Max & Alana’s Fun-Filled El Ganzo Wedding
UNEXPECTED, PLAYFUL, SOPHISTICATED. All the right words, amongst so many more, to describe the stylish summer wedding of Max and Alana! Choosing to celebrate their destination wedding over a three-day weekend of parties and gatherings, they selected Flora Farms for their welcome dinner, then hosted their rehearsal dinner and wedding day all at the super-chic Hotel El Ganzo! With event and floral design by our lovely Creative Director, Elena Damy, and expert wedding planning by the wedding planners with Team Elena Damy, it was all Max and Alana imagined, and oh-so-much more! Take a look…
ALANA’S WEDDING GOWN was designed by Carolina Herrera, and it was fitted to perfection! She dressed in the bridal suite at the hotel, with her friends and family around her. After an invigorating Vinyasa yoga session with her girls, Alana had her hair and makeup done by Alma Vallejo of Cabo Hair and Makeup Professionals. Elegant and romantic, she looked beautiful! And you can see that on everyone’s faces when they first see her! Especially her father’s. So sweet!
Meanwhile, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HOTEL, Max donned his stylish blue suit and enjoyed some time with his friends and family. Such a dapper dresser Max! Our floral team delivered the delicate white boutonnieres, just the right amount of floral bling to note the importance of the occasion!
THE FIRST LOOK is such a beautiful moment to share… and, no surprise, Max and Alana loved what they saw! Their joy and excitement were infectious! So much love and laughter…
JUST A FEW PHOTOS together with the beautiful bridal bouquet Elena created using tones of pale to deep pink peonies, blush and cream roses, and silvery green succulents! Then, off to sign the ketubah! Max and Alana’s wedding may be in Cabo San Lucas, but their marriage would be performed in the Jewish traditions. Beginning with the ketubah signing, which normally happens in a private room where the immediate families and bridal party witness the signing. It’s actually where the marriage happens as it’s a marriage contract signed and witnessed, in the presence of a rabbi. Parts of the ketubah are then read during the ceremony. It’s a moving, beautiful ritual for the families. After the signing, everyone made their way to the Beach Club for the outdoor ceremony!
ELENA DESIGNED a gorgeous chuppah for Max and Alana’s wedding ceremony, placing large floral arrangements at the corners of a wooden structure. Strands of flowers fell from the back of the chuppah and were lovely as they caught the breeze off the water. As you can see from the photos, guests were seated on either side of a long, wide aisle. All around the ceremony area was water! It’s a spectacular setting for an unforgettable ceremony!
PLACED JUST UNDER the chuppah was a small wooden table holding the ceremonial items, including the ketubah, kiddush cup (with white wine to be drunk during the ceremony), and a velvet bag holding a glass to be stepped on at the end of the ceremony. We love the photos of Max and Alana being escorted down the aisle by their parents, such a loving symbolic tradition to have both parents support their child as they begin their own family.
THE BRIDE AND GROOM also wrote their own wedding vows and read them to each other during the ceremony. They also honored another Jewish wedding tradition by including a bedeken in the ceremony, Max covered Alana’s face with her blusher veil, and by so doing, he states that he values her for more than mere external beauty. They also were draped with a family tallis for a portion of the ceremony, serving as a reminder of the Jewish home they are creating together. One of our favorite rituals in a Jewish wedding ceremony, being wrapped in a tallis can also serve to invite the loving Presence of the Source of Life and Love to surround the bride and groom at the moment of their marriage. Specifically, to be with Max and Alana always and guide them as they build their life together. Indeed, to wrap each other in love. SIGH.
THE BLESSING OVER THE WINE was a must as well, no Jewish ceremony of any kind is complete without it! To drink from the cup is to celebrate the joy of the occasion and the joys celebrated previously in the family.
THEN, THE PRONOUNCEMENT, FIRST KISS and the breaking of the glass! Mazel tov!
AS MAX AND ALANA headed off with their photographer, Sara Richardson, for wedding photos, their wedding guests enjoyed delicious cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while enjoying the festive vibes of Elena and Roberto, a classically-trained string duo playing contemporary favorites. Family photos and group shots were taken, and then, time to enjoy the wedding dinner!
LIGHT AND AIRY floral centerpieces were designed in classic glass pedestals, vases, and container. Blush, peach and creamy garden roses, white hyacinth, pink orchids, and silver dusty miller all combined into an elegant tablescape set against the blue sea beyond. Long wooden tables with matching chairs kept the foundation earthy and natural, and soft cream linen runners added a traditional touch to the settings. For some Cabo style, Creative Director Elena Damy tucked silvery succulents amongst the arrangements and hurricanes.
AFTER DINNER the guests were invited to the rooftop for dancing, dessert, more dancing and lots of partying until 2:00 am! After being announced into the dance party space, Max and Alana were invited to take the floor for their first dance. Then, to have their celebrity singer Conrad Sewell perform for them, well, it pretty amazing to say the least! From there, Alana danced with her father, and then Max danced with his mother… and then right into the always festive HORA! And up Max and Alana went onto the chairs!
Congratulations again dear Max and Alana! And bravo to our #TeamElenaDamy for another amazing event!
{Photo credits: Wedding Planning, Floral and Event Design: Elena Damy; Venue: Hotel El Ganzo; Wedding Gown: Carolina Herrera; Wedding Photographer: Sara Richardson Photography}
