Wow. Wow. Wow. What a fantastic opportunity we had last month to work at stylish and stunning Villa Estrella Mar. But not only did we get to plan a wedding at the location, but we had the pleasure of working with a bride whose family is lifelong friends with the actual villa owners! So we were blessed with a fantastic couple, their gracious families and the chance to fancy-up the house with the actual owners present (definitely a nervewracking and intimidating task when the owners are the actual architect and interior designer of this gem of a home!)
Having spent a significant amount of time at the villa throughout her lifetime, we realized how much the actual location meant to this bride and decided to take a symbol of the venue and incorporate it throughtout the wedding design.
Estrella Mar means "Star of the Sea" in Spanish, and at the foot of the villa, a special wrought iron star gives a peek out to the beach below. We took the design of this star and used it throughout the wedding (keep your eyes open for our touches!)
Thank you Elizabeth Lloyd for the lovely images of Shawna and Rich's day!
The ceremony was to take place on the lower level terrace; chairs were woven among trees to face the authentic Mexican doors where the bride and groom would stand to exchange vows.
A March surprise was in store, however, and rain began to fall shortly before the ceremony was to begin! I can't think of a better villa to be at if "rained out." We simply set up spur-of-the-moment ceremony seating in the grand room entrance where a gorgeous candleabra hung decorated with hanging candles and orchids - a perfect and unexpected ceremony backdrop!
Meanwhile . . . our adorable flower girls left us flowergirl-less as they snoozed in a nearby room!
As the bride and groom kissed, trumpets sounded from the mariachi band awaiting in the wings!
Guests immediately let loose - breaking into dance while the trumpets and guitars played on! Appetizers and drinks were passed (thank you Daiquiri Dicks!), and other guests marveled at the nearby seating arrangement - a true lesson in photoshop to The Dazzling Details staff as we superimposed the bride and groom's faces onto the posters of their favorite movies, and then tables were identified by the film's name!
When Shawna and Rich had finished posing for some great formal shots . . .
. . . they made their grand entrance and twirled immediately into their first dance!
In the dining room, guests were greeted with stunning dinner tables overflowing with orchids, brilliant calla lilies and golden stars dangling from tree branches. Following a touching welcome by the couple, the group was invited to a gorgeous buffet dinner followed by a delightful cake with cascading orchids! As a special touch, Tim Horton's coffee and tea (the bride's favorite!) brought all the way from Canada was offered to guests.
Following dinner, guests mingled between the dinner area and nearby fireplace terrace and looked on as the bride danced with her father. Shortly after, the entire group got into the groove, and mini desserts were brought out to curb the late-night appetites!
While guests danced the night away, the bride and groom snuck off for a few last photos - amazing!
Congratulations, thank you and best wishes to Shawna and Rich! And thank you Nick and Betty for being so gracious - what a pleasure and priviledge it was to work in your lovely home!
From the Bride and Groom:
I'm still having trouble believing that the amazing, creative, jaw-droppingly beautiful wedding we attended in March was OURS! Our wedding story begins with dear friends offering us their villa in PV for our big day. It occurred to us that planning this ourselves was going to be impossible from Toronto. As fate would have it, one of my mom's friends recommended you because you planned her daughter's wedding so beautifully.
My mind was littered with random snippits of loves, likes and dislikes, but I was having trouble defining how this wedding should look. Through your fun process, you managed to draw out, clarify, and bring to life what turned out to be a thousand times better than our best vision. Every single detail, and there are more I notice every time I look at the pictures, was taken to its most personal and creative extreme. Even the owners (who are also the architect and designer of the villa) were amazed by the paradise you created in their home. There will never be a way to thank you enough.
You kept me sane through such disasters as the villa possibly being sold before our wedding, the rain arriving minutes before our outdoor ceremony, and the possiblitity of this becoming the most purple wedding ever. There wasn't a single huge-deal-at-the-time upset you didn't help me resolve. Phew! You were a brilliant wedding planner, but no less importantly, a great friend, a supporter, and quite often... uh...my therapist! We will keep in touch and remember you always as we recall our dream wedding. xoxo
