaven. And if these captures from Gladys Jem are any indication, it so, SO was. I’m talking postcard perfect scenery, loose and lovely florals, and a day chock full of details planned by Chic Concepts. Get ready for a little case of  wedding envy m’dears, because this gallery is pretty to the max.

From Gladys Jem…Christina and Will’s destination wedding in Mexico was an intimate day with their closest friends and family. They married at the gorgeous Casa Guillermo Villa. The day was personalized by them, and with help of the amazing planners it went off without a hitch. On the beach, donuts, fireworks, lantern release, and an amazing bride & groom. Hope you love it as much as I do.

From the Bride…My husband and I always knew we wanted to get married with our toes in the sand. Imagining the sun shining and ocean waves as our backdrop, we decided Mexico would be our wedding spot. Puerto Vallarta was close enough so the trek wouldn’t be too far, and the city had all the elements for the perfect vacation for our friends and family.  Puerto Vallarta has some absolutely beautiful all-inclusive resorts.  However, we chose a breathtakingly beautiful private, and more intimate, villa with its own beach to get married on, and host our families for the week.

We wanted the theme of the wedding to blend in with the natural beauty of the beach and villa, so we went with rustic chic. Our amazing wedding planners Chic Concepts knew exactly what we wanted and handled all the details, but we wanted to add some touches of us that our guests would pick up on. We created our own favors, name tags, table numbers, and menus with stamps and our trusty printer. The night before the wedding, my dedicated bridesmaids and their significant others helped put the final details together on our DIY creations.

Our wedding website was called baconandonuts to be silly and very us. We think it reminded people that this would be a non-traditional and fun wedding! To make sure we incorporated our guilty pleasure foods into the wedding, we had bacon and donuts printed on custom tank tops and canvas bag favors, and had plenty of both served at the wedding.

We had countless amazing memories throughout the day including the grooms side getting the-always-risky straight razor shaves, our incredibly special first look, a wonderful ceremony performed by one of our closest friends, and lots of dancing and celebrating. But one of our most memorable moments came toward the end of the evening, when our entire wedding party released wishing lanterns into the sky from the beach.  It created a long run of oooohs and ahhhs and it was incredibly special for my husband and I to light one together and watch all of our friends and family join us.

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I adore a good love story, especially when it comes to us in the form of a breathtaking soiree from The Dazzling Details and Michelle Turner Photography.  That’s a duo who knows a thing or two about pretty, pretty weddings… and when you add in a couple with one of the cutest tales ever (beautiful exchange student meets dashing gentlemen), it ups the lovely quotient about 1,000 percent.  From the stunning La Mansion Vallarta setting to the uber-happy faces to the pretty pink hues, it’s a destination soiree that will leave you smiling for your entire work day.  See it all right here.

From the Bride… Fernando and I first met way back in 2000, when I was an exchange student in his hometown of Mazatlan, Mexico. We became close friends and stayed in touch regularly throughout the years. Fast forward to 2007 – Fernando was working in Puerto Vallarta, and I thought that would be the perfect opportunity to take a vacation down there, since I had never been before. We both realized we had romantic feelings for each other during that trip, and after a few subsequent years of long distance dating, Fernando proposed on Christmas Day of 2010. Having both relocated to Philadelphia, we started thinking about where we would have our wedding.

We chose Puerto Vallarta because it is where we fell in love and shared a lot of our special “first” moments as a couple – first date, first kiss, first “I love you.” We knew we wanted a wedding location that was a destination for both families, to make it fair since everybody was so far apart. We also wanted to keep it in Mexico and ideally near to the beach. I always knew I wanted an intimate wedding, so renting a private villa for our reception made perfect sense, and I fell in love with Casa Garza Blanca (now renamed La Mansion) when I saw it.

I envisioned a wedding that was utterly romantic: soft, feminine, and whimsical. I also wanted to incorporate a beach theme somehow, without doing something typical of your average destination wedding. My final vision ended up being “vintage seaside” – complete with nautical compasses serving as escort carts and favors and a message-in-a-bottle style guestbook. I also wanted to incorporate both of our unique cultures and make sure everyone felt welcome, despite the language barriers between our families.

The Dazzling Details did an amazing job fulfilling my vision. The day was perfect, despite the fact that we almost had a run-in with Hurricane Bud. The Dazzling Details made sure we had a contingency plan and rented tents which allowed us to still keep the reception outside. We had a light drizzle during most of the evening, but I actually thought the rain made the wedding even more unique and romantic. Every detail was beautiful, from the candles and soft lighting, to the bilingual menus, amazing food, and the gorgeous cake. Local touches like a cigar roller and a churro cart added a Mexican touch that our American guests adored. We were even able to catch a brief glimpse of the sunset despite the clouds. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and I think the way our wedding day turned out – rain and all – was just how it was supposed to be for it to be perfect for us. As they say in Spanish, “Novia mojada, novia afortunada!”

