Wedding | Alexa & Ryan

Tell us a little about yourselves!

We’re Alexa and Ryan. We’ve been together for over 7  years. We met in New York City through mutual friends who were dating and trying to set us up, though their first attempt didn’t quite stick. Months later, we ran into each other again, and hit it off instantly.

Alexa is a producer in television, and Ryan is a marketing research professional. When we’re not working, you’ll usually find us traveling, eating our way through new places, or camping and hiking across the U.S. with our dog. We’re currently based in Los Angeles, where we live with our very silly pup, Bento Benito.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

Technically, we got married in our living room a year before our celebrations. It was important to us that our grandparents be there with us since we knew they wouldn’t be able to physically come to the wedding. They are on different coasts and, Alexa had lost her grandmother suddenly, so it became clear just how meaningful it was to share that moment with them and close family. But we still wanted a party and a chance to celebrate with friends and other family. 

When it came to the wedding celebrations, we struggled to decide between New York City and California because we wanted to make it easy for everyone to get there. But as we talked it through, we realized that no matter where we chose, it would be a destination wedding for many. Our friends and family are spread across the country and the world. So instead of fighting it, we leaned in and decided to celebrate in a place we truly loved: Oaxaca.

During the height of the pandemic, we spent time living in Mexico, and Oaxaca was one of the cities we chose to call home. From the moment we arrived, we fell in love, with its vibrant colors, incredible food, surrounding mountains, and most of all, its people. Oaxaca is such a gift, and we wanted to bring the people we love to see the magic it holds.

How many guests did you have?

We celebrated with 122 of our closest family and friends from New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Austin, Chicago, Caracas, Mexico City, Manchester, Bilbao, Madrid, Lyon, and Tokyo.

What was your budget?

We approached our wedding with a clear budget in mind and were intentional about where we chose to invest. We were incredibly fortunate to have our parents' support. While we went slightly beyond our initial plan, it was worth every moment!

Tell us about your outfits.

Alexa: For the welcome cocktails on Thursday, I wanted something playful, unique, and unexpected. I have been a fan of the Spanish brand Peñalver for years, and I remembered a piece I’d seen that stayed with me. I reached out to ask if something custom might be possible for the welcome party. Beatriz, the designer, was incredibly kind and thoughtful, guiding me through options and helping shape something that felt both special and perfectly suited for the moment.

When it came to my wedding dress, I had never really imagined myself getting married, so I struggled with what I wanted to wear. I knew I wanted something timeless, unique, distinctive, and something I could wear again to honor the day. I dove in headfirst, trying on many styles and designers. I had seen some of Danielle Frankel's pieces, and the atelier was at the top of my list. Her designs felt romantic, modern, and entirely their own. The moment I tried on my dress, I knew it was the one. I paired it with Manolo Blahnik x Danielle Frankel Carolyne shoes. Their team was a dream to work with from start to finish.

Ryan: I’m from a beach town in California, so I’ve embraced casual attire my whole life. But since it was our wedding, and Alexa was having fun with her looks, I wanted to lean into it and have fun too. I decided to go the custom route, and Alandales was incredibly helpful every step of the way, guiding me through options and helping me shape my outfit for each event.

For the welcome party, I wore a light green virgin wool-linen suit, and for the wedding, a custom dark evergreen tuxedo jacket with black tuxedo pants. I loved both pieces. Inside my tux jacket, I had our initials and wedding date embroidered on top of skulls, which were an ode to our time celebrating Dia de los Muertos in Oaxaca.

What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?

Authenticity and community. It was important to both of us that our wedding truly reflected our relationship, with fun at the heart of everything. Throughout the planning process, Alexa’s motto was, “Stress? I don’t know her.” People always talk about how terrible planning is, so we wanted to make sure to enjoy every step, make decisions together, and let go of traditions that didn’t feel meaningful to us.

Instead of beginning with a formal ceremony, we chose to start with the cocktail party. We felt the tradition was outdated and wanted to see everyone, talk with everyone, and truly be present with the people we love before the ceremony began. Inclusivity for our guests was especially important to us during the ceremony itself. Rather than a traditional walk down the aisle, Alexa shared a few words and we invited our guests to walk with us, because each person there had played an important role in our journey as a couple, and we wanted them to carry us into our next chapter together. Surrounded by everyone, we danced down the aisle to “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure.

We were also mindful that many of our friends and family were traveling from all over the world to celebrate with us. We wanted everyone to feel welcomed, cared for, and able to truly experience the city they had traveled so far to see. Instead of packing the weekend with wedding events, we intentionally left space for guests to explore, wander, and enjoy Oaxaca at their own pace. Many even added days before or after in CDMX or Puerto Escondido, which was exactly the point. We wanted our wedding to feel like an adventurous getaway, shared with the people we love most.

Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?

