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Saraí Martha Christie |
Saraí Martha Christie |
Javier and I both grew up in Southern California and started dating our junior year of college in a suburb outside of Los Angeles. We knew early on that we had something special but we both felt that we had a lot to experience and even more to accomplish before settling down. After being together for over seven years, much of which was long distance while I pursued a career in New York, I found myself in the beautiful Huntington Library gardens deciphering clues that Javier prepared with the help of his family. The clues included memories from our past and lyrics from our favorite band, Dave Matthew's Band, which eventually lead me to Javier who was on one knee! He was even sneaky enough to hire a photographer to capture the whole experience. It was such a romantic setting for our proposal.
Images courtesy of Gary and Courtney Christenson photography.
Images courtesy of Gary and Courtney Christenson photography.
Soon after our engagement we took a vacation to Los Cabos, Mexico and instantly fell in love with the breathtaking beaches and vivid cultural. We have always loved to travel so we were open to the idea of a destination wedding. On that trip we stayed at the scenic Sheraton Hacienda del Mar, located in the private area of Cabo del Sol which features an incredible golf course and club house. With its mix of Mexican architecture, beautiful beaches and landscaped greenery, Cabo del Sol was exactly what we were looking for in a wedding venue, intricate but still modern.
After that trip we came home envisioning a wedding that was intimate, romantic and an amazing experience for our guests. We were inspired by the bright sky, blue ocean and Mexican tiles, which lead to a blue mosaic tile theme throughout the wedding. Our invitation suite and printed materials featured patterns of different shades of blue, which conveyed the feeling of Mexico without being too beachy.
I often received advice that you have to really like your wedding planner and photographers, because they are going to be around you the whole day. We were lucky enough to actually love ours! Hiring Sarai Flores of SIGNATURE Event Consulting and Design, was one of our first and best decisions! I knew you lose a lot of control when planning a destination wedding and that we would need great partners. We immediately feel in love with Sarai's calm nature and European style, and knew that we could completely trust her. Sarai really went above and beyond to ensure our vision was executed flawlessly and that we were able to relax and enjoy every second of the wedding.
When my Aunt introduced us to husband and wife photography team, Gary and Courtney Christenson, we were blown away with their creativity and talent. They have such fun loving personalities and an amazing passion for travel, which really proved that they were the ideal photographers for us. Not only did they document the entire weekend in Cabo, but Gary and Courtney genuinely listened and cared about our ideas, and we had a blast along the way!
It had always been a priority for us to be married in a church and be united as husband and wife with God. Throughout our engagement I even converted to Catholicism, so I could fully participate in the Mass. We loved the romantic and historic features of the Mision de San Jose del Cabo, located in an artistic downtown area. Many of our family and friends had important roles in the traditional ceremony and we were so filled with emotion as we joined in the sacrament of marriage.
We tried to incorporate influences from our relationship into the wedding and the music highlighted that in significant ways. We happen to be huge LOST nerds and our ceremony musicians were actually able to learn and play Micheal Giacchino's "Landing Party" from the season four soundtrack. It was so surreal walking down the aisle toward Javier with that powerful score in the background. It was also imperative that we have a trio at the cocktail reception overlooking the ocean, as Javier grew up listening to the popular Mexican trio Los Panchos. When we arrived at the Ocean Meadows, the trio began playing "Alma, Corazón y Vida," which we also used to name our reception dinner tables.
We wanted the reception to resemble an intimate, alfresco dinner party complete with delicious cuisine and impeccable service. We subtly paired the intricate club house with our blue mosaic details and crisp white for a sophisticated look. From the "Ants Marching" introduction, to my uncle's heartfelt blessing and humorous toasts, paired with all night dancing and cigar smoking, the night truly amazed us!
Our wedding day was such an incredible celebration and Sarai and her team provided us with the most perfect experience for our wedding! Javier and I are so fortunate to have created many beautiful memories with our family and friends that we will treasure forever.
Cabo del Sol is not only one of the best places in Mexico to golf, its also a very experienced and excellent rated event venue in Cabo San Lucas. During the last 8 years, it has been the favorite place for oceanfront ceremonies and Hacienda-type wedding receptions. Their executive chef, Roger Martin, specializes in Mexican & Mediterranean cuisine and most importantly, he will make sure you get your own menu, following your likes, personal taste and wedding style.
Besides being a great spot for weddings, one could just stop at Cabo del Sol restaurant for the friendly service, the Mexican breakfast or the light lunches. If none of these are possible in your agenda, don't miss their traditional Sunday brunch, just make sure you arrive with an empty stomach!
The Ocean Meadows area is their number one request for ceremonies. While you could also organize a reception in this area, the Club House remains the favorite place for the fiesta.
