A Festive Welcome Feast Kicks Off Whitney Simmons’ Destination Wedding Weekend

Whitney Simmons Welcome Dinner

Remember when fitness mogul Whitney Simmons got engaged? Yeah, so do we!!

After fiancé Stefan got down on one knee in 2020, planning began for the couple’s epic destination wedding weekend. The celebration took place at the Paradero Hotel in Todos Santos, Mexico on the pacific coast of the southern tip of the country’s Baja California peninsula. One of the first big events on the agenda was a welcome dinner that has to be one of the most stunning we have EVER seen.

Planners and event designers from Mae&Co Creative transformed the indoor-outdoor common area inside the Paradero and created a one-of-a-kind feast that set the tone for the entire weekend’s excitement. Photographer Jordan Voth‘s beautiful images tell the story of the evening!

Whitney Simmons Welcome Dinner

Paradero‘s curved cement exterior makes it a unique brutalist architectural gem.

Whitney Simmons Welcome Dinner

The team at Mae&Co Creative let the building and its sublime surroundings inspire the design choices of the entire wedding weekend, and the welcome dinner was no exception.

The evening’s vibe leaned into the neutral color palette of both the scenery and the venue, saving more colorful details for the wedding and reception the following day.

Whitney Simmons Welcome Dinner

The breathtaking statement pieces of the event were these custom-built tables and six-foot ribbon chandeliers!!

Whitney Simmons Welcome Dinner

We love the way the festive fringe catches the golden hour glow✨

Whitney Simmons Welcome Dinner

Woven dining chairs and flowy linen table runners from Warehouse Rentals add to the organic elegance of the evening.

Whitney Simmons Welcome Dinner

Dried flower details from Noble Floral Co. in stoneware vases kept things simple so as not to detract from other show-stopping elements.

Whitney Simmons Welcome Dinner

Menus by Carta Plena paper goods utilized the key colors of the dinner’s neutral-yet-modern palette: ivory, white, black and tan.

Whitney Simmons Welcome Dinner

We’ve got a huge crush on that handmade crocheted paper detail.

Whitney Simmons Welcome Dinner

THIS. DRESS.

Whitney Simmons Welcome Dinner

Well before the wedding day, Whitney was bringing bridal elegance in this sensational off-the-shoulder Lynne Gown from the BHLDN Weddings x Carly Cushine collab.

Whitney Simmons Welcome Dinner

The wrap-around puff sleeves add uniqueness and style to this classic silhouette.

Whitney Simmons Welcome Dinner

Peep that ankle strap pointy-toe pump!! Absolute perfection when paired with the dress’s sexy slit. Check out this Stuart Weitzman pair if Whitney’s look has you feeling inspired.

Whitney Simmons Welcome Dinner
Whitney Simmons Welcome Dinner

Sunset stunner.

Whitney Simmons Welcome Dinner

Of utilizing this truly special hybrid event space for the welcome dinner, Manda at Mae&Co Creative says: “We wanted to make sure that for every event throughout the weekend, we were utilizing different spaces on the stunning property so that no experience would feel, smell or taste the same.”

Whitney Simmons Welcome Dinner

We love a blurry flash photo moment! One of our fave trends of 2023!

Whitney Simmons Welcome Dinner
Whitney Simmons Welcome Dinner

What a perfect way to kick off your celebration!!

Congrats, Whitney + Stefan! And don’t miss the next chapter of their amazing wedding here!

photography: Jordan Voth // venue: Paradero, Todos Santos, Mexico // event design: Mae&Co Creative // planning: Mae&Co Creative // florals: Noble Floral Co. // dress: BHLDN // rentals: Warehouse Rentals

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