Cliche, but everything. The weather was shockingly temperate for June (bonus) and all the wedding events went flawlessly. It is easier for me to break it down by day... Warning: this is going to be long! Day 1: Welcome Cocktails- Welcome Cocktails were held on a gorgeous terrace overlooking the ocean. Our planners knew how much Alex and I wanted fireworks, but we just could not justify spending the absurd amount of money Palmilla charges for them. Well, the planners conspired and found a way to make it work. They hired an outside company to set them off just outside the boundaries of Palmilla for a fraction of the cost. The best part? It was a COMPLETE surprise for Alex and I. The guests were totally blown away and even started calling Welcome Cocktails "Opening Ceremonies." One of my friends even convinced the DJ to play a few second clip of the Olympics theme song-- it was hilarious. Guests dined on a huge variety of desserts (all of which were delicious) and drank to their hearts content, adding to the hilarity. After, about 30 of us headed to a Karaoke bar in San Jose del Cabo. As if the evening couldn't get any funnier, Alex's ex-girlfriend (who was plastered) dedicated and sang a song to us. So inappropriately awesome. Silly girl. [img]
http://tinyurl.com/m3ptu8[/img] Day 2: Rehearsal- While the boys spent the day golfing, the girls spent the day by the pool, copiously consuming margaritas. The rehearsal went reasonably smoothly (besides the fact that Alex's mother showed up 45mins late), and we signed our Ketubah (the Jewish marriage contract) surrounded by our family and wedding party. Everyone shed a few tears, and then it was off to the rehearsal dinner. [img]
http://tinyurl.com/l4gv76[/img] Roast and Toast Rehearsal Dinner- The setup of the rehearsal dinner took my breath away. The nine piece mariachi band was set up on the edge of the water, and as guests came down the stairs onto the beach, Palmilla staff was waiting to take their shoes. Cocktail hour consisted of any flavor margarita you could come up with (so good!), socializing on the beach and a thank you toast from Alex and I. After our toast, the Mexican buffets opened, and people went crazy for it! The food was so fresh, the margarita's were flowing, and guests ate and watched the sun set on the beach. It was perfection. The toasts started, and as expected, our friends roasted the hell out of us. I've never laughed so much in my life. [img]
http://tinyurl.com/nobyo2[/img] Rehearsal Dinner After Party- Alex's groomsmen welcomed anyone and everyone back to the HUGE house they rented about five minutes down the road from Palmilla for an after party. In hindsight, I should have passed, but I was having far too much fun! About 50 people came, but I ended up falling asleep with my feet in the pool about an hour after we got there. The pictures are priceless -- all of my girlfriends dancing around me, Alex's groomsmen cuddling up beside me for "the last hoorah..." Ugh. Best friends ever. I fought to stay awake/unmolested by Alex's friends. As you can see, I failed. [img]
http://tinyurl.com/mfs64a[/img] Day 3: Bridesmaid Brunch- My wedding planner at Palmilla surprised me again by upgrading my room the day of the wedding. She called me at 9 am (after a night of partying, I didn't love a phone call that early-- but boy, was it worth it) to inform me that the concierge was on his way to help me move to the room next door. I was slightly confused, but when I opened the door to the new room, I started bawling. She had upgraded me to the nicest room on the property! It was huge-- about 2,000 sq feet with a ridiculous terrace overlooking the ocean -- and it was all set up for brunch with my bridesmaids! It was amazing. We didn't have to go anywhere the whole day-- instead of going to the spa (which was the plan), the spa came to us. Food and drinks kept arriving, and while the boys golfed, the girls bonded. I cherish this time more than anything. Wedding Ceremony- The ceremony was held on the Tres Palmas Terrace, a long, winding path towards the cliffs which overlook the ocean. It started promptly at 6pm and I was relatively calm -- until I turned the corner and saw Alex under the chuppah. The chuppah was my design, and the florist made my vision come to life. It was surreal. Oh, and Alex looked handsome too. Ha. The whole wedding party walked down the aisle to solo acustic guitar (performed by one of our dear friends) and it was so peaceful to hear with the waves breaking on the rocks in the distance. The ceremony went off without a hitch, and I didn't reallly lose it until our vows (which we surprised each other with). I'll never forget that moment. After breaking the glass, all of Alex's groomsmen stood up and performed an a capella version of "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" by Stevie Wonder for our recessional (they are all alumni members of the Harvard Din & Tonics) and the audience went wild! Again, best friends ever. Perfect moment. [img]
http://tinyurl.com/mfy5nj[/img] Cocktail Hour- A jazz trio played the standards while guests were treated to cocktails and hors d'ouevres on the lower deck of the infinity pool to watch the sun set. Alex and I were off taking pictures with the brilliant Leigh Miller so we missed the fun. Boo. [img]
http://tinyurl.com/ko7lb2[/img] Wedding Dinner- After we finished up with Leigh, the wedding planners took us to see the dinner set up at the Bahia Terrace. I was stunned. It was definitely the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Every single centerpiece was different and I probably walked around a half dozen times trying to decide which one was my favorite. It was amazing. The mirrored tables I ordered reflected the candle light so beautifully -- I cannot tell you how many compliments I received. Oh, and Alex FINALLY admitted that I was right about the mirrors. He protesting them so much during the planning process that I ended up paying for them myself. Of course I ended up being right... [img]
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http://tinyurl.com/nkgncn[/img] Late Night Lounge- Without a doubt, the late night lounge is what I cared about most. I wanted it to be crazy - sick band, awesome DJ, cool lighting -- the works. The wedding planners refused to let either of us in the ballroom until after dinner, so when they opened the doors, my jaw dropped as far as my guests! It was crazy! However, as crazy as it was, my favorite moment was without a doubt my father daughter dance. Alex played piano and his best friend sang "Lullabye" by Billy Joel and there was not a dry eye in the room. My dad barely held it together when he saw Alex make his way to the piano. The band rocked for the next two hours, then seamlessly transitioned to the DJ, the cocktail waitresses were body painted models - it was totally surreal! At 3am we still had 70 people on the dance floor. The pic below was taken when we finally wrapped things up at 4:30. Craziness. Best party of my life! [img]
http://tinyurl.com/kjdo72[/img] Day 4: Farewell Brunch- Ugh - what was I thinking? Partying until 5am + 9am brunch = exhausted bride. I dragged my newly-married butt out of bed (though not without Alex taking away the covers!) to spend the last morning with our guests. Thankfully, as soon as I saw everyone, I regained my energy and had a blast. And what Mexican wedding is complete without a swine flu joke and the now-famous Speidi church? [img]
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http://tinyurl.com/mw3n8t[img] In summary, every single second I spend planning was beyond worth it, and I would do all the work again in a second. I could not have gotten through any of the bumps along the way without the support of you gals, and I just wish you all could have been there to see all of OUR hard work pay off! Keep truckin' ladies, it will be worth it!
From
Oy Vey to
Ole!
I survived the RoLex wedding and all I got was this lousy husband.
One&Only Palmilla - Los Cabos, Mexico