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This Dreamy Kima Tulum Wedding Took Place in the Middle of the Jungle

June 25, 2024 | justine

Jacqueline and Johann found the perfect spot for their wedding: a hidden gem surrounded by lush greenery in tropical Tulum. The moment they laid eyes on it, they knew it was meant to be. With its secluded charm, their dreamy Kima Tulum wedding became a reality in this extraordinary setting. Soft pastel colors and delicate flowers adorned the space, blending seamlessly with the natural beauty around them. It was more than just a wedding; it was a reflection of their love story and who they are as a couple.

The ceremony took place in a tranquil jungle cove, where a stunning bamboo arch became the focal point. As the festivities shifted to the reception, KIMA underwent a wondrous makeover, turning into a captivating oasis. The ambiance echoed a mystical jungle, highlighted by a dreamy cloud of baby’s breath hovering above the tables. Rattan pendant lamps and twinkling string lights enhanced the enchantment, casting a spell on all who were present.

Don’t miss a thing from the amazing tropical setting to the fun atmosphere and sweet moments, all captured by Junebug vendor MemoryBox Photography. If you’re planning a dreamy Mexico wedding, this is the perfect inspiration for you!

The Couple:

Jacqueline and Johann

The Wedding:

Kima Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Setting the Tone With Their Welcome Party

While designing our mood board, I chose three words I wanted our day to embody and selected everything to fit those three words. For our welcome party, we chose “cool,” “sexy,” and “understated.” We went to an incredible cave venue at Papaya Playa Project with twinkling lights in the wooden floorboards that resemble stars, opening up to the ocean’s crashing waves. We lit the cave with warm, low amber lights and dried neutral florals, pampas, and candles to keep everything minimal and cool. Our guests also had access to the rooftop on top of the cave, where we set up the DJ and bar to overlook the ocean, with low cocktail tables and bean bag chairs. Our dress code was neutral colors and earth tones, matching Tulum’s earthy vibe and setting a great tone for the weekend.

Creating a Romantic Atmosphere with Pastel Colors

For our wedding day, we chose “dreamy,” “romantic,” and “fun.” We mainly used light greens, creams, and bright yellows, with pastel blush, lilac, and peachy-orange pops. All chairs were a light, bright wood, setting a sweet, cotton-candy mood. I had hanging installations of wooden lanterns and string lights to resemble stars and poofy floral clouds made of white and light pink baby’s breath over the reception area. We opted for interesting florals that brought texture and layers, sticking with the light and pastel color theme but arranging them in a gradient color pattern, clustering similar colored florals together for a unique look. Our dress code was colorful and festive, with a gentle request to avoid black, and all our guests followed it beautifully. The bright colors created a positive and fun vibe everywhere you looked; every photo was so dreamy. Looking out at our guests during the reception and seeing a sea of smiling faces of people who love and support us so much was overwhelming. We got a bit choked up when we actually had a moment to stop and see everyone together during our welcome toast. It was truly special.

Why Kima Was The Perfect Wedding Venue

Kima is truly a one-of-a-kind venue. It gives you the feeling of being in your own jungle paradise, with two acres of oasis all to yourself. Yet, surprisingly, you’re only 15-20 minutes away from the beach and downtown Tulum. Kima has this amazing jungle-chic vibe, with a sexy touch in its sleek minimalist room designs and rugged jungle bar. The ceremony area feels like a hidden gem in the heart of the jungle, with copals burning around you, creating an intimate atmosphere. But then, when you step into the reception area, it’s like stepping into a whole other world—a spacious, open space just waiting for a party to kick off! And let’s not forget about the pool. It’s practically calling out to be jumped into at night’s end.

Keeping their Dreamy Kima Tulum Wedding Vibe Positive

Guests tend to mirror the attitude and mood of the bride and groom. So, if people see you getting upset or stressed over something, guests will also feel upset. If you keep it fun and happy, the party will keep going. And if you want people on the dance floor, stay on the dance floor. I’m really proud of the attitude Johann and I had during our wedding week. We were just so happy to be in Tulum with the people we love, and we knew at the end of the day, the smaller details didn’t matter—we were so loved and lucky. Things didn’t go perfectly 100% of the time, but we did not let it bring down our mood for a second. We knew we had a great wedding team, and everything worked out. 

