1. Real Weddings

A Beachfront Fiesta-Inspired Wedding at Las Casitas Bonitas in San Francisco, Mexico

Daunted by the prospect of planning a city wedding in Boston, Massachusetts, Jessica Fortin (33 and a saleswoman) and Dave Cagle (41 and a restaurant

Daunted by the prospect of planning a city wedding in Boston, Massachusetts, Jessica Fortin (33 and a saleswoman) and Dave Cagle (41 and a restaurant owner) invited 34 friends and family members to San Francisco in Nayarit, Mexico, for five days of bright colors, bold blooms, spicy tacos and mariachi music to celebrate their marriage. "We decided our resources would be better spent creating a week of memories with a small group rather than a one-night affair, Jess says of renting villas on the beach to house the guests. The lineup of events included a pool party with a taco truck, a snorkeling excursion and a boat cruise, but food is what really made it all come together. Local restaurants catered each day, with the family-style reception dinner ending in a churro feast instead of a traditional cake. "San Francisco had the perfect balance of authenticity, accessibility and, perhaps most important, tacos—the most amazing tacos," Jess says of the seaside town north of Puerto Vallarta. —Stephanie Cain

"We wanted a big house on the beach where we could stay with our guests," Jess says of welcoming less than 40 friends and family to rented oceanfront villas in Mexico. "We danced on the deck surrounding the pool. It was perfect."
Inspired by the bold colors of Mexico and, of course, succulents, Jess and her planner worked to find local and affordable blooms. "Since food was the priority for us, I knew I didn't want to spend a lot on flowers," Jess says. "What my planner was able to do with the budget blew my mind."
Dave paired his purple-checked shirt with a classic black bow tie, a white pocket square and a colorful boutonniere.
Jess's planner arranged for her colorful flower crown, which Jess describes as the "pop of color needed to pull the whole look together."
Framed by two arched palm leaves, Jess and Dave exchanged heartfelt and humorous personalized vows, including "promising not to go to Ikea together hungry."
A mariachi band played during the ceremony and cocktail hour, as guests sipped fresh coconuts and rum.
Guests sipped fresh coconuts spiked with rum, called "coco locos" by the locals, during cocktail hour at Las Casitas in San Francisco, Mexico. "They're so refreshing for a sunset wedding," says planner Yazmin Gizeh of Sea of Dreams Weddings.
Jess and Dave set aside a lounge area near the ceremony and reception sites, with hammocks, colorful pillows and woven beach mats.
Vibrant colors and mixed textiles put a contemporary spin on traditional Mexican aesthetics for the reception on the sandy beach at Las Casitas in San Francisco, Mexico.
For a twist on the typical "Mr." and "Mrs." chair signs, Jess and Dave sat in wooden chairs displaying "Senor" and "Senora."
With her art background, Jess drew a family photo of herself, Dave and their dog, then had a digital designer friend turn it into a motif for the invitation and menu.
The contemporary tablescape included blue goblets, low arrangements of bold, seasonal blooms, pineapple sculptures, candlesticks and place mats serving as de facto table runners.
To reflect the casual Mexican culture, Jess and Dave stuck to local dishes served family style or from trucks. The menu included tacos al pastor, mahi-mahi with chipotle sauce and roasted chayotes, a childhood favorite of their planner, Yazmin Gizeh of Sea of Dreams Weddings in Mexico.
After dinner the group danced in the sand among hanging string lights and paper lanterns. For music, Jess and Dave cued up a playlist created for them by a favorite DJ in Boston, Massachusetts.