Red flowers, red dresses, red drinks—every detail of this wedding was unapologetically bold. Created by photographer Ximena Zermeno, the woman behind the Marry Yourself movement, this wasn’t just a ceremony—it was a declaration. Set at the iconic Hotel El Ganzo and the lush gardens of Flora Farms in Los Cabos, the event broke away from wedding traditions without losing any of its emotional power. Planned by the team at Amy Abbott Events the day moved from vows by the ocean to a red-soaked afterparty under the trees—a full celebration of radical self-love like the industry had never seen before.
Location: Los Cabos, Mexico
Style: Bold, emotional, symbolic
Number of guests: 50
Setting: Ceremony – seaside, reception – garden
Season: Summer
A former defense attorney turned wedding photographer, Ximena Zermeno spent over a decade capturing love stories before realizing she had never paused to honor her own. After becoming a single mother at 19 and going through a divorce, she began a deep journey of healing that led her to one powerful question: How can we truly commit to someone else if we haven’t first committed to ourselves? That question became the basis of Marry Yourself, a movement she created to redefine commitment and inspire people to choose themselves first—not in opposition to love, but as the foundation of it. Today, she continues that conversation in a podcast co-hosted with her son, where they speak openly about self-worth, healing, and how love begins within.
Bridal Morning
The bride’s morning started inside one of El Ganzo’s iconic artist suites, a place she describes as her creative home. Surrounded by instruments, artwork, and memories, she got ready slowly, with intention. Her brother, owner of Piel Canela Makeup Studio, did her makeup and hair. “That made the experience even more special—being pampered by someone I love deeply,” she shared. The intimacy of the moment wasn’t just about beauty prep—it marked the beginning of a new chapter, one that she had written entirely for herself.
She wore a white dress that had once belonged to a bride she had photographed months earlier. When she asked to rent it, the bride insisted on gifting the experience. “She said it would be an honor to lend it to me for the Marry Yourself movement,” Ximena shared. The gesture wasn’t just about the dress—it was a shared belief in the idea of women reclaiming ceremony for themselves.
Her bouquet was a striking arrangement of bold red florals, echoing the colors that would carry through the entire celebration. The look was complete—natural, powerful, and unapologetically hers.
“Every detail reflected my truth. Nothing was chosen to please anyone else—it was all for me."
Before the ceremony began, Ximena shared an emotional first look with her closest family members. Her father helped her clasp a delicate bracelet onto her wrist, then kissed her forehead with quiet pride. Her mother, dressed in a vivid red dress, embraced her tightly with eyes closed, full of tenderness and strength.
These moments were not rehearsed or performative—they were honest, gentle, and filled with connection. Each exchange reminded her—and everyone present—that this wedding was not about being alone. It was about showing up whole, witnessed by those who had loved her all along.
On the Way to the Ceremony
Before the ceremony, Ximena stepped onto a boat and sailed across the water for a quiet photoshoot. The movement across the sea mirrored the internal shift she had already made: leaving behind the old ways of thinking about love and walking toward something entirely her own. Her team captured every frame with sensitivity, knowing that this moment wasn’t about the perfect angle. It was about what it looks like when a woman chooses herself.
“We’ve shared so many weddings with others, but this time, we turned the lens inward. It was emotional and deeply symbolic.”
Ceremony by the Ocean
The ceremony took place at the edge of the water, with palm trees behind and open sea stretching ahead. Guests sat in a single row facing the horizon, forming an intimate space that felt more like a circle than an aisle. By the sound of the wind and waves, Ximena walked toward it alone, bouquet in hand, with no one waiting at the end—only herself, fully present and ready to make the most important vow of her life. A moment not built on tradition, but on truth.
Azul Federighi and Elisa Yaeger led the ceremony with a calm, grounding presence. The structure echoed that of a traditional wedding, but everything was redefined. Ximena stood in her white dress, surrounded by loved ones, as she made a vow to herself. “The ceremony wasn’t about ego or isolation,” she said. “But about arriving fully to myself—so I can love better, deeper, and more freely.” The brother helped to place the Vita necklace around her neck. The gesture was quiet and intentional.
“Through self-marriage ceremonies, I aim to encourage self-love as the first step toward healthy relationships, introduce personal vows as a meaningful practice, and inspire a global movement to help people embrace wholeness and rewrite their love stories.”
Each guest received a Vita necklace too—a vulva-shaped pendant designed by Ximena and her childhood friend Bárbara Garibay—as a gift and symbol of rebirth. The gesture wasn’t just personal; it was an invitation for everyone present to reflect on their own relationship with self-love. As she completed her vows, the moment settled deeply. The message landed quietly and clearly—this was a ceremony for one, witnessed by many, and shared in meaning by all.
