November, 2019.
Photography: Kate’s Captures / Florist: Bewilder Florals
Over the past five years, I’ve seen many weddings where the couple have incorporated elements from their cultural heritage in small ways - paper puppet favors (Indonesian), olive branch crowns during the ceremony (Greek), caviar on every dinner table (Russian)… I could go on. But NOTHING beats Lauren and Joe’s ‘Dia de los Muertos-inspired’ wedding day where everywhere you turned you were greeted with Lauren’s Mexican heritage. To start, every surface was dripping with marigolds: in the table centerpieces, as a ceremony backdrop, in the and bridal bouquet (!!), and of course on the offrenda. This offrenda was one of the most stunning entrance tables I’ve ever seen and it was completely designed and decorated by the mother of the bride. Every picture and item on the table was a symbol of a family member or loved one that couldn’t be physically present, but who were remembered in spirit. It was touching, beautiful, and so clearly an embodiment of the importance of family to this couple. After the ceremony, Lauren and Joe surprised their guests with a parade of mariachi musicians who played on the terrace during cocktail hour. They brought such joy and life to the celebration that guests spontaneously started dancing to the music. Some of my favorite memories of past weddings are the little details that make the day special to that particular couple - it shows what is important to them and the depth and layers of the love that they are celebrating. This wedding was so unique and so special that it will remain at the top of my ‘favorites’ list for a long time to come.
