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Colorful and Whimsical Micro Wedding in Paradise

August 13, 2022 | riley

For Josie and Robert, it was quite the wedding journey. After the heartbreak of having to postpone to a later date, the pair finally had the intimate getaway celebration they’ve always wanted. In a colonial estate in the middle of town surrounded by cobblestone streets, hand-carved monuments, and cathedrals, their whimsical micro wedding in Casa Chorro was vibrant, festive, and magical. It started with a mariachi band welcome and a stunning rooftop party with panoramic views of the rural areas and the golden sunset as their backdrop. 

Set among the lush green gardens of the property, the couple exchanged emotional vows under a canopy of overgrown greenery and florals. The following reception featured colorful foraged floral arrangements on long wooden tables filled with candles. Meanwhile, irresistible seasonal Mexican dishes turned their reception into a true fiesta. The couple danced the night away, surrounded by their closest loved ones at their favorite place.

If you think dreamy destination weddings in Mexico are only limited to the beaches, think again! Fall in love with the art, culture, and architecture of San Miguel de Allende with these gorgeous photos captured by Junebug member Mariana Pierce

The Couple:

Josie & Robert

The Wedding:

Casa Chorro, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

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Surprising Their Guests With Their Whimsical Micro Wedding In Paradise

Our guests fell in love with San Miguel when initially they couldn’t understand why we didn’t choose a coastal location. We feel most proud of that. We had friends looking at real estate and other friends already excited about when we could all go back again. And we had one set of friends who wanted to cancel their already planned wedding and have a wedding in San Miguel and hire Mariana.  What a great compliment. It was the first vacation most of our guests had taken since COVID. We got a small legal wedding for my aunt and grandmother, two blocks from where my parents had first met. We got the bigger wedding we wanted in our favorite place. We got to introduce people we love to a town we love, and they all loved it. Not everyone realizes how great Mexico is outside of the beaches. 

Why They Chose Casa Chorro As Their Venue

We wanted everyone to stay in town and be able to walk or take a short cab ride. We love walking around downtown San Miguel, so the search was narrow to start. Casa Chorro had all the historic beauty, incredible views, and enough space for the different events we wanted. Since it’s multi-level, the guests were at the property for two days and saw other parts of the venue at different times.

Personalizing Their Ceremony By Incorporating Personal Details And A Colorful Confetti Exit

Adam, our friend who married us, was amazing at helping make the ceremony more personal. He even was legally ordained though it wasn’t a requirement in Mexico. He incorporated some of the vows we shared at our Indiana wedding with my aunt and grandmother, along with so much in which he wrote himself. There was laughter and tears, which is basically who we are as people. We also used a small shop on Etsy to print custom program envelopes and filled them with confetti. Walking down the aisle at the end was so much fun.

Enjoying A Private Moment After Their Ceremony

The most memorable part of the day was when it was just Robert, Mariana, and I taking photos during the cocktail hour. We were sitting on the roof of Casa Chorro, and we both looked over and saw the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel beautifully lit up during golden hour. We could hear all our friends and family having fun right below us during the cocktail hour, and we just were like, “we did it.”  We were just sitting there looking at the church and skyline, and it just felt like we were on top of the world. And we did it together. It was just really nice to have that quiet moment of celebration for just the two of us. And, of course, genius Mariana got it on film and made a cute IG reel. What a queen.

How They Overcame Wedding Planning Challenges

Initially, we planned our wedding for March 2021, but we pushed it to September 2021 when we weren’t sure when we would all get vaccinated. When this was all happening, my grandmother turned 100. My parents and other grandparents had already passed away, so I was nervous not to have her be a part of our wedding somehow. Having to delay made me even more worried. Luckily, we were able to go to the midwest and have a small wedding in October 2020 with just Robert, my aunt, my grandmother, and me. It was some of the last months her memory was good, and if we had waited until September 2021, she wouldn’t have known who I was to her. She passed away in November 2021 after turning 101. 

