The inspiration for this styled shoot all started with an actual lunch at the Conrad Punta de Mita. Courtney, Carmen and I (Beth) – designer, florist and photographer – sat poolside enjoying the newly opened hotel on Litibu Beach, and the wheels began to turn. The Conrad is Hilton’s luxury brand hotel and its property in Riviera Nayarit had so much inspiration to draw from. The hotel was designed to create a direct connection to nature & natural elements. The Conrad’s contemporary and coastal design spoke to the ladies and the design process began.

The Rehearsal Dinner was located in Arbol’s Tequila Tasting Room. The locally-made Mexican pottery place settings from Elote Arte combined perfectly with the rustic barrels of tequila and bottles in the intimate space. Carmen from Flora Amor used recycled Mexican glass cylinders to house agave plants to complete the look. Tequila!

Prior to the wedding ceremony, the couple took part in a traditional clay Temazcal – providing a cleansing experience for body, mind, and spirit that has been a tradition within Mexican culture for over 1,000 years. The spa on site provides this service in addition to its regular spa menu. The local indigenous Wixaria believe that transformation and personal development occur through a connection to nature. It was a wonderful way for the bride and groom to relax, open their hearts and privately bless their union as husband and wife.

Dekker Photography knew from the first visit that the small fountain right off the hotel lobby was the perfect ceremony space for this shoot. Pulling from the Conrad’s inspiration they designed a ceremony backdrop made from dried palm fronds on circular bases floating in mid-air. The shot was captured with the couple appearing to be standing on water thanks to Grupo Chalita Official and the acrylic stage set underwater.

Because the ceremony was a bit lighter in texture and color, Courtney from Sunset Soiree wanted to play with a bit more darkness. The black & grey palette was a bit dark and stormy – just like the summer skies that bring the region a lot of rain and renewed life in the flora. Charcoal grey macrame chargers held tribal chic dinner plates and matte black salad plates. Carmen adorned the table settings with handmade place cards and adornments that mimicked the ceremony circles. Matte black flatware and grey goblets finished the look. Carmen used dark vessels to hold the dried Caspia, designing it to feel like grey clouds hovering amidst the table set for six.

Makeup artist, Jenn Chivers, had two beautiful models to work with who are a couple in real life each had three different looks; the Rehearsal Dinner, the Temazcal and the Wedding. For the rehearsal dinner, she wanted to compliment the bride’s stunning dress with a more classic hair and makeup look, enhancing her natural glow and beautiful bone structure, with a deep lip to elevate the look and balance perfectly with her timeless glam waves and not overpower her overall look.

Her more playful bridal look was designed to complement her dress and the overall feel of the wedding. Her half-up style with soft waves, soft smoky eyes and glow highlighted her beautiful complexion and bone structure perfectly. Handmade floral earrings by Carmen from Flora Amor completed the look. Our goal was to show a look that was soft, simple and feminine while tying into the overall feel of the day.

The model’s rehearsal dinner dress from Shein was sexy and glam which allowed her to stand out in the more rustic room. Jewelry by Zafiro Jewelry made the look complete.  The groom sported a striking black suit from Aldo Conti and his unique shoes were handmade and inspired by Oaxacan textiles and agave spirits, and provided by Kahlita.

The bride’s dress for the wedding, also from Shein, was meant to be whimsical and light and airy which allowed it to float in the water during the ceremony.