The Ocean Meadows area is their number one request for ceremonies. While you could also organize a reception in this area, the Club House remains the favorite place for the fiesta.
Notes about their fees: Cabo del Sol handles an event-location fee which includes most of the furniture you might need (chairs, tables, tablecloth, china..) For all the other elements , we will be ready to complete the style & decor, taking care of the rentals, lighting & floral needs.
Notes about their menus: Cabo del Sol offers many options in terms of sit down menus, buffet style, food stations, etc. Here are our top choices:
Our favorite dessert: Warm Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream and Haupia Caramel Sauce
Our favorite main courses: Baja Lobster Tail with Petit Filet Mignon with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potato and Madeira Sauce or Macadamia-Crusted Sea Bass Filet with Grilled Organic Vegetables and Vanilla Sauce.
Notes about their menus: Cabo del Sol offers many options in terms of sit down menus, buffet style, food stations, etc. Here are our top choices:
Our favorite dessert: Warm Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream and Haupia Caramel Sauce
Our favorite main courses: Baja Lobster Tail with Petit Filet Mignon with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potato and Madeira Sauce or Macadamia-Crusted Sea Bass Filet with Grilled Organic Vegetables and Vanilla Sauce.
Floral design by Pina Hernandez
Images courtesy of Gary & Courtney Photography
Andrew and I met at his best friend's wedding. He was the best man (still is!). I was a guest of the bride's. Her family and mine are neighbors and close family friends. Andrew says he "spotted" me and pointed me out to his Dad during cocktail hour. I was kind of swooning at the reception after his toast. He was witty, articulate and sentimental. Plus, he was pretty dreamy. Andrew approached me and charmed me onto the dance floor. And we danced and danced and danced until the very "last dance." Yes, I got caught on video lip syncing a seriously seductive rendition of Donna Summer. We have photos, too. I think it's pretty special for us to have had our "firsts" captured on film, although I could never forget the moment I met my husband. Our first official date was at Mas Farmhouse, a little gem of a French restaurant in New York's West Village. That night, we spent four hours enjoying a delectable tasting menu and falling in love. On September 15, 2008, Andrew took me back to Mas. After being denied a table at the neighboring restaurant-there was a supposed 45 minute wait - Andrew suggested we try Mas. Nice move, hub. I could tell he was nervous, but I attributed this anxiety to the other historical events that took place earlier that very same day- Lehman Brothers's demise and the collapse of the economic markets. The Maitre'd offered us a "table in the back." Andrew proposed at Mas in their private tasting room. The room had an incandescent glow, candles flickered and pink and white petals were strewn all over and everywhere. He was shaking, I was crying, he got down on his knee and I dropped with him. We shared flute after flute of champagne with our families (Andrew arranged for them to surprise me, as well), many happy tears and just so much love. When it got down to planning for our big day, the most important thing for Andrew and me was trying to recreate that sense of intimacy and romance and emotion that we felt when we got engaged and have felt every day since we met.
When we were just dating Andrew would say things like, "When I find my wife, I want to get married barefoot on the beach and then have a big party here in the city." I would joke and ask where this wife of his was hiding. Joking aside, we were starting to envision our wedding together. It had to be a beach. And inevitably, it had to be Cabo. My parents had been to Cabo 10 years prior for their 20th anniversary and came back then with pictures and stories of a serene desert, stunning sands, infinity pools and those legendary arches. I had always fantasized about and romanticized Cabo. In reality it was so much more than I had ever even imagined. After exploring lush, lavish, enchanting, romantic Palmilla for many hours with the more than gracious Martha Huerta, we knew that this was a very special place, our very special place, and that she was a very special person. Martha not only orchestrated a fabulous affair, but she is now a part of our family. A very big part. And, when we return to Palmilla it feels like we are going home. Andrew and I were married barefoot on the beach surrounded by 70 family members and friends on April 24, 2010. I remember the wedding like it was yesterday and it invokes similarly profound emotions. It was magic. I remember the giant cymbidium orchids and beautiful blush peonies, the strum of Arturo's guitar against the quietly crashing waves, the perfect pink salt rimmed passionitas and that divine truffle risotto, the happy hum and boisterous banter of our guests enjoying dinner, fearless firedancers, booming fireworks and an explosive dance party, cotton candy and a custom ice cream bar. The details were countless and none was overlooked. But, most vividly I remember his face when I walked down the aisle and those promises he made to me in his vows.
Credits
Photography: Dave Robbins
Wedding Venue: Palmilla Resort
Floral Design: Elena Damy
Wedding Invitations: Ceci New York
Photography: Dave Robbins
Wedding Venue: Palmilla Resort
Floral Design: Elena Damy
Wedding Invitations: Ceci New York
