At Monte Cardón, Paige and Giles built a world where desert hacienda meets modern minimal with a little Western cinema. Keeping the guest list to just 30 made everything feel intentional and intimate, like a whisper in your ear rather than a crowded main event.
From above, the circular ceremony reads like land art. Warm brick and terracotta play against cream textiles, while the groom’s black total look cuts clean through the scene. The entire design stood on three anchors: sand, silhouettes, and the design by Bliss Events, the core trio that carried the whole visual language. And with that foundation in place, the architecture itself reads like a minimalist open-air art object, where raw textures do the talking.
Location: Monte Cardón, San José del Cabo, Mexico
Style: Modern, Minimal, Western
Time of planning: 1 year
Number of guests: 30
Setting: Hilltop Venue
Season: Summer
The couple met through close friends at an event in 2015. Giles, as Paige describes him, is a man of very few words, which made his next move unexpected. After their initial introduction, he reached out on social media to share his first impression and admitted it had caught him off guard. From the next time they saw each other, they have practically spent every day together since.
The proposal happened on a typical Thursday evening while they were watching their son Landon’s soccer practice, one of their favorite places to be. As the sun set, Giles decided the moment simply felt right. There were no staged plans or orchestrated setup, just the two of them standing under an unforgettable sky. They shared the news with Landon when practice ended, and the three of them celebrated together in their own small, private bubble.
Bride's Morning & Fashion
For Paige, fashion had to keep up. “I didn’t want my wedding dress to overpower the wedding itself,” she shares. “It was very important to me that my attire went with the scenery of the venue.” The bride describes herself as someone who knows exactly what she likes, and that clarity shaped every choice.
She chose a two-piece silk set by Prea James Bridal, pairing the Penelope corset with the Sadie skirt, purchased from Cowboy Bride in Austin, Texas. To elevate the look without complicating it, she added a silk neck scarf and a long veil for subtle drama. Handmade Luna earrings by Adorn Pili introduced a delicate, personal detail, while ivory silk heels from Nordstrom kept the foundation practical and understated.
For her bridesmaids and maid of honor, she intentionally stepped away from the traditional uniform look. Each woman selected a floor-length dress in a vibrant, solid color, creating contrast against the neutral wedding palette. Paige also shared separate first looks with them , her mother and sister, and later with her father, layering the afternoon with personal exchanges before stepping into the ceremony.
Groom’s Fashion
Giles chose an all-black tuxedo paired with a felt cowboy hat. The silhouette was clean and structured, reading as Western black tie against the terracotta backdrop. The black-on-black palette gave the outfit a subtle desert noir edge, while the hat anchored the entire look.
Ceremony
Instead of a traditional first look, Paige and Giles chose a first touch. Standing back-to-back before the ceremony, they held hands and read their vows privately, grounding themselves before stepping into the public moment. Giles never actually saw Paige in her dress beforehand, which made the aisle reveal even sharper.
The ceremony itself was designed in collaboration with Julia and Sofia of Bliss Events, who translated the couple’s modern minimal direction into something spatial rather than decorative. The altar was not a typical 2D arch placed at the end of an aisle. It was built from stacked terracotta brick forms that created a sculptural, almost monolithic structure.
Florals by Cristina Gonzalez were kept neutral and monochromatic, with creams and soft whites layered against dust and stone. They appeared to grow into the brick structure itself, almost as if they were slowly overtaking it. The arrangements were low and garden-inspired, avoiding oversized statements. They acted as organic accents against the walls. Surrounding cacti and the raw landscape reinforced the atmosphere, giving the space a desert courtyard feeling with a subtle rustic undertone.
Paige walked into the ceremony escorted by her dad, and because Giles hadn’t seen her during the first touch, the reveal actually carried weight. The setup was simple: two rows of guests, creating a clean, uninterrupted aisle. With only their closest friends and family present, the space felt close-knit and focused.
Decor & Moments Together
Seeing the reception space for the first time together became another emotional highlight. The reveal of the dinner setting against the desert backdrop felt almost surreal, a moment that fully captured the scale and intention of the day.
Under the pergola, layered draping softened the geometry of the space. Instead of traditional cascading fabric, wide panels were installed with intention, forming a sculptural ceiling effect that added dimension while maintaining the modern minimal aesthetic.
As night fell, the mood was defined by two layers of light: string lights overhead and candlelight across the tables. Together they created a subtle starfield effect — small points of glow in the distance and living flame in the foreground. The shift from sunset to evening felt seamless, almost cinematic, as the desert darkened and the lighting sculpted the space.
The day was captured by Carmela and Indra of Carmela Joy Photography, and the images feel exactly like the atmosphere did, effortless and honest. They documented every detail without turning it into a production, which is what makes the gallery land so naturallyl.
Reception
Food was central to the experience of the reception. Monte Cardón’s farm-to-table, family-style approach reinforced a celebration of place rather than decoration of space. Fresh ingredients, customizable courses, and thoughtful presentation turned dinner into the heart of the night.
Cocktails were vibrant and consistently flowing, and the hospitality of the Monte team ensured there was never an empty glass or a guest left waiting. The entire evening felt like an epicurean experience designed around sharing.
A defining choice was making the event family-friendly. Children and babies were not an afterthought but a core part of the celebration. For the newlyweds, their wedding was meant to reflect their real life at home, and that included their son Landon and the children of their closest friends. Having all the kiddos present was something they will always cherish.
Beyond the design and dining, what stood out most was time. Time spent seated together. Time spent laughing with friends. Time fully present. For Paige and Giles, the most meaningful luxury of the night was simply being surrounded by the people they love most, without rush, without distraction, and with space to truly enjoy it.
Advice from the couple:
• Schedule a wedding planning date night once a week. Even 30 minutes every week of uninterrupted time to discuss details of the planning process together.
• Stick to your budget, and find a planner who prioritizes that for you. It’s important that everyone is on the same page from start to finish.
• Lastly, speak up about how you’re feeling and what you need from those around you during the planning process. Accept help and allow friends and family to celebrate you during your special time!
PLANNING & DESIGN Bliss Events by Bonnie Chase | PHOTOGRAPHER Carmela Joy Photography | CONTENT CREATION Ever After | VENUE Monte Cardon | FLORALS Cristina Gonzalez Florals | MUAH Los Cabos Hair & Makeup | DRESS Cowboy Bride, Prea James Bridal | SIGNAGE & PAPER GOODS US Creating | RENTALS Main Event Cabo, Cristina G Rentals | FURNITURE RENTALS YAYA Rentals | DJ Franz Alva | OFFICIANT Los Cabos Minister
