Here’s part 2 of Yean and Kyle’s exotic love affair off the coast of Mexico.  If you missed part 1, scroll down to see the earlier feature.

Scene #3: THE GROOM AWAITS

(Above: Groom’s Suit by Banana Republic; Groom’s Men Suit by RW & Co; Beach Ceremony, Event Coordination & Flowers by Dream Tulum Resort & Spa)

Scene #4: AN INTIMATE AFFAIR

With a charming guest list of 15, half of which were in the bridal party, Yean and Kyle’s vow exchange was a beautiful example of intimate secrets treasured by the pacific ocean.  “Kyle and I chose to have it that size because we knew we wanted a destination wedding to define us and our love of travel.”  Yean Said. “We loved the idea of an intimate ceremony somewhere on a beautiful beach.”

Scene #5: BEACHIN’ AFTER HOURS

A small reception was held after wards at El Patio Restaurant.  In order to share their story with all of the friends and family who couldn’t travel, Yean and Kyle held a much more elaborate reception back at home.

When asked about the challenges faced in planning a destination wedding as well as the solutions, Yean listed the cards she was dealt, including local conflicts in law & Order, as well as the outbreak of the Swine Flu that hit the region.  Not discouraged by the poker game of determination, strategy, budget balancing and staying sane, Yean gave some candid tips on how to plan a destination wedding.

“Do a lot of research and shop around or get a wedding planner to help reduce the stress of planning a wedding.” She said. “Think about what you would like to expect out of your big day and don’t be afraid to splurge on the things that you find most important to you.”

(All images by Del Sol Photography)

“Pictures last a lifetime so hire the photographer that you love. We wanted our dream wedding to be a classic and simple but beautiful day to remember and cherish forever. :-)”

-Yean, The Bride-

Congrats to Y & K on your inspirational destination wedding.  Thank you so much to the amazing team at Del Sol photography for sending me these photos.

Well, hello Monday! And welcome, March!  You know what that means don’t you?…the onset of spring-blossom bouquets, sweat-proof wedding mascara, humid-resistant hair and more Wedding Nouveau love stories to fit the bill.

I don’t know who’s story to begin with really.  The photographers or the marrying couple.  Or both?  How do you resist a “straight-out-of-a-movie” love story, if it’s just as beautiful and touching as the photography.  A gorgeous Mexican photographer meets her match in Atlanta photographer, Matt.  Thanks to a serendipitous turn of events that involved congruent photo sessions, botched travel plans and a hurricane, the tale of these two souls joined forces with a lovely Mayan ceremony.  Read the full story here.

Many different countries, Two photographers, one passion.

(Above: Photographers Sol & Matt)

Yes, Matt and Sol of Del Sol Photography have a love story that’s worth retelling over and over.  As a bride, you know you’re getting the deal of a lifetime with these two, as their love translates seamlessly into their work.

For Yean and Kyle, there was no exception to Del Sol’s level of detailed expertise, finesse and absolute beauty in each captured moment.  And so their story begins:

Setting: Quintana Roo, Mexico

Heroine & Hero: Cambodian/Thai Bride – Yean and her Canadian Beau – Kyle

Colors: Fuschia, Green & Brown

Scene #1: ROMANCE N’ FUSCHIA

(Above: Bridal Gown by Romona Keveza; Shoes by Guiseppe Zanotti; Bridesmaid’s dress by Forever 21; Make up by Siriphone Gunter)

Now here’s a great example of how to balance style and budget.  Yean chose an elegant and classic gown by one of my favorite designers, Romona Keveza.  Since she chose to purchase the gowns for her bridesmaids, not wanting to compromise on style and the overall vision she had, Yean found her stunning fuschia gowns for the maids from Forever 21, or as I call it to justify my habits in there…Forever 31.

Scene #2: TIMELESS PORTRAITS

I don’t know how she was able to pull off such a gorgeous hair style.  On the day of the wedding, the bride did her own hair which turned out envious.  With the help of one of her best friends/ maid of honour to do make up, these timeless portraits go down in my “Best Of” for 2010…and it’s only March.

(Above: All images by Del Sol Photography; Flowers by Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa; Hair by Bride; Make up by Siriphone Gunter)

When asked about some flower detail choices, here’s what Yean said:  “I wanted the ceremony set up to be simple and elegant so I opted for rose petals down the isle instead of tropical flowers on the canopy [which you'll later]. I provided the green ribbon for my bouquet. The bridesmaids bouquet were silk orchids I ordered online.”

Here’s to a style savvy and budget conscious diva who’s realization of her dream tropical wedding is exactly how you kick off March inspirations.  Stay tuned later for part 2 of their ceremony, with more fabulous pictures from Del Sol.

After stumbling upon today’s Mexican getaway, I knew it had to be  shared on Wedding Nouveau. The reason why this intimate weddings makes you fall in love over and over again?  Unlike all the other real fusion weddings featured, this one was a secret…as in they eloped.  But unlike most elopements that involve a witness in a Vegas Chapel, Kara and Ray did not hold back when it came to inspirational style, great attention to detail and creating the perfect wedding.

Who else but Lisa Vorce, of Oh How Charming, could make this perfection a reality?  I’m a  long time groupie for her event creations, as well as a recent convert to Aaron Delesie’s captivating lens.  His images spew quotes of romance and sonnet verses like poetry to my eyes, and I’m convinced that with a dream team like this Lisa and Aaron, you’re bound to have your dream wedding…no matter  if you have a guest list of 200 or 2.

