J + T // Colorful International Wedding at Hotel El Ganzo in Cabo, Mexico

When Tom and I got engaged, it was a no-brainer that we would be taking our nearest and dearests to San Jose del Cabo for our wedding. Hotel El Ganzo had already become such an important destination for us in our personal lives and we knew it’s where we wanted our destination wedding to be held. 

The wedding week was perfect. Tom and I (and Charles) had road-tripped down the Baja peninsula from Tijuana, made stops in Wine Country, San Felipe, Guerrero Negro, Loreto, La Paz, Todos Santos, and finally, we pulled into El Ganzo. Guests began arriving early in the week and we got so much quality time with our people before our first event. Not to mention all the times I would pop in to spy on my bestie flower babes from Ampersand flower prepping next door!

The Welcome: La Lupita was the perfect spot for “designer” tacos and welcome hangs. Like most couples, all of our friends / families knew about each other by name, but a lot hadn’t met yet or hadn’t seen each other in years. First, we sent everyone down on shuttles to Thursday Art Walk and then margarita’d and taco’d them at La Lupita until they couldn’t move. 

The Wedding Day: The next morning, we had arranged a breakfast – let’s be real.. I needed to know that everyone ate that day before the real party started. We ate al fresco at El Ganzo’s Beach Club, had some hangover mimosas, and ran off to get ready for the wedding! 

Tom and I knew from the start that we wanted to get ready together. I wanted to tie his tie and put on his bout. We’re a team and we didn’t want to do the surprise-see-you-at-the-altar thing. SO, we got ready (thank you for making me feel like a queen, Olivia, my Beauty on Set babe) and ran up to the East Cape to take some photos with queen superstar Jenn Emerling and our videographer, Alex, from Love Tribe Weddings. I wore the Verona Gown from Kamperett and Tom wore a custom orange linen suit from The Cotswold Tailor in England. 

While we were away, Ampersand was busy building us the MOST INSANELY perfect ceremony and reception spaces. Taylor, my girl, was keeping everyone in check (as we do) and making sure the whole day played out without me feeling like I had to “oversee” or work or basically be me. Ha. 

We headed back to El Ganzo for a freshen up and for a pre-ceremony sneak. We made it just in time to greet our guests who were being shuttled over to the Jetty at the Beach Club for the ceremony. It was really important to hang with our people (vs. hiding away) before we started the ceremony. 

Fast forward through the most beautiful ceremony where our besties sang, played music, and officiated for us as we were surrounded by our families and friends. We chose a really different way to surround ourselves with our guests and simply stacked benches on all sides of us so we were completely engulfed in their energies and love. 

Next up – cocktail hour. Tom and I had some family photo-ing to do and we ultimately ended up doing an impromptu Vogue-esq photo shoot with floral from our ceremony and they are still my favorites from the whole day! 

After cocktails, we ran off to the rooftop of El Ganzo for dinner! We did a pre-guest sneak peak of that space as well and I nearly had a heart attack. It was the most beautiful space we’d ever designed and it was so fun to see it come to life. Gorgeous warm pinks, peaches, oranges, with colored glassware, stoneware for table top, flower heads EVERYWHERE. Agh it was just the best – Ampersand had done it again.

Our lighting bestie, Mark, from D’Angelo Lighting had hung all the disco balls, and glass hearts, the neon sign, and set the room up for killer dance party lighting. We were ready to party. 

But first, dinner. We designed the most amazing family style meal with an authentic Mexican spin on flavors and, again, stuffed everyone to the brim.  The team at El Ganzo made sure everyone was well fed AND well.. ermm… “hydrated.”  The margaritas and Palomas flowed freely and we danced the night away ending the night with a group pool jump. It was the best dance party of our lives and we’ll be forever grateful to the team that brought this day to life for us.

Oh yeah and we ALL rallied the next day for a catamaran boat hang with tacos and whales! Clearly you can’t keep us away from the water for very long.

If our words can’t describe the love and joy we all felt this day, then this perfect video by Love Tribe Weddings will. Thanks for reliving our wedding with us!

Welcome Event Venue, Catering, Bar: La Lupita
Wedding Day Venue, Catering, Desserts, Cake: Hotel El Ganzo
Music: Sounds Elevated
Floral: Ampersand
Photo: Jenn Emerling
Video: Love Tribe Weddings
HMU: Beauty on Set
Lighting and Dance Install: D’Angelo Lighting
Special Songs: Liz Fleig, Sounds Elevated
AV: Teeven Co.
Booklet Map: Marketa F. Horton
Booklet Cover Art: Illustrated Ink Art
Custom Charles Cake Topper: Etsy Artist
Rentals: Cabo Rental Decor
Rentals: Flowers and Events Los Cabos
Flatware: Standard Event Rentals
Bridal HMU: Beauty on Set
Extra Hair Services: Blanc Bridal Salon
Bridal Nails: Wonderland Nail Salon
Wedding Dress: Kamperett
Alterations: Tailor Made SF
Mi Amor Jacket: East n West Label
Bride Shoes: Dolce Vita
Groom Suit: Cotswold Tailors
Guys Ties: Van Buck England
Weekend Transportation: Cabo Incredible Locations
Catamaran Boat Tour: Cabo Eco Tours
Planning, Signage, Design: Jenni Grubba Events