Franchesca and Garrett fell in love with Oaxaca and were determined to infuse their wedding with the city’s vibrant and artistic atmosphere. The stars aligned when they found a local wedding planner whose aesthetic perfectly matched their vision. With an exceptional team of vendors, the couple successfully brought their dream Parroquia del Carmen Alto wedding to life. Together, they introduced their guests to the captivating spirit of Latin American culture—showcasing vibrant colors, mouthwatering cuisine, and the craftsmanship of dedicated artisans preserving native traditions.
To capture the magic of the location, the pair chose the historic fortress turned church for their ceremony. After exchanging vows, they continued the celebration with a lively calenda, parading through the streets of Oaxaca alongside dancers and musicians. Wanting to give everyone a taste of the “campo” experience, they arranged for an antique bus to transport guests to a ranch. Here, the festivities continued with a beautiful reception featuring long tables adorned with vibrant florals and plenty of candles, creating a stunning atmosphere. The celebration was complete with cigars and mescal, adding an authentic touch to ensure a memorable and festive experience.
The couple’s tireless efforts and commitment truly shone on their wedding day. The celebration was a lively burst of color and infectious energy, creating an unforgettable experience for all. The moments were beautifully captured by Junebug member Efege. As you scroll through these incredible photos, you can feel the excitement and appreciate the unique, personal touches that made their big day truly one-of-a-kind.
The Couple:
Franchesca and Garrett
The Wedding:
Parroquia del Carmen Alto, Mexico
Fashion Highlights on Their Parroquia del Carmen Alto Wedding Day
Fashion is important to me, but I also wanted to be true to my style and make sure I felt beautiful and comfortable in my choices. I wore a Danielle Frankel dress and veil with my grandma’s pearls reimagined into a necklace my mom had made for me, Manolo Blahnik heels for the ceremony, and later changed into the most fun and comfortable party dress of all time, a Giuseppe di Morabito number with Nodaleto platforms and a bespoke headpiece by the Colombian-based Magnetic Midnight. I danced all night in my Nodaletos and wore them during the calenda. Garrett wore a beautiful, rich, teal-colored Paul Smith suit, a silk Dries Van Noten tie, Del Toro loafers, and Flatlist sunglasses.
Celebrating Their Diverse Heritage Through Musical Fusion
Our ceremony blended two cultures: my Latin American heritage and his American roots. We had live music from start to finish—beginning during the parade, a live band playing boleros during dinner, and a salsa band as a surprise for our guests in between the DJ sets. It was a party for the ages! Aside from our wedding vows, I’d have to say the calenda. Parading through the streets of Oaxaca with dancers, musicians, and all of our wedding guests was a dream come true. People in the streets joined us and even yelled “Viva los novas” from their rooftops. It felt like we were honoring the city and inviting everyone to join our joy and union.
Hand Drawn Details from Invitation to Decor
Decoratively speaking, we had hand-drawn menus on the table emulating our wedding invitations, which were also hand-illustrated. Garrett drew a wedding logo of our faces carved into the ceiling decor (papel picado) with our name and wedding date. Our guests were so amazed by the level of detail.
Prioritize What Matters: A Guide to a Stress-Free Wedding Journey
Stay true to your vision as a couple, and emphasize the important things to you. Try not to sacrifice those things. If you do have to pick and choose, prioritize the things that are most important to you. Also, don’t stress. Nothing is perfect, and your wedding will likely have a few minor bumps along the way. Stay present, and remember that your day should be about your love and commitment.
Rancho Cebu Revelry: From Falco’s Tunes to Sippy Cups on the Dance Floor
After the parade, we packed our wedding party into an antique Oaxacan bus that drove us to the venue. We chose Rancho Cebu as our venue because our families and friends stayed inside Oaxaca City, so we bused them to the ranch that Los Amantes Mezcal distillery sits on. It was a perfect day; with the heat, a slight breeze blew through the agaves and the papel picado, making it look ethereal. We had a toast and drinks on the bus with our best friends and had all the windows down. There was no aux, so we listened to “Rock Me Amadeus” by Falco the whole ride. Our guests were greeted with mezcal cocktails and allowed to explore the venue during sunset. We had phones set up in the cocktail area so people could leave us “voicemails!” Once we arrived at the venue, Garrett and I drove in on a moto taxi decorated with paper flowers. The DJs played one of our favorite songs, “Steve McQueen” by M83, as we drove along the agaves. It was such a surreal feeling. Once the dance floor opened up, we had the bartenders serve drinks in “sippy cups” that had the same logo that Garrett drew. We wanted people to drink without worrying about spilling or breaking glass.
A Taste of Peru and Oaxaca on Their Wedding Menu
Since my family is Peruvian, we had a special menu created for our wedding by the talented Oaxacan chef Rodolfo Castellanos. Rodolfo created an Oaxacan-Peruvian menu that included 4-courses, and the presentation was utterly stunning. We had Peruvian ceviche, Lomo saltado, Molotes, Arroz con Mariscos, Roasted Bell Pepper Soup just to name a few of the options. Our guests were stunned at how delicious the food was and how incredible the preparation by Rodolfo’s team was. We experienced a wedding and a culinary experience all in one.
Oaxacan Wood Carvings and Mezcal Mementos: Personalized Gifts at Every Setting
At each place setting, we put an Oaxacan wood carving for our guests to take home with them. Each person had a different animal and color. We also placed large Mezcal bottles with our wedding illustrations along the tables for the toasts, and everyone received a mini bottle in their welcome tote, which was also personalized with our logo.
The Wedding Team:
Photography – Efege
Event Planning – Yadira Castañeda
Ceremony Venue – Parroquia del Carmen Alto
Reception Venue – Destilería Los Amantes
Floral Design – Buke Floral
Catering – Rodolfo Castellanos
DJ – 2Djs
Videography – Chucho Potts
Congratulations to Franchesca and Garrett on their stunning Parroquia del Carmen Alto wedding, brilliantly showcasing the beauty of Latin American culture. A heartfelt thank you goes to Junebug member Efege for skillfully capturing all the special moments and lively energy of their happy day. To see more beautiful celebrations, remember to check out their profile in our directory of talented photographers from around the world.
From a captivating venue to exciting entertainment and delicious food, crafting an unforgettable celebration requires the perfect blend of elements. The magic of this wedding is your proof. With the right team of vendors, your vision can come to life, and there’s no limit to what you can achieve.
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