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Sayulita, Mexico Day of the Dead wedding: Carolyn + Peter

May 3, 2012

There’s a small seaside town on the West Coast of Mexico called Sayulita, where mariachi serenade newlyweds through the streets, piñatas wait to explode with dulces, guests catch up during a sunset, michelada in hand, and papel picados announce to all that it’s your day. It’s everything Carolyn + Peter wanted, with their own twist to it of course. Their wedding took place a week after Dia de los Muertos, so they decided to make their 50-guest wedding one that was anything but “cutsie”, and played with the idea that they were in Mexico. It was an elegant and ethereal fiesta, captured by Jillian Mitchell, that began with one of the funniest save the date videos seen here.

custom Papel Picado Wedding flags

Always a fan of customized papel picados. We’ve even got some multi-colored (non-customizable) ones in our Pop-Up Shop right now!

vintage wedding attire

We’ve been waiting to see these sweet french embroidered BHLDN cuffs on a bride! Love.

birdcage veil + crystal comb

A simple loose side bun held with a crystal leaf hair comb from Twigs & Honey adds just enough glitz to her already elegant look.

embroidered vintage hanky Monique Lhuillier wedding dress day of the dead wedding invites

A big tip if you’re planning on mailing your invitations in black envelopes and/or with a wax stamp seal. Make sure you plan ahead and buy an additional “outer” envelope to place your black one in if you don’t want the post office to stick a big white sticker on it for their barcode and postmark, or be prepared to so some sweet talking. That’s the situation Carolyn found herself in and almost had a heart attack when she thought none of their invites would be allowed to be mailed out!

day of the dead cuff links day of the dead wedding programs

They had the most creative and interactive programs. Remember playing with these as a kid? They’re called cootie catchers or paper fortune tellers, and when unfolded revealed all the information from their wedding.

day of the dead inspired programs day of the dead wedding flask

What groomsmen is not going to flip over these calavera flasks?

 sayulita mexico wedding ceremony

Both of Carolyn’s brothers are professional musicians and helped orchestrate the music. One of her brothers officiated the wedding and the other took to the acoustic guitar to play during the ceremony.

sayulita mexico wedding

The mariachi led the way from the ceremony to the reception where modern furniture, calavera pillows and piñatas awaited.

sayulita mexico wedding day of the dead custom pillows  sayulita mexico wedding day of the dead wedding menu day of the dead wedding  sayulita mexico wedding day of the dead inspired wedding

Topped off with an amazing firework show, we’d say this Sayulita wedding was every bit of magical you’d expect from this romantic seaside town. Felicidades Carolyn + Peter!

Want to keep this wedding going, head over to Jillian Mitchell’s site to see more gorgeous shots of the dance party and piñata hitting!

Photography: Jillian Mitchell Photography/ Wedding coordination + flowers: Yazmin at Sea of Dreams in Sayulita (also created table settings with custom made Day of The Dead doll center pieces, custom white chiffon drapery over the entire outdoor palapa, outdoor & indoor lighting, custom made the anatomical heart sticker enlarged on the dance floor, cake table, life-sized Day of the Dead piñata) / Event designer: Alchemy Hour Designs / Location: Sayulita, Mexico / Invitation designer: Royal Steamline / Calligraphy: Lisa Lovitt / Videography: Sharkpig / Catering: Don Pedro’s / Bride’s dress: Monique Lhuillier / Bride’s birdcage veil: Tessa Kim / Hairclip: Twigs and Honey / French embroidered lace cuffs: BHLDN/ Bride’s shoes: Badgley Mischka / Groom’s suit: Sean Jean / Cufflinks: IvCreations! / Bridesmaid dresses: Amsale / Groomsmen suits: Men’s Warehouse / Cootie Catcher programs + menus + placecards: Alchemy Hour Designs / Embroidered handkerchiefs: Wedding Handkerchiefs / Custom Mexican Flags: Aymuyer- Yreina Flores Ortiz / Day of the Dead pillows: MiVida Creations / Day of the Dead Flasks: FlowerOfTheDead on Etsy / Mr. & Mrs. chair banners: Any Occasion Banners

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