Jena & Chase’s Intimate Beach Wedding

Posted on March 20th, 2015 by Melissa Paul

Jena and Chase’s intimate destination wedding took place at the absolutely STUNNING and award-winning beach resort, the One&Only Palmilla in Los Cabos, Mexico. Literally, their ceremony took place right on the beach, with white-capped waves crashing all around them as they kissed for the first time as husband and wife. Talk about MEMORIES! Then, led by strumming Mariachis, the bride and groom wandered up the stone paths, through hidden gardens and past luxurious villas, to the Chapel for their wedding reception. What a beautiful Baja Wedding! Photos by Chris+Lynn Photography.

One of our favorite wedding venues to design for, and as we have said many times before, One&Only Palmilla feels almost like our other home we love it so much. There is something magical about the resort’s lush green landscape, serene white beaches, and rustic tiered terraces. It just seems private, luxurious, and romantic, no matter where you are or how many loved ones you have with you. Jena and Chase’s wedding took full advantage of all Palmilla had to offer, letting their guests experience the special occasion in one beautiful location after another. Beginning with the wedding ceremony on Turtle Beach…

When the bride and groom invited ELENA DAMY to join them on their wedding journey, we were thrilled to get involved as their design vision spoke right to our hearts! Although the descriptive design words “rustic,” “natural” and “elegant” used together were, to some, a little contradictory, we immediately  understood! We got what Jena was hoping for and knew just how to create the wedding setting she longed for.

For the ceremony. Our rustic, Dark Branch Arch was perfect for the wedding ceremony on the beach. Not complicated or overshadowing for the beautiful natural setting, just the right amount decor to frame the couple and serve as a focal point. Of course, as you can see above, Elena layered beautiful flowers on the wooden arch to enhance the structure. She used a mix of Proteas, Succulents, Curly Willow, blush Sweetheart Roses, white Phalaenopsis Orchids, white Lisianthus and Green Trick Dianthus for an overall soft white and pale green palette that would carry through the entire event.

The Bridal Bouquet. Jena’s bridal bouquet was kept small, to be more in scale with the petite bride herself as well as her lovely lace sheath gown. The natural-inspired bouquet was created using just a few white Phalaenopsis Orchids, Green Trick Dianthus and Curly Willow.

The Groom’s Boutonniere. For Chase, we kept the boutonniere small, compact and elegant. But that didn’t mean plain! White Hyacinth blossoms were artfully layered on top of one green succulent leaf and a tiny looped curly willow twig.

Cocktails and Dinner at the Chapel. Right after the ceremony on the beach, guests were invited to the Chapel. Located on a hill overlooking the resort’s tropical grounds and beaches, the Chapel is in traditional Mexican style with its white stucco façade, arched doorways and bell towers. Long wooden tables with wooden stools were placed along the Chapel perimeter and we provided long centerpieces for them with Curly Willow, blush Sweetheart Roses, Green Trick Dianthus, and Succulents. Of course, the stone steps leading up to the Chapel are just PERFECT for dozens and dozens of glass hurricanes and floating candles!

Placecards and Key to Your Heart Favors. Hand-calligraphed place cards were strung from our whimsical iron tree to assist guests with the seating arrangements and rustic keys were offered as wedding favors. The collection was displayed amongst our glass orbs and floating candles.

The Dinner Tables in the Chapel Courtyard. The dinner tables were set up around the formal fountain in the circular courtyard at the base of the Chapel. Some dinner tables were square wooden tables and others were round tables covered in raw, nubby linen table cloths. We designed high and low floral centerpieces using a mix of mercury and clear glass vases filled with lush displays of Protea, Succulents, blush Sweetheart Roses, white Lisianthus, GreenTrick Dianthus, orange Roses, white, purple, yellow, and coral Phalaenopsis Orchids, Curly Willow. and branches. The tall floral arrangements held modern glass drops and floating candles. Smaller satellite arrangements of flowers were placed below the taller arrangements with additional candles for romantic surface light as the sun set.

These warm wooden cross-back chairs are one of our favorite styles to work with as they feel at once stylish and rustic. Keeping with the subdued, natural tones of the event, the hotel provided metallic bronze charger plates and taupe linen napkins for each place setting. As the sun set, the soft candlelight added a romantic glow and ambient lighting placed in the trees around the courtyard added just enough illumination to enjoy the setting long into the evening. Congratulations again Jena and Chase…

Jena & Chase’s Intimate Beach Wedding at One&Only Palmilla in Los Cabos, Mexico by Elena Damy

{Floral Design: ELENA DAMY; Venue: One&Only Palmilla; Photographer: Chris+Lynn Photographers}