WEDDING BLOG

Sophisticated and Elegant Beach Wedding

January 19, 2022 | kailey

Paris and Jayson always knew that they wanted a destination wedding. Though the process wasn’t without its challenges, the couple—along with their planner and florist Moni Junco— had the will and fierce resolve to bring to life the big day they envisioned. In the end everything worked out perfectly. Their sophisticated and elegant beach wedding at the One&Only Mandarina was a beautiful representation of everything they loved and cared about.

Surrounded by breathtaking views of the mountains, rainforest, and the Pacific Coastthe ultra-luxurious beach sanctuary at the One&Only Mandarina was the otherworldly setting for their ceremony. Their stunning reception at the Canalan Beach Club had the perfect beachfront views and gorgeous airy florals.

From the breath-work workshop and super-personal ceremony to the locally sourced, clean dinner menu—every aspect of their special day truly was a reflection of who they are. If you’re a nature-loving couple whose idea of the perfect wedding is equal parts romance and luxury, these beautiful photos captured by Junebug members Memorybox Photography are the inspiration you’ve been looking for.

The Couple:

Paris and Jayson

The Wedding:

Sayulita, Mexico

An Elegant Beach Wedding at One&Only Mandarina

We actually had two ceremonies, one in Louisianawhere I am from, and then the other in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico. We specifically decided to do the wedding at One&Only Mandarina because of the beautiful location and also the level of service and experience we knew the One&Only brand would deliver. Having a destination wedding can be stressful because there are so many things you can’t control very much from afar. That’s why choosing a venue that you really trust is important. We knew if all else failed, One&Only would deliver a beautiful, memorable experience for everyone. And they certainly did!

Creating A Great Wedding Guest Experience

The thing we cared about most was bringing our loved ones together and creating a memorable experience for everyone. Because of Covid, we wanted our guests to feel safe and comfortable. This reinforced our decision to have a wedding in a location that was almost entirely outdoors and where nature could be a major focus. We also wanted our guests to feel like they had the freedom to enjoy themselves as they pleased and make the most out of their trip to Mexico. We didn’t want guests to feel like the weekend was over-planned. Everyone’s idea of a vacation is different, so we wanted to leave space for people to make the weekend their own.

Revamping Wedding Traditions

First and foremost, planning any wedding during Covid is something to be proud of! But when I look back to our wedding, the thing I am most proud of is how much our wedding really felt like us. We spent time and energy on the things that mattered most to us and let go of attachment to traditions that didn’t resonate with us. For example, having a big wedding party wasn’t something we cared about, especially because we were having to be super mindful of the number of guests due to Covid.

Personalizing Their Ceremony

The other thing that really made the ceremony personal was our officiant. Her name is Steffy and she is the in-house wellness person. Two days before our ceremony we asked Steffy if she would be willing to officiate our wedding. We knew this wasn’t something she had necessarily done before, but we trusted her and just knew she was the perfect person. To our delight—Steffy said yes to officiating the wedding and it couldn’t have gone better. She made our ceremony so special, finding ways to incorporate our loved ones that had passed and those family members who could not be present due to COVID—which she did with such grace and honor.

Locally Sourced Custom Wedding Favors

Our wedding favors included custom bags with a logo we created as well as these beautiful leather slippers and handmade soaking bath salts. We loved that they were not only custom but that they were made by local artists from Mexico.

Working With Junebug Members Memorybox Photography

Memorybox Photography were incredible! They are friends of Moni and graciously agreed to photograph our wedding after a last-minute cancellation from another photographer—literally a week before our wedding. They were so sweet, very willing to listen, and collaborate on ideas. They made us feel completely comfortable and were an overall joy to be around. They are super real, down to earth, kind souls. They are the type of people anyone would be lucky to be friends with or work with. We absolutely love the pictures from our wedding day. I had high expectations and they totally exceeded them.

Wedding Planning Advice From The Bride

Wedding planning looks and feels different for everyone. I received so much advice and I had this expectation of what it was supposed to feel like to plan our wedding. I found myself constantly feeling like I wasn’t doing a good enough job or that it was harder for me than it should have been. What I eventually learned is that it’s different for everyone, and not every bride is going to enjoy the planning process as much as the next person. If you’re a bride that isn’t obsessed with planning every detail and if you’re just busy, like myself, the best thing you can do is find vendors that you trust. If you find someone you trust for one thing, chances are they will have great recommendations for vendors outside of their area of expertise. Another big piece of advice, in wedding planning and life, is to always ask for what you want, even if it is outside the box. The worst thing that can happen is you get told no.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – MemoryBox Photography
Event Planning + Floral Design – Moni Junco
Ceremony + Reception Venue – One & Only Mandarina

Congratulations to Paris and Jayson on their sophisticated and elegant beach wedding. And big thanks to Junebug members MemoryBox Photography for capturing all the stunning details and romantic vibe. To see more of the incredible weddings they’ve photographed, check out their profile in our directory of wedding photographers from around the globe!

A destination wedding in a beautiful exotic location with the people you love, can be unforgettable and one of the best days of your life. There’s a multitude of decisions you’ll need to make and having it in a faraway place might lead to more challenges than usual. But your special day is definitely worth it. Get started with our ultimate guide to planning a destination wedding and make your own dream destination wedding a reality.

