Is it possible to combine the fun of a beach wedding with the tradition of a church ceremony and the elegance of a grand ballroom affair? At the One and Only Palmilla, the answer is yes! California couple C+J created the perfect destination wedding weekend for their friends and family at the luxurious 5-star resort in Los Cabos, starting with a barefoot welcome party on the beach, followed by classic black tie ceremony at the historic chapel, and culminating with fireworks, live band, and dancing (and tequila!) til the wee hours of the night.
It was such a pleasure to document the beauty and love at this Cabo wedding! Scroll down to view some of our favorite images and get destination wedding tips from the bride. Want more? Click through to our friends at Style Me Pretty to see more photos in their feature of this Palmilla destination wedding. And don’t forget to check out the couple’s awe-inspiring video over at Pink Palm.
We love this window light bridal portrait through Palmilla’s iconic doors, and it’s one of the bride’s favorites too! As she explains, “This photo of my flower girl peering into the room as I was first posing in my wedding dress captures all of the magic I felt getting ready to walk down the aisle and brings me back to when I was her age, dreaming of this very moment. She thought I was a princess that day, and I sure felt like one!”
There are many options for ceremony locations at the One & Only Palmilla. The chapel, with its storied history, stone statues, and dramatic staircase, is a beautiful and classic choice.
Having some time alone after the ceremony is so special. The bride described the photo below when she and her new husband walked up the steps of the chapel after the ceremony as “perfectly capturing my favorite part about my dress – the back and the train. I also loved this moment as everyone else had left for the cocktail hour and we got to soak in the events that had just happened.”
“This classic portrait photo of us just brings me back to the few moments we had alone by the ocean. It is the same beach we have walked along for many years, but this time, me in my wedding gown and him in his wedding suit – married! The sunset was incredible and we felt like we could just breathe...”
Gorgeous view and decor at the reception! The bride wanted to keep things simple and elegant. One of her favorite details from the wedding was the florals designed by Cabo florist Pina Cate: “I loved the florals and tablescapes. I feel like the pop of color and the way the tables were decorated with the variety of vases and lanterns really pulled everything together. It kept the setting vibrant while not overpowering the natural beauty of the our setting…”
The bride’s top tip for planning a destination wedding? “Make sure you find an amazing planner that is local to the location/venue. If you’re getting married in a different country with a different language, make sure she/he speaks fluently in both languages (and well!). I can’t tell you how much more amazing my experience was due to the hard work and efforts put forward by Samantha Macedo at the Palmilla. There is absolutely no way I would have been able to pull it off without her or the entire staff at the Palmilla…I don’t think I have ever seen a vision come to life so seamlessly and perfectly as this one did. It was perfect.“
One and Only Palmilla Wedding Vendors:
Venue: One and Only Palmilla // Wedding Planner: Samantha Macedo at One & Only Palmilla // Floral Design: Pina Cate Designs // Wedding Rentals: Del Cabo Events // Photography: CHRIS+LYNN Destination Wedding Photographers // Videography: Pink Palm //Catering: Chef Larbi Dahrouch Agua by Larbi One and Only Palmilla // Music: Violinist Violetta Poletek; Flamenco Trio by Francisco Alatorre; DJ Alex DJ Cabo Events // Bride’s Attire: Berta Bridal // Bridesmaid’s Attire: Joanna August // Groom’s Suit: Peter Millar // Groomsmen’s attire: Peter Millar // Rings: Heller Jewelers // Invitations: Aerialist Press