Black-tie wedding proves why Mexico City is the new “it” destination

a-line satin wedding dress

The bride and groom at this elegant black-tie Mexico City wedding first met during their sophomore year at Indiana University and quickly became close friends before ultimately beginning to date. After graduating, they embarked on five years of long-distance between Cincinnati, Orlando, and NYC. In the spring of 2022, the bride moved to New York City, and soon after, during a trip to the French Riviera, the groom proposed! With family and friends traveling from Brazil, Ecuador, the U.S., and more, Mexico City was the perfect destination wedding location. Not only was it centrally located for many of the guests, but it was also a city rich in culture, history, and beauty. The couple quickly fell in love with the historic center and chose Parroquia Regina Coeli, a breathtaking 17th-century gold-adorned parish, for the ceremony, complemented by Club de Banqueros, a former girls' school dating back to the 1500s with stunning colonial architecture, for the reception.

Mexico City wedding

Sentimental bridal details

Fashion was a very sentimental part of the day. The bride began the morning in ruffled Anthropologie pajamas embroidered with her soon-to-be husband’s initials. The most meaningful piece of her ensemble, however, was the custom veil, made in Brazil, featuring lace trim and embroidery of "Don't forget that I love you" in her late father’s handwriting taken from a card he wrote to the bride years ago. Walking down the aisle, she also carried the rosary used at her parents' wedding and a charm with a photo of her and her father.

opera length gloves for bride

On trend: Ines di Santo

The bride's gown, "Aine" by Ines Di Santo, was a timeless ballgown with a subtle drop waist and cathedral train. It was paired with Cornelia James tulle gloves, classic Giuseppe Zanotti pumps, and custom diamond and pearl earrings.

black tie groomsmen

black suit with bowtie pink satin bridesmaid dresses

Customized thank-you gifts

As thank you gifts, the bridesmaids received custom pearl earrings, while the groomsmen received monogrammed cuff links.

chic wedding updo

The ultimate private moment

The couple took part in a private vow exchange after their first look with photographer Efege. The only rules? No cameras and no audience, which made for an extremely intimate and emotional moment.

Mexico City cathedral wedding

sleek wedding updos cloudlike floral arrangements wedding ceremony

rose petal wedding ceremony exit

Ceremony inspo: Romantic grandeur

The wedding design leaned into the romance and grandeur of the surroundings, blending old-world glamour with modern touches. For the ceremony, the church was adorned with baby’s breath cascading around the altar’s cross and lining the aisle, complemented by a white runner and glass candle holders to brighten the space.

custom drink topper monograms

Custom monogrammed drink toppers

For cocktail hour, a variety of margaritas were served with custom monogrammed toppers, alongside Brazilian and Ecuadorian hors d'oeuvres, incorporating flavors from the places that shaped the couple.

courtyard with large tree centerpiece

courtyard Mexico City wedding reception tall white and green centerpieces

floating candles in tall vases

Central tree draped in candlelight

The reception space featured panoramic views of twinkling lights, with a central tree draped in glowing strands. Candlelight played a key role in the décor—tables were adorned with glass candelabras and soft floral arrangements in pink, cream, yellow, and green.

floral table numbers

DIY stationery designs

Every piece of stationery, from the menus to place cards, was designed by the bride and printed locally, adding a personal touch.

personal notes on place settings cold sparkler dessert

Personalized celebrations for guests

The bride and groom surprised guests who were celebrating birthdays, engagements, and anniversaries with sparklers and custom dessert cards honoring their special events.

choreographed first dance

Interactive music moments

Music played a huge role in setting the tone of the wedding. At the reception, the newlyweds entered to a remix of "Vivir Mi Vida" by Marc Anthony, and during dinner, a saxophonist performed a mix of romantic classics before transitioning to upbeat songs to get guests ready for the dance floor. The bride's brother and his girlfriend, both professional musicians, performed a beautiful guitar and violin rendition of "I Like Me Better" by Lauv—one of the couple's favorite songs, while the dance floor playlist was a lively mix of Brazilian beats, reggaeton, electronic pop, and 2000s throwbacks, with the saxophonist joining them on the dance floor for an interactive set.

sparkly fitted reception dress

Featured designer: Allison Webb

Later in the evening, the bride changed into a chic Allison Webb dress, making it easier to dance the night away until the early hours of the morning with their guests.

cold sparkler last dance

An entrace that "dreams are made of"

One of the most unforgettable moments was the couple's re-entry to the reception in new outfits to "What Dreams Are Made Of" from The Lizzie McGuire Movie. Then, for the final surprise of the evening, a Brazilian band with dancers performed a high-energy set that had guests completely immersed in the celebration. The evening closed down with a stunning Brazilian sweets table and plenty of late-night tacos.

interactive saxophone player

From the bride: Her top 3 pieces of advice

1. Don’t feel pressured to follow tradition—do what feels right for you! As long as you’re kind and considerate, remember that it’s your wedding, and not anyone else’s.

2. Choose vendors whose work you genuinely admire instead of trying to mold them into something else. You’ll be much happier with the results.

3. Think of ways to surprise and delight your guests. The biggest compliments we received were about the personal touches and attention to detail, making the day even more magical for everyone.

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