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Wedding Photography: Michelle Turner Photography | Wedding Venue: La Mansion Vallarta | Wedding Coordination, Design + Florals: The Dazzling Details | Catering Service: Plush Catering | Wedding Cake: Charme Reposteria | Wedding Dress: Watters, Cabo | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Veil: Paloma Blanca (pre-owned via Ebay) | Bride’s Earrings: Nadri Jewelry Group | Bridesmaids Dresses: J.Crew | Groom’s Attire: Express | Cigar roller: Sr. Leopoldo Ponce | Authentic Churro Cart: Sr. Julio | Fireworks Presentation: Sr. Victor Zagal | DJ: Sonido Extasis

Spending an entire week in Puerto Vallarta with your closest friends and family is one seriously awesome vacation, on that we can agree.  But spending that seriously awesome vacation all in celebration of your Big Day?  Even better.  Which is exactly why these two sweeties rounded up their nearest and dearest and headed south of the border to say “I do” amongst the breathtaking landscape and towering Palm Trees.  It was a week that was more beautiful than you can imagine, complete with sweet DIY details, a stunning Pronovias gown and one gorgeous moment after another captured by Elizabeth Lloyd.  See it all in the full gallery.

From the Bride… When Rob proposed to me during a backpacking trip along the Lost Coast, a 25-mile stretch of uninhabited coast in Northern California, every part of it was perfect. The sun was setting above a clear day and we were alone on the beach with the nearest person miles away. We were without our cell phones and I had to wait until we returned from our trip to share the news with family and friends (which was no easy feat!), but spending the first two days of engagement alone was special. Much like the announcement of our engagement, we took our time planning our wedding, making sure to take in each step of the process, enjoy the moment, and cherish it.

As we began discussing our wedding plans, our vision was clear. We could not fathom an entire year of wedding planning for just 6 hours with our family and friends on our wedding day. So, just like that we decided on a destination wedding in Puerto Vallarta. We rented the Quinta Maria Cortez and Casa Tres Vidas, a beachfront bed and breakfast and it’s adjoining 3 villa property for 4 nights, filled it with our closest friends and family, and had the most epic wedding week ever. For our theme, we wanted a rustic yet elegant and romantic feel and chose soft pinks, taupe, ivory and pops of coral for our colors. We had a simple ceremony on the beach, officiated by our friend who introduced Rob and I, a cocktail hour on the beach listening to the sounds of a live trio band, then moved into one of the villas for the reception.

I spent months leading up to our wedding working on DIY projects. I sewed every single chiffon flower on the napkin rings to match our rustic, blush pink and ivory color theme. I incorporated our multicultural roots by making straws and cocktail stirrers that said “cheers” in Korean and Portuguese, and of course Spanish. I made pinwheel fans printed with significant dates in our relationship, places we traveled and dined, concerts and movies we watched, and words that described us as a couple.  Our guests later told us how much they enjoyed reading the fan as they waited for the ceremony to begin. For the ring bearer pillow, I made a burlap pillow with chiffon flowers for my nephew to carry down the aisle. Lastly, for our program I drew two lovebirds on the program wearing running shoes. Rob and I first met on a relay running team, and we trained for and ran a marathon together. It has played a big role in our relationship and our programs were the perfect place to symbolize it. I gave boxes of everything I made to Tamara and Lucie of Vallarta Incredible Weddings days before the wedding. They pulled all of our ideas together (there were many), and beautifully executed how we envisioned our wedding. Full of our closest family and friends, food, and love, our wedding celebration went beyond anything we could have ever dreamed up!

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Wedding Photography: Elizabeth Lloyd | Assistant Photographer: Yanen Ali | Wedding Venue: Casa Tres Vidas in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico | Event Planning: Lucie Aubert + Tamara Bradley from Vallarta Incredible Weddings | Wedding Stationery + Decor: DIY by the Bride | Guest Book: Etsy | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Bride’s Veil: Melissa Sweet | Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade | Groom’s Attire: Hugo Boss

Simplicity is probably my favorite style. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll swoon over a ballroom wedding in a hot second – but show me a wedding where love is the greatest detail of all, and I’ll show you one happy blogger. Because that’s when the real details have room to shine. Take for instance, this Puerto Vallarta wedding captured by Rouxby. Just a simple candlelit party, where all the guests were groomsmen or bridesmaids on some of the prettiest beaches in Mexico – all centering around two people head over heels in love. Simplicity has never looked more fabulous, and you can see it all right here.

From Rouxby… This simple wedding kept true to who the couple is, while paying homage to the Mexican beach on which it took place. The guests were all bridesmaids and groomsmen of sort; they all wore black attire (most of the girls’ dresses made by the bride’s mother) and created a kind of cohesion in the wedding guests that did indeed feel like a wedding party in attendance. The ceremony and reception took place on a beach impossible to get to by car. The bride, her mother and grandmother (three generations) took a boat over early and relaxed in a mountaintop open-air cottage, enjoying champagne and simple seafood from the bay below.

