Set against the rich natural backdrop of Mexico City, Karla and Kyle’s wedding was a stylish and thoughtfully curated celebration, brought to life with the expert touch of Karla Arroyo. Inspired by groom’s art pieces and the city’s colorful streets, their palette of terracotta, cream, and chartreuse wove through every detail. With thoughtful preparation and beautifully selected design, their wedding was a perfect blend of elegance, personality, and heartfelt moments.
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Style: Festive, modern, vibrant
Time of planning: 18 months
Number of guests: 75
Setting: Museum
Season: Spring
Karla and Kyle met through a mutual friend who later stood by them at the altar during the ceremony. They made it official at their favorite bar, Rainbo Club. The couple eventually moved to Philadelphia, growing closer during lockdown and making it their permanent home. After months of longing for post-pandemic travel, they set off for Mexico City and Tulum. On their second-to-last day, Kyle woke Karla early for a sunrise, a cherished childhood ritual. On the quiet beach, he proposed, and they celebrated by sailing into the horizon, embarking on their next adventure together.
Bride's Look
Karla wore a sleek, form-fitting gown in ivory Italian crepe by Jenny Yoo. A flowing scarf detail added a romantic touch, while her chartreuse Jimmy Choo heels brought a playful pop of color. Her dark hair was styled in soft waves and adorned with delicate pearls around the temples, complementing her radiant makeup by Glimmx, which featured a subtle smoky eye and a bold lip.
Adding a sentimental touch, she completed her look with a pearl necklace and earrings, a gift from her mother on the morning of the wedding. The vibrant bouquet by Tamboo, made of red, orange, and white tropical flowers contrasted beautifully with her white gown, fitting the modern aesthetic of the wedding.
"On my wedding day, I felt beautiful and as if all my hard work leading up to this day was worth it – I was filled with joy and excitement and most of all gratitude that so many of our friends and family made the time to travel to celebrate our day with us."
Groom's Fashion
Kyle embraced a stylish, vintage-inspired look in a rich brown J.Crew suit. A vibrant orange orchid boutonniere added a striking contrast, complemented by a white handkerchief passed down from his mother, adding a sentimental touch. His round, bold-framed glasses enhanced his refined style, balancing elegance with a modern artistic flair.
First Look
Before the ceremony, the couple chose to have a private first look, creating an intimate and heartfelt moment. As Kyle saw Karla in her wedding gown, happy tears filled his eyes. They embraced warmly, letting the moment soothe their nerves and allowing them to fully take in the happiness of the day before stepping into their celebration together. “Our first look was the most memorable – I think it’s because it’s a moment you dream about your entire life. The adrenaline just before the first look is indescribable. It was as if we had seen each other’s souls bare and vulnerable and yet at the same time familiar and comforting,” Karla admits.
Surrounded by lush emerald-green tropical leaves, they shared this intimate moment with their photographer, Whitelab. Throughout the day, the photographer masterfully captured the wedding’s vibrant and chic aesthetic, focusing not only on the couple but also on their stylish guests, creating numerous charismatic visuals.
Afterwards the couple hopped into a bright red vintage car, making a stylish and unforgettable ride to their ceremony venue. “One of our favorite moments of the day was getting picked up in a bright red vintage Mustang. We centered a lot of our couple shots around the car since we didn’t want traditional posed portraits, and they turned out amazing,” the bride recalls.
Ceremony
Set in the lush gardens of the Casa de la Bola Museum, the romantic ceremony unfolded beneath a canopy of greenery. The stunning floral design of the altar featured two vibrant pillars of tropical plants and sunflowers framed the space beautifully. These arrangements complemented the bridesmaids’ bouquets and provided a striking contrast to the groomsmen’s cream suits. One of the couple’s closest friends officiated the wedding, as Karla and Kyle exchanged heartfelt vows written in bespoke vow books.
"During the ceremony I admittedly became emotional, which was unexpected, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Overall, I felt accomplished and excited for what the future held."
Laughter and cheers filled the air as teary-eyed guests congratulated the couple with their new chapter. After exchanging rings, Karla and Kyle took a moment to pause at the altar, soaking in the love and warmth of their gathered family and friends, a memory they will cherish forever.
Reception
The reception at the Casa de La Bola Museum followed a warm, tropical, and elegant aesthetic. Each place setting featured black and terracotta colored plates, beige linen napkins, and a little white floral accent, which added a delicate touch. The floral arrangements on the tables were vibrant and textured, featuring a mix of tropical flowers in red, orange, and green tones paired with lush greenery.
The ambiance was enhanced by candlelight and glassware, reflecting the warm lighting in the venue. The wooden signage by Amor de Papel followed the couple’s inspiration, using the postcard-inspired font. Additionally, fresh citrus fruits, including grapefruits, oranges, and kiwis, were incorporated into the decor, reinforcing the tropical theme.
After the delicious Mexican taquizas menu by Atipico, which included cochinita pibil, chicken tinga, rajas poblanas, and caramelized flans instead of a traditional wedding cake, it was time for the party. Kyla and Karla made a grand entrance down the museum’s staircase to a house music track, setting the stage for a night filled with upbeat energy.
The Gramofun DJ set curated an eclectic mix of afro soul, lo-fi house, salsa, and early 2000s hip-hop, creating the perfect soundtrack for the evening. For their first dance, Karla put her hair into a sleek bun and wore a sheer, pearl-embellished capelet that draped elegantly over her shoulders.
The couple shared their first dance to ‘Like You Do’ by Joji, a moment filled with intimacy and love. Soon after, their parents joined them on the dance floor, honoring tradition with ‘Yesterday’ by The Beatles and ‘Landslide’ by Stevie Nicks. As the night drew to a close, guests gathered around for a final dance to ‘Sea of Love’ by Cat Power, a beautiful ending to an unforgettable celebration.
Advice from the couple:
• Have fun and be in the moment – put distractions away (neither of us had our phones on wedding day) and make sure to make time for each other. Schedule a secluded moment, even if it’s 5 minutes, to reflect. Things will work out the way they should – and even if they don’t it’s unlikely anyone will notice. Your guests are there for you, they’re not there to inspect every aspect of your wedding day.
• Be kind to each other. Planning a wedding can trigger emotional and financial stress – effective and clear communication helps. It’s never too early to get started – I was glad to have 18 months to plan so we could have our choice of vendors.
PLANNER Karla Arroyo | PHOTOGRAPHER Whitelab | VENUE Casa de la Bola | CATERING Atipico | FLORALS Tamboo | MUAH Glimmx | DRESS Jenny Yoo | SHOES Jimmy Choo | SUIT J.Crew | DJ Gramofun | STATIONERY Amor de Papel | FURNITURE Shepha | PHOTOBOOTH Pixel |
