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In San Miguel de Allende, a Fashion-Forward Wedding Weekend Honored Indian and Jewish Traditions

July 30, 2025 | justine

When fashion, culture, and intention come together, the result is something truly unforgettable. That was exactly the case for Sonika and Stone’s fashion-forward wedding weekend in San Miguel de Allende. Set against the rich textures and golden light of central Mexico, their multi-day celebration blended bold style with meaningful tradition, honoring both their Indian and Jewish backgrounds in ways that felt personal, joyful, and deeply them. From a sunset-hued sangeet to a ceremony beneath a floral-covered chuppah, every moment told a story—styled to perfection, yet grounded in love.

What We Love About This Fashion-Forward Wedding Weekend:

  • A welcome white party that let San Miguel’s terracotta beauty shine
  • A sangeet with a painted poppy dance floor to match the bride’s custom lehenga
  • Symbolic Jewish and Indian cultural elements seamlessly woven throughout
  • A modern-meets-timeless bridal wardrobe featuring two Vera Wang looks and Jimmy Choo heels
  • A candy bar and French-inspired reception design 

Featured Vendor:

Meraki Weddings

A White Welcome Party

Sonika and Stone’s wedding was more than just a weekend in San Miguel, it was a journey through style, culture, and celebration. They kicked things off at the Rosewood San Miguel with a white welcome party, where guests dressed in all-white to contrast the venue’s terracotta color palette. A clear tent offered skyline views while papel picado in Rosewood’s signature colors fluttered overhead. Sonika’s orange Rachel Gilbert dress—a bold, floral nod to the venue—set the tone for what would be a weekend of unforgettable looks.

Shop Sonika’s Welcome Party Look:

A Sunset Sangeet With Indian and Mexican Flair

One of the most vibrant moments of the weekend was the sunset sangeet at Instituto Allende. Guests wore traditional Indian attire in bold sunset shades, echoing the bride’s custom Rahul Mishra lehenga covered in oversized poppies. A hand-painted dance floor mimicked the same floral motif, creating a beautiful connection between fashion and setting.

The night was filled with color, culture, and joy: from a Mehendi and bangle station to lively Indian dance performances. A mariachi band added a distinctly Mexican flair during cocktail hour, as well.

High Fashion With a Personal Touch

On the big day, Sonika wowed in not one, but two Vera Wang designs—starting with a romantic lace gown for the ceremony and switching to a playful bubble dress for the reception. Styled by her sister-in-law, Sara Riff, Global Director of Entertainment Relations at Jimmy Choo, both looks were paired with signature heels from the brand. It was the perfect blend of high fashion and heartfelt meaning–proof that this bride knew how to make a statement.

Shop Wedding & Bridal Heels:

Merging Jewish and Indian Traditions in a Meaningful Ceremony

The wedding ceremony at Luna Escondida was a thoughtful fusion of Jewish and Indian influences. Guests were asked to wear all-black, creating a striking contrast that allowed Sonika to stand out in her delicate white gown. The couple exchanged vows beneath a white and green floral chuppah, honoring Jewish tradition with the ceremonial breaking of the glass, an emotional moment surrounded by nature and love.

A Reception Inspired by Nature and French Elegance

For the reception, the couple brought the beauty of the outdoors inside. Towering olive trees framed the space, evoking Luna Escondida’s natural charm. French countryside aesthetics took center stage with custom furnishings, sage green bars adorned with a personalized crest, and oversized crystal chandeliers casting a warm glow. Rather than a traditional black-and-white dance floor, they chose a soft beige and white checkered pattern—an elegant, unexpected twist. And for a sweet personal touch? A fully stocked candy bar, brimming with chocolates and truffles, was a playful nod to the bride’s sweet tooth.

Creating an Immersive Experience for Their Guests

For Sonika and Stone, creating a weekend that was as meaningful for their guests as it was for them was a top priority. From the welcome party to the final dance, each event felt intentional, immersive, and deeply reflective of who they are as a couple.

By combining rich cultural traditions, top-tier fashion, and a setting as charming as San Miguel de Allende, this wedding was not only stunning—it was soul-filled. It’s a beautiful example of how you can weave heritage, personal style, and guest experience into one seamless celebration.