The guests and the groom arrived by boat shortly before the ceremony commenced at sunset. The entire beach and hacienda where dinner was served was lit only by candlelight. Hundreds of tea light candles lined pathways and tables. The bride’s flowers were the bright tropical pinks and oranges that are at home in the jungle environment. The simple, well-made tables and chairs were constructed by local villagers, and all of the food – even tortillas and breads – were made on site. The bride’s mother made ceramic sea creatures that lined the table, but aside from that there were only flowers and candlelight for decor.

The bride and groom themselves were simply dressed. The bride wore her great grandmother’s antique earrings and necklace; a something old and something blue all in one. The dress was simple; her shoes were sandals or none at all. After a candlelight dinner, guests moved to a bonfire on the beach below and danced until the boat docked to take them back to hotels. This wedding was delightful in its simplicity. The power of candlelight; of a truly breathtaking location; of a simple dress code for intimate guests — it all created an incredibly beautiful, old-fashioned evening. A reminder that well-placed simplicity–and a priority of who attends and where–can be all you need.

Wedding Photography: Rouxby | Wedding Venue: Las Caletas in in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico | Event Planning: Blanca Ramirez from Vallarta Adventures | Floral Design: Vallarta Adventures

With a little slice of Mexico, a big dose of this couple’s personal style and a gorgeous fireworks display at the end of the night, this wedding has magic (and fiesta!) written all over it. This crew knows how to have fun, and it’s impossible not to be moved by the love and emotion in the air. Casa Garza Blanca is a stunning venue, and when it’s lit up with lights at night, WOAH. Everything comes to life! Bundles of thanks to the amazingly talented Socorro Sandoval and Eric James Photography for the full gallery of images that you’ll find here.

See the FULL gallery right here!

From the Bride… Donovan and I spent a week in Mismaloya in May of 2011. We are both lovers of Mexico and have both vacationed there a few times a year even prior to meeting one another. I was thrilled to see a part of Mexico that I had no idea existed. It was lush, green, tropical and had so much cultural history. It could be as rural or as luxurious as you wanted — truly a gem for two people who lead busy lives and appreciate the simple moments. Mother Nature has gone above and beyond in the Bay of Banderas! The day after we returned from our trip and were unpacking the new home that we had purchased and left in disarray for a little rest and relaxation, Donovan proposed! Immediately, we both knew exactly where we were getting married, and the planning began. There was never hesitation to have a destination wedding because we wanted to share this place with the friends and family that bring laughter, joy, compassion, support and love to our lives. Our intent was to make this not only a wedding for us, but also a vacation for everyone! We invited 72 people and to our surprise, 58 of them immediately replied YES.

Finding a planner was the next step, and I stumbled upon The Dazzling Details on a website that I was getting daily emails from. Instantly I knew that they were the company that we had to hire! Although we wanted our wedding to be in a location outside of the US, we also knew that the vision we had was very American. Immediately Kristin and Michelle worked with us by agreeing to make a special exception and plan two weddings in one weekend — had we known how elaborate our wedding would be, we would never have asked this of them! We were beyond impressed at their ability to capture “us” on our special day.

On the wedding day, I walked into Casa Garza Blanca and was stopped speechless in my tracks. I had never seen the venue in person, and as if that was not enough to take in, I found myself holding back tears as I looked around at what The Dazzling Details team had created. The word that I often use to describe it is “magical.” I literally was without words and had to catch my breath. I felt as if I was the luckiest bride in the most beautiful place in the world at that moment. There was not a detail left undone. I was not a “simple” bride but a “more is more” bride. The Dazzling Details went out of their way to give me every option from the ceremony furniture, BIG flowers, bling, classic romance, candles, fireworks, two cakes, plenty of yummy goodies, a cigar roller, fire dancers and a late night taco cart. The staff was amazing to our guests, and the dance floor was never empty! Our planners were” invisible” throughout the wedding day, making themselves inconspicuous while overseeing every detail and ensuring that everything went off without a hitch. There is not a detail that Donovan and I would change, and we are thankful everyday for the wedding of our dreams!

From The Dazzling Details… Suzi and Donovan first contacted us in October after having visited Puerto Vallarta, their original venue and wedding team. They had determined that their already-in-place-wedding-plans for late February simply didn’t fit with what they envisioned! We happily hopped on board and went into high-gear planning to pull together an amazing celebration in just a few months! We found them a new venue, booked a new team of vendors and worked intensely with them to have a clear understanding of the ambiance they wanted to create for their wedding day, and the end result was fantastic! 

