In the heart of the tropical oasis that is Viceroy Riviera Maya, two visionaries in the world of destination weddings joined forces to bring to life a one-of-a-kind styled shoot. The result was a harmonious fusion of Chinese, Vietnamese and Mexican wedding elements, capturing the essence of love and cultural diversity against the backdrop of a breathtaking ocean view.

The Genesis of the Styled Shoot

The collaboration between Sarah Wang from My Wedding Songbird and Sarah Bond from Grace & Gold Events, began when the Sarah’s met Tulio, a sales representative from Viceroy Riviera Maya, at an international networking event in Los Angeles. United by their shared goal of expanding destination wedding territories, the trio quickly laid the groundwork for this styled shoot. Kimberly, the creative director of My Wedding Songbird, reflects on the swift planning process, saying, “We quickly planned everything within 3 months from deciding on a date, creating the design mood board, securing vendors from Mexico, US, and Italy, and coordinating the timeline and logistics of the shoot.”

The Inspiration Behind the Theme

Specializing in Chinese and Vietnamese American weddings, Sarah Wang wanted to weave together cultural elements from both worlds. The result was a unique combination of Chinese, Vietnamese and Mexican wedding styles. The choice of Viceroy Riviera Maya as the shoot location played a crucial role in influencing the design, with the tropical oasis inspiring details such as floral structures and reception stationery. Kimberly shares, “We wanted to represent the culture of Chinese weddings with bright reds while adding gold and bright pinks.”

The Results of Careful Planning

The ceremony exuded romance with a modern touch. Blush velvet sofas and ghost chairs set the stage, while airy floral structures in red and fuchsia represented both Chinese and Mexican cultures. The bride wore a stunning red ao dai from East Meets Dress, complemented by the groom’s sharp, black tuxedo from Suit Shop.

Chinese wedding elements took center stage at the reception, with double happiness signs and red envelopes incorporated into the signages. The menu, designed by an Italian stationery designer, featured a pull-out menu in red envelopes. The table settings, featuring gold and white flatware and crystal goblets, created a modern yet romantic ambiance. Kimberly details, “We incorporated beautiful customized chopsticks in gorgeous cloth sleeves to be used in the flat lay but also in the reception area.”

Collaboration Among Vendors

With two planners working seamlessly together, the workload was efficiently divided. Sarah W. and Sarah B. collaborated with vendors from three different countries, bringing together diverse talents to create a cohesive vision. Kimberly additionally expressed her gratitude to Viceroy Riviera Maya for their exceptional hospitality, saying, “Planning a destination-styled shoot isn’t the easiest thing, but with the right team, anything is possible.”

Vendors: Planning & Design: My Wedding Songbird & Grace & Gold Events; Venue: Viceroy Riviera Maya; Photo & Video: Viva Photography; Flatlay Photo: Catherine Chuang Photography; Flowers: Mandarinna Studio; Rentals: Archive Rentals; Stationery: Jackie Chen Design; Signages: The 84th Hour; Cultural Gown: East Meets Dress; Suits: Suit Shop; Hair and Makeup: Tania Tangle Makeup & Hair; Couple: Runway Mexico