JB Tip: Planning a multi-day destination wedding? Use each event to highlight a different part of your story. Think of it like chapters in a book—each with its own theme, color palette, and vibe. Not only does this create variety for your guests, but it allows you to fully express the many facets of your love.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Meraki Weddings
Wedding Planner – Lucero Alvarez
Welcome Party – Rosewood San Miguel
Welcome Party Dress – Rachel Gilbert
Sangeet – Instituto Allende
Sangeet Lehenga – Rahul Mishra
Wedding Venue – Luna Escondida
Florist – PS Flower Studio
Wedding Dress – Vera Wang
Wedding Shoes – Jimmy Choo
Dance Floor – Castalia Taller

 

Sponsors
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Unexpectedly Eye-Catching Pink, Red, and Lilac Redwood Forest Wedding

July 15, 2025 | marissa

Hannah Marie and Darren’s wedding was anything but ordinary. Tucked beneath the towering redwoods of The Waterfall Lodge & Retreat, their day was a kaleidoscope of color and character. From a ceremony bursting with vivid florals to a disco ball-lit dance floor and cherry-topped cake, every detail was delightfully them—creative, playful, and lighthearted. In short, this was a wedding where tradition met quirk, mood met magic, and personality took center stage.

The Waterfall Lodge & Retreat, nestled in the Santa Cruz mountains just minutes from the coast, provided the perfect setting—secluded, peaceful, and naturally stunning. Its rustic charm set a grounded tone, while the couple’s vibrant aesthetic brought an energetic contrast that made the entire day feel alive. Capturing it all was Teri B Photography, a Junebug preferred vendor whose signature blend of photojournalism and fine art brought emotional depth to every frame. With both analog and digital formats, Teri’s lens revealed not only how the day looked, but how it felt—romantic, real, and luminous with meaning.

What We Love About This Whimsical Redwood Forest Wedding:

  • The unique color palette of red, pink, and lilac
  • A peaceful, secluded venue tucked into the enchanting Santa Cruz redwoods
  • Teri B’s dreamy, emotion-rich photography captured on both film and digital 
  • A fun and personality-packed cocktail hour 
  • Al fresco sunset dinner that turned magical with candlelight

The morning began slowly and sweetly among the trees. Hannah Marie wore a sculptural off-the-shoulder satin gown by Watters, complete with a cathedral-length veil for the ceremony and a white orchid tucked into her half-up hairstyle. Her bouquet mirrored the moment: an elegant cluster of white orchids with subtle flashes of gloriosa lilies and cascading green amaranth. Her bridesmaids wore varying lilac dresses, adding just the right touch to the colorful day.

Guests were welcomed to the ceremony with folding wood chairs and an aisle lined with lush florals—poppies, roses, peace lilies, pink baby’s breath, amaranth, and muhly grass spilled onto the path and circled the altar in a vibrant embrace. The couple stood surrounded by color in a semi-circle of blooms, grounded by the forest and each other. The vows were emotional and intentional, bringing laughter and misty eyes in equal measure.

Afterward, cocktail hour brought the whimsy. A red ping-pong table and vintage van photo booth kept spirits high, while a guest book in the form of a recipe journal added a meaningful, interactive touch. Guests sipped and mingled among towering trees, stopping to answer a large-format, couple-themed crossword puzzle.

Next, dinner was served al fresco on long wooden tables, layered with delicate details. Each place setting featured scalloped white plates, bright pink linen napkins, fan-shaped menus, and a single orchid. Lavender tea lights floated beside red pillar candles, and ceramic vases nestled between fresh pomegranates added texture and contrast. The result was striking-meets-romantic, with just the right amount of drama.

As night fell, a suspended floral and disco ball installation signaled the start of the celebration’s next chapter. The couple’s first dance glowed beneath its sparkle, and the energy never dipped. Guests grazed the dessert table, toasted marshmallows at the s’mores station, and were surprised with late-night pizza after slicing into a pink mini layer cake with vintage white icing and cherries on top.

 

Ultimately, Hannah Marie and Darren’s redwood forest wedding was a technicolor tapestry of personal expression and artistic vision. It was proof that when you trust your instincts, lean into joy, and surround yourself with people (and florals) you love, the result is nothing short of unforgettable.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Teri B Photography
Planning – Lia Adam Events
Floral Design – H and J Flowers
Venue – Waterfall Lodge & Retreat
Videography – Ebullient Memories
Catering – Five Star Catering
Makeup + Hair Styling – Design Her Image
Officiant – Elopements with Dean Liapis
DJ – Santa Cruz DJ Company
Cake – The Hot Pink Box
Phootbooth – The Booth Bus
Wedding Dress – Watters
Transportation – The Santa Cruz Experience