Food, music, and cultural traditions. Honoring Oaxaca was incredibly important to us. We worked with local vendors and highlighted traditions deeply rooted in the city, like the calenda, a joyful street parade that follows the ceremony, and, of course, the food. Oaxacan cuisine is truly extraordinary: ancestral, soulful, and deeply connected to the region’s history. Choosing “Casa Oaxaca el Restaurante” felt inevitable. It’s our favorite restaurant in the city, and their menu beautifully showcases the richness of mole and locally sourced ingredients. 

Alongside honoring Oaxaca, it was equally important to celebrate our own cultural roots. Alexa is Venezuelan and Colombian, and incorporating the traditions she grew up with, like la hora loca (crazy hour), latin music, and Venezuelan childhood candies, felt essential. Music became one of the most meaningful ways to do that. Salsa, merengue, cumbia, and Afro-Venezuelan tambor were non-negotiables for us. We dreamed of a live salsa band, but finding one in Mexico that could also blend in American music proved impossible. Instead, we were lucky enough to be recommended the perfect DJ, Mason, who understood our vision completely.

La hora loca kicked off with traditional Afro-Venezuelan tambor, and sharing that moment, especially with guests who had never experienced it before, was incredibly emotional. Mason seamlessly blended every element we wanted and absolutely crushed it. And to close out the night, our friends David and Harrison took over with a final set that couldn’t have been more perfect.

Any tips for couples getting married?

Remember to do you! Stay true to what you want your day, or weekend to be. Whether that means eloping or celebrating with a weeklong wedding. When family and friends get involved, there can be a lot of noise, so ground yourselves in what matters most and honor your relationship above all else.

Soak in every bit of love and joy, because it truly goes by in a flash. Prioritize being present, cherish the quiet moments together, and hold onto the feeling of the day. It’s something you’ll carry with you long after it’s over.

Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?

First and foremost, our wedding would not have been possible without our incredible planner, Vero Vivas , and her unbelievably talented team. Vero embraced every idea we brought to her and helped turn them into reality with ease and care. They are true professionals, deeply connected to the local community, and they bring kindness, calm, and warmth to everything they do. Because of them, we were able to fully relax and enjoy the entire weekend.

Don Carlos Guzman and his design team brought our vision to life in the most beautiful way. From the moment we secured the botanical garden, we knew we wanted to honor its natural beauty rather than compete with it. They thoughtfully incorporated organic elements that enhanced the space and truly made our dreams a reality.

Casa Oaxaca El Restaurante exceeded every expectation, not only with food and drinks but also with their warmth and impeccable service. Guests couldn’t stop talking about the food and hospitality, and their team played a crucial role in making the night unforgettable.

We hosted our welcome party at Copal Oaxaca, and it could not have been more perfect. The space is beautiful, the food is incredible, and the owner, Izama, is truly a gem. His entire team made the evening seamless and made everyone feel so well taken care of.

Our DJ, Mason Worth Dunn , was simply outstanding. Professional, thoughtful, and a true music nerd in the best way. He knows his shit! His ability to move effortlessly between styles made all the difference, and he created an energy that carried us through each event.

Emily from Emily Lynn & Co was exactly what I was hoping for in hair and makeup. After a few less-than-great experiences as a bridesmaid, I knew I wanted something natural and timeless. Emily and her team were absolute perfection, and I couldn’t have been happier.

Goldpoint Jewelry created my engagement ring, and it was essential for us to return to them for our wedding bands. Not just because they are good friends, but because they are exceptionally talented, thoughtful, and truly unique jewelers. Their work also ties us to where our love story began, Brooklyn.

Finally, our photographer, Nate from The Shalom Imaginative, captured the weekend so beautifully. Every time we look at the photos, we’re immediately transported back. He documented not just how everything looked, but how it it felt: the love, the joy, and the energy of the weekend. It was exactly what we wanted.

Photographer: The Shalom Imaginative @theshalomimaginative | Planning: Vero Vivas @verovivas

eventos | Flora & Rentals: Carlos Guzman @carlos_guzman_1950 | Ceremony Location: Patio del Huaje Oaxaca | Reception Location: Jardin Etnobotanico de Oaxaca | Celebrant: Friend, Kyle Faulkner | | HMUA: Emily Lynn & Co @emilylynnandcompany | Catering & Beverages: Casa Oaxaca El Restaurante

@casaoaxacaelrestaurante | Cake: Pasteleria Carmelita @pasteleria_carmelita | DJ: Mason Worth Dunn @masonworthdunn | Dresses: Peñalver @penalverbrand; Danielle Frankel Studio  @daniellefrankelstudio | Suit: Alandales @alandalesmensstore | Veil: Danielle Frankel Studio @daniellefrankelstudio | Hair Pearls:  Jennifer Behr @jenniferbehr | Engagement & Wedding Rings: Goldpoint Jewelry @goldpointbk | Shoes: Danielle Frankel X Manolo Blahnik @daniellefrankelbride X @manoloblahnik & Vans; Allen Edmonds