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Mexican inspired surprise wedding: Claire + Martin

May 5, 2017
Mexican themed surprise wedding

K, so, we’ve got a Mexican-inspired surprise wedding for you today. Does that even need an intro?! We’ll keep it short: Claire + Martin knew a traditional wedding wasn’t for them—they met through Snapchat, after all—so once they heard the surprise idea, they were all over it. They spent four months planning, telling a few white lies about their upcoming nuptials at the process. When it came time for guests to arrive at the ‘engagement party’, no one had a clue! We’ve got their story, images from Chelsea Renee Photography, AND the whole surprise on video by Unwritten Pictures below:

Mexican themed surprise wedding Mexican themed surprise wedding

Fun paper flower backdrop from Blomes Paperie, huh? Bonus points, it doubled as the raddest photo backdrop for guests. They also included fresh florals from Bramble & Bee and decor by Swift Events throughout the space at Houston Heights Fire Station.

Colorful wedding flowers Wedding rings Mexican themed surprise wedding

Claire tells it, We had the bottom floor set up for a cocktail hour/dinner and upstairs was set up for the ceremony. I was locked away upstairs while our guests were arriving—it was so fun peeking from the upstairs window knowing that we were about to shock all our friends! Martin was downstairs entertaining guest and telling everyone I was running late. After we thought everyone had arrived Martin got on the mic and thanked everyone for coming and then said, “I bet y’all are wondering about making plans for Marfa… Well, you do not have to because we are getting married right now!” Everyone started screaming and yelling—I could hear it all from upstairs—and I still get chills thinking about it now.

Monogram sign Mexican themed surprise wedding Mexican themed surprise wedding

Naturally everyone cheered and shook maracas when they kissed.

Mexican inspired tablescape Mexican inspired place setting

Being an event planner I know how important details are for a wedding so we had custom napkins, koozies, hot sauce bottles with names on it for place cards, flower crowns at the ladies’ seats, flowers in wood boxes and also in Mexican vegetable cans, bright color banners and lights were strung from the ceiling, a huge paper wall with a saying that was special to Martin and I, bright color dishes, wood chargers, and copper flatware.

Mean inspired centerpiece Hot sauce escort cards

Of course, the reception had to be just as fun: everyone enjoyed tacos and pizza, karaoke and a piano man, to name a few highlights. Since Claire IS an event planner, it was pretty out of character for her not to have tons of planning details to share when friends asked. Luckily, guests made the connection after the big day.

Colorful wedding decor

Film by Unwritten Pictures.

Couldn’t end without asking our bride for a little surprise wedding advice…
Yes, do it! If you do not want a million opinions and to make a memory for your friends that they will always remember this is the wedding for you. People constantly introduce me as, ‘Claire is the one that had the secret wedding I was telling you about.’ However, there are things to know: Make sure you keep your fake wedding plans simple—I cannot stress this enough. Martin and I made a rule that if someone very close to us said they couldn’t make it then we would tell them the truth. Your wedding week probably isn’t as fun as a normal bride—I didn’t have many “happy wedding week!” texts or anything like that. And I couldn’t have bridesmaids—but I did get ready with my sisters and that was really special. Make sure on the invitation you make some type of urgency with the start time so that you do not have people arriving late.

THE best. Congrats, C + M!

Photographer: Chelsea Renee Photography / Videographer: Unwritten Pictures / Venue: Houston Heights Fire Station / Coordination, Rentals, & Décor: Lorin Foteh of Swift Events / Florals: Bramble & Bee / Paper Florals: Blomes Paperie / Hair & Makeup: Sunkissed and MadeUp / Tacos: El Tiempo Taco Truck / Cake: Sweet by Christina Wade / Entertainment: Russell Boyd / Bride’s Dress: Nordstrom / Shoes: Kate Spade / Bangles: Kendra Scott / Lips: Kylie Jenner Lip Kit / Groom’s Shirt: Ralph Lauren