A "Secret Garden" Ceremony Beneath a Living Canopy in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
When Madeline and Ryan first met at a friend’s home in 2020, it was as if everything in their lives was leading to that moment. “We're a perfect example of the invisible string theory,” Madeline says. “It almost seems as though we've been separated by one degree our whole lives, and we happened to meet at just the right time.” She had just moved back to Southern California after living in Sydney, Australia, and Ryan lived in LA. During dinner, the two were seated next to one another and soon learned their grandparents were members of the same club in Palm Desert.
“We had never met before that night but shared so many of the same fond memories and traditions from growing up,” Madeline adds. Call it kismet, because even the couple’s friends didn’t intend to set the two up. Ryan and Madeline’s bond, they say, was immediate and “undeniable.” And they shared some of the most important things, like their love for family and friends, while still challenging each other to be their best. Soon, their relationship evolved into talk of a wedding that blended their love of French and Italian aesthetics, but fate led them down a different path than expected.
“We wanted our guests to have the fun/party atmosphere of Mexico. We've made countless memories during our frequent trips down to Cabo San Lucas, and our favorite adventure together was to the Amalfi coast, so we wanted our wedding to represent our most authentic and happy selves,” says the bride. But where in this tropical locale would fit that European vibe they were searching for? Come to find out, their wedding planner, Taylor, had an idea. Taylor brought the future bride to San Miguel de Allende, a city with Baroque-Spanish architecture in Mexico’s central highlands, offering the perfect mix of tropical getaway with luxe experiences. Plus, it had the advantage of making their wedding weekend feel a little more intimate. Madeline explains, “It was important to us that our family and friends were able to easily connect with one another, and in such a small, walkable city, it felt like everyone in town was there for us. All of our loved ones were literally bumping into each other on the street.” Everyone soaked in the sights while there, like the cobblestoned city center and the pink towers of the Neo-Gothic Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel church. And though the city is known for its historic landmarks, the to-be-weds chose a private residence with a brick courtyard and lush greenhouse.
The courtyard, with its fountain and giant archway of vines, gave the right “secret garden” effect the couple was aiming for. This is one aspect the bride says she had the most fun with, designing the ceremony space with their team of vendors. “I wanted us to say our vows in the center of this beautiful archway in the shape of a cross. I had a stage built so we looked as if we were floating behind the fountain in the center of the cross, and we had guests surrounding us from three sides as we said our vows to one another,” she says.
Despite the autumn date, the grounds looked like a spring paradise, thanks to the tropical climate. Their florist utilized the natural greenery and created a minimalistic color palette of soft greens and whites to accent the space. Flowers dangled from the ceiling of the greenhouse for the reception, floral runners lined the dining tables and potted plants with escort cards served as the seating chart. “The name cards were in the shape of hummingbirds, butterflies and snails as a nod to both of our grandmothers,” says Madeline. The bride and her wedding party also carried simple baby’s breath bouquets, their dresses in floral patterns and pastel hues.
As for the bride’s wedding day look, it was just what Madeline dreamt of (and more). “I instantly fell in love with the timeless gown from Monique Lhuillier,” she recalls. “It had a scoop neckline and subtle pleats on the skirt, all culminating in a big bow detail in the back.” Paired with a cathedral-length veil and a sleek, chignon bun, her groom-to-be wore a classic black tuxedo for this destination black-tie wedding.
The wedding also incorporated some Mexican traditions and details into the decor, from custom maracas hand-painted with the nearlyweds’ monogram to beer burros and a mariachi band at the welcome party. Guests were dressed in white for this first event, as a way to make them pop against the vibrance of San Miguel de Allende. And what kind of party would it be without a piñata? Each night even had its own custom cigar labels, a special touch for the favors.
Someone who played a major role in their relationship officiated the wedding. Their friend, Travis, who hosted that dinner all those years ago, when fate drew Ryan and Madeline together. “He did such a wonderful job incorporating our families, values and love story into the ceremony,” the bride muses. Before leading her down the aisle, Madeline’s father shared a few touching words with her, knowing how much the ceremony meant for bringing both of their families together. “We wanted everyone to walk away from the ceremony feeling that much closer to us and knowing our hearts and love for one another on a deep level,” she adds.
Soon after, the secret garden became a whimsical night-club of sorts. The reception space, with its hanging florals, disco balls and moody lighting, shifted to a purple hue while a saxophonist played on the dance floor. And the music was specially curated by the newlyweds, playlists of their favorite songs to keep the party going. They attribute the days-long event’s success to a team of vendors who were “patient, professional and calm” whenever new ideas were thrown their way. And, Madeline supposes, it also helps to really enjoy the planning process like she did. “I was incredibly hands-on and wanted to be a part of every single detail,” she says. Concerning the couple's planner, florist and other vendors: “They made my wildest dreams come true, and I couldn't be happier with the final details.”