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All good stories always have music and dancing in it. This couple met at a swanky salsa club in Hollywood California. Mojito’s and beating bongos, Miguel came up to Gaiane and asked her if she knew how to dance salsa. She bluffed and said she did. He swept her off her feet. 

Viva la Vida became not only their wedding hashtag but their life mantra. Both passionate about helping people as advanced practice nurses, they soon discovered the same love for traveling, hiking and celebrating life in everyday adventures.

Gaiane, the bride, shares more details about her love story.  Keep scrolling to see all of the beautiful photos by Pierce Weddings  and all the details planned and carried out by Alicia Vilar of San Miguel Weddings. You can see all the images in the full gallery.

A MARIACHI PROPOSAL

2 years after we met Miguel said he had reservations for a romantic dinner. We went off to walk up Grand Park in downtown LA. I remember vividly each step I took up to get to the top of the stairs which overlooked a beautiful fountain in front of City Hall. When I got to the top a mariachi serenaded us with their beautiful music. As they sang “Hermoso Cariño” Miguel took my hand and walked me over to an area decorated with red rose petals on the floor. At that moment I noticed our family and dearest friends coming out of hiding, each one holding a sunflower in their hands. The sunflower has always been a representation of my beautiful mama who got her angel wings 3 years prior. That immediately made me cry like a baby. And as a huge sign “Will you marry me?” was held by my girlfriends, Miguel got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. It was the most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me.

THE CITY

We dreamed of a magical wedding in an enchanted garden setting that celebrated the culture of Mexico. San Miguel de Allende is especially known for its magical beauty. The city name with “Miguel” in it was a sign that this was where we were going to say our “I do's". 

SEÑOR’S DETAILS

Miguel wore a custom made deep blue colored suit with a sleek vest by Indochino. Our date was carefully embroidered on the inside pocket and a boutonniere was embellished with a subtle hue of blush flowers to complement the colors of the bridesmaids dresses. 

SEÑORA’S DETAILS

I wore my grandmothers dainty diamond necklace and a pair of halo diamond studded earrings my husband gifted me that day. And on my bouquet was pinned the most special charm. It carried a picture of my mom and grandmother that passed away. It made me feel that they were with me every step of the way. 

THE PHOTOGRAPHER

We chose Mariana Pierce for her creative amazing storytelling, fun and timeless style. Her immense love for Mexican culture and her unique joie de vivre reflected on each one of her photos.

CEREMONY IN AN 18TH CENTURY CHURCH

We had a traditional Catholic ceremony in an 18th-century church named Iglesia de San Francisco located centrally in the city of San Miguel. There is a large square outside of the church surrounded by trees and benches where people grouped together to watch our celebration. We wrote our own vows and spoke of all of our adventures together that led us to fall so deeply in love with each other. There were tears, there were laughs, and there was a ton of love that filled the church.

THE CALLEJONEADA

As we walked out of the San Francisco church a mariachi band met us in the square to begin the traditional callejoneada wedding parade or “Callejoneada”. There were two large sized dancing puppets or “Mojigangas” that were carved to look like the bride and groom. The mariachi serenaded us as the wedding party and guests danced down the cobble stone streets