A Bold and Tropical Columbian-Inspired Backyard Wedding in Phoenix, Arizona
“We met the modern way — by swiping right!” The connection between Shalayne Pillar and Andrea Murillo was instant, and for their first date, Andrea planned a perfect surprise. “Andrea knocked it out of the park by taking me to a plant-themed speakeasy for happy hour,” Shalayne recalls. “We ended up shutting down the bar, sharing a plate of nachos, our bellies sore from laughing.” It wasn’t long before their love deepened.
“We soon fell in love — a fact almost everyone realized before us!” says Andrea. Their relationship blossomed through mutual passions. “We bonded over a love of music, dogs, hiking, and good food.” For Shalayne, it was Andrea’s sincerity that won her heart. “I loved Andrea’s genuine and kind nature — she’s one of a kind,” she shares. Andrea was equally smitten, noting, “I loved Shalayne’s sarcastic humor!” Their journey together led them to Cartagena, where Andrea popped that all-important question.
The couple agreed their wedding should be as lively and full of love as their relationship, with nods to their Colombian-inspired theme. Although their original plan was to marry in Cartagena, Colombia, when that dream couldn’t come to fruition, they embraced the idea of “bringing Colombia to us,” as Shalayne puts it. “We wanted lots of color, margaritas and salsa music,” Andrea recalls, reflecting on how they infused their favorite things into every corner of the day. Their inspiration didn’t stop there. It stretched beyond their love for Colombia, weaving personal moments from their relationship into the details. “A lot of the inspiration came from great moments in our relationship—from our favorite late-night taco truck to our love of dancing in the kitchen,” Shalayne shares. With these personal touches guiding their decisions, the couple knew their day would feel deeply personal and reflective of their love.
For the ceremony, they opted for a bold, tropical theme. The home they shared in Phoenix provided the perfect backdrop. The home’s muted orange tones blended effortlessly with the rest of the wedding palette, which included vivid pinks, oranges, greens and teals. What better place to get married than the home that had housed so many of their beautiful memories? “We basically DIY’ed our venue by choosing to be married in our own home,” said Shalayne. They took on the labor of love to make their house “wedding-ready” by installing new landscaping, repainting the exterior and taking on several other renovations. The backyard was transformed into an intimate paradise where they would celebrate the next chapter of their love story.
Of course, the fashion for the big day had to be just as personal as every other aspect of the wedding. Shalayne found her dream gown with Grace Loves Lace, complete with an embroidered edge on the veil reading “truly madly deeply.” Meanwhile, Andrea sported a custom suit from Bindle and Keep, an LGBTQ-affirming tailor specializing in bespoke suits. “I wanted Andrea to feel just as special and beautiful as I did in my dress,” Shalayne explains. They traveled to Brooklyn for the fitting, carefully selecting the fabric to ensure Andrea’s suit complemented Shalayne’s gown. “There were hundreds of fabrics, so many beautiful whites and creams, and gorgeous linens and satins,” Shalayne recalls.
After months of preparation, the day arrived, and guests were greeted by a stunning orange Champagne wall that guided them into the backyard for the ceremony. Under a rainbow-inspired arch, with tropical floral installations lining the aisle, guests gathered for the ceremony. The aisle led over a bright white dance floor. This was a striking contrast to the vivid florals that framed the space and transported everyone to a tropical oasis in the heart of Phoenix.
As Shalayne walked down the aisle, Andrea’s breath caught. “Seeing her made me take a gasp of fresh air, releasing all those nerves—immediately I knew it was just her and I,” Andrea shares. The ceremony was simple yet profound. “Hearing Andrea read her vows...the love in her voice was so visceral, the sincerity of her words almost tangible,” Shalayne remembers.
The backyard transformed into a vibrant cocktail hour, complete with Finlay the Tap Truck serving signature cocktails and local beers. A custom neon sign reading “Por Siempre Y Para Siempre” hung from the arch, glowing as day turned to evening. This phrase, echoing prints found throughout the couple’s home, held deep significance for Shalayne and Andrea, symbolizing their commitment to forever.
Guests mingled, enjoying the colorful ambiance as they sipped drinks and danced to a playlist filled with the couple’s favorite music. “Music was very important to us—if it wasn’t reggaeton, it was Drake (or salsa or 2010 hip-hop!),” Andrea laughs. A taco truck parked in the driveway served up delicious bites, giving a nod to the couple’s fondness for late-night taco runs. The reception table, stretching the length of the driveway, featured a graphic-print tablecloth in pink and teal, colorful taper candles and mid-century modern lanterns, creating a whimsical atmosphere.
Guests indulged in bowls of chips, guacamole and salsa—classic flavors to accompany the evening. Their first dance “was a little scary, but learning with each other was so much fun,” Shalayne says. And “we totally nailed it!” Andrea adds.
The newlyweds’ advice to other couples: “It’s your wedding, your love story and your day—don’t get caught up in what others did or how others want you to celebrate.”