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 celebration in Mexico. We had a quiet, intimate ceremony with just our families in Los Angeles. It was private, sweet, and exactly what we needed at the time. Afterward, we started planning the celebration we had always dreamed of: a weekend in Oaxaca with all the people we love.

Oaxaca is a place that means the world to us. It's where we got engaged, where we fell deeper in love with each other, and a city we've returned to again and again. The Botanical Garden specifically is a place Ryan wanted to propose. Instead of using it for the proposal, we chose the exact spot at the botanical garden for our ceremony and reception. Celebrating our love there, surrounded by our friends and family, felt like coming full circle.

How many guests did you have?

100.

What was your budget?

75K.

Tell us about your outfits.

For the welcome party, I wore a beautiful custom-made white suit by Peñalver, which I absolutely adored. For the wedding, I wanted something bold and modern. After a year of searching, I found the Danielle Frankel gown. It was sexy, refined, and effortlessly cool. The structure, the fit, the way it moved-everything about it felt right. I paired it with a custom Danielle Frankel veil, Danielle Frankel x Manolo Blahnik shoes, and pearl-adorned pins from Jennifer Behr holding the veil in place.

Ryan wore a custom navy suit from Alandales, tailored by some of the kindest, most talented people. He looked effortlessly sharp, and the fit was perfect.

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

Creating an experience that felt authentic to us and honoring the place we were celebrating in. Oaxaca is deeply meaningful to us, and we knew from the start that we wanted to spotlight local vendors, traditions, and the incredible culture of the city. At the same time, we wanted to make the weekend feel welcoming and intentional for everyone 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 honouring 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 Guzmán 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, 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 & Company 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 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: Carlos Guzman @carlos_guzman_1950 | Ceremony Location: Patio del Huaje Oaxaca | Reception Location: Jardin Etnobotanico de Oaxaca | Celebrant: Friend, Kyle Faulkner | Rentals: Carlos Guzman @carlos_guzman_1950 | Makeup/Grooming: Emily Lynn & Co @emilylynnandcompany | Hair: 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