This Wedding Planner Bride Dreamed Up Her Own Colorful Destination Wedding in Los Cabos

Jenni + Tom’s love story began in the ocean—Jenni was in Honduras getting her dive master certification, and Tom was her teacher🥰🥹—so it only makes sense that these two decided to tie the knot by the sea! 

Their COVID-era love story had it all: closed borders, long distance, reunions, road trips, and eventually a romantic trip to Baja California, Mexico.

“It was on that trip that we knew we were getting married, and we knew it would be in Baja in that month BECAUSE of all the whales,” say Jenni + Tom. “It’s peak migratory season, and we’re obsessed with the ocean. So we just made all our family and friends come to this magical place during our favorite time and celebrate it with us!”

Their wedding weekend gathered their nearest + dearest in Los Cabos for an intimate wedding that wedding planner bride Jenni (of Jenni Grubba Events) designed + planned herself! Funky, vibrant seaside venue Hotel El Ganzo was the site of the celebration, and the team of vendors that brought it to life was packed with talent both local to the area and all the way from San Francisco (where the couple’s based).

The colors were rich + bright. The Pacific coast scenery was spectacular. Jenn Emerling captured it all so perfectly, and we can’t wait to give you a peek!

¡Vamos!

Before The Big Day

Leading up to the wedding day, guests who made the journey to Cabo were treated to a catamaran trip with Cabo Eco Tours!

The couple hosted a welcome party at La Lupita, and Jenni stunned in this incredible green one-shoulder rehearsal dinner dress.

A Beautiful Day for a Wedding

How lucky were Jenni + Tom’s guests! Their welcome bag were packed with local essentials (we see you, Topo Chico) as well as a custom map created by Marketa F. Horton and a booklet with cover design by Illustrated Ink Art.

Hot tip: We’ve got a super helpful guide called How To Create The Ideal Welcome Bag For Your Guests that’ll get you started packing welcome bags like this one that your guests will totally adore.

You better believe the talented bride (aka Jenni Grubba Events) created these sunny, hand drawn wedding invitations!

Can we get a standing ovation for the hair + makeup artists of Beauty On Set?! Jenni’s chic, funky bubble pony bridal updo and warm glam wedding makeup were beyond flawless.

Ampersand created the day’s pitch-perfect pink + orange floral arrangements including this beautiful bridal bouquet.

“I knew I didn’t want a typical wedding dress,” says bride Jenni of what led her to this simple + chic take on a puff sleeve wedding gown, “so I went to my favorite boutique crew (Kamperett in SF) and found my dress.”

“Tom knew he wanted a custom suit,” Jenni remembers of the groom’s journey to this pastel orange statement wedding suit, “and went to his fav English tailor—The Cotswold Tailor—with his dad.”

Statement suits like Tom’s are one of our very favorite wedding trends to watch right now!

Tom’s super-cute octopus limb tie clip was such a brilliant + subtle nod to his love of the ocean.

You can look through our big list of the best men’s sunglasses if you’re looking to accessorize a sunny wedding day in style.

And check out our favorite bridal sunglasses, too! 😎

Destination weddings often mean leaving your furry friends at home. SO glad Jenni + Tom got to include their pup in their wedding day!

A Ceremony By The Sea

We are completely obsessed with this non-traditional ceremony setup. The sea on two sides and guests all around!

Explore our favorite unique ceremony seating setup ideas if you’re looking to do something more creative with your ceremony layout like Jenni + Tom did!

Jenni + Tom’s guests brought all kids of bold + brilliant color with their semi-formal wedding guest attire!

LOVE these rich red bridesmaid dresses!

Our Favorite Memory
From the bride: "Hmmm - man there were so many. We hosted a really lovely brunch that day for our guests (mainly because I couldn't trust them to feed and water themselves before the wedding) and had some very nice toasts and chill family time.

It was super important to me that I NOT spend hours inside on hair and makeup so after that, we got ready and went to the beach for photos. Then came back for the ceremony and greeted our guests as they were shuttled over on the pontoons.

Another MASSIVE moment was sharing the ceremony reveal with my florist who happens to be a DEAR DEAR friend. It was just so special to have that time as designers to take in his work before guests.

Then the ceremony which was amazing and actually quite memorable! Cocktail, dinner (same thing - got to see the room before guests) and then DANCING! Oh my god did we / I dance. We ended the night with a pool jump!"

Our Musical Choices
Processional
"I Love You Always Forever" by Donna Lewis (bride's best friend Liz Fleig sang + Zebuel played guitar)
Recessional
"I Was Made for Lovin' You" by Kiss (Oliver Heldens + Nile Rodgers cover)
First Dance
"Sea of Love" by Jill Andrews+ Langhorne Slim (sung by Liz and Zeb again!)

Time To Celebrate!

The day’s delicious bites were catered by the kitchen at Hotel El Ganzo.

Cabo Rental Decor outfitted Jenni + Tom’s celebration with its earthy, boho wood furniture and vibrant decor details. We love all of these bright, warm tones!

Fuchsia table runners and tinted stemware created a tablescape vibe that did contemporary-yet-festive in full-blown color.

Gold flatware from Standard Event Rentals gave the place settings a lux, metallic pop.

We spy a set of sunny orange wedding nails on Jenni! Courtesy of Wonderland Nails + Lash Spa.

How fabulous is this bright orange speckled dishware! Such a fun, retro detail!

There’s no hiding it: we’ve got a real soft spot for a pair of Green Wedding Shoes! 💚 Jenni’s limey, chartreuse wedding heels from Dolce Vita were the perfect pop of color.

D’Angelo Lighting put together the reception’s dazzling, eclectic hanging installation made up of glittering disco balls + glass hearts.

Important question: Why have one wedding cake when you can have two?

DJ Zebuel from Sounds Elevated kept Jenni, Tom, and their guests dancing all night long.

Our Advice
Do what you want. Don't do what you don't want. Don't feel like you have to do all the standard things. Make it about you. Do things in the "wrong" order. See the guests before the ceremony. Oh and hire a good team! 

SO much love for this fringey sequin “Te Amo” bridal jacket from EastnWest!

How can you NOT end the night with a pool jump!!

And don’t miss their stunning film from Love Tribe Weddings below!

 Congratulations, Jenni + Tom, from all of us at GWS! Your funky, vibrant Cabo wedding was a destination dream!