WEDDING BLOG

Lush Costa Rica Rainforest Springs Resort and Spa Wedding

May 15, 2023 | justine

Lauren and Daniel’s love for Costa Rica grew stronger with each visit, and they wanted their wedding to reflect the country’s natural beauty. The couple envisioned a day that would not only take their breath away but also allow their family to bask in the stunning surroundings. With the help of their trusted vendor team, they brought their vision to life and created a truly unforgettable experience. Their Springs Resort and Spa wedding was a perfect blend of lush tropical florals, verdant foliage, and classic elegance, all infused with their unique sense of fun and adventure.

The ceremony took place in the heart of the rainforest, with the dense jungle providing a magical and unforgettable setting. Against this backdrop, the couple exchanged heartfelt vows, surrounded by the beauty of nature. As the day transitioned into night, the reception was equally enchanting, with a canopy of fairy lights and cascading greenery setting the tone for an unforgettable evening of dining and dancing.

Although there is more we could say about this intimate, love-filled, and stunning celebration in nature, we’ll let these gorgeous photos captured by Junebug member Javier Mendez to speak for themselves.

The Couple:

Lauren and Daniel

The Wedding:

Springs Resort and Spa, Norte del centro de la Fortuna, Costa Rica

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How Their Springs Resort and Spa Wedding Came To Be

We wanted a venue to blow us away and our family could enjoy. Having been to Costa Rica many times before, we knew it had to be there. We looked up the best wedding venues in Costa Rica, Springs Resort and Spa came up, and once we visited, we knew it was the one. We contacted their wedding coordinator, Jennifer Hernandez, and told her we wanted a beautiful tropical wedding. And she just ran with all our ideas. Feeling nervous at the beginning, she eased our minds about everything being perfect. Looking back, we would not have had it any other way!

Recommended Reading: Unique Tips For Writing Your Vows

It Was A Family-Centered Wedding Day

For us, the entire day was perfect. It is hard to pick a part of the day that was better than the rest. We are huge into family and had the privilege of having 47 family members with us at our wedding. So, if we had to pick the most memorable part of our day, it would have to be partying with the entire family after the ceremony.

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Trusting The Process And Letting Their Wedding Coordinator Work Her Magic

We are most proud of leaving the entire wedding process in our wedding coordinator’s hands. Most people say that planning a wedding will have its struggles. Lauren and I had no trouble planning the wedding because we trusted our wedding coordinator. Sometimes we felt like we were not doing enough. But she assured us that everything would be beautiful, and it was just that. Our only wedding advice is to pick someone you trust and believe in and let them work their magic.

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The Wedding Team:

Photography – Javier Mendez
Event Planning – Jennifer Hernandez
Venue – Springs Resort and Spa
Floral Design – Paola Gamboa
Officiant – Noel Campos

Congratulations to Lauren and Daniel on their Springs Resort and Spa wedding. And a special shoutout to Junebug member Javier Mendez for perfectly capturing the magic of their big day. To see more of his talent, check out his profile in our directory of the world’s best wedding photographers.

If you’re planning a destination wedding, take a cue from Daniel and Lauren’s experience and build a team of talented professionals who can help bring your vision to life. To help you in this process, check out our directory of the world’s best wedding vendors. By selecting a planner, florist, videographer, and other experts who share your values, you can take the stress out of your wedding planning and focus on enjoying your big day.

This Canadian Museum for Human Rights Wedding Was Inspired By The Couple’s Love For Plants

May 13, 2023 | justine

black champagne ivory white

Katherine and Kevin’s love story began in a University plant biology class, where their shared passion for all things green and growing brought them together. So it was only fitting that their Canadian Museum for Human Rights wedding reflected this unique meet cute. With the help of their dedicated vendor team, they were able to create a celebration that was truly unique and personal—you’re in for a treat when you see it!

The ceremony was held in the museum’s glass-walled space, softened by an arch adorned with delicate blooms that set the tone for the celebration. For the reception at the Garden of Contemplation, Cassie Mae Design created free-standing floral botanical sculptures inspired by the couple’s favorite art from their travels. And not only that, guest tables were beautifully decorated with a touch of nature, featuring juicy pears and locally-sourced Manitoba honeycomb. These thoughtful details added a delightful twist to the elegant affair.

But the wedding design wasn’t the only thing that was intentional and personal. The couple filled their big day with special touches that reflected their unique relationship. From getting ready with their wedding party to having their loved ones join them during their first dance, every detail was planned with intention and meaning. Ariana Tennyson captured these moments beautifully, and we cannot help but feel inspired by this beautiful celebration of love and nature. So keep scrolling to see exactly what we mean.

