A Chic, Romantic Garden Wedding at Los Patios in Laredo, Texas

Brandi D’Haiti (26 and a student and medical assistant) and Gaebril Velasco (25 and a landscaper) may have met when they were kids, but they stayed friends long after. When it came time to unite in marriage, the couple added many personal touches to reflect their timeless love, starting with a ceremony in their hometown of Laredo at the bride’s mother’s parish. “Getting married where we met with our families around was important,” Brandi says. “It brought our love story full circle.” The rustic wedding stayed true to the couple’s long-building romance, with a focus on mint, rose and gold colors. Their florist suggested a lush blend of blooms like roses, peonies and eucalyptus. Gaebril was eager to have the reception outdoors, reflecting the natural feeling of their relationship. The décor involved rustic, bare farm tables with pastel floral arrangements and votives. After a surprise mariachi band, the first dance was Consuelo Velazquez’s “Bésame Mucho,” as the couple always parts with a kiss. At the end of the night, friends and family sent the newlyweds off with more than 250 sparklers. The couple, who has not spent a day apart since they began dating, was overjoyed with their elegant summer wedding that reflected both of their personalities. “It has to be one of the most romantic and happiest moments of my life, right next to the night Gaebril proposed to me,” Brandi says.