“Saying my vows to myself with the sound of the waves behind me was something I’ll never forget.”
Decor
After the ceremony, the celebration continued at Flora Farms, a venue deeply tied to Ximena’s journey. Years ago, she photographed her very first wedding there. Coming back for her own was intentional—a full-circle moment that brought her professional path and personal transformation into the same space.
The reception unfolded outdoors, under the trees and early evening light. The setting was surrounded by green, but everything in the design was red. Red linens, red florals, red candles—bold and unapologetic. Cristina González created all the florals and rentals, building what Ximena described as “a stunning red universe—vibrant, romantic, and raw.” It was one of the first full-red weddings Flora Farms had ever hosted. She wanted everything to reflect passion, power, and the depth of the decision she had just made—and it did.
Long banquet tables filled the garden, styled with rich layers of red and texture. There were crystal glasses, neutral-toned ceramic plates, matte gold cutlery, and small red votives placed between seasonal arrangements of ranunculus, anthuriums, and roses in deep shades. The entire reception was more than decoration; it was a physical expression of Ximena’s internal experience.
Reception
For the reception, the bride changed into her second red outfit of the day–an embroidered, Indian-inspired red dress that she had dreamed of wearing for years. The moment felt right—this was the first time she had created a space entirely for herself, and every detail reflected that. The deep red matched the florals, the linens, even the drinks, tying her presence visually into the design she had curated so carefully. The dress featured intricate beading and flowing sleeves, striking a balance between elegance and strength. She wore it for the reception and speeches, standing confidently among her guests in a look that honored both her personal taste and the meaning behind the movement.
The speeches began slowly, one after another, with moments of humor, gratitude, and emotion. At one point, Ximena stood to speak herself. She had been nervous about this part, but when she began to speak, the words flowed. “I was opening my heart and explaining what the Marry Yourself movement truly means, in front of people I admire and love. But when I spoke, something clicked. The words flowed, the message landed, and I could feel everyone get it.”
Instead of a traditional champagne tower, Ximena chose to build one with bottles of MUSA—her own mezcal brand. The display stood tall at the center of the garden, with bottles stacked in a sculptural pyramid, each one glowing in the warm evening light. It wasn’t just about doing something different—it was about doing something that felt personal and honest. MUSA had been part of her journey long before the wedding, and sharing it that night felt symbolic. Friends opened bottles, poured glasses, and toasted not to a couple, but to presence, courage, and the choice to honor yourself first. “It made the celebration feel complete: soulful, grounded, and unapologetically mine,” she said.
This evening was filled with joy, reflection, and gratitude—but it was also just the beginning. Ximena explained that Marry Yourself Worldwide is a movement that transcends borders, and she now plans to take it global through workshops, virtual and in-person ceremonies, storytelling, and partnerships with wedding professionals. She envisions adapting the concept across different cultures, especially in countries with deep-rooted traditions around love and commitment like Japan, India, Mexico, and across Europe. Over the next 5 years, she hopes to host self-marriage events in iconic locations, collaborate with artists and influencers, and publish a book with real stories that challenge traditional narratives. “This movement is about more than a ceremony—it’s about creating a shift in how we view love, relationships, and personal fulfillment.”
As the evening continued, Tatiana Serur, Mr. Crowley, and BROLORIZO each brought their own energy to the stage, while Nestor Morales Company elevated the sound to create an immersive experience. The music carried the room, brought guests to their feet, and helped turn the reception into something joyful, alive, and celebratory.
The cake was simple in structure but striking in color—a smooth, single-tiered red design covered in fresh roses and lined with figs and berries. As the last slices were passed around, the mood shifted into pure celebration. The evening was overflowing with laughter, dancing, and red cocktails under the glow of string lights.
The night ended on a high note, with happy guests and the vendor team celebrating true love. Every detail of this day had been brought to life by people who understood that this wasn’t just a wedding—it was a message. “What touched me the most was that every single vendor gifted their services—not because this was ‘my’ wedding, but because they believed in the movement,” the bride shared. “Each one poured heart and soul into this experience, and I will forever carry that love with me.”
"I want to shift the wedding industry’s focus from external commitment to self-love as the foundation of any relationship."
BRIDE, PHOTO & VIDEO Ximena Zermeno Team | PLANNER Amy Abbott Events | FLORALS & RENTALS Cristina González | MUAH Piel Canela Makeup Studio | OFFICIANTS Azul Federighi, Elisa Yaeger | AUDIO Nestor Morales Company | MUSIC Tatiana Serur, Mr. Crowley, BROLORIZO | BAR MUSA, Baja Wines, Baja Brewing Co | GUEST GIFTS Vita | VENUES Flora Farms, Hotel El Ganzo
