This year, we’re celebrating Cinco de Mayo with not one, but three incredible real weddings that honor Mexican culture. From vibrant colors to sacred traditions to decadent food, prepare to get inspired!
Paola Miguel: Long Beach, California
Paola Bueno and Miguel Ornelas’ wedding was a fusion between classic Mexican influences and modern styling — check out their beautiful celebration below, shot by Embrace Life Photography.
They got married in a traditional Catholic ceremony with a mariachi band, and their reception took place at a Latin art museum. We love the succulents, personalized table numbers and giant initial cut-outs! They also did the “money dance,” a custom where relatives take turns dancing with the bride and groom, pinning bills to their clothing.
Socorro Mike: Chicago, Illinois
When we saw Socorro Orozco and Mike Rizo’s colorful and lively wedding photos, shot by Victoria Sprung Photography, we immediately wished we could have been in attendance. “We wanted to have a wedding that represented and combined the best elements of all the family celebrations we grew up with; the food, games, music, and colors,” said the bride.
Wondering what’s going on in the ceremony photos below? That’s el lazo — a Mexican tradition that takes place after vows are exchanged. A special person or couple places a cord or large loop of rosary beads around the shoulders or wrists of the bride and groom. They wear it for the remainder of the service as a symbol of their love, which should bind them closer together every day.
Andrea Peter: Boyds, Maryland
Andrea Popp and Peter Anderson took guests on a spiritual journey from The Little Lodge at Seneca Creek, where they wed, to the heart of Mexico by going all-out with décor. The bride purchased papel picado (Mexican-cut paper), a ring pillow, and festive patterned bridesmaid dresses from Etsy sellers Ay Mujer and Aida Coronado. And as for that adorable invite below? She made it herself! Guests salsa-ed the night away and went home with — what else? — maracas.
“Andrea is surely going to inspire a lot of brides to think outside the box,” said her photographer, ZADesignz.
—Stefania Sainato
