ACROSS THE POND

Chloe and Dan reached out to me not long before their wedding.  Yes we had a few months ahead of us, but still, the clock was ticking in terms of hosting a destination wedding.  They had decided to let go of their previously hired planner and brought me on board to whip everything...and everyone...into shape.  After a phone call from across the Atlantic (New York & London to be exact), we decided it was the right fit.  ME: alpha production maniac with a soft and romantic heart.  THEM: sweet, kind, busy professionals with a dream to be married in the most intimate setting (25 guests!).    

Let's be honest, you can take the girl out of New York and plop her onto a sexy tropical beach somewhere, but you can't take the New York out of the girl.  Born and bred hustlers right?  I take pride in the level of performance I set and expect for vendors.  Of course I could understand Chloe and Dan's stress as they neared their date from across the ocean,  but I knew we'd be able to turn it into smiles and good vibes.  Soon everything was lined up and the fun was ready to be had. 

The bad news is...PSYCH....there was no bad news!  The good news (GREAT NEWS) is, it was all easy breezy lemon squeezey from the start.  Plus, their fabulous English accents made it even cooler.  So they flew across the pond, married with style and grace, and I can't wait for them to pop out some babies.  The End :).

GETTING GRAPHIC

Cinco de Mayo...*sigh*...a typically hazy day overflowing with margarita's, tacos, bright colors, sombreros, pom poms, maracas, mariachis, and in general, a sh*t ton of partying.  This was the day JoJo and Cam picked to celebrate their wedding.  Sure, they've got a laid back California air about them, relaxed and all smiles and gentle in nature, but I was all too impressed with their ability turn up the music and TURN UP.  

The most important things on their wedding day:  Music, Art, Food.

Let's start with the Music:  They went with the local goddess DJ Jungle Vibes.  Not a traditional wedding choice, but alas, the perfect fit!  All beach vibes, still some popular dane tunes, but at the core, very, very, Tulum.

Art:

As creatives, JoJo and Cameron wanted to represent the art and artisan community somehow during their wedding weekend.  The solutions (as there were many):

1.  Throw their welcome party at Tulum Art Club in the center of town.  A beautiful way to incorporate the local community of artists.  

2.  They commissioned the very talented Art by Lou to create 3 very large art pieces for the actual wedding day.   Mission accomplished when they were hand delivered the day before the wedding to their hotel room.  On the wedding day these served as backdrops to the head table, DJ booth, and a photo op area on the beach.  

3.  We commissioned local iron workers to make 100 brightly colored geometric planters to be installed throughout the location.  To tie it all in, ask everyone to wear white and BOOM.  Tulum-beachfront-jungle gallery-vibes for days.  #nailedit   

Food:  

Edgy and elevated Mexican food is the best way to describe their menu choices.  While still being of the area, they added interest to a traditional menu  by choosing items like duck tacos, empanadas filled with smoked marlin and  Oaxacan cheese, Yucatan tamales, ceviche with a coconut base, grilled octopus and wood oven fired pork.  To put it mildly, the tasting we had took over 4 hours and was indeed, epic.  Roll us away on a dolly please!

Why I loved this experience so much;  Jo and Cam weren't afraid to break from tradition and showcase the things they truly admired.  The result, a new approach to what you'd expect of a wedding in Tulum.  An approach honoring the local art and music community which in turn became a giant enveloping hug from Tulum to their wedding guests that said "hello new friends, welcome home".  

ALL PHOTOS BY THE CRAZY-TALENTED CHELLISE MICHAEL PHOTOGRAPHY.

BRAZILIAN BIRDS

The story of how I came to work with Ale and Mark is unique to say the least.  We lived across the hall from each other.  Two young couples living in a trendy Brooklyn apartment building that had amenities up the wazoo.  They were interesting, both Brazilian (I'd hear them speaking to each other on the elevator once and thought it was the sexiest thing ever).  She had family from Texas and he, from China, though both were raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil.  

We'd stumble across each other returning from late nights out or quietly standing in the elevator for our morning commutes.  We never borrowed sugar or moved beyond a head nod.  One of these particular late lights, around 3am, I heard Ale and Mark arrive home louder than usual and my dog parker was growling at our door.  I peered through our little peephole in the door to see Mark leaning heavily on their door attempting to get into his apartment.  I open the door, "Everything all right?".  Mark was locked out.  I stepped out of my neighborly comfort zone and worked on getting Mark back into the apartment.  I could go on and on with more details and more elevator head nods, but the moment it all came together was on the street in Williamsburg Brooklyn months after...

