Andrea + Zak
February 18, 2022 / Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
How did your love story begin?: We met on MySpace when we were 17! We were friends for years until we started dating and have been together almost 8 years now! My favorite holiday is Halloween and we have a big party every year. We were dressed up as the Addams family and he proposed in front of our family and friends down on one knee with the ring on “Thing’s” finger. We always knew we wanted to get married in Puerto Vallarta as it is our favorite place to vacation.
What was your vision for your wedding?: We knew we wanted it to be small, intimate, and as non stressful as possible. We wanted a boho vibe and knew we didn’t want the ceremony on the beach but wanted the reception to be. Making decisions isn’t the easiest for me so choosing all the details was a bit stressful. We decided not to have a wedding party just to make things easier. Our travel agent/wedding planner Stephanee Hughson helped with finding vendors. We brought along our own photographer Citrine Pine, I’ve known her since high school. She shot our engagement photos, and she just does amazing work. In lieu of welcome bags, we decided on an experience and rented a private catamaran for a sunset cruise the day after the wedding. It was magical seeing whales so close up! Shout out to the staff at Fat Cat for being so amazing and memorable.
Tell us all about your wedding dress!: My dress shopping experience was so easy! Strike was the first place I went and I believe it was the second dress I tried on! Being able to bring my close friends and family was so important to me and at the time during the pandemic so many places were limiting the amount of people you could bring with you. I wanted something boho and also beach friendly. The staff and the experience was amazing and I was so happy to have found my Aleena Leena dress.
You planned and you planned, but how did the day ACTUALLY go?!: I was so nervous to walk down the aisle. My dad had to hold me back from basically sprinting down it. I also couldn’t make eye contact with anyone except my husband and our officiant from fear that if I saw any tears I would also cry. We had a non traditional short and sweet symbolic ceremony all prepared by our best friend Emily. Then the guests went to a cocktail hour and were serenaded by a mariachi band while we took family pictures. The weather was absolutely perfect, it was just a bit windy (I was glad I changed my mind and wore my hair up for this reason). After pictures the mariachi band lead all the guests down to the beach for dinner. One of my best friends that couldn’t be there surprised me with a big picture of herself so she was there in spirit! We had a lovely 3 course dinner ending with our wedding cake. Then we had our first dance where our wedding planner Stephanee surprised us with sparklers. Everyone got to dancing after that with guests checking out the photo booth in between. The pictures were a great wedding favor. We had fireworks towards the end of the night and a late night taco bar. I don’t think I stopped smiling the entire day and I can’t believe I didn’t lose my voice. The day couldn’t have been any more perfect. My favorite part was just being surrounded by all of our favorite people all at once and all the new friendships that were made. I wish we could relive it over and over again.
What is your best advice for future brides-to-be?: If you are even just considering doing a destination wedding, do it! I have not a single regret. Having all your friends and family on vacation with you was amazing. On the big day I didn’t have to make sure to spend all my time talking to everyone because we had days to spend time together. So many great memories were made. The fact that it was cheaper for us to have it in Mexico didn’t hurt either.
Vendors
Dress: Passiflora by Aleena Leena via Strike Bridal Bar Photography: Citrine Pine Photo
Hair/Makeup: Bonita
Travel Agent/Wedding Planner: Stephanie Hughson Plans In Paradise
Premiere Wedding Coordinator: Nora Ruiz-Villa
Fireworks: Mac Event Inc
Flowers: Vodax/Francisco Salazar
Rings: 12fifteen diamonds
Venue: Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel
Photo Booth: Puerta Vallarta Photo Booth Bus