Wedding Photography: Socorro Sandoval + Eric James Photography / Wedding Venue: Casa Garza Blanca in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico / Wedding Coordination, Floral + Event Design: The Dazzling Details / Officiant: Tamara Bradley of Puerto Vallarta Wedding Officiants / Wedding Cinematography: Ray Dion of Promovision PV / Catering: B&B Banquetes / Wedding Cake, Groom’s Cake, Groom’s Cookies + Fruit Tarts: Charme Reposteria / Taco al Pastor Cart: Don Juan / Sweets Buffet: Naef Catering / Wedding Invitations: Photo Card Chef / DJ: Sonido Extassis / Fireworks: Victor Zagal / Fire Dancers: Biosfera / Cigar Rolling: Leopoldo Ponce / Accommodations: Barcelo Resort & Spa / Wedding Dress: Amy Kuschel / Bride’s Reception Dress: Betsy & Adam via Nordstrom / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bride’s Flip Flops: Tommy Bahama / Hair + Makeup: Sebastian Salon / Bridesmaid’s Dress: Cache / Bridesmaid’s Reception Dress: Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Groom’s Attire: Jos. A. Bank / Groom’s Shoes: To Boot via Nordstrom

File this one under “picture perfect” and “amazing places,” because this is a wedding that you will want to reference again and again. Nate Broshot at License to Still (we will never get over that name!)  captured this incredible, modern wedding designed by The Dazzling Details with photographs fit for an editorial. It doesn’t hurt that the bride is already drop dead gorgeous and has a radiant smile to boot. Get your Monday morning going with some more serious eye candy in the gallery right here.

From the Bride… Will and I met in “Intro to Petroleum Engineering” my first semester at LSU. I am terrible with names but remember making a mental note to not forget his. We would have classes together for the next four years — he was smart and would make a good study buddy. It never crossed my mind that I had just met my husband. We happily studied and dated our way through college and both moved to Houston after graduation. After almost six years together, Will surprised me one casual night after dinner at home and asked me to marry him! After many happy, incoherent noises, I accepted!

We immediately thought of a destination wedding. We love to travel and wanted to have a relaxed, fun experience with our loved ones. Puerto Vallarta was decided on as the perfect spot: an easy direct flight from Houston, amazing weather and a wonderful, authentic vibe. I wanted our wedding to feel fresh, contemporary and chic, which perfectly suited our modern villa venue. After many fun hours scouring SMP, Kristin of The Dazzling Details and I started to pull together an inspiration board that perfectly summed up everything I envisioned. It was very important to us for our wedding to be personal and representative of our lives. Some of my favorite elements were the lace from my mother’s wedding dress incorporated around and into my bouquet as tiny lace flowers, the Champagne Julep signature cocktail direct from our favorite restaurant in Houston to PV!, and Will and I making our respective entrances to contemporary songs that our harpist learned for the ceremony.

The entire weekend was amazing, but the wedding day was perfection. The final design completely blew us (and everyone else) away; The Dazzling Details had completely outdone themselves. Our photographer, Nate Broshot of License to Still, blended seamlessly with our guests (and amazed everyone with his memory for names). Will and I felt completely enveloped in joy and well wishes from our friends and family — you could almost touch the good will! My favorite part of the day was our vows that we had written together. Promising the rest of our lives together in such an unbelievable setting is a memory I will always cherish.

Wedding Photography: Nate Broshot  of License To Still / Wedding Venue: Casa China Blanca in Punta de Mita, Mexico / Wedding Coordination + Floral Design: The Dazzling Details / Officiant: Tamara Bradley / Catering: ByB Banquetes / Cupcakes: Mediterranean Cafe / Wedding Invitations: Invited Design / Wedding Dress: Blue by Enzoani / Bride’s Shoes: Pour La Victoire / Bride’s Bracelet: Judith Jack / Bride’s Earrings: Eliot Danori / Bride’s Hair Piece: La Blanc Fleur / Hair + Makeup: Sebastian Salon / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Bridesmaids’ Shoes: Steve Madden / Bridesmaids’ Bracelet: Ann Taylor / Bridesmaids’ Earrings: ABS Allen Schwartz / Groom’s Suit: Custom by T & V Tailoring Ho Chi Minh City / Groom’s Tie: Christian Dior / Groomsmen’s Attire: Custom by T & V Tailoring Ho Chi Minh City / Rings: JNS Diamond Imports

Okay, I’m just going to come right out and say it. I have total wedding envy. This Puerto Vallarta wedding is insanely gorgeous and is filled with so many charming and pretty details, it’s hard to believe this was all planned from another country. Huge, huge props go out to the fab ladies at The Dazzling Details for putting together this beachy yet rustic yet totally chic fete. There are seriously so many fabulous elements to mention, but maybe my fav is the cute little attendants that greeted guests with flower cones. Totally adorable! I could go on and on, but I’ll let the gorgeous images by KLK Photography do the talking. Click here for more.

Don’t miss this gorgeous film by Promovision PV:

From the Bride… At first, the only thing Justin and I were certain about for our wedding was that we wanted to get married. Well, that and he knew he wanted a delicious square cake! So at the beginning of our engagement, with only the cake part down and feeling overwhelmed with planning a wedding celebration, Justin and I decided to come up with a list of elements that we would really love to have on our special day: outdoors, relaxed, beautiful area and venue, warm temperature, personal and fun! With our shared love for traveling, we felt a destination wedding would be perfect. This, however, limited our selection to only the entire planet! I quickly became discouraged by all the options and by the thought of planning the personalized wedding we wanted abroad, so I decided to start looking locally. We looked up and down the California coast, but every time we found something we liked we went back to our first list and always felt like we were compromising. After going through this process several times, I decided to give the destination thing one last attempt. My mom mentioned Puerto Vallarta, the location of my favorite family vacation as a little girl. She remembered me saying during that trip that I wanted to get married there someday. Too young to really remember that, I wondered if Puerto Vallarta could really be the perfect place for us. Giving the idea of a destination wedding another go, my mom and I flew down to Puerto Vallarta to visit possible locations.

