as seen on wedding chicks.

when a wedding planner gets married, it’s bound to be a lovely event. but when the kindest wedding planner gets married in mexico on cinco de mayo, it’s bound to be the loveliest of events!

nicole and ryan tied the knot at the luxurious finest playa mujeres in cancun, mexico, surrounded by their closest friends and family. i was lucky enough to head south of the border for this joyful mexico wedding, and it was no surprise that wedding chicks decided to pick it up for a feature! you can see the wedding chicks feature here.

nicole is a colorado girl, and ryan is from the midwest, but they’re currently stationed with the military in italy. they share a love for travel, so it only made sense to bring their families and friends from across the world together in mexico to enjoy the beach, each other, and maybe some tequila, too!

after a morning at the pool, the couple prepped with their bridesmaids and groomsmen and met up for a sweet and personal first look along a pathway blooming with bougainvillea… and if you know me at all, you know that bougainvillea is the way to my heart! so i was just a little bit in heaven. their beachfront ceremony was simple, sincere, and joyous, and then they shared cocktails to the sound of mariachi and danced the night away under finest’s beautiful beachside palapa.

their wedding radiated relaxed elegance and was coordinated to perfection by celeste from wedding in riviera maya. nicole looked stunning in her two-piece wtoo watters dress; the lace bodice was the perfect compliment to her ethereal and flowy skirt. ryan looked dapper in his suit and floral tie, and he couldn’t wipe the smile off of his face all day when looking at his bride. i loved all of the nods to nature and greenery in their wedding– from their modern invitations to the bouquet to the ceremony arch.

i also loved watching the way that both nicole and ryan were careful to make sure each other and every one of their guests (and even vendors!) felt loved and appreciated. ryan bought nicole the sweetest oval earrings to match her engagement band. nicole and her mother wore matching bracelets, and ryan gave his father and groomsmen personal gifts. they also celebrated their family heritage by drinking from the copper glasses from their parents’ wedding.

these two became fast friends to us, and it’s been so fun following their adventures across the globe (even if it’s given us some serious FOMO!). they were laid-back and really soaked in the emotions of the day, and we are so grateful to have been able to photograph their big day!

nicole + ryan, felicidades! can’t believe it’s been a year already.

xo,

anna + mateo

|| VENDOR LOVE||
photography: anna + mateo
venue: finest playa mujeres
planning: wedding in riviera maya
hmua: sara tamargo beauty
dress: wtoo
dress boutique: the bridal collection
paperie: minted