A Love Story Painted in Tropical Hues by the Ocean’s Embrace

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Location: Tulum, Mexico
Setting: Beach
Wedding season: Spring
The number of guests: 56
How long did the couple plan the event: 1.5 years
Wedding theme/style: Tropical chic with a romantic, moody edge.

Love stories are as diverse as the people who live them, and the tale of Morgan and John Kubilus is a captivating testament to this fact. Their journey, which began in 2016 when they crossed paths at the same company in Pittsburgh, PA, is a testament to fate’s quirky ways. Surprisingly, they attended the same college in Morgantown, WV, and frequented the same spots, yet only knowingly met once destiny intervened. Years passed, they bought a home together, and in October 2021, they embarked on a new chapter in their lives by getting engaged.

Their shared love for the enchanting allure of Tulum, Mexico, after a visit in 2019, inspired them to bring the magic of this destination to their wedding day, offering their loved ones a taste of the easy-going, bohemian lifestyle they hold dear.

The heart of their vision was the breathtaking Saasil Kantenah chapel. Unconventionally, they didn’t opt for a beachside ceremony; instead, they fell in love with the chapel’s story—a symbol of enduring love. The venue’s story is about a couple honeymooning on a boat around the Riviera Maya when they found a perfect and serene beach. The man bought this beach for his wife as a gift, and they built the chapel as an everlasting memory of their love. The chapel stood surrounded by lush trees, rustic stonework, and majestic wooden doors.

Morgan spent her morning among her closest friends. Her hair and makeup followed the vision – natural, bronzy, sexy. The bride opted for a half-undone hairstyle, with gentle waves cascading down her shoulders, creating a delicate and natural look and not covering her face in pictures. The artists at Alex Corbanezi Beauty did an excellent job and used a lot of warm tones, natural lashes, and bronze shades to go along with the natural scenery of the venue and accentuated Morgan’s beauty! With the assistance of her friends, Morgan donned her wedding dress, and she looked simply dazzling!

The bridesmaids donned stunning olive green ShowMeYourMumu Jasmine Halter dresses, balancing sexiness and comfort. Morgan found her dream dress, the Archie from Made with Love Bridal, in Pittsburgh. Its low, cowl back, deep V front and crepe fabric made her feel beautiful. A cathedral-length veil added the finishing touch.

The first look was the most touching moment. When John laid eyes on his beloved, there was so much love and tenderness in his gaze that it brought tears of joy. His beloved was beautiful, and his overwhelming happiness brought him to tears.

Before the ceremony, Morgan and John exchanged heartfelt letters they had written in advance. These letters were a testament to their love and anticipation for the day ahead. The words they shared captured the depth of their feelings and added an extra layer of intimacy to their wedding. And how skillfully Mel and Fred, through their photography, captured this special moment!

The bride knew color had to play a big part in their wedding, but in a way that complimented the natural colors and textures that would already be found on the beach/jungle at the venue. Deep-colored woods adorned the furniture and accents to infuse the mood with a touch of moody romance. Dark red rugs lined the aisle, while bohemian lounges enhanced the natural and tropical atmosphere. Their florist worked magic, bringing their mood board to life with vibrant arrangements that beautifully complemented the venue’s natural beauty. Their wedding planner, Natalia at Wedding On The Beach, expertly executed their vision, ensuring every detail was perfect.

The couple’s wedding ceremony was truly magnificent. The very location where it took place was infused with love. John walked down the aisle alongside his beloved mother to the altar. Morgan walked down the aisle, arm in arm with her father, toward her beloved John. It was a moment that symbolized the eternal union of their hearts and destinies.

The couple’s friends and family were by their side throughout, supporting them on the most important day of their lives.

Throughout their special day, the talented photographers Mel and Fred from Memory Box Photography skillfully captured every moment, ensuring that the emotions of joy, love, and tears were beautifully preserved. Their ability to seize the essence of happiness and tears in their photographs was genuinely exceptional.

Morgan shares: “To me, there is no question what made this day so special – the floral arrangements. I love plants and flowers daily, and my late grandmother owned a flower shop, so floral arrangements were essential to me. Arguably, this is more important than any other aspect of wedding planning. Before choosing a vendor, I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to articulate my vision to a florist and would end up disappointed. I created a mood board of color and textures for Dia Uno, our florist, and when I got the inspiration catalog back, I knew I had nothing to worry about. The team at Dia Uno blew any idea of what I thought I wanted out of the water. I will never forget pulling up to the venue right before the start of the ceremony and seeing the art created in front of the chapel. It took my breath right out of me, and I cried immediately with happiness. The centerpieces for the table, the bouquets, the boutonnieres – all of it was simply spectacular, and I will never forget the beauty of living art they created for me.”

Following the ceremony, the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed a seaside wedding dinner illuminated by the soft glow of candles. Surrounded by family and friends, they savored the joyous moments and the ocean breeze.

Then Morgan and John shared their first dance, symbolizing their love and becoming the quintessence of their feelings for each other.

Another poignant moment was the dances, with Morgan dancing with her father and John dancing with his mother.

Morgan recalls a funny incident that happened at the wedding: “Our dog, Charlie, is a massive part of our life. I got him when I was in college. He moved with me to Pittsburgh in a little studio apartment, loved John from the start, and was there when John and I got engaged. Our universe tends to revolve around him. So, when we decided to get married in Mexico, we were severely bummed that he would not get to be there with us.

After the ceremony finished and we were taking pictures, my older brother, Nick, suddenly went missing. I was a little frustrated he was missing family pictures, but my mom said, “Don’t be mad at him. You’ll see.” Odd, but okay. 20 or so minutes later, he comes back to the venue. We get our pictures, and I forget about it altogether. That is, until our reception starts. We are out on the dance floor, and the DJ calls for me over the microphone while a Drake song spins up. I walk to the center of the floor, and that is when I see Nick and my bridesmaids trotting in, holding massive cutouts of Charlie over their heads.”

“It turns out that Nick had forgotten the Charlie heads at the resort, took our wedding planner’s car back to the resort (having never driven in another country before), got the head, and returned to the reception without much issue. Our wedding planner even took her house key off her crucial ring before giving him her car in case he “didn’t make it back.” It’s scary!

Charlie made it to the wedding (in spirit) after all, and I now have to find a place in my home to tastefully display multiple 4-foot-tall cutouts of his head to cherish that sweet and thoughtful memory forever.”

The evening continued with dancing beneath a canopy of hundreds of twinkling lights. Laughter filled the air as guests celebrated the love of Morgan and John. The atmosphere was a perfect reflection of their vision—romantic, natural, and sincere.

Advice from the couple:

• It’s challenging to plan a wedding, so arranging a destination wedding is a stress I could have never anticipated. Luckily, our wedding planner, Natalia of Weddings on The Beach – Mexico, held our hand through it all. When we thought we were behind or feeling anxious about everything getting done, she made herself available to talk us down and assure us that everything would work out perfectly. And boy, did it do just that. Not a second of the wedding day was when I felt unsure that things weren’t being taken care of/managed. The story’s moral is that anyone will get stressed planning the most important day of one’s life, but a wedding planner is a necessity to keep from driving yourself crazy. Find good, reliable vendors whose existing work encapsulates what you picture for your day, and put all your trust in them.