Ashley has family in Antigua, Guatemala, and when Brice visited for the first time, he fell in love with it, too–so it only made sense that the two tied the knot in one of their favorite places. Thanks to their incredible team of vendors, they achieved the classic tropical atmosphere they aimed for. Set in a restored luxury hacienda, their Villa Bokeh wedding featured a red and magenta color palette and tropical florals and decor that perfectly complemented the historic atmosphere of their venue.

One of the most memorable parts of the wedding was the venue, with its breathtaking gardens, patios, and intertwined ponds. The stunning courtyard ruins created an incredible setting for the couple’s heartfelt vows. But that’s not all. The outdoor reception in the garden was absolutely stunning. The tables were beautifully set with colorful centerpieces, and gorgeous chandeliers hung overhead, casting a romantic glow that perfectly matched the enchanting surroundings.

With guests coming from all corners of the globe to join in the celebrations, the couple infused their three-day extravaganza with their own unique style. They added personal touches inspired by Valentine’s Day to every moment, making their special day unforgettable. Photographer Manuel Aldana expertly captured the essence of their wedding, showcasing the magic of their love and celebration, so. if you’re looking for unconventional inspiration for your own big day, make sure not to miss experiencing the enchantment of theirs.

The Couple:

Ashley and Brice

The Wedding:

Villa Bokeh, San Nicolas, Guatemala

From Family Ties to Tropical Vibes: The Inspiration Behind Their Villa Bokeh Wedding

Brice and I knew Antigua, Guatemala, was the perfect wedding location for us. I still have family living in Guatemala, and as soon as Brice visited for the first time, he loved it. We decided to marry on Valentine’s Day and went for a classic, colorful, tropical feel. We chose magenta and red as our wedding colors and used them throughout the decor and details of our day. This created a beautiful contrast against the plaster, beige, tan, and brown ruins of Santa Clara Convento, where we got married, and Villa Bokeh, where we hosted our reception, dinner, and after-party.

Embracing Classic, Romantic, Playful Styles with Three Stunning Bridal Looks

I had always seen myself as a classic, timeless bride. My dress had a simple fitted silhouette, off-the-shoulder detail, open back with covered buttons, and for the ceremony, I wore a long veil with floral appliqué flowers–14 to be exact–to match our wedding date. My second dress for dinner and the reception was a slinky silk slip gown with a high slit, ruffled chiffon trim, and a train with a low back. It was perfect for our romantic dinner reception and looked beautiful for our first dance. My third and final look was out of the ordinary for me, but I loved it! I paired a red mini dress with floral lace appliqués with strappy pink sandals featuring a magenta pink flower. The look was perfect for a Valentine’s Day after-party, and I felt beautiful wearing a pop of red; my husband loved this dress.

Turning Their Villa Bokeh Wedding into a Memorable Haven Through a Unique Tablescape

Our florist brought our vision to life. For our dinner party, we had a horseshoe-shaped tablescape with vine-wrapped crystal chandeliers, hand-torn menus printed on recycled flower paper made by a local artisan from the Mercado, a wax stamp with our initials, and our signature magenta and red florals lining the tables. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it for the first time. Our vision exceeded my expectations. Most guests flew in from New York, Canada, Europe, and Miami. They knew nothing about Guatemala, so one of the most special parts of the wedding was bringing people to a place they would not usually visit without a reason. We planned everything from afar, and we loved every detail so much that there was not one thing we would change.

From Engagement to “I Do” in Three Months

Enjoy the process and go with the flow when things seem not working out exactly as you had envisioned. We planned our wedding in three months, got engaged in late August, chose Antigua, Guatemala as our location in September, and had our venue reserved by November and sent out save the dates right away. We had to sacrifice some things: we got married during the week, and Valentine’s Day was on a Tuesday, so most of our guests flew in on Sunday and stayed for the week. Weekends were completely booked at every venue we had considered so during the week was the only option for us if we wanted to get married in February 2023. Although I initially thought it was not ideal, getting married on February 14th, 2023, was so special.

Crafting a Three-Day Wedding Extravaganza

I am most proud of the details of all the events we planned for our guests. We hosted three days of celebrations for the wedding. On Monday, February 13th, we hosted a welcome party with typical Guatemalan food, a live music band playing salsa, and our best friends made speeches. There was a volcano erupting in the background while guests danced and mingled, which was something none of the guests had seen before. The 14th included Santa Clara Convento and Villa Bokeh, two stunning locations in Antigua, along with fireworks, pasta with Lorocco prepared byour chef at Villa Bokeh, plus choripan at midnight on the dance floor. On the 15th, we hosted a pool party at Villa Bokeh with a typical breakfast spread, a hot tortilla station, micheladas and caldo de gallina, a typical chicken broth soup, which is excellent after a night out, and mimosas. The pool party was a perfect way to end the three-day party.

Recommended Reading: Wedding Reception Table Ideas + Tips For Deciding What’s Best For Your Big Day

Congratulations to Ashley and Brice on their tropical Villa Bokeh wedding inspired by Valentine’s Day. Many thanks to Manuel Aldana for capturing the beautiful moments and amazing details of this exciting celebration.

Craft an unforgettable wedding by venturing beyond the ordinary and embracing distinctive elements. If you and your partner aim for a wedding that mirrors your individuality, check out our guide for planning a personalized celebration. To guarantee flawless execution, entrust the coordination to a reliable team capable of seamlessly blending all the elements and transforming your vision into a reality.