Sponsors
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Alaskan Locals Elope Their Way—with Pups, a Picnic, and a Private Boat Charter

July 13, 2025 | marissa

If you’re dreaming of a wedding that blends epic natural landscapes with personal, off-the-beaten-path moments, Faith and Zach’s Seward, Alaska elopement will speak straight to your adventurous heart. The couple, both locals to Anchorage, knew from the beginning that they wanted to escape to Seward—one of their favorite places to visit with their dogs—for a celebration that felt relaxed, remote, and fully immersed in nature. What followed was a wedding day filled with custom touches, lush forested ceremony views, and a private boat cruise through Resurrection Inlet, complete with a waterfall stop and a champagne toast.

Photographer Rose of Matlai Photography, who also helped guide the couple through the planning process, described them as “definitely down for an adventure.” The entire day was designed to be easygoing and organic, with little stress and plenty of space to enjoy Alaska’s beauty. This is the kind of wedding that proves elopements can be both adventurous and stylish—especially when paired with an embroidered velvet suit and a just-for-fun stop at a mid-century modern bar.

 

Featured Vendor:
Matlai Photography

 

Why We Love This Seward, Alaska Elopement

  • A remote ceremony site that felt like a hidden rainforest retreat
  • A personalized boat cruise with a private charter and waterfall visit
  • Two beloved dogs included throughout the day
  • The perfect post-ceremony picnic for two
  • A low-key but high-impact post-ceremony cocktail stop in Seward

 

A Celebration Designed Around the Wild Alaskan Landscape

From the start, Seward was the obvious choice. “They knew they wanted to get out on the peninsula somehow to celebrate their wedding,” Rose explained. “We ended up booking Miller’s Landing for a half-day boat cruise, which just amped up the level of excitement.”

Planning the day came naturally, thanks to Rose’s familiarity with the area. “I’ve worked there for several years, so I have lots of recommendations on where to go, what to see, and the inside scoop,” she said. One of those ideas included a forest picnic—a cozy and delicious interlude before boarding the boat for an epic cruise through the fjords.

The boat itself became a highlight of the day. “We hired a private charter for the return trip, and it was so cool to stop at a waterfall and have the whole boat to ourselves in Resurrection Inlet. It’s just incredible to be out there on the water with these massive mountains all around you!”

Thoughtful Styling Meets Alaskan Adventure

Just because the couple eloped didn’t mean they held back on style. “Zach rocked an incredible green velvet suit with embroidered inside pockets. It was stunning!” Rose shared. He even added a braided hair detail thanks to Girdwood-based stylist Lana Anderson, who helped complete the look.

Faith opted for a vintage-inspired wedding dress that brought a soft, classic elegance to the rugged landscape. “The contrast was fantastic,” Rose said. “It was also a reminder that when you elope, you really can wear whatever you want!”

A First Look by the Water, and a Ceremony in the Forest

The day started with a sweet first look on the water’s edge in front of a wooden cabin. “Faith walked down the steps, their two dogs circling Zach below, and he turned around to see her. So cute!”

The ceremony itself felt like something out of a fairytale. “It looked like we were deep in the rainforest somewhere,” Rose said. “Despite being on the Alaskan coastline, it felt immense, private, super green, and very peaceful.” That sense of stillness—surrounded by trees and softened by mossy ground—created a deeply intimate atmosphere that perfectly reflected the couple’s love.

From Waterfalls to Cocktails

After saying “I do” and exploring the inlet by boat, Faith and Zach headed to The Flamingo, a newly revamped cocktail bar in downtown Seward. “Despite looking like a mid-mod dive bar on the outside, it has a tremendous menu and brings a total flair to the area,” said Rose. It was a fun, unfussy way to cap off a day full of meaning, movement, and joy.

Eloping Means Doing It Your Way

If Faith and Zach’s Seward, Alaska elopement proves anything, it’s that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to getting married. You don’t need a sea of florals, an officiant, or even an aisle unless that’s what you want. An intimate forest ceremony, a boat tour with your dogs, and a final stop at a cool local bar? That’s just as meaningful—and wildly romantic—as any traditional celebration.

Eloping is your chance to strip away everything unnecessary and focus on what matters most: the two of you, your love, and the new adventure you’re creating together.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Matlai Photography
Floral Design – Paper Peony
Ceremony Location  – Millers Landing
Makeup + Hair Styling – Lana Anderson
Cake – Two Cubs Bakery

Sponsors
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