A colorful and lively celebration unfolded at Cuernavaca, Mexico. Rich native traditions and stunning natural landscape seamlessly mixed with French class and elegance, creating unforgettable memories for all who attended this international wedding.
Location: Cuernavaca, Mexico
Style: Elegant, earthy, vibrant
Time of planning: 1 year
Number of guests: 120
Setting: Hotel
Season: Spring
Julie and Adolfo’s love story began when Julie, a French expat, had recently moved to Medellin for a year, while Adolfo, a Mexican, was vacationing there. Adolfo reached out to Julie on Instagram, and they met shortly after.
Later, Adolfo asked Julie to spend a vacation with him in Mexico. She was captivated by vibrant Mexico City. Their relationship blossomed, and during the five years they spent together, they took many trips together. The couple especially enjoys visiting France and other parts of Europe. During their trip to Lecce, Italy, Adolfo knelt to hear Julie’s enthusiastic “Yes”!
Planning
Cuernavaca already had a special place in Julie’s and Adolfo’s hearts, as it had become their favorite getaway weekend destination. The couple opted for Hacienda de Cortés as the perfect place to make their wedding special.
Julie and Adolfo’s wedding vision was inspired by the vibrant beauty of a Mexican hacienda, surrounded by lush greenery and colorful blooms. Their goal was to seamlessly blend the captivating allure of Mexican culture, the elegance of French charm, and meaningful Jewish traditions, creating a unique celebration that honored their diverse backgrounds in this beautiful international wedding.
Wedding Fashion
Julie wore a floor-length off-shoulder dress by Alena Leena from the renowned boutique Va de Blanco in Mexico City. Pleats and layers of sheer and flowing fabric looked flawless on the bride. The light and elegant silhouette provided a graceful and feminine look. Julie’s hair was styled in soft beach waves and put back, with two playful locks at the front framing her face. To finish the look, Julie put a matching floral accessory in her hair.
The minimalistic and elegant bouquet, made of white flowers and eucalyptus, was another prime example of the mixture of local flora and French chic.
The bridesmaids looked radiant in a variety of green dresses, each one unique in style and shade, perfectly complementing the lush, tropical surroundings. The vibrant greens added a fresh and lively touch to the wedding party, creating a harmonious and elegant look.
Adolfo went for a timeless look with a black suit and white shirt. The Calderoni smoking was the groom’s statement piece, while classic leather shoes and a silky bowtie completed the outfit. His choice reflected a reverence for tradition while exuding modern minimalism and charm.
Ceremony
The ceremony unfolded within the enchanting vault of the hacienda, a space steeped in history. The rustic charm of brick, stone, and wild vegetation surrounded the guests. The tall weathered arched walls provided a charming backdrop for the nuptials. The decor was kept simple yet elegant, adding to the natural look of the surroundings. Compositions, made of eucalyptus and dried flowers seamlessly integrated into the surroundings, The vault’s acoustics amplified the live piano music by Moisés Villa, which the romantic mood.
Julie and Adolfo incorporated numerous rituals and traditions to honor their rich heritage. There was the Jewish wine ritual, speeches from loved ones, a candle-lighting ceremony, vow and ring exchange, and the Mexican lasso ritual.
The ceremony was deeply emotional, filled with joy, contagious laughter, and happy tears. When the newlyweds were leaving the vault, everyone cheered and celebrated them with heart-shaped confetti.
Moment Alone
Right after the ceremony Julie and Adolfo separated from the guests for a stroll through the hacienda’s gardens. The couple went on a photographic walk with Ana Nunez.
Ana’s bright, lively, and romantic photographs perfectly captured the atmosphere of Julie and Adolfo’s special day. From Mexico herself, she naturally translates local charm through her artwork. Her warm and colorful candid pictures evoke serenity and joy. The balance of timeless style and unique character makes these photographs a real keepsake of the day.
Cocktail Hour
The cocktail hour was hosted under the historic arches of the hacienda. The live traditional band entertained the guests, while they enjoyed drinks and appetizers. A true highlight of this part was personalized wedding newspapers, featuring details of the day as well as some fun facts from the couple.
Reception
The wedding reception unfolded beneath the open sky, embracing the warm spring weather and soft breezes. The couple wanted a balance of simplicity and elegance, so they chose shades of green, gold, and white to complement the natural beauty of the surroundings. Every detail was thoughtfully curated to evoke a sense of timeless romance. Rows of elegant white drapes imitated the ceiling and provided shade. Strings of fairy lights hanging from above added to the dreamy atmosphere. Long wooden tables were decorated with eucalyptus and twigs to keep the decor natural and rustic.
After all the beloved guests raised their glasses for the toasts, it came time for those, who could not attend the wedding. They congratulated the newlyweds from the big screens, attached to the scene, and right after that Julie and Adolfo stepped there for their first dance.
As the couple enjoys singing together, they incorporated singing into their first dance to “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston. While they sang, Adolfo twirled Julie around the dancefloor, and the guests cheered them and threw bright silver confetti. Soon all the attendants joined the dancefloor as well, creating a huge and lively party.
The minimalistic two-tiered cake by Pasteles Law perfectly matched the style of the wedding. White roses and eucalyptus correlated with the wedding florals, while the gold leaf accents resembled the bright golden lights of the scene and dancefloor.
The cake was cut right in the middle of the dancefloor, amplifying the festive mood even more.
Afterparty
As the night fell, it came time for the big party! Everyone danced and drank, the fairy lights flickered, and the loudness of the music celebrated the joy of Julie’s and Adolfo’s big day. The guests cheered with party flames and lifted the newlyweds into the air during the hora, a traditional dance performed at Jewish wedding receptions.
The evening featured an enticing selection of drinks, from fine wines to the couple’s signature cocktail, the carajillo—a beloved Mexican blend of coffee and liqueur. The fun element of the night was a huge tequila bottle. It was passed and shared all around the dancefloor.
The presence of the nearest and dearest, non-stop dancing, perfect weather, and surprises from guests made the day exceptional and unforgettable.
Advice from the couple:
• Don’t let stress overshadow the beauty of this day. Embrace the unexpected, and approach each twist and turn with grace and flexibility, knowing that love will always shine through.
• Focus on being present and fully immersed. Take the time to look into each other’s eyes, to hold hands, and to share quiet moments of reflection amidst the whirlwind of festivities.
PHOTOGRAPHER Ana Nunez | VENUE Hacienda de Cortés | PLANNING Iván López | DRESS Va de Blanco | SUIT Calderoni | PHOTOBOOTH La Cabina Cuernavaca Photobooth | VIDEOGRAPHER PostProFilm | WEDDING CAKE Pasteles Law | PIANIST Moisés Villa | DJ Musik Station DJ