5 Things to Check On Your Wedding Contracts

January 19, 2022 | riley

Image by MemoryBox Photography. Keep reading to learn more about wedding contracts

So you’ve begun your wedding planning journey, and you’re ready to start booking your vendors. First things first, congratulations! We know that while this may feel overwhelming, it’s also an extremely exciting time in your life. Our job here at Junebug is to make the process as easy as possible for you–which is why we’re here to give you the low down on wedding contracts.

Every single time you book a new vendor–whether it’s a hairstylist, photographer, caterer, musician, or venue–you should have an agreement in writing. Until you have a deposit down and a contract signed, no guarantees for service have been made. Of course, signing a contract is no small feat. So we’re rounding up the five things to look for in your wedding contract before you sign on the dotted line.

5 Things To Check On Your Wedding Contracts

1. Services Provided

The most important aspect of a wedding contract is the services provided. This clause gives you an overview of what the vendor agrees to beyond what their business is. For example, when you’re signing a contract with a wedding photographer it should discuss how many hours they’ve agreed to work, the number of images you’ll be receiving, and whether you’ll be getting physical or digital photos.

This clause should also discuss who specifically will be providing these services. This shouldn’t be an issue if you are working with an individual. However, if you are hiring a company rather than an individual, you want to understand who you’ll be working with.

Image by Lara Onac Photography. See more of this real elopement here

2. Flexibility

Unfortunately, things happen and plans change. And while you may not plan on there being a huge thunderstorm the day of the wedding, it does happen. You want to ensure there is a backup plan in case of emergencies. If there’s one thing that the pandemic showed us, it’s that you can never be too prepared.

This makes it crucial to look at cancellation policies. What happens if you need to reschedule and they’re not available on your new date? If they are available, is your retainer fee transferable? These are the questions you should be asking yourself. If they aren’t in the initially drawn-up contract, don’t be afraid to request changes and add clauses. You’ll be thankful you did later on.

3. Smaller Service Details

Before booking your vendors, it’s important to understand precisely what it is you’re looking for. Take a look at your florist, for example. If you’ve found a florist that you’re in love with and put down a deposit but have yet to discuss what kind of arrangements they’re delivering, it might cause problems later. Have a clear vision of the work you want done to be on the same page from the get-go.

Be sure there is a clause that discusses the maximum cost of services included in the details. This way, you’re not getting stuck with a bill much larger than expected by the end of it. Again, having your vision communicated early on will help ensure that this doesn’t happen.

Image by Emily Rose Photography. See more of this styled shoot here

4. Travel Expenses

If you’re having a destination wedding and hiring a vendor that will be traveling for you, you need to understand what additional costs you’re expected to incur to get them there. Are you agreeing to book their flights and pay for their hotel? Are you expected to pay for their gas and mileage if they’re driving? Knowing the answers to these questions will help when setting up your budget.

5. Necessary Logistical Information

Along with everything else we’ve listed, ensure that your contract has all the necessary information, including:

The time the vendor should arrive on the wedding day
The date and time of the wedding itself
The deposit
When payment installments are due
Names of everyone involved—including you and your partner
Contingency plans and substitutions (if necessary)
Termination agreements

Image by Maria Bryzhko Photography. See more of this real elopement here

Tips For Signing Wedding Contracts

Don’t Be Afraid To Negotiate Terms

If a vendor presents you with a contract that you’re unsatisfied with, don’t be afraid to negotiate the terms. Their word isn’t necessarily final. If there are things you’d like to change, present those changes to them. The worst they can do is say no. If it’s the right fit, they’ll be willing to work with you and make changes to make you feel more comfortable. And of course, don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand something.

Keep in mind that negotiating terms isn’t the same thing as negotiating price, which we don’t recommend.

Read The Entire Thing

This is the simplest piece of advice we can give you. Wedding contracts are ones that you want to read through with a fine-toothed comb. Because there are so many small details, make sure you understand every single word of it. Keep an eye out for typos and triple-check the dates and times mentioned.

Look For Red Flags

There are some red flags that you can spot before even hiring a vendor, based on their contracts alone. Look out for extreme cancellation periods (say 90 days), prohibiting negative reviews (these can be also referred to as non-disparagement clauses), constant misspellings, and vague details.

You’re now ready to tackle those wedding contracts and book the vendors of your dreams. To find vendors in your area, be sure to check out our vendor directory! It’s full of wedding vendors that we carefully vet for couples around the world.

Image by Shari and Mike. See more of this real wedding here

Stunning Anthony Chapel Elopement

January 19, 2022 | riley

light pink white

The pandemic may have paved the way for elopements, but there is no denying that there is something really intimate, romantic, and adventurous about exchanging vows when it’s just the two of you. Gabby and Lauren’s stunning Anthony Chapel elopement is proof that there’s nothing more special than just being with each other, surrounded by beauty in every direction.

With its striking architecture, soaring vaulted wood and glass ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows that reveal the sky above, the surrounding forest, and views of Lake Hamilton, the Anthony Chapel at Garvan Woodland Gardens was the perfect setting for their special day.

Two glowing brides, edgy denim jackets, gorgeous DIY bouquets, a breathtaking venue, and the sweetest in-between moments—their big day truly reflected the beauty of the way they live and love. If you’ve ever thought about eloping, these dreamy images captured by Junebug member Kylie Farmer will surely inspire you.