Ghadeer & Pancho tied the knot at Casa Serena this past February 12th. Their story is incredible, but I don't feel it's mine to tell - suffice it to say, to survive all they had to survive just to be together really made this wedding day amazing and incredibly special. When love is involved, it's amazing what you can accomplish.
Villa: Casa Serena
Photographer: Paulina Ulloa
Staff Photographer: Soco
Catering: ByB
INSPIRATION BOARD
This amazing couple were set to marry a year earlier in a different location but, days before the wedding, circumstances completely disrupted their wedding day. So, Ghadeer came with many things already in place - her colors, the bridesmaid dresses, her ideal decor - we just added a bit more color in order to add a bit of spicy Mexican flavor to a very elegant idea.
THE CEREMONY
The bride wasn't big into flowers, so we made all the florals very minimal but with a bit more emphasis on clean lines and colors. Her bouquet was made of baby's breath - normally not one of my favorites but, I have to admit, when it's the only thing in the arrangement there is a wild pretty to it. The bridesmaids carried small bouquets of purple statice flowers. We decorated the chuppah with baby's breath and curly willow and off-set the ceremony area with tree branches with a touch of flowers. I think it fit the scene and the couple perfectly :). We supplied fans in case anyone needed them for the sun, but it was actually a fairly cool day - but they were still pretty ;)...
THE COCKTAIL
After the ceremony, everyone moved upstairs poolside to the sound of Mariachis playing up on the balcony. Ghadeer had chosen a really pretty fingerprint tree for guests to put their prints and sign their names. We had a small tequila bar with signs explaining the significance of each tequila. Lanterns dotted the pool - some with designs inspired by the groom's tie. The pillows were a mix of pattern and I pulled a line from the bride and groom's first dance that I thought was just beautiful and had them printed ... it said: "I'm Lucky I'm in Love with my Best Friend, Lucky to have been where I've been, Lucky to be coming home again." We had little signs pointing the way to the cocktail and, then, later to the reception area.
THE RECEPTION
After the cocktail, guests were invited up top of the villa - on the way they were greeted with an escort card tree - escort cards were made out of natural fiber paper in the shape of a leaf with their names printed on them. I really heart these cards! Upstairs the guests were greeted with large wooden square tables - centerpieces were branches and purple dendrobidium orchids along with smaller floral arrangements in purple and green and, of course, surrounded by candles. Each napkin was tied with a wire brown twine and another leaf - purple this time - with the guest name served as place cards. Table markers were larger purple printed leaves with the number printed on. The bride and groom had a sweetheart table out on the edge, and I heart heart how the entire set-up turned out.
THE FOOD
The bride and groom chose to do the reception food in a station style manner - there was a tacos de canasta station, a grilled fish station, a salad station, to name a few. The food was delicious!
THE AFTER PARTY
After the reception, guests were invited back down to the pool area, where lanterns were lit-up, a cigar roller was ready in the groom's very own "Denver Bronco's" cigar lounge area (his favorite team and part of their story). The dance floor, again, one of my favorites - was two big arches, with wrapped curly willow and orchids around it and twinkle lights and in the center we placed a pinata lamp - knowing the pinata was important to the bride, we created two - one that was beautiful and looked nice in the middle of the dance floor and, then, one that was similar but smaller to be broken by the guests. We had over 300+ candles going up the stairs, lanterns around the pool, candles in the lounge area - super pretty. And, of course, our famous maracas - this time based on the couple's wedding invitations :).
THE CAKE
Memo pulled out the stops again and created a beautiful and yummy cake - lemon chiffon cake with raspberry filling - num!
It truly was a beautiful evening and hopefully was a a beautiful beginning to a couple who really overcame incredible obstacles to get to this day - the day they were able to finally say their very own vows in the way they wanted to do and say and celebrate with friends and a family who loves them both.
Next up - some more maraca shout-outs and oodles of weddings that I'm SUPER SUPER excited about...