Setting a Realistic Dreamy Kima Tulum Wedding Budget

We sat down and discussed how much each of us felt comfortable contributing to our wedding and agreed on a budget goal for our wedding weekend. We were aware that people often go over budget with wedding planning, so we saw our budget more as a target rather than a strict number. Since we planned a destination wedding, we knew our guest count would be lower, which helped with budgeting, as that has the highest impact overall. We identified essential areas to prioritize (such as ample food throughout the weekend, transportation, open bars, photographers, and hair and makeup), and everything else was considered extra. The biggest surprise expense for us was the cost of rentals. To help stay within budget, I compared rental fees with the cost of purchasing items from Amazon, which saved us a significant amount of money in some cases. So, here’s a tip for other couples: if your venue includes tables, chairs, linens, etc., that can be a huge money saver, as renting each of those items individually can quickly eat into your budget.

A Hilarious High School Prank Turned Wedding Surprise

Back in high school, Johann’s friends pulled a prank on him that he’ll never forget. They made a stencil of his face from a photograph and spray-painted it on many stop signs around town. Johann didn’t notice for two whole weeks, and when he finally did, he was furious! But his dad found it absolutely hilarious and even kept one of the street signs in their garage as a memento. During our cocktail hour, I decided to surprise Johann with edible cocktail toppers made with that very stencil of his face. He couldn’t believe it and found it absolutely hilarious.

 

The Wedding Team:

Photography – MemoryBox Photography
Event Planning – The Eventeur
Venue – Kima Tulum
Floral Design – Aralia
Catering – Gourmet Soberanis
DJ – Uno Audio Visual
Invitation Design – Heres to You
Makeup Artist – Leydi Cano
Hair Styling – Daniel Perez Astorga
Rentals – Archive Rentals

 

Congratulations to Jacqueline and Johann on their dreamy Kima Tulum wedding. A heartfelt thank you to Junebug vendor MemoryBox Photography for skillfully capturing every cherished moment and intricate detail. For more of their exceptional work, check out their profile in our directory of the world’s best wedding photographers.

Planning a destination wedding involves meticulous coordination. Just like Jacqueline and Johann’s celebration, success hinges on assembling a committed team. Whether it’s selecting the perfect vendors or effectively articulating your vision, our comprehensive destination wedding planning guide has all the insights to help you bring your dream getaway wedding to life.

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Colorfully Timeless Marigny Opera House Destination Wedding

June 23, 2024 | justine

With guests flying in from around the world, Laura and Stuart wanted to make sure their big day was unforgettable for everyone. They focused on filling their celebration with love, joy, lively music, and delicious food. That’s why they chose New Orleans, a city known for its vibrant energy. With their unique venue setting the tone, their Marigny Opera House destination wedding became a colorful and timeless event that perfectly matched their vision.

They chose the historic former church turned opera house as the perfect backdrop for their vows. The space was adorned with black Bentwood Thonet chairs and beautiful aisle arrangements. After the ceremony, they embraced the NOLA tradition with a second-line parade through the streets. Upon returning to the opera house, the celebration continued with a reception featuring long tables adorned with flowers, candles, and gold settings.

On their wedding day, the couple’s dedication and effort were evident to all. The destination celebration was full of energy, leaving a lasting impact on everyone present. Junebug vendor Dallas and Sabrina skillfully captured the enchantment with breathtaking photos, highlighting the personal touches that made the day truly unforgettable.

The Couple:

Laura and Stuart

The Wedding:

Marigny Opera House, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Why They Chose Marigny Opera House Destination Wedding

We opted for a destination wedding because, while we live in London, all our family and friends are spread across the US and the UK. This meant there would never be one convenient city for everyone on our list. So, we chose a place where no one lived, but it was one of our dream destinations. New Orleans is so colorful and full of life and history, and the food is incredible, so it felt like the perfect place. Once we decided on the city, I started researching venues and fell in love with the Marigny Opera House, which inspired the design of the entire wedding. Overall, no stone was left unturned for this wedding—from the colors to the flowers, the food, and the drinks. We spent a lot of time creating something that felt like us but also that people would enjoy.