I had just picked up an almond latte from my favorite spot, Swallow.  I'm walking out of the coffee shop and Ale, (who by the way is ridiculously gorgeous; style not only in her clothing but in her energy...it literally jumps out from her) says in a raised voice "Kerry Beach Events!?  You plan weddings in Tulum??  My neighbor?!  I'm getting married there in May!".  It was early in the morning so though I was slow to respond, we ended up chatting through her current planning situation (which was that she was letting go of her originally hired planner).  We reminisced about the locked-out-in-the-hallway incident and then excitedly chatted about everything that is amazing about Tulum (insert heart and palm tree emojis here).  I learned more about their stunning childhood sweetheart love story:  I mean, Mark has a tattoo of the original writing she had of her phone number on a napkin smack dab on his calf about 8" long and 2" tall like WHOA!

Ale and Mark hired me about a week later.  The rest as they say, is history.  

I just met up with them in Tulum actually.  8 months after their wedding, shining and happy, with love just oozing from every pore.  I'm desperately trying to make them my neighbors there!  Wish me luck!  Check out their epic wedding photos here!

  

Dear Rebecca Schoneveld...

This is my first love letter to a designer.  Brace yourself for some major girl crushing...and major style.  

Ahem...(clears throat...pen to paper)...

Dear Rebecca,

I first met you in the winter of 2013, that time I stopped by your lovely brownstone studio and got to play dress up in your personal creative space (lucky gal I was).  I was the subject of a styled shoot that would feature your dress at the very hip Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn.  Do you remember that?  I was newly in love and eager to play out a fantasy wedding in Williamsburg's coolest hotel with my then man boo and now husband (woohoo!).  You were so encouraging.  You let me explore the potential of so many dresses and you were equally joyous with each try-on.  You see, that's what I LOVE: your heart comes through in your design.  You're romantic.  You flow.  You are whimsical.  You are elegant.  You are strong.  Today's blog honors your vision and spirit!  

Oh, did I also mention you support  and collaborate with fellow designers?  Amen to that milady!

Rebecca, I curtsy to you.  I high five you.  I congratulate you on your newest endeavor...SCHONE BRIDE!  I cannot wait to see what you have in store at your upcoming launch party.  You say "Pure Beauty for Modern Women" and I say "YEEESSSS!  Exactly!!!".  Brides around the universe, get some of this!!  

For more information on the photos and styles below, email me here.

Rock N Roll (in the Sand)

I firmly believe every girl has a rock n roll side to herself, maybe you see it all the time or maybe just when she’s feeling feisty.  What better way to express your sheer badassness than a rock n roll inspired beachside wedding.  When conceptualizing this, I imagined of course, that little girl’s dream wedding: Elegant blush tones and crisp whites…with juuuussssssst that perfect amount of edge and rock and roll.  Who better than Andromeda Turre, musician, artist, and free spirit, to be my muse and bride.  All confidence, all day long. 

Where to rock out?  Casa Violeta, with the uber white interiors of it's main palapa: perfect for an intimate reception, the coveted beachfront, and a jungleside in one of the coolest stretches of Tulum, it was the perfect place to let loose and, well…rock n roll!

For more information on this team of vendors involved, contact me here.






Indigo Chic Love

When I first found myself at Sanara, I immediately fell in love with the crisp, clean, simplified style of the space.  Kismet introduced itself to me in the form of Sanara owner, Charlie.  He had so sweetly approached my husband and I on our honeymoon whilst we were eating breakfast at The Real Coconut (THE VERY BEST VEGAN FOOD IN MEXICO).  The energy was so easy and flowing.  The vibes refreshing.  Just like the sea.  

Nonetheless, I was dying to do styled shoot at Sanara. One that would reflect the perfectly laid back, elegant, minimalist-chic bride who is, like me, inspired by the many shades of blue along Tulum's stunning beachfront: my indigo bride.

For information on the amazing team of vendors involved, contact me here.

 

Bohemian Love in a seaside Village

Ah, love.  I remember when I met Rocio and Mauricio.  So easy going, always smiling.  They had a long love story that took them across the Atlantic to live by the sea and own a kiteboarding business.  Basically, they rock.  When I had the opportunity to design this shoot with them as the loving couple, I wanted something authentically Mexian, yet, just as easy going and elegant as them.  Thus, came their bohemian Mexican wedding in the uber hip Villa Pescadores.  A boutique hotel that coexists with the local fishermen on the beachfront of Tulum.  Like them, it’s laid back, but naturally styled perfectly to the environment and the sea.  

For information on all of the amazing vendors involved, email me here.