To put it simply, Puerto Vallarta is the Mexico I adore. Its romantic cobble stone streets lined with bougainvillea, lush green mountains on top of gorgeous beaches, warm people and Spanish coastal villas are a dream! Still, though I loved PV, we were unsure of taking on the challenge of planning from California. Then we found The Dazzling Details team, and all the uncertainty disappeared. Over the course of looking, I began to develop a vision, although it was rather complicated. When The Dazzling Details asked me to share it, I was worried I might scare them away. I told them I envisioned a wedding with influences from Mexico and France, chic and airy, rustic yet beachy and with a travel theme that reflected our love for experiencing the world. Luckily, the team embraced my very specific vision and even managed to place a big fat Justin and Kristi stamp on it! Our day was magical. I just kept thinking, “This is exactly what we wanted but more beautiful then I could have ever dreamed, and it is so us!” We wouldn’t change a single thing — no regrets — and no compromising necessary! 

From The Dazzling Details… From the simple yet chic beach ceremony to the candlelit dinner reception and the festive celebration of romance that followed, this is a wedding to be remembered. Guests gathered at the villa in the late afternoon for agua fresca and then walked together down the cobblestone street to beautiful Conchas Chinas Beach for the simple chic wedding ceremony. Two of the younger guests awaited the group at the beach peddling flower petal cones and greeting guests! Following the ceremony, guests were greeted by an unexpected visitor at the villa entrance! Kristi and Justin SO wanted a Mexican burro to be part of the celebration, and so it was! Wedding guests styled themselves with mustaches, sombreros and paper flowers and posed alongside the furry guest of honor! Up in the villa, lounging areas decorated with single blooms in bud vases, mini terracotta pots, succulents and paper airplanes (in honor of the pilot bride’s passion for flying) invited guests to get comfortable while cocktailing! Early on, the bride professed her love of fresh French cheeses and blueberries, so we combined the two and surprised the couple with cheese boards at each table for guests to enjoy upon being seated. Maracas painted with the word “amor” were placed on each dinner chair, and guests shook them throughout the meal in lively celebration while exposed bulb lighting and papel picado danced overhead! Following dinner, some serious dancing ensued with guests being offered hand-rolled cigars, sugary Mexican churros and hot chocolate throughout the evening. And as if that weren’t enough, at the very end of the night, the couple exited the villa in style with a sparkler send off and hopped into a classic antique taxi and drove off into the starry night!

Wedding Photography: KLK Photography / Wedding Venue: Villa Celeste in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico / Wedding Coordination, Event + Floral Design: The Dazzling Details / Officiant: Gustavo Espinal / Wedding Cinematography: Ray Dion of Promovision PV / Catering: B & B Banquetes / Wedding Cake: Charme Reposteria / Live Latin Trio: Trio Montecarlo / DJ: Sonido Extassis / Cigar Roller: Sr. Leopoldo Ponce / Wedding Dress: Alyne via Mon Amie Bridal Salon / Bride’s Bracelet: A Gift from Her Mother / Bride’s Earrings: Custom via The Equus Gallery & Studio / Bride’s Shoes: BP. via Nordstrom / Hair + Makeup: Dreams Spa / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Barney’s New York / Flower Girl’s Attire: David’s Bridal / Groom’s Attire: Banana Republic / Groom’s Shoes: Sperry Top-Siders / Groom’s Hat: A Beach Vendor in Puerto Vallarta / Boys’ Attire: Old Navy / Suspenders + Bow Tie: The Rainbow Connection / Boys’ Shoes: Sperry Top-Siders

Is it crazy that this little wedding blogger has never known there was an official time for the Jewish bride and groom to be alone and really the commitment they just made sink in? Yichud. I LOVE this tradition – a time for the couple to let the joy and happiness wash over them while their friends and family are outside celebrating their new marriage. It seems perfect – something I wouldn’t mind incorporating into my every day! Michelle Turner Photography travelled to Mexico with these two lovebirds to capture their big day and it could not have been more magical. Make sure to save some time for the beach views in the full image gallery.

From Michelle Turner Photography … Sarah and Marc held their destination wedding in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Sarah and Marc met at work – they are both teachers in California (Sarah is a special education teacher, and Marc is a math and science teacher). When they started working at the same school, their classrooms shared a wall, and Sarah said that she first noticed the sound of Marc’s voice from the other side of the wall. They became friends first, though, and didn’t start dating until they had been friends for more than a year. They started spending time together in a group during happy hour after work, and Sarah told me that they shared their first kiss after work in a dive bar! They decided to get married while Marc was teaching in South Africa– Sarah visited him there, and he surprised her with the ring!