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Mariana Pierce
Event Planning – Monserrat Guerrero
Venue – Casa Chorro
Floral Design – Valeria Tamayo
Catering – Maye Cordovo Eventos
DJ – DJ Symmetry
Invitation Design – Minted
Makeup Artist – Jimena Tamayo
Wedding Dress – Daughters of Simone via Unveiled Bridal
Bridal Reception Outfit – Sahroo Bridal via SPINA Bride
Groom’s Apparel – Indochino
Rings – Lang Antique + Tiffany’s

 

Congratulations to Josie and Robert on their colorful and whimsical micro wedding in paradise. And a big thank you to Junebug member and photographer Mariana Pierce for capturing every incredible detail and memorable moment that made their special day unforgettable. To see more of her talent, check out her profile in our directory of photographers from around the world.  

It’s no surprise that planning a destination wedding–while exciting–can be a lot more challenging than planning one closer to home. While this may sound daunting, picking the right wedding team makes executing your vision far less stressful. Luckily, your dream team is just a click away. 

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Modern Rooftop Elopement Inspiration With Pops of Color

August 12, 2022 | justine

Delicate spring florals, a bright pastel palette, and dramatic city skyline views—this modern rooftop elopement is the perfect toast to love in New York City. Planner Jaclyn Watson Events, florist Folklore Flower Co., and a talented team of vendors teamed up to create this styled shoot to show urban couples that an intimate elopement can be just as romantic and magical.

With unobstructed views of Manhattan and George Washington Bridge, Above The Heights was a great spot for this rooftop elopement inspiration. The scene was set for a beautiful vow exchange using towering florals in gold pedestals to frame the couple. Meanwhile, a romantic tablescape of artful blooms and taper candles that popped against rose-colored velvet linen added character to the adjacent minimalist reception space. 

And in true urban fashion, the couple donned chic attire—with Danae in a flirty mini dress and Jason sporting a classic black tux. If you and your partner love the idea of ditching big wedding plans, scroll through and fall in love with these spectacular photos by Julia Luckett Photography. It’ll surely convince you to elope in the city.

Photographer’s Thoughts On This Modern Rooftop Elopement

Above the Heights is a new wedding venue premiering in Washington Heights in New York City. The venue has a large reception space and an outdoor ceremony rooftop with incredible views of the Manhattan skyline and George Washington Bridge. Each vendor came together with a shared vision to create a chic and modern rooftop elopement design using a spring floral palette with pops of lemon yellow and soft purple.

The Talented Team:

Photography – Julia Luckett Photography
Event Planning – Jaclyn Watson Events
Venue – Above the Heights
Floral Design – Folklore Flower Co
Invitation Design – Admire Design
Makeup Artist + Hair Styling – Beautini
Wedding Dress – Alexandra Grecco
Bridal Accessories – A B Ellie
Groom’s Apparel – The Black Tux
Rentals – Party Rental LTD 

 

Big thanks to Julia Luckett Photography for sharing this modern rooftop elopement inspiration with us. More and more couples are increasingly eloping to cities they love. And what could be more fun and exciting than running around the city with the one you love?

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How To Plan A Wedding Weekend Itinerary

August 9, 2022 | riley

Image by Apollo Fotografie. Keep reading for our wedding weekend itinerary tips

It seems like just a couple of years ago a wedding meant one singular day. Nowadays, more couples are opting to extend their special day into a multi-day wedding weekend full of activities, food and drinks, and a whole lot of fun. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, but you’re unsure about the logistics, don’t fret. 

Whether you’re keeping your celebration close to home or jetting off to a dreamy destination, there’s a lot that goes into planning a 3-day event. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help make your planning process as seamless as possible–with everything from tips to a sample itinerary.

Why have a wedding weekend?

You may be wondering why wedding weekends are becoming increasingly popular when they tend to come with a higher price tag. If the budget allows it, wedding weekends are a great way to spend more time with your guests and soak in the feeling of love with your significant other. This is especially true if you have family and friends visiting from around the world that you don’t see very often.

If you’re having a destination wedding, this also gives you more time to explore the destination, making it more like a vacation rather than a quick day trip. If your guests haven’t visited before, they’re going to want to see all that the city or country has to offer.

Wedding Weekend Tips

There are so many moving parts that go into a wedding weekend. To save yourself from stress and ensure that everyone has a great time, here are some things that you can do while planning your big days–or should we say days

1. Hire A Planner 

This one may seem like a given, but because there’s so much to think about with wedding weekends, hiring a wedding planner is the best thing you can do for your sanity–especially a wedding planner that is local to the area. They’ll save you money on your vendors, help you plan fun activities, and keep your stress levels at bay. 

