Congratulations to Rachel and Michael! Your wedding is absolutely stunning and we’re so excited to share these beautiful photos from your Mexico destination wedding. Thanks Citlalli Rico for the stunning pics.

About Rachel and Michael
Occupations: Rachel is a 5th grade teacher and Michael is a financial advisor
How they met:  A mutual friend introduced them 3 years ago in Avalon, NJ
What attracted Michael to Rachel: Her beautiful smile and kind, generous personality.  There’s no one more giving, kind, and genuine
What attracted Rachel to Michael: His smile, warm demeanour, and fantastic sense of humor.
What was the best advice you received as a couple? Be present and in the moment. The little details don’t matter…the only thing that matters is you love each other and are going to spend your lives together.
Engagement story: Michael surprised Rachel at one of their game nights! He planned everything and talked her into wearing a trashy bride/groom costume (didn’t take much convincing since she loves costume parties). While in the 6th round or so of Taboo, Rachel was set on breaking the tie to win the coveted trophy and bragging rights, when she saw Michael start to go down on one knee and reach into his pocket. Her first reaction was this must be another one of Michael’s pranks. Then she heard him say “I want to spend the rest of my life with you…” and she knew he was serious. Overcome with emotion she jumped up giving Michael a huge hug, inadvertently knocking the box out of his hand and causing the magnificent ring to slide across the floor. Luckily it did not go very far and was soon placed on her finger.

The Wedding Day
Wedding date: Saturday, June 28, 2014
Number of guests: 57
Wedding colours: White and pale pink
Rachel’s most memorable moment: There are so many it is hard to choose just one…Walking down the aisle with my dad without his cane and seeing Michael and his son Sean for the first time that day. As Michael and I were holding hands listening to the judge I looked over at Sean and he mouthed the words “I love you” to me and my heart melted. Soon after that he reached out one hand to Michael and his other hand to me… Our loving family!
Michael’s most memorable moment: Rachel’s vows to Michael and Sean’s speech at the reception
Their advice to others: Make a conscious effort to slow down the day and take mental pictures to remember everything and to be in the moment.
Favorite wedding detail: Our delicious and beautiful 4 tiered chocolate chip cake
Most unexpected moment: During the reception when the entire wedding party, bride and groom included, jumped in to the pool!
Most romantic moment: Looking into each other’s eyes and saying the vows we wrote for each other.
Did you include any traditions in your wedding? Yes, Michael followed Jewish tradition and stepped on and broke a glass for good luck. We also danced the horah and were lifted up on chairs.
Honeymoon: After our family and friends left Mexico the two of us stayed for 3 more relaxing days at the beautiful Azul Sensatori Resort
The day in three words: HERS: Magical, Loving, Flawless. HIS: Amazing, Unforgettable, Beautiful

Wedding Details
Ceremony location: Azul Sensatori Sky Deck
Reception location: Azul Sensatori Plaza Zavaz
Why did you choose this location for your wedding? Our wedding planner Alexandra highly recommended it and we loved the photos we saw of the location…plus it was in our budget.
Rachel’s gown: Haley Paige silk and organza gown from Kleinfled in NYC
Rachel’s shoes: Betsy Johnson white satin high heels with embellished vintage bows and light blue soles
Michael’s outfit: Light tan suit and white shirt with “RM 6/28/14” embroidered in red under his shirt collar and his initials embroidered in navy on the cuff of the sleeve
Type of rings: Michael’s – white gold band and bride’s- 4 square diamonds set in a platinum vintage inspired band to match her engagement ring.
Jewelry: Bride- vintage inspired earrings and bracelet from JCrew
Bridesmaids’ dresses: Blush pink strapless long dresses
Groomsmen attire: White shirt with their own initials embroidered in navy on the cuff of their sleeve and light tan linen pants
Wedding song: Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol
Signature drink: Strawberry margarita
Favours: Black and white striped beach bags filled with with personalized decks of cards, tequila, bug repellent bracelet, sunscreen, aloe vera, and Advil
Music: Harpist for ceremony, Mexican trio for cocktail hour, DJ reception
Flowers: Roses
Photographer: The AMAZING and CREATIVE Citlalli Rico was more than just photographers. From the minute she walked into my room I felt like we’d known each other for years. Citlalli was calm, professional, warm, and creative. She organized not only the bridal party but also helped get our guests to the next location.
Hair: Angeles at the Azul Sensatori spa did my hair—low side updo
Makeup: Angeles at the Azul Sensatori spa did makeup- smoky eye and light pink lip
Catering: The food was delicious!  For their main course guests had the choice between filet mignon and lobster or Mahi Mahi

Fun Stuff
Astrological signs (Rachel’s) and (Michael’s): Gemini and Virgo
What was old? Rachel’s engagement ring is a stunning 3-carrot diamond that is a family heirloom. It was Michael’s grandmother Mae’s that he had reset for Rachel in an exquisite hand engraved platinum band with 2 princess cut diamonds on either side of his grandmother’s diamond.
What was new? Wedding gown
What was borrowed? Friend’s mother’s purse
What was blue? Bottom of high heels
What did you put in gift bags? Beach bag with personalized decks of cards, tequila, bug repellent bracelet, sunscreen, aloe vera, and Adv
Is there anything else that helps tell the story of the day? In the weeks/days leading up to the wedding day Rachel was a nervous wreck worrying about all of the details and Michael was calming her down, making her laugh and reassuring her but on the day of the actual wedding that all changed. Rachel stayed in her sister’s room the night before the wedding and woke up before 6am on the big day. She walked to the beach alone, meditated, and wrote Michael a letter. From then on she was calmer than ever knowing that she was making the best decision of her life marrying the man of her dreams. After the wedding Rachel found out that Michael was the nervous one! In the hours prior to the ceremony Michael had to deal with a menu/ response card situation. He ran around the resort making sure everything was taken care of so that Rachel would have no idea what happened. Once they both were finally holding hands on the sky deck over looking the ocean everything was PERFECT and all the worries washed away. We felt overwhelmed with love and support from not only each other but from our family and friends who traveled so far to celebrate our magical day with us. Everything from the weather, to the flowers, delicious food, fun dancing and heartfelt, creative speeches made it the best day of our lives!

Tell us about your experience working with LUXE Destination Weddings:  Our experience working with LUXE was incredible. Alexandra was attentive, helpful and knowledgable. After our first phone conversation I felt I could trust her competence, eye for detail and taste. LUXE made it easy to plan a destination wedding to a location neither of us had even been to before.