The Couple:

Katherine and Kevin

The Wedding:

Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, Canada

Their Love For Plants Shaped The Look And Feel Of Their Canadian Museum for Human Rights Wedding Design

We wanted a timeless look emphasizing florals, mainly to soften and romanticize the bold geometry of the venue. It made sense for us to stick to a neutral color palette that suited our everyday style. We met at a plant biology class at University and we both worked in a conservatory, so it was only natural to incorporate our love of plants and some flora (pears) and fauna (bees) into the wedding design. Cassie Mae Design built free-standing floral botanical sculptures that took center stage in the reception space, inspired by some of our favorite art and architecture we observed in our travels together.

Why A Canadian Museum for Human Rights Wedding

I grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, whereas Kevin was raised in Collingwood, Ontario. With some of our guests celebrating with us from out of town, we wanted to celebrate in a Winnipeg landmark. Tyler from the Canadian Museum of Human Rights gave us a virtual walk-through at the height of the pandemic with humor and grace. He was helpful and supportive throughout the venue selection process, and he was a reassuring and friendly face we were glad to have with us on the wedding day. The Garden of Contemplation stole our hearts for our intimate dinner for 50. We loved that there were enough options to hold our ceremony and cocktail hour in different areas of the venue, so guests got to see a lot of the beautiful architecture as we moved through it.

Intentional Choices for a Memorable Wedding: Local Products, Personal Touches, and a Thoughtfully Structured Day

We wanted our decisions to be meaningful and to emphasize local products where possible. The flowers were important to us due to our love of plants. Kevin tested and thoughtfully selected signature drinks for the cocktail hour and dinner that incorporated pears and honey as a garnish to tie in with the decor. And most importantly, we structured our day in a way that allowed us to enjoy it and spend the entirety together from start to finish.

Unconventional Approach To Wedding Traditions

We had a fairly non-traditional approach to parts of our wedding that led to some of our fondest memories. Of these, the most memorable moment was choosing to have our wedding party, and parents join us for the latter half of our first dance. It gave us the biggest smile watching them walk out to join us. A close second was having the wedding party get ready together the morning of the wedding. Before heading to the venue, this made for a relaxed morning full of laughs, snacks, and stories.

Homemade Marmalade As Favors For Their Canadian Museum for Human Rights

The wedding favors were one of the first wedding-related tasks completed, thanks to my mom! Soon into our engagement, she excitedly went about making homemade marmalade. A recipe passed down from my late Grandmother. Since Della could not be there to celebrate with us, it was our way of bringing her love to the day.

Why a Wedding Planner is a Must-Have: Ensuring a Seamless Experience from Start to Finish

Trust us. It would be best if you had a wedding planner. Emily from Feast and Festivities gave us so much confidence and reassurance that everything would come together, and we were not forgetting anything and were putting together a cohesive experience.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Ariana Tennyson
Event Planning – Feast & Festivities
Ceremony + Reception Venue – Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Floral Design – Cassie Mae Design
Catering – Wow Hospitality
Cake – Flour & Flower
Officiant – Marry Me Hunnie
Ceremony Music – Luminous String Quartet
Live Music – Big City All Star Band
Invitation Design – Minted
Makeup Artist – Courtney Champagne
Hair Styling – Fran Rizutto
Wedding Dress – Ferre Sposa Bridal Boutique
Bridal Accessories – Prim & Prairie
Bride’s Party Apparel – Dessy
Groom’s Apparel – Surmesur
Calligraphy – Olumis Calligraphy
Rentals – Planned Perfectly + Trend Decor + Collective Rentals + Beyond the Lounge

Congratulations to Katherine and Kevin on their Canadian Museum for Human Rights wedding filled with everything and everyone they love. And many thanks to Ariana Tennyson for capturing all the beautiful moments as they unfolded.

On your big day, showcasing your unique love story and personality is essential. You can achieve this through stunning floral arrangements, personalized decor, or choosing a venue that holds special meaning to you. To bring your dream wedding to life, you’ll need a team of vendors who understand your vision and share your passion for creating a celebration that truly reflects your love story. Still trying to figure out where to start? We’ve got your back! Check out our directory of the world’s best wedding vendors to begin building your dream team today.

13 Mismatched Bridesmaid Dress Color Palettes

May 12, 2023 | Junebug Weddings

Image by Sage E Imagery. Keep scrolling to see some of our favorite mismatched bridesmaid dress color palettes

We love when brides give their bridesmaids the freedom to choose mismatched dresses for the big day. Dresses of different colors and hues go beyond a trendy wedding choice—they’re an awesome way to determine your wedding color palette. Not sure where to start with the mixing and matching of colors? We’ve got you. We’re rounding up 13 of our favorite mismatched bridesmaid dress color palettes inspired by real Junebug weddings. Whether you love neutrals, airy pastels, rich tones, or a mixture of them all, there’s plenty to be inspired by in these fashionable color choices.