They chose a destination wedding because they wanted to include their family and friends who were scattered around the globe. Hence the travel theme that makes an appearance in all of their little details.

I asked Sarah and Marc to share their favorite moment from the wedding with me. Sarah said:

When I came around the corner to walk down the aisle- I remember hearing the ocean, which I love deeply- I had both my parents next to me and I felt like I locked eyes with almost all of my friends… and then I saw Marc and we both started laughing we were so excited. I was stunned by how much fun I had at our actual ceremony. I have never lived more fully in a single moment. Marc said that his favorite moment was right after our ceremony, when we got to spend a few minutes in Yichud. In a Jewish wedding the bride and groom spend a few minutes in seclusion after the ceremony to let what has happened sink in. We got to taste all our great food- we toasted each other. It was so special to have those few minutes alone just us- at the same time we could hear our friends laughing outside which made us both realize how lucky we were to have each other and to be surrounded by these incredible friends and family.

Photographer: Michelle Turner Photography / Venue + Flowers: Playa Fiesta / Dress: Anne Barge, Bliss Bridal / Earrings + Hairpiece: Bliss Bridal / Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Invitation: Minted + Sarah and Marc stamped and cut out the compass embellishments / Programs: Esty by Robin Bellomy + Marc and Sarah designed and assembled the rest / Menus: DIY / Favors: Donated school supplies through the United Nations Children’s Fund to Children in Internally Displaced Person’s Camps / Table Cards: DIY / Additional Table Décor: Pottery Barn / Escort Cards: Sunshine and Ravioli / Chair signs, cake topper: Etsy by Morgann Hill / Straws: Etsy / Chuppah: Handmade by Marc’s mom and completed with Marc’s grandmother’s lace table cloth / Ring Box: Vintage cigar box / Yarmulkes: Mary Piper + Stepmother of the Groom / Welcome Bags: DIY

Talk about the perfect way to ring in the New Year with a fiesta at Hacienda Palo Maria by Michelle Turner Photography. Guests mixed and mingled under the Mexico sunset with delicious flare by PLUSH Catering & Events and bright tunes of mariachis that serenaded the bride down the aisle. The spirit and warmth of the day are so joyous that I feel a little cha cha cha coming on. Be sure to check out more memorable images in the entire gallery by clicking here.

From Michelle Turner Photography… Laurie and Chris held their destination wedding on New Year’s Eve at the Hacienda Palo Maria in Conchas Chinas, Mexico. Their wedding venue was a last-minute substitution, as Chris’ family villa in Conchas Chinas sustained fire damage the week of the wedding. Laurie and Chris had such a great attitude, and things just came together perfectly for their wedding at their replacement venue. Because of the holiday, Laurie and Chris had both fireworks and sparklers at their event, along with amazing food from Plush Catering and mariachis that serenaded Laurie as she walked down the aisle with her father. 

Wedding Photography: Michelle Turner Photography / Wedding Venue: Hacienda Palo Maria in Conchas Chinas, Mexico / Event Planning + Catering: PLUSH Catering & Events / Wedding Invitations + Save-the-Dates: Wedding Paper Divas / Place Cards, Signs, Menus + Programs: Abby of Flair Designery LLC / Wedding Dress: Anna Maier Ulla-Maija

Rise and shine, SMPers!  It’s another glorious Saturday morning here on Style Me Pretty Destination and we simply could.not.wait one minute longer to introduce you to some of our brand new advertisers, because, well… they are AMAZING.  Yep, if you can believe it, your day is about to get even sunnier and we have the oh-so-wonderful (and uber-talented) Diva’s Events, Events at GlenLary and L&A PHOTOVIDEO to thank.  So, grab that cup of morning coffee, get super cozy and join me in giving them each a big SMP welcome!  It’s going to be a fabulous day.

A destination wedding in Italy.  We swoon just thinking about it.  And when it comes to planning that fabulous Italian day of your dreams, well, Diva’s Events has you totally covered.  Yep, their drop dead gorgeous events will leave you completely speechless – and their website is a one stop shop for pretty, pretty inspiration.  So, head on over there to give them a big SMP welcome… and be sure to check out the amazing discount they are offering before you go!

From Diva’s Events… Diva’s Events is an Italian agency specialized in Wedding and Events Planning. Como Lake, Tuscany, Maggiore Lake, Milan, Rome and so on… Wedding in Italy is not also a dream but it could become realty.  

Our strength is the passion and enthusiasm with which we fulfill our mission. The goal is to understand the desires of our customers and realize their dreams exceeding expectations.  

We offer a very personalized service, where details make the difference.  After an initial meeting cognitive and absolutely free, we will explain the different proposals tailored for you and your needs. We are specialized for Italian wedding specially for our stranger clients. We book also the hotel for your guests offering you the best solutions.

Elena Bertuzzi is the Foundress and the Event Planner.  Her credo is to understand and respect the identity of its customers in order for them to pack the Perfect Event, expertly blending functionality and style.  Elena has a degree in Public Relations and Advertising. She has a Master in Fashion Promotion and a Master in Wedding Planning.  Expert connoisseur of the world that revolves around the wedding, she worked such as writer for the magazine “Sposabella” and “Nozze In”, publisher of Condé Nast.

