Location: San miguel de Allende, México
Style: Chic, Elegant, Colorful
Number of guests: 120
Setting: Hacienda
Season: Spring
Ben and Lu’s story began in Tulum, where a chance meeting quickly turned into something undeniable. “As soon as we met, we felt a very strong connection,” Lu shares, after meeting Ben while working at a beach club during one of his trips with friends. What followed was a month of figuring out how their lives could align despite the distance, “how we could make it work even though we lived in different countries,” she adds, a time that set the foundation for everything that came next.
They chose to build their life together in New York, where they were legally married at City Hall the same year. A year and a half later, Ben proposed in their Brooklyn apartment, a moment that felt intimate and true to them.
Inspiration & Welcome Party
The couple imagined a weekend that felt warm, bright, and full of energy, something that naturally reflected who they are together. Inspired by nature and Lu’s Mexican heritage, the celebration embraced local flavors, the setting, and a palette of yellow and blue that brought a fresh, joyful tone to every detail. Planned by Lupita Tirado, the vision perfectly came to life, blending cultural elements with a relaxed, vibrant atmosphere that carried through the entire experience.
Bride's Morning & Fashion
For the first night, Lu wore Danielle Frankel’s Alexandra gown, styled with Jacquemus Les boucles nodo earrings and Neous sandals, setting a tone that felt effortless yet fashion-forward. On the wedding day, she chose Danielle Frankel’s Anika gown, wearing it with her great-grandmother’s earrings and Manolo Blahnik pumps, before changing into a last-minute Fancì Club skirt and blouse set with Miu Miu flats for a more relaxed, playful second look.
Makeup for both days was by Gaby Winwood, who perfectly understood her vision and created a look that felt natural, elevated, and like the best version of herself.
"I wanted my wedding looks to feel a little bit “out there” without taking away from my personality. I wanted them to feel fun but not careless or childish, if that makes sense. I think all of my looks really spoke to my personality."
Groom's Fashion
Ben approached his looks with the same intention, wanting something light and relaxed for the welcome party, and a more distinctive look for the wedding day that would complement Lu’s styling. For the first night, he wore an Italian-made sand-colored wool suit with a light blue shirt and dark brown oxfords.
On the wedding day, he shifted into an Italian powder blue wool suit, styled with a white shirt, a deep navy tie, and the same dark brown oxfords. The look added personality while still keeping a sense of timelessness.
Pre-Ceremony
The couple shared a beautiful first look, a quiet moment together before the celebration began, along with time spent with their bridal party that felt relaxed and full of excitement. Photographer Miles Leavitt captured each part of the day with care, preserving both the emotion and the energy of the entire celebration.
Plus Two Films created a true cinematic story of the day, weaving together their interview about how they met with all the meaningful moments, from the atmosphere and speeches to the energy of the celebration. The film captures not just how it looked, but how it felt, preserving everything that made the wedding so special.
Ceremony
They chose the venue with a very specific feeling in mind, something inspired by nature, infused with Mexican culture, and touched with a sense of tradition. The setting brought that vision to life in a natural, organic way, creating a ceremony that felt both intimate and meaningful.
Adding to its intimacy, one of their closest friends, Drew, who had been the witness when they received their marriage certificate at City Hall in New York, officiated the ceremony. With a few family members also speaking, the moment became deeply personal, filled with stories, emotion, and a sense of connection that made it truly unforgettable.
"All of our guests loved the venue, took pictures of it, and told us it was one of the most beautiful venues they’ve ever seen."
Cocktail Hour
One of the most memorable moments was leaving the ceremony and stepping straight into cocktail hour, where a mariachi band was already playing. The transition felt seamless and full of energy, instantly shifting the atmosphere into celebration and setting the tone for the rest of the night.
Reception Decor
After cocktail hour and portraits, Lupita Tirado and her team invited them in for a private reveal of the reception space before guests entered, and it quickly became one of the most emotional moments of the day. “We truly were in awe of how beautiful everything was,” they shared, seeing all of their ideas come to life so thoughtfully, with “many tears shed” as they took it all in.
Looking around, they realized that every person there, from family and friends to the entire creative team, “knew us and was happy for us,” which made the moment even more meaningful. “We were filled with gratitude,” they said, a feeling that carried through the rest of the night, alongside food that exceeded every expectation. “The food was something else,” they added, “somehow even better than the tasting,” with guests raving about everything from the cocktails to the cake.
Reception
They chose to have their first dance performed live by one of their favorite Mexican artists, Daniel Quien, who played “Lo Supe de Ti,” making the moment feel even more personal. The evening continued with a series of heartfelt toasts from Lu’s mom, her two best friends, and their closest friends from New York. “There was a lot of crying,” they shared, a reflection of how deeply everyone present knew and loved them. “You could feel how much love there was in the room,” not just between the two of them, but from every guest who had traveled to celebrate.
One of the evening highlights was the cake cutting, featuring a long, vibrant cake adorned with fresh florals that echoed the color palette of the day, adding a playful yet elegant moment to the celebration.
One of the most meaningful moments followed their first dance, as the couple created a special tribute to the women in their lives in honor of March 8. As ABBA began to play, “a very special band for my family,” the energy shifted instantly. “Everyone got so excited,” they recalled, as all the women were invited to the dance floor, creating a moment that felt joyful, emotional, and unforgettable.
Advice from the couple:
• Make sure you choose a planner who understands your vision and whom you fully trust. It makes the whole wedding experience more relaxing and actually fun.
• Be present on the day of. Unplug from your phone and just be present.
• Encouraging your closest friends and family to come a little earlier on the trip to have more time with them. This made a big difference on our wedding weekend, it will allow you to have quality time with the people that matter most to you.