2. Consider Logistics Such As Accommodation and Transportation

One of the easiest ways to host a wedding weekend is to tie the knot in a venue that doubles as accommodation. Think hotels, Airbnbs, campgrounds, bed and breakfasts, etc. This allows your guest to stay on property without worrying about transportation. 

If you choose to say “I do” elsewhere, put together a hotel block for your guests and consider arranging transportation to and from the lodging. You’re not required to pay for their rental cars, but if you do plan on hosting different activities throughout the weekend, it’s best that you help them get to and from said activities.

3. State Your Plans in the Invitation

Whether you’re sending out physical invitations or you’re planning on using a wedding website, it’s crucial that you discuss your plans on the invite. This way, they know what to expect beforehand and aren’t met with any surprises once they arrive. 

4. Send Save-the-Dates Early

Ideally, you want to send your save-the-dates out eight to twelve months before the big day–especially if your guests need to travel or it’s a multi-day celebration. This gives them plenty of time to make arrangements with work, kids, etc.

5. Plan Events Around the Destination

As a thank you to your guests for helping celebrate you and your partner, plan activities they can enjoy. This is especially fun if you have a destination wedding where you can try something regional–i.e., wine tastings, a cooking class, a boat ride, etc.

However, it is important to be mindful of leisure time. You don’t want to create a jam-packed itinerary where no one has time to rest. 

6. Put Together A Local Guide With Recommendations

If you only plan 1-2 activities or you want to give your guests the freedom to roam the city, put together a local guide with recommendations. If it’s a place that you are not very familiar with, talk with your planner. They’re sure to have favorite spots your guests can enjoy during their downtime. To make it a cute little favor, create an adorable handout that you can include in their welcome bags (which we’ll get to shortly).

7. Don’t Expect Guests To Attend Every Event

A wedding weekend is a big commitment for everyone involved–not just you and your fiancé. Remain flexible with your guests and make it known that they are not expected to attend every single activity. Whether they can only fly in the day of the wedding because of work or can’t fit the activities into their budget, be sympathetic. All that matters is that they’re there to celebrate with you.  

8. Themes Tie the Weekend Together

If you’re not careful, a wedding weekend can quickly feel unorganized. Having a theme will help lessen the chance of this by creating a cohesive flow of events. Some of our favorites include a wellness retreat complete with yoga and spa days, a summer camp with s’mores and lawn games, or a fiesta full of tacos and margaritas.

9. Make Welcome Bags

Speaking of themes, kickstart your wedding weekend with welcome bags full of goodies your guests will need for their trip. If you’re hosting a beach wedding, include items like sunscreen, sunglasses, and flip-flops. If you’re spending the weekend in wine country, throw in things like a mini hangover kit, cheese and crackers, and a personalized wine glass.

Hosting a weekend means you’ll probably want to document every activity. And while you’re most likely going to have a wedding photographer on your big day, we know it’s not in everyone’s budget to hire one for all three days. That’s why we recommend throwing a disposable camera into the welcome bag. At the end of the weekend, you can collect them all to get them developed.

Image by Alison Vagnini

Wedding Weekend Itinerary Example

Now that you know some of the top tips to have a successful wedding weekend, let’s take a look at an easy-to-follow itinerary example!

Day 1: Welcome Party 

Whether traveling across the world or tying the knot in your home city and having guests flying in, a welcome party is an easy, laid-back way to welcome your guests and get them excited for your big day. It’s also the perfect way to let your guests mingle and get to know one another if they don’t already.

The welcome party can be a backyard BBQ, a picnic in the park, a sunset boat ride, a trip to a brewery or winery, etc. It’s entirely up to you.

Day 2: Wedding

The second day of your wedding weekend will most likely be your big day. This includes the ceremony and the reception. Because of this, to keep yourself feeling good on wedding day, try not to go too crazy the night before.

Day 3: Farewell Brunch/Lunch

When you’re constantly being pulled in a hundred different directions on your wedding day, it can be hard to find the time to thank your guests for coming and spending time with you. That’s why a farewell brunch or lunch is so helpful. It allows you to express your gratitude in a relaxed setting and soak up more time with your friends and family before jetting off on your honeymoon.

Now that you’ve figured out your wedding weekend itinerary, it’s time to think about the logistics of planning your destination wedding. Luckily we’ve put together this guide that covers everything from finding your vendors to how to save money.

Image by Mariana Pierce

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