For SMP’s brides we offer a special discount of 10% on our service of wedding planning.

A glorious historical estate, acres upon acres of Kentucky Bluegrass and breathtaking weddings that will literally knock your socks off.  SMPers – meet Events at GlenLary.  A beyond beautiful setting in the heart of Kentucky and the perfect location for that uber-elegant and oh-so-Southern wedding you’ve always dreamed of.  We’ve been in love with this majestic venue from the moment we laid our eyes on that gorgeous entrance… and, trust us, you’ll be just as smitten.  So, make some plans to visit their website ASAP – and prepare yourselves for a whole lot of pretty!

From Events at GlenLary… The GlenLary Estate was built in 1840 and has all the charm and sophistication of that epic southern plantation similar to ones seen in “The Notebook” or “Forrest Gump”.  It is now a new event venue for weddings, galas, fundraisers, corporate events and film.

The GlenLary Estate, the setting for Events at GlenLary, includes the elegant manor which stands in the midst of 80 acres of fertile Kentucky Bluegrass pastures speckled with thoroughbred horses, yearlings and foals.  Additionally, there is the historic reclaimed cabin, which overlooks a spectacular veranda, which is a perfect setting for a cocktail reception or grooms get away. As well as a beautiful barn.

The south lawn accommodates tents or open-air galas, and allows guests to gather by the pool enjoying conversations and refreshments. Pool can also be covered to create a magical dancefloor under the stars.

There are many different areas on the property to throw the gala of your dreams, we are happy to work with you to find the perfect location.  The property can hold anywhere from 20-300 guests and is open for bookings throughout the entire year.

From the moment you drive through the large gates, you are taken aback and just stare at the beauty. From that moment on, you are surrounded by such love and warmth, you never want to leave.

It’s no secret that we seriously ADORE ourselves some glorious images here at SMP… and when we first laid eyes on the pretty, pretty pictures of L&A PHOTOVIDEO, well… let’s just say that we were a tad bit excited.  Yep, Leticia Alarcón is a master at capturing those oh-so-special moments – and when you take a look at all of the lovely below, you’ll most definitely see what we mean.  So, stop on by her website to show her some love… and to take advantage of her amazing offer below!

From L&A PHOTOVIDEO… With an amazing eye and great passion and love for what she does, Leticia Alarcón, captures the wedding day with sensibility to details and emotions, creating sublime artsy images that couples will keep and revive forever.  She is 100% bilingual, which makes it easier to communicate with couples.

L&A PHOTOVIDEO has been established in Puerto Vallarta for the last 18 years.  The director and founder of the company, Leticia Alarcón, is originally  from  Mexico, she lived in the States for 5 years where she  studied photography in Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, CA.  She  a member of the WPPI association, PPA association  and attends two different workshops and trade shows along the U.S. every year to follow the latest trends in image retouching and photography technology developments.

A special offer for Style Me Pretty Brides: when you book any of our Elite collection, you will receive a complimentary one hour trash the dress session with all your images in high resolution.  For any comments email directly.

Welcome, welcome to the family Diva’s Events, Events at GlenLary and L&A PHOTOVIDEO!  We are so happy to have you! xoxo

Photography: Andrea Monachello + Melanie Mauer + L&A PHOTOVIDEO

The very best, most captivating destination weddings are those that are completely organic. Where the decor, the ambiance, the moments are inspired by the land and the culture and the beauty of the region. And this wedding is the very definition of inspired. It’s rich and layered and full soul. And it is bursting at the seams with pure, unabashed romance. Just as a destination wedding should be. With decor and planning by The Dazzling Details and photographs by Jillian Mitchell, this wedding is destination gold. Click here to see so much more.

Click here to see the full wedding gallery!

From the lovely bride…A love for travel, adventure, and the great outdoors were a few of the things that attracted us to one another when we met, over six years ago. Therefore, it was a no brainer that travel and the outdoors would definitely be components in our wedding. A strong love of family and friends would be the other.

When we began planning our wedding, it was essential it be held at a destination by an ocean, but it was also equally important to have all family members and friends available to celebrate. There wasn’t a way to have both, as some would not be able to travel. So, we divided our celebration in order to have the best of both worlds… we would do a very intimate destination wedding with immediate family and a grand reception in downtown Portland, Oregon, for the rest of our family and friends upon our return home. This arrangement encompassed both sides of our personality as a couple; outdoor travel fanatics and downtown sheik (plus, I would get to wear my dress twice; what bride wouldn’t want to do that!).

With that decision made, we began concentrating on the destination part. Considering many options of places to go, we wondered, “Should it be somewhere we’ve never been, and how far could we travel and still convince our immediate family members to join us?” We found ourselves continuously thinking of Puerto Vallarta, our first major vacation as a couple, and in our minds… the place where we knew we were in this relationship for good, even years before we were engaged. PV held a very sentimental place in our hearts, and we really wanted our families to experience that during an occasion as important as our wedding…. where we would be joining not only our lives together for a lifetime, but our families as well.