The Vendor J’Adore List just got two extra nudges, and the proof is in the pudding….or the red velvet cupcake waiting for me, with lots of frosting.

Setting: A Romantic Hacienda in Puerto Vallerta, Mexico.

Heroine & Hero: African American bride – Kara and her Filipino/Caucasian beau – Ray.

SCENE 1: A lady Sings The Blues..in Mexico!

(All Images by  © Aaron Delesie Photography)

(Above: Gown by Monique L’Huillier; Jewelry by Jamie Wolf; Location at Hacienda San Angel; Flowers by Mindy Rice Floral Design)

Kara accomplished her stunning satin look from the oh-so-stylish and iconic inspiration of Diana Ross in Lady Sings The Blues. This wedding confirms my belief that a tight budget does not mean a tight style vision.  As a matter of fact, Kara’s openness and willingness to let Lisa Vorce enliven their wedding space was just the ticket.

“My Husband & I decided to elope because the expense of a normal wedding was just not in our budget.”  Says Kara, “Additionally, we wanted it to be an intimate day between he and I.  With it just being us, we were able to enjoy the total experience.  All the days up to and after the wedding.”

SCENE 2: All you need is Love…and Petals.

(Above: Groom’s Suit by JCrew; Petal Design by Mindy Rice Floral Design)

Kara and Ray’s ceremony in Mexico came after an equally intimate civil ceremony in Seattle in front of their parents, brother and close friend.  It’s in this ceremony, that Ray wore the traditional Filipino Attire – Barong.  Boy do I wish, we had images of that as well:-)  One thing’s for sure: One’s personality goes beyond attire or tradition. It’s about soul, and infusing each style decision with a piece of you.

SCENE 3: An Editorial Worthy Reception

(Above: Event Coordination & Design by Oh How Charming; Calligrahy by XYZ Ink; Table Linen by Tabella Design)

Honestly, every single detailed image from Lisa’s creations above could conjure up it’s own inspiration board.  That’s how you know, you’re an event coordinating DIVA.

(All Images by  © Aaron Delesie Photography)

“First and Foremost, I wanted to look back on our day in 20 years and not regret an inch of it”

-Kara, The Bride-

A spicy thanks to Lisa Vorce for sharing the details of this wedding, and to Aaron Delesie for reminding us that a fly on the wall has the most coveted vantage point.  These photos tell the whole story unobtrusively and candidly. Congrats to K & R! Twenty years will go by like THAT!

It’s Fri-Style Friday, and I bring you my highly anticipated real fusion wedding, shot by the spunky and daring, Christina of Funky Town Photography. Not afraid to “incorporate drama” into her images, Christina was the perfect match for an equally vivacious bride – Maria.

Today’s wedding is a culmination of everything we’ve drooled over this week: Vintage in location and architecture, sexy and classy in color, sultry in fashion…and quite simply: A Fairytale!…an enticing gumbo of culture, style and do-it-yourself initiative.

Maria, our American bride of Guatemalan descent, couldn’t help but bring the festive and dynamic aesthetic of her upbringing in New Orleans, to the table. Her supportive husband, Stephen (French, Irish, English) was equally adventurous in their desire to incorporate Peacocks in their theme overlay. And I must say, it paid off beautifully…Here’s why:

SCENE 1: Once upon a time in bridal chamber…

(ABOVE: Bridal Gown was Diagonal by Pronovias; Veil by Pronovias; Bridesmaid’s Gown from Vineyard collection by Priscilla of Boston; Flowers by Escenica; Make-up & Hair by Paola Alvarado; Flowergirl dress by local seamstress in Guatemala city; Invitations by Enfin La Voila; Brooches from jewelry district in New York)

Please, oh please take a voyeur peak at the bride’s gorgeous vintage feather fan.

(ABOVE: Groom’s suit from Senor Smoking)

SCENE 2: A Historic Monastery whispers it’s nuptial blessings….

…in two languages: A Spanish and English mass.

(ABOVE: Ceremony at Santo Domingo Monastery).

SCENE 3: A magical ball…

Okay, so I’m clearly getting carried away with my scene titles…but how can you not? Once again, here’s another featured wedding reception by which I’m stunned. The bride and her design army of two (mother and aunt) were the masterminds behind every reception detail.

(ABOVE: Reception at Casa Santo Domingo; Event planner: Bride, Mother of Bride and Aunt; Music by Ensamble Magistral; All images taken by © Funkytown Photography)

“Our Style that we were going for was elegant and unforgettable, which I think was accomplished” – Bride -

I’d have to agree with Maria 100%. Congrats to M & S on fusing the knot!

And to Christina…when’s the next wedding shoot?

Have a spicy weekend everyone. See you on Monday.

As promised, i found some pretty unique wedding & honeymoon destinations, inspired by the vintage tree house wedding featured earlier today.  In true Wedding Nouveau passion, you can bet that I scoured the globe to find and showcase some of the most unique houses on branches.

Take a look:

(ABOVE: Costa Rica – Tree House Lodge; Australia – Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa)

(ABOVE: New Zealand – Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses; Kenya – Ngong House)

Spending your wedding night in a tree house, doesn’t seem so crazy after all!

Spicyhugs,

Fri