A Sweet and Short Yet Personal Ceremony

Our entire ceremony was incredibly sweet and personal. Our dear friend Emily Sears officiated, which made it even more special. We also wrote our own vows, adding a personal touch that meant a lot to us. The ceremony was perfect—short and sweet, just the way we wanted it. The intimate atmosphere and the heartfelt words made it a moment we’ll always cherish.

Drawing Design Inspiration from Marigny Opera House

The Marigny Opera House has stunning, colorful floors that inspired our color palette. We used the rich rust color for the chair pads on our Bentwood Thonet chairs, the lilac tone in our florals, black for our bridal party dresses, and the shoulder bows on my wedding dress. The floors influenced our design choices, inspiring an eclectic and colorful yet elegant theme. Despite our winter wedding, we avoided a traditional “wintery” feel. We also love vintage furniture and made sure to include it. We created a mood board for our wedding planner, who helped us find the right vendors to achieve our vision.

Savoring Authentic Creole Cuisine and Crafting Signature Cocktails

For the food, our top priority was authentic Creole/Cajun cuisine, which tasted amazing. During the cocktail hour, we had a raw oyster bar and passed Creole bites. For dinner, we featured a Creole rice bar with various toppings and sides. It was delicious. Cocktails were equally important to us, so we spent much time choosing our signature drinks. We partnered with Chopin Vodka and Mezcal Campante to create special cocktails. We had a Bloody Mary bar with ZingZang mix, vodka or mezcal options, and add-ons like pickled okra. We each chose a signature cocktail—one with vodka and one with mezcal.

Bringing a New Orleans Tradition to Their Marigny Opera House Destination Wedding

Since none of our family members are from New Orleans, many have never heard of a second-line parade. So when the Kinfolk Jazz Band showed up, it was really fun to see everyone’s reaction to the fact that we were about to embark on a police-escorted foot parade around the neighborhood. My Midwestern aunts kept telling me what a “hoot” it was.

Navigating the Challenges of a Destination Wedding with a Trusted Wedding Planner

Get a good wedding planner you trust—it’s worth the money, especially for a destination wedding. Planning a wedding in New Orleans while living in London is no joke. We tried to visit in person to plan and meet vendors, but Hurricane Ida hit New Orleans the week we were supposed to go, so we got stuck in New York. Leading up to our wedding day, we had never even set foot in our venue, so we relied on our planner to get things right, and they did!

Starting the Celebration with Personalized Souvenirs at Their Marigny Opera House Destination Wedding Welcome Party

Upon returning to the venue after the second-line parade, we welcomed everyone with shots of Mezcal Campante and a bite of dark chocolate to kick off the party. These were served in custom shot glasses featuring our names and wedding dates, which guests were welcome to keep as souvenirs. We wanted to give something useful and not too bulky, especially since everyone had traveled for the wedding.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Dallas and Sabrina
Event Planning – Confetti & Co.
Venue – Marigny Opera House
Floral Design – Sharime Kayla
Catering – My House Events
Live Music – Typically Booked
Makeup + Hair Styling – Courtney Pittman
Wedding Dress – Galia Lahav via Browns Bride
Bridal Accessories – Phillipa Lepley
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – Anthropologie
Rentals – Distressed Rentals + BBJ Tavolata
Transportation – Big Easy Limos

 

Congratulations to Laura and Stuart on their colorfully timeless Marigny Opera House destination wedding. A big thank you to Junebug vendor Dallas and Sabrina for perfectly capturing the joy and excitement of their special day. Check out more of their amazing work in our directory of the world’s best wedding photographers.

Creating an unforgettable celebration requires the perfect mix of elements: a stunning venue, lively entertainment, and mouth-watering food—just like this wedding! With the right team of vendors to bring your vision to life, the possibilities are endless. 

