Get ready to throw out everything you think you know about how a wedding is *supposed* to go, because Wonder + Jamie’s beautiful beachside wedding in Sayulita, Mexico was packed with unique and meaningful reinventions.
“When I started planning my wedding, I examined every tradition, every trope,” says bride Wonder, “and I asked myself, ‘Why does this exist? What does this represent? Is there a way to make this representative of our story, our love?’”
Typical wedding day customs that didn’t resonate with the couple (like a bouquet/garter toss, parent dances, a wedding cake) were tossed out, and new ideas (like tattoos instead of rings and a new, shared last name) were embraced. One of the biggest shifts the couple made was flipping the traditional wedding day timeline. These two started the festivities with a reception, saving the ceremony portion of the evening until after dark so they could be married on the beach under the full moon!!
Beachfront venue Frente Al Punto was the perfect spot for Wonder + Jamie’s big day, with waves crashing on the shore and plenty of space to party. With the help of planners from Younique By Kelley , the couple created this one-of-a-kind destination celebration, and photographer Gabe McClintock captured every joyful moment!
This beautiful, billowing Hydrangea Elegant floral puff sleeve maxi dress by Milla was Wonder’s first look of the day. We love the way the blue florals tie in the colors of the sea!
Take a look at our list of 32 puff sleeve wedding dresses you’ll love!
Every beachy wedding needs a cute pair of sunnies! We love Wonder’s whimsical, retro white heart frame sunglasses!! Get into our guide to bridal sunglasses if you’re still searching for the right shades!
Wonder’s bridesmaids filled out this dreamy blue-gray color palette with mismatched looks from Birdy Grey and Lulu’s.
Check out the best summer bridesmaid dresses at every price point to find the right look for your bestie’s big day!
All of Jamie’s groomsmen rocked a light gray, relaxed, no-jacket look from Generation Tux.
Can we please get a standing ovation for Jamie’s bold pink jacket from Paisley & Gray?!
Stealing a Moment Alone
Wonder + Jamie ducked out of their pre-ceremony reception to take these EPIC seaside portraits.
Angelica Guzman created Wonder’s curly up do, and friend of the bride Alexandra Kelsey was behind her soft smokey eye and bold lip makeup look.
If saying “I do” by the sea like Wonder + Jamie is sounding more and more romantic, check out our collection of the 35 best beach wedding dresses to find the right flowy, breezy bridal look.
Who needs wedding shoes at the beach? The bride + groom went barefoot for their entire wedding!!
“Yes, we got hit with waves that broke over our heads!” Wonder says. “I remember laughing, and asking my fiancee, “Is my makeup still on?” Later, someone asked “How did you not get wet?” and my answer was, “Wet….we were SOAKED!!” At one point the tide came in and our flip flops floated away! Thankfully we got them back thanks to a diligent groomsman.”
The Big Party Before
Handheld charcuterie cones?! Genius! Look though the 39 best charcuterie board ideas that will totally wow if you’re trying to up your appetizer game.
Snag a set of Moravian star ornaments to take Wonder + Jamie’s lead and add some celestial style to your reception tables.
Wonder + Jamie reached out to UK-based live painting company Make Your Mark Events who sent along everything guests would need to collaborate and create a paint-by-numbers-style masterpiece throughout the night.
Now the couple has a peice of art made by all of their favorite people on their special day! Bride Wonder calls the painting “a perfect keepsake.”
Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding From the bride: "Favorite moments? SO MANY. Riding together on the back of a golf cart from the hotel to the venue (Sayulita life, baby!) Sneaking out of our own reception to take photos on the rocks of a beach, an adventure that involved high speed golf karting and a full flex of my basic Spanish skills to find the way. Two dream dresses, one for the reception earlier in the night and then my wedding dress after sunset. Lip syncing to Backstreet Boys with two of my best girlfriends. We ended the night with everyone on the dance floor singing Country Roads at the top of our lungs. The after-party continued in Sayulita until the bars shut down and then at our hotel until the wee hours of the morning."
Nothing says party like a light up dance floor!! Statement dance floors like this one are among our favorite wedding trends of the moment!!
A Seaside Ceremony Under The Moon
Wonder’s second look of the day was this dazzling Abella gown from I Do Bridal. We are loving the way it shimmers and sparkles—perfect for this starlit wedding ceremony—and the fact that Alterations by Julia altered the beautiful, full skirt to add POCKETS.
Wonder’s wedding crown by Epona Valley put a whole new spin on her up do for the second part of the night.
The bride wasn’t the only one with a cool ceremony hair accessory! Check out those bridesmaid halos from Carbickova Crowns!
“We ditched every version of a ceremony I’d seen and created our own,” says Wonder, “including working with our officiant Steven Anderson on his remarks about what marriage means to us. I wrote our vows, nand I wrote colorful introductions for each of us that were read by members of our wedding party.”
Wonder + Jamie’s day reminds so much us of this full moon wedding in Vermont that also flipped the typical timeline to say “I do” under the stars.
Instead of exchanging rings Wonder + Jamie got tattoos from friend Keni of SkyRat Tats right there in the moment!!
“That evening under the full moon, the high tide was washing up over our feet,” says Wonder, “and it felt like a blessing.”
Congratulations, Wonder + Jamie, on your magical full moon wedding by the sea! Here’s to embracing the parts of a wedding day that feel right, doing away with the ones that don’t, and the freedom to create new traditions! GWS wishes you all the best!
photography: Gabe McClintock // venue name: Frente al Punto, Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico // planning: Kelley Kahrhoff // wedding dress: Abella Couture and Milla // wedding dress boutique: I Do Bridal // hairpiece: Epona Valley // bride's ring: Menashe & Sons // hair stylist: Angelica Guzman // makeup artist: Alexandra Kelsey // groom attire: Paisley & Grayt and Generation Tux // groomsmen attire: Generation Tux // catering: Nayarta Catering // desserts: Nayarta Catering // tabletop rentals: Younique by Kelley // furniture rentals: Younique by Kelley // linen rentals: Younique by Kelley // officiant: Steven Anderson // live painting: Make Your Mark Events // tattoos: Skyrat Tats: // bridesmaid halos: Carbickova Crowns // bridesmaid necklaces: Wander and Lust // wedding dress alterations: Alterations by Julia
