Bohemian Chic Baja Wedding

Posted on June 22nd, 2016 by Melissa Paul

SOMETIMES THE SWEETEST LOVE STORIES are the ones that begin again, long after the first meeting. Meghan and Keith met 17 years ago in middle school but only started dating five years ago when they were reintroduced by mutual friends. From the moment they rediscovered each other, their relationship evolved naturally, with genuine kindness, support, love, and a real zest for living. Their mutual love of travel took them on trips to Costa Rica, Cancun, Hawaii, Catalina, San Diego, Las Vegas, to name just a few of their favorites, but they chose Cabo San Lucas for their destination wedding. “Cabo was close enough for our LA friends and family to join us, but just far enough for us to experience an epic vacation,” says Meghan. Knowing she wanted an elegant, romantic wedding with gorgeous flowers and a Bohemian vibe, Meghan knew Elena Damy would bring her vision to life. Working closely with wedding planner Claudia Morales and Event Designer Elena Damy, Meghan and Keith’s dream Baja wedding was a creative reflection of the love they have for their families as well as the passion they have for each other.

CABO DEL SOL GOLF CLUB, the premier golf resort community located along the corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, was the ideal location for Meghan and Keith’s wedding celebration. Cabo del Sol has some of the most gorgeous panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez  you’ll ever see here in Baja.

MEGHAN’S CLEOPATRA WEDDING GOWN WAS A STUNNING, SENSUAL SILHOUETTE from Amanda Wakeley Bridal. “It was the first dress I tried on. I went home, slept on it, and then went back the very next day to ‘say yes to the dress!'” she told us. Even though she bought her wedding gown before they chose their wedding venue or finalized the event design, Meghan said “every wedding detail ended up truly complimenting the gown.” We loved all the bronze accents in the intricate neckline, as well as her wedding shoes and clutch. Not to mention the hanging “hint” of something even sexier to come later in the evening! Joy and laughter, not to mention champagne!, was flowing in the women’s dressing lounge as Meghan and her closest family members prepared for the wedding.

WE HAVE TO PAUSE RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW to shower Meghan and Keith with praise at their excellent choice of photographers, Ana & Jerome! Not only do they capture the warmth and intimacy of the day, but each image is a story unto itself! We particularly love the use of black and white photography that seems to encapsulate the haunting, mystical moments of the day so beautifully. What a lovely balance to the vibrant storytelling seen in the rest of the images.

DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS. There are details and then there are epic statements like this dramatic back to the Cleopatra gown Meghan chose. Styling her hair to one side was a brilliant move too! Well done Meghan! What a vision of individuality, beauty and confidence.

A COLOR PALETTE OF BLUSH TO BURGUNDY WITH POPS OF GOLD AND FUSCHIA wove its way through all aspects of the event design, beginning with the flowers themselves. Elena designed Meghan’s bridal bouquet to softly drape forward in a wispy, loose cascade of natural textures and rounded shapes. The flowers used in her bouquet included Roses, Peonies, Double Tulips, Parrot Tulips, Phalaenopsis Orchids, and Small Leaf Eucalyptus foliage.

OVER IN THE MEN’S LOUNGE, Keith was spending time with members of both families and jamming to live guitar music played by Meghan’s brother Jimmy McLarty and her birth father, Jon Morris. The groom’s ocean blue suit was custom made for him by the Grooms Grotto, which also styled him up with all the coordinating furnishings, like Keith’s pocket square, necktie, and Broletto shoes. Claudia did the honors of pinning on the groom’s boutonniere made with a deep burgundy Peony bud.

THE WEDDING CEREMONY took place on the perfectly manicured green lawns overlooking the Sea of Cortez. The ceremony “altar” was placed at the edge of the lawn with nothing but the expanse of the ocean behind it. We placed an asymmetrical design of lush floral arrangements, two on one side, one on the other, to frame the setting. The large floral arrangements were composed of the same blush pink to garnet red blooms we used in the bridal bouquet. Guests were invited to sit on the mix of white linen upholstered chairs and ottomans, custom-made wooden benches and Cross Back chairs placed on either side of the wide ceremony aisle.  Small floral arrangements of white garden roses were placed on side tables placed between the furniture groupings for fragrance.

