Vibrant colors and Mexican cuisine evoked a variety of happy feelings throughout the celebration. The focal point of Annie and Spencer’s event was natural pink roses, set in a historical venue, which created a luxurious atmosphere. Amazingly, there were over 25,000 roses in various shades of pink!
Location: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Style: Classic, elegant
Time of planning: 1 year
Number of guests: 350
Setting: Art school (rehearsal dinner),
Bull ring (welcome party),
Ranch (wedding day)
Season: Summer
Spencer and Annie met on a blind date set up by a mutual friend, and they hit it off from the start. Despite living in different cities, they made a concerted effort to spend weekends together, deepening their connection. This continued for about two beautiful years from 2019 to 2021. Then, one day in June 2021, Spencer took Annie to his family’s ranch in the Texas hill country.
"We went to the highest point on the ranch and looked over the beautiful landscape. Spencer and I love the outdoors. I turned around, and he was on one knee. After the proposal, we went to his family's ranch house, and both our immediate families were there to surprise me. I was so thankful he was able to get everyone together. We had dinner and celebrated the whole weekend. It was perfect!"
Rehearsal Dinner
For Annie and Spencer, their wedding was a significant and deeply personal event. They invested a lot of thought into it and hired a top-notch team of planners to craft the perfect wedding weekend. The couple wanted to celebrate on a grand scale and shared Mexican traditions with their guests from the United States. “Our wedding was magical! Guadalupe Alvarez and Meegan Cardenas from Penzi Weddings were our planners. They put together every aspect of the wedding to fulfill our dream wedding.”
The weekend kicked off from the rehearsal dinner on Thursday. For that Annie and Spencer chose the historic Instituto Allende, a 17th-century hacienda transformed into an art school in the 1950s and now serving as a charming wedding venue that has the best view of town!
The couple chose traditional Talavera colors, white and blue. The cocktail hour was in the fountain area, where the three-tier fountain had flowers cascading over each tier. The amazing Penzi team bought in white couches and sitting areas, while others served amazing appetizers and festive cocktails. Mariachis sang, danced, and played music for all the guests. Above the tables hung gold stars of varying sizes, producing the celestial charm, a beloved San Miguel tradition.
"When we walked into the dining area, the entire city unfolded before us. Moravian Star chandeliers illuminated the mirrored tables, adorned with beautiful centerpieces of white and blue flowers. It felt like stepping into a dream. The food and service that evening were spectacular. One of my favorite sights was seeing all the churches lit up."
Welcome Party
The welcome party unfolded at the bull ring in the town’s heart. A vibrant, towering arch adorned with flowers at the entrance welcomed guests, setting the tone for the colorful celebration ahead. There was a tuk-tuk covered in flowers, a donkey named Benito carrying colorful flowers, and Mexican folk dancers. Mexican traditional cuisine added flavor to the dinner, making it a unique culinary experience filled with rich taste and vibrant colors. As the night grew darker, the air resonated with the lively tunes of a local band, keeping everyone energized on the dance floor.
Wedding Day
Location
For the wedding venue, Annie and Spencer chose Hacienda San Luis Gonzaga, a 17th-century estate just outside San Miguel. Considering the bride and her mother’s love for pink, the venue was transformed with over 25,000 roses in various shades of the beloved color, creating a stunning display. Guests were greeted by three grand rose arches, setting a breathtaking tone for the celebration. “When we arrived at the venue, we saw all the hard work Guadalupe, Meegan, and the entire Penzi Weddings team had put in,” said the bride.
Bridal Morning & First Looks
On the big day, Annie and her loved ones prepared for the joyous occasion at Casa Cariño, a place of warmth and love that offers a breathtaking panoramic view of San Miguel de Allende.
Her gaze fell on the lace-adorned dress with a long train by legendary Monique Lhuillier. Annie brightened the room by wearing it, and the pearl earrings added a classic and elegant touch, perfectly complementing her refined features. The bride added a charming personal touch to her Stuart Weitzman shoes. She shares, “I got extra lace from the bridal boutique Casa de Novia, where I purchased my gown and used it to customize my Stuart Weitzman shoes to match the dress.”
The moment when Annie and her father lock eyes for the first time on her wedding day is truly heart-wrenching. As Annie stands in her elegant white dress, her father’s eyes well up with tears, unable to contain his overflowing emotions.
Groom's Getting Ready
Spencer and his groomsmen got dressed at the venue, Hacienda San Luis Gonzaga. The groom opted for a custom tuxedo, sticking to the classic style and pairing it with a bow tie. With its pure and delicate design, the boutonniere was an exquisite detail of the entire ensemble. His friends shared this exciting moment with him, eagerly awaiting what would happen next.
Ceremony
The ceremony took place in the garden of Hacienda San Luis Gonzaga. Upon entering the hacienda, guests were welcomed by stunning flower arches leading to the pool. Beautifully adorned with pink rose petals, the aisle led to a grand rose arch. In a beautiful tradition, a child scattered flower petals along the aisle just before the bride entered.
Cocktail Hour
After the beautiful ceremony, guests enjoyed a delightful cocktail hour. Laughter and conversation filled the air as friends and family gathered to savor a variety of crafted cocktails and a selection of appetizers. The surroundings were adorned with an impressive array of pink flowers, creating a truly magical moment.
Reception Décor
When guests entered the reception area, they were greeted by chandeliers made entirely of flowers, showcasing the event’s grandeur. The head table was a vision of elegance, adorned with blooms cascading across it and spilling down both sides, casting a soft, romantic glow. The bride, who loves flowers and the color pink, was thrilled with the decor. She says, “The Penzi Weddings team hand-painted our wedding crest onto the dance floor. It was incredible to see our dreams come to life. The team worked so hard, and everything was perfect.”
Food & Beverages
The planners of Penzi Weddings, renowned for catering culinary artistry, served a meal, starting with their signature roasted corn and Poblano pepper bicolor soup. The main course featured zucchini chicken supreme and beef tenderloin with demi-glace and mushroom sauce, a true present for the senses.
First Dance
The couple’s first dance was held on a hand-painted dance floor, surrounded by sparklers. This unique moment in their lives felt like it was straight out of a fairytale as they twirled and swayed to the rhythm of their love, surrounded by the warm glow of the sparklers and the heartfelt cheers of their guests.
Music
For the reception, Annie and Spencer had a band that flew from Atlanta. Family and friends have gathered around the couple on the dance floor, creating an atmosphere filled with happiness and a sense of togetherness. And everyone danced all night!
Cake
Following tradition, cake cutting is an important part of most weddings. The act of cutting the cake together represents the first joint task that the couple performs as partners, showcasing their cooperation and future good luck. Their wedding cake was a three-tiered vanilla confection filled with fresh strawberries.
Toward the end of the night, a spectacular fireworks display lit up the sky. As the couple made their exit, friends held sparklers and led them to a fabulous vintage Jaguar adorned with flowers on the back windshield.
None of this would have been possible without the fantastic Penzi Weddings team, who worked so hard to make our dreams come true.
PLANNER Penzi Weddings | PHOTOGRAPHER Kristen Kilpatrick | FLORALS Angelica de Solache | WEDDING DRESS Casa de Novia Bridal | BRIDAL SHOES Stuart Weitzman | GROOM’S TUXEDO LAKAN | VENUES Rehearsal Dinner: Instituto Allende, Welcome Party: Plaza Toros San Miguel Allende, Wedding Day: Hacienda San Luis Gonzaga | INVITATIONS Alex Schwenke | CAKE Elaine Perez | BAND Atlanta Allstars | JEWELRY Fannie Thomas
