The jungle meets the sea. The Magic of Tulum. Her Mexican heritage. Mother Nature. All of these would make for a gorgeous wedding, but creatives Roxana + Michael managed to balance it all. They both come from huge families but knew from the start that they wanted their day to be an intimate weekend-long celebration in the town they fell in love with. So they narrowed it down to 45 and created a completely one-of-a-kind cosmic-inspired ceremony that we just *had* to learn more about. Thanks to Eager Hearts Photography of The Wedding Artists Collective for sharing the photos and to our bride, Roxana, for telling their story below:
Considering their unique ceremony (more on that below!), they wanted a venue that was a clean slate and let Tulum’s natural beauty shine. Akiin Beach Club was exactly that, if you couldn’t tell…
Roxana says, Stumbling upon Dacia of Eager Hearts Photography‘s work was like falling in love at first sight again. Her images capture such raw and beautiful emotion, more in a journalistic style, versus the traditional wedding photography you might see. Then, upon meeting her, we knew it was a done deal. Dacia has the warmest spirit that made my husband and I immediately know we’d be comfortable with her behind the lens and capturing our day.
This ethereal cathedral veil was actually a DIY by a co-worker, and Roxana made her head chain herself, too.
Neutrals, turquoise, and other natural tones made up the color palette, with pops of bougainvillea here and there.
We wanted a ceremony rooted in spiritualism yet not any certain religion, but we weren’t sure what that would look/feel like. We just knew it was so important having our loved ones be witnesses to our love so we wanted the ceremony to be the focal point of the wedding. We met with Charlie (one of the two Shamans who would officiate our wedding) a few months before the wedding and we really just chatted about ideologies more so than what the actual ceremony would entail. We got a good vibe from him so we were both like, why not. I’m also Mexican and knew that having a ceremony that was native to the land, my ancestor’s land, would be an incredible connection.
We loved the idea of routing our ceremony in nature which we knew they specialized in. But when we came down the aisle, it was transcendental. Between the circle of love formed by our family and friends around us, to the drum led by my brother, to the maracas everyone shook when we went around to each of our family members that represented the four cardinal points who showered us and blessed us with different flowers. It was unlike anything we could have ever of imagined or experienced. I won’t dive into everything in case another couple goes this magical route, but we literally concluded our ceremony with everyone offering up a blessing to us into the ocean for mother earth to fulfill. It doesn’t get more incredible than that.
We sat, we kneeled, we looked to the spirits up above, and offered ourselves with our friends and family as our witnesses to our forever.
Individual guests also showered them with petals from the flowers that represented each cardinal direction.
Not surprisingly, none of their guests had ever experienced anything like their interactive ceremony.
And did we mention, R + M’s first drink together was tequila and tecate? Little foreshadowing for ya, six years in the making!
Film by Button Up Photography.
Roxana’s advice: Trust in the people you’ve literally hired to make your dreams come true! And soak in every glorious pure and raw emotion of your special day.
Thanks to Roxana + Michael for sharing their story!
Photography: Eager Hearts Photography of The Wedding Artists Collective / Videography: Button Up Photography / Venue, Cake, & Catering: Akiin Beach Club in Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico / Event Planner, Florals, & Transportation: Destination Weddings Tulum / Hair & Makeup: MVP Hair & Makeup Artistry / Music: UNO Audio Visual / Officiant: Shaman & Healer for Celestial Mayan Ceremony, Charlie and Maria / Welcome Party Venue: The Nest Tulum / Welcome Party Catering: I Love Tacos Tulum / Bride’s Dress: Rue de Seine / Shoes: Gianvito Rossi x Mary Katrantzou / Bride’s Wedding Band: Digby & Iona / Maid of Honor’s Dress: Watters / Bridesmaid Dresses: Name of Love, Hayley Paige, & Watters / Groom’s Suit: Giorgio Armani / Groom’s Wedding Band: Erie Basin / Groomsmen Pants: J. Crew / Shirts: H&M
