A love for travel, adventure, and the great outdoors were a few of the things that attracted Amber and Chris to each other when they met over six years ago. And those same elements along with a strong love of close family and friends were what brought them to choose a destination wedding in Puerto Vallarta! And not just any destination wedding . . . the wedding experience this couple planned for their eight guests was organic, natural, full of neutral tones and varied textures not to mention gorgeous details – an amazingly intimate and unforgettable celebration!
The bride wore a stunning Vera Wang gown for the wedding, and despite the rainy day, she was breathtaking from beginning to end!
Jillian Mitchell Photography
All the florals were designed to be completely natural and organic looking; we blended calla lilies, scabiosa, fresh aromatic rosemary, lisianthus, statice, greenery and curly willow for the bride’s bouquet and groom’s boutonniere.
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Jillian Mitchell Photography
For the first time in nearly a decade, Puerto Vallarta saw rain fall in February! Despite the insistent drizzle, Amber and Chris decided to move forward with the ceremony on the beach and just in time for the wedding start, the rain stopped and a light from the sky literally illuminated the bride and groom while they said their vows! We chose to build a round canopy with draping pearl chiffon for the couple to make the space feel cozier; guests were seated on wooden benches and the aisle wrapped around the side of guests rather than down through the middle so that the group felt very cohesive and not divided on two sides of an aisle!
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Maracas, hand-painted with the couple’s initials and date, were given to guests before the ceremony and then shook like crazy at the kiss!
Jillian Mitchell Photography
We prepared a special surprise for the group on the beach while they took photos! Mexican wedding cookies and champagne were served as a sweet treat in celebration of the couple, and guests mingled (still shaking their maracas) and enjoyed the rain-free moment!
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Jillian Mitchell Photography
When family photos came to an end, guests walked the cobblestone street one block to the villa where Mexican papel picado hung to welcome them to the wedding reception!
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Behind the wooden doors, another rustic sign pointed them in the direction of a small garden walkway (where more papel picado was strung overhead) leading them to the back pool terrace and an amazing reception!
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Special seating areas were created around the pool for guests to relax while they sipped cocktails and chatted away!
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Jillian Mitchell Photography
And in the center of it all was a most-amazing dinner table! When we set to designing this wedding, we knew that the family dinner table had to really stand out as the group would be seated at it, laughing and conversing throughout the night. We set the ambiance by hanging dozens of greenery-accented lanterns overhead and centered one natural chandelier over the middle of the table. A vintage suitcase, an eclectic grouping of rustic chairs, springs of rosemary with place cards and a variety of vessels for natural blossoms and candles set atop a sheer pearl runner adorned the wooden table and created a romantic scene for the night’s activities to unfold!
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Jillian Mitchell Photography
In keeping with the idea of organic simplicity, we placed a one-layer cake on a handmade tree trunk cake stand and highlighted the cake with scabiosa, lisianthus and curly willow.
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Following dinner, the guests mingled, danced and spent the night celebrating this super-sweet couple!
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Jillian Mitchell Photography
Congratulations Amber and Chris!!! And thank you Jillian Mitchell for such lovely photos!