As I began collecting wedding ideas, I found The Dazzling Details online. I immediately fell in love with Kristin, Michelle and the team’s work and so did Chris. I have to do event planning in my profession and Chris is a contractor/designer by trade, so aesthetics and truly capturing the essence of our personalities was extremely important to us! There was no doubt that The Dazzling Details would deliver on all of our hopes for our intimate gathering, a total of ten individuals. Every expectation was exceeded!

From start to finish, Chris and I never worried about a thing, because the team was truly exceptional!! Thru the guidance of Kristin and Michelle, we opted to have our wedding and ‘family’ reception at a lovely villa outside the city. What a fabulous family vacation, with our wedding being the big final event! The ceremony, conducted on a sandy beach with the ocean as a backdrop, was enhanced with elegant simplicity and unexpected personal touches along the way. Despite an unexpected day of rain, the drizzle cleared immediately before the group was seated for ceremony, and just a peak of sunlight illuminated the ceremony through dreary skies while the couple said their vows. It beautifully highlighted the natural splendor of the setting, allowing our wedding vows to be the focus.

Every detail was amazing, but the reception/dinner area was probably our favorite “scene” created by our planners. I was moved to tears by the perfection of every intricately designed component. They captured everything we could have ever imagined we would want – they draped multiple chandeliers high above the dining area, accented the table with dozens of candles, had a variety of bouquet holders and different wood elements, natural linen fabrics, and even a small suitcase that served as part of a centerpiece! One of my favorite touches was our cake holder, especially designed out of tree branches. All color choices for the event palette were colors found in nature: browns, grays, linens, and whites to highlight our love of the outdoors. Collectively, it made for a magical and memorable event that to this day everyone is still talking about… and for all that weren’t there, they wish they could have been!! Our wedding celebration was truly exquisite!!

Wedding Coordination, Design + Florals: The Dazzling Details / Wedding Photography: Jillian Mitchell Photography / Wedding Venue: Casita Camino al Mar / Catering: Plush Catering / Live Latin guitarist (ceremony and cocktail reception) – Lenny Lopez / Ceremony Officiate: Tamara Bradley with Puerto Vallarta Wedding Officiants / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Groom’s Attire: Calvin Klein /  Wedding Cake: Charme Reposteria

If you’ve never been to Puerto Vallarta before, I have an inkling you’ll be looking into travel arrangements after seeing this destination dream wedding by Elizabeth Lloyd Photography. It’s destination perfection. And when that pretty place is paired with a swoon-worthy color palette, fab DIY details and a new Mr. & Mrs. you just want to squeeze they are so adorable – you get a full gallery of images that is a vacation in itself.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Before we were even engaged, we knew we would get married in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It was the location of our first vacation together almost six years earlier and hopefully many more vacations in the years to come. We had about a year and a half to plan our wedding, and I used much of this time to work on many DIY projects: the flower belts for me and my bridesmaids, my jeweled shoe clips, the jeweled lockets hung from my bouquet, our polaroid guest book, menus, place card signs on the backs of each chair, an aisle runner and capiz shell dangles for the altar, to name a few. The last DIY project mentioned now serves as an art piece hung on a wall in out bedroom.

For our wedding, we envisioned a small, intimate, candlelit beach celebration. We had 20 guests join us, and all were traveling to Mexico for the first time. We made sure to plan some fun events (a Mexican-style welcome dinner, horseback riding and a sailing trip) in the days leading up to wedding. By the day of the wedding, there was a bond formed between all of our guests, and it was great to see everyone truly happy.

I was so happy with our choice of vendors. Michael and Eva of Vallarta Weddings allowed us the ability to infuse many of our DIY projects. Our original venue fell through about a month before our wedding, and they suggested Casa Canela. This location was lush, romantic and private. A perfect blend for a romantic evening. Plush Catering was able to create a six-course tasting menu that offered our guests a less traditional wedding meal. We were lucky enough to book the amazing Mango Trio to play during our ceremony and cocktail hour. They provided the perfect soundtrack to our surroundings. And last but not least we wanted to make sure we documented our day both through video and photos. Russell John Films provided the cinematography. The film is so perfectly us. Its sweet in the right places and lighthearted in other places, but most of all it tells a beautiful story. And of course we wanted to make sure we came away with some amazing photographs. We worked with Kiersten Rowland of Elizabeth Lloyd Photography. I loved her energy and was so happy we had a trash the dress shoot with her. By that time, we were more used to being in front of a camera, and I think she snapped some of our most favorite pics during this session. We had the time of our lives. Mexico will always be a part of us and our relationship. We hope to be back soon!

Wedding Photography: Kiersten Rowland of Elizabeth Lloyd Photography / Wedding Venue: Casa Canela in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico / Event Planning: Vallarta Weddings / Wedding Cinematography: Russell John Films / Catering: Plush Catering & Events / Band: The Mango Trio / Wedding Dress: Nicole Miller / Shoes: J.Crew