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This Mildred B. Cooper Chapel Wedding Was Full of Bold Colors and Personal Touches

June 22, 2024 | justine

Jessica and Ryan wanted their wedding day to truly represent their style and vibe. With a love of color, they wanted vendors that were able to bring their bold vision to life.  With a unique wedding venue, a vibrant color palette, and eye-catching florals, they transformed their Mildred B. Cooper Chapel wedding venue into the ultimate wedding space. 

With its striking architecture, soaring vaulted steel and glass ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows that reveal the sky and surrounding forest, the hilltop Gothic-inspired chapel was the perfect setting for their ceremony. The reception that followed took place in a beautifully repurposed mid-century car dealership turned printing house, featuring wooden barrel ceilings, exposed brick walls, and polished concrete floors, making the space an ideal backdrop for their celebration.

If you’ve ever wondered how to weave your unique personality and interests into every part of your celebration to create a cohesive and elegant theme, then this wedding is a must-see. The stunning photos taken by Junebug vendor Boston Mountain Photo Collective truly capture the essence of their love story and the special day they created.

The Couple:

Jessica and Ryan

The Wedding:

Mildred B. Cooper Chapel, Arkansas, Unites States

Adding Color to Their Mildred B. Cooper Chapel Wedding and Expressing Themselves Through Their Vendors

We wanted our wedding day, vibe, and style to represent us. We wanted lots of color and to express ourselves through our vendors. We wanted to share the things we loved with all of our guests. We chose the Mildred B. Cooper Chapel and location to share our love of architecture. We decided to meet up at a brewery between the ceremony and reception to share our love of beer, and we even chose to host breakfast the following day at Onyx coffee shop to share our love of coffee. Our wedding day was designed to take our friends and family on a journey of our love for each other.

Adding Meaning Through Personalized Elements

We personalized our ceremony with our music choices and vows, incorporating religion and a traditional rosary blessing and highlighting our grandmothers as our flower girls.

Memorable Wedding Highlights

Ryan: My most memorable part of the ceremony was watching the chapel doors open, and her walk down the aisle. My most memorable part of the reception was our private last dance together. Jessica: My most memorable part of the ceremony was our first touch, and for the reception was slaying our first dance together.

Their Trusted Vendors Made Long-Distance Planning a Breeze

We were so proud of selecting our vendors from out of town. They all made it easy to coordinate from afar and were very accommodating. They all came through and exceeded our expectations. We felt very welcomed even though we did not live there. It really made it feel like a small-town community vibe. Researching the vendors through social media was crucial for planning a successful wedding from out of town.

Bringing Their Loved Ones Together was the Focus of Their Big Day

The most important aspect of planning our wedding was creating opportunities to connect with our family and friends throughout the day. We knew they had traveled far to support us, and we wanted to curate an enjoyable weekend for them.

Honeymoon-Inspired Wedding Favors

We gave out Spanish olive oil infused with rosemary because we were going to Spain for our honeymoon.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Boston Mountain Photo Collective
Ceremony Venue – Mildred B. Cooper Chapel
Reception Venue – Record Downtown
Wedding Planning – Aura Events
Floral Design – Samantha’s Garden
Catering – Catering Concepts
Cake – The Cake Occasion
DJ – DJ Brock Entertainment
Videography – Nic Howard
Makeup Artist – Veronica Lopez
Hair Styling – Elevated Arkansas Artists

 

Congratulations to Jessica and Ryan on their Mildred B. Cooper Chapel wedding, full of bold colors and personal touches. Big thanks to Junebug vendor Boston Mountain Photo Collective for capturing all the beautiful moments. To see more of her work, check out her profile in our directory of wedding photographers from around the world.

As you plan your wedding, don’t hold back from letting your personalities and vision take center stage. Whether picking a unique venue or adding your twist to classic wedding touches, aim for a celebration that mirrors the uniqueness of your love story. Explore our guide for imaginative ideas to craft a truly unforgettable day.

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