WEDDING GUESTS CLEARLY ENJOYED THE BEAUTIFUL SETTING as well as the humor and musical entertainment provided by the bride’s brother Jimmy McLarty and birth father Jon Morris. The wedding ceremony officiated by Minister Marco Arechiga was both sweetly sentimental and charmingly funny!

A MARIACHI BAND PLAYED FESTIVE MUSIC AFTER THE CEREMONY, and Meghan and Keith enjoyed a few moments with their guests before heading down to the beach for photographs.

JOINING THEIR GUESTS for some cocktails and conversation, everyone had the pleasure of enjoying the beautiful Baja setting at Cabo del Sol!

THE WEDDING RECEPTION was designed on the open-air terraces of the clubhouse using long wooden tables placed around the central dance floor area. Meghan and Elena collaborated on the event design and used family-style tables, macrame fabrics and lush floral arrangements for a Boho chic dinner dance. Some of Meghan’s favorite details and designer touches included the burgundy peonies Elena used in the low floral arrangements, to the hand-painted metallic oyster shell escort cards, custom-made wooden table numbers and signs, and delicious hibiscus margaritas! But Meghan’s favorite detail (and ours!) was the suspended macrame curtains that we hung on branches high over the dance floor! It was a show stopper from the moment you entered the space and it’s Bohemian, free spirit aesthetic set the tone for the whole evening.

THE FLORAL CENTERPIECES were created using gorgeous imported flowers that included deep garnet red Peonies, red Amaryllis, double pink Tulips, golden Parrot Tulips, blush Roses, variegated pink and gold Phalaenopsis Orchids, and Eucalyptus. Modern straight-edged hurricanes with floating candles were placed down the length of the tables, and low amber glass votive candles were used dotted in and amongst the vases of flowers.

THE PLACE CARD TABLE was placed under macrame drapes and strung flowers, the perfect backdrop for simple wooden boxes filled with sand and hand-calligraphed oyster shell seating cards.

EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS WEDDING felt sophisticated and stylish in a worldly way. From the flowing patterned maxi dresses to the tasty modern Mexican hors d’oeuvres and warm ambient dance floor lighting, there was an air of casual, summer elegance felt throughout the celebration.

BUT WHAT MAKES THE PARTY MEMORABLE is always the people. Knowing Meghan and Keith to be the lovely, welcoming, sweet couple we know them to be, it was no surprise to see their guests react to each moment with authentic emotion. Other than watching the couple’s first dance to Beyonce’s Blue, we were truly touched by the bride and groom’s dances with their parents. Special moments to remember and cherish.

WITH THE CAKE CUTTING completed all that was left for Meghan and Keith to do was PARTY! And once Meghan changed into her sexy short party frock and bright blue shoes, that’s exactly they did… dance until dawn! Congratulations to the happy couple! We wish you both many more years of happiness!

{Credits: Wedding Planning: Claudia Morales with Elena Damy; Floral and Event Design: Elena Damy; Photography: Ana & Jerome; Videographer: Sam Perches; Location and Catering: Cabo del Sol Golf Club; Long Wedding Gown: “Cleopatra Gown” by Amanda Wakeley Bridal from The White Dress in Corona Del Mar, CA; Bride’s Shoes: Joe’s; Short Wedding Gown: For Love & Lemons; Hair and Makeup: Blanc Bridal Salon; Jewelry Designer: Renee Pawele; Groom’s Attire and Furnishings: Grooms Grotto; Groom’s Shoes: Broletto; Invitations: Minted; Save the Date: Katlem Invitations; Metallic Sea shell Placecards: inLoft Calligraphy; Table numbers and Signage: Mimi’s Creations; Ceremony Music: Meghan’s brother Jimmy McLarty and Birth Father Jon Morris; Cocktail Music: Mariachi Band; Dinner & Dancing Music: DJ Mija}