Tips for Styling Mismatched Bridesmaids Dresses:

Go to your local paint store and pick out a few swatches of colors you like. Then, give them to your bridesmaids as examples of the colors you’re going for
Let your bridesmaids hash out the color choices. After they’ve decided who will wear each color, you can join in on the fun as they shop for their dresses
Add a special pop of color for your maid of honor. For example, if you’re sticking to a neutral hue for most of your bridesmaids, consider choosing a special color or pattern for your MOH

Best Places to Buy Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses:

Mismatched Bridesmaid Dress Color Palettes

Gem Tones

Why it works: These jewel-toned colors give off rich, luxurious vibes, while still remaining fun and colorful. We love how this bride had a few of her bridesmaids in the same color. Pro tip: It’s okay if some of your bridesmaids have the same color dress–especially if you have a large wedding party. Keep a balance of colors in mind.

Image by Lilly Red. See more of this real wedding here

Shades of Pink

Why it works: Blush will forever be one of the hottest bridesmaid color palettes–and it’s not hard to see why. If you love the idea of putting your party in the pink shade but want to add a bit more depth, consider a range of pinks like this. It also allows everyone to choose the shade that’s best suited for their skin tone since blushes can be difficult to wear for some.

Image by Catherine Coons. See more of this real wedding here

All The Blues

Why it works: Tying the knot in the summer or having a beach wedding? Blue tones are a perfect, more unique option that fits the season (and pretty much any venue for that reason). And because it’s not seen as often as other combinations, your bridesmaids are sure to stand out. Not to mention it’s an incredibly flattering color.

Image by Boston Mountain Photo. See more of this real wedding here

Pinks + Oranges

Why it works: This pallet reminds us of a beautiful sunset, and we can’t seem to get enough of it. If you’re searching for a color palette that is boho while still elegant, this is the one for you–especially because you can find a lot of satin dresses in these shades.

Image by Claudia Robson. See more of this real wedding here

Green, Green, Green

Why it works: Greens may not be chosen often, but when they are, we eat it up. From olive to sage to emerald, there are countless shades of green out there that look absolutely stunning when put together

Image by Andrea Ferrara. See more of this real wedding here

Reds + Rust

Why it works: This one is for the nearlyweds who aren’t afraid to embrace bold colors. We’re sure these beautifully vibrant colors will bring happy vibes to your wedding day. Plus, they look absolutely stunning in photos.

Image by Andre Gouin Photography. See more of this real wedding here

Pastels Please

Why it works: These soft colors make our hearts melt. They’re ideal for garden weddings or brunch weddings, although you don’t have to have either to pull this off. And because these dresses are the epitome of whimsical (and typically a bit more casual), there’s a very good chance that your bridesmaids will wear their dresses again once the big day is over.

Image by Eastlyn & Joshua. See more of this real wedding here

Summer-Inspired Gem Tones

Why it works: If you’re hosting a wedding that you want to feel like summer camp, this color pallet will surely set the mood for the day. These colors are the perfect combination of bold and soft, giving everyone a chance to wear the color they love most.

Image by Iron + Honey Photography. See more of this real wedding here

Neutral Pink Tones

Why it works: If you love neutrals and are going for a lighthearted, boho vibe, we love the idea of incorporating neutral pink and champagne tones.

Image by MemoryBox Photography. See more of this real wedding here

A Little Bit of Everything

Why it works: When we first saw these colors together, we immediately fell in love. This real Junebug bride pulled off the ultimate bohemian day with her bridesmaids in all different pastels. This is also an extremely easy color palette to follow if you’re hoping to incorporate floral bridesmaid dresses.

Image by Michelle Lyerly Photography. See more of this real wedding here

Shades of Purple + Pink

Why it works: Purple isn’t for everyone, but when done correctly, it’s a color fit for royalty. If you’ve always dreamed of a wedding that looks like it came straight from a fairytale story, you’re sure to love this one. Adding shades of pink in also allows you to add the color to your big day without being overwhelming.

Image by Sarah Kate Photography. See more of this real wedding here

Pink, Orange, + Green

Why it works: This isn’t an average everyday color scheme. With these pastel hues of pink, you’re adding a pop of fun to your day with the help of the orange and emerald green. Pro tip: When working with an array of hues, think outside the box by adding a few shades that pick up complimentary colors. For example, pink and orange work very well together, as do pink and green.

Image by Sophie Berard. See more of this real wedding here

Garnet, Tangerine, Sage Green, Denim, Olive

Why it works: Don’t be afraid to mix a lot of colors like this Junebug bride did! Trust us, it will make your day even more unique if your bridesmaids each wear a color that represents them—their confidence will shine.

Image by Allie Chambers Photography. See more of this real wedding here

We hope these bridesmaid color palettes have you feeling inspired to go out and create your own dream mismatched bridesmaid dress collection. Need a little help when it comes to incorporating the colors in your wedding decor design? Our top-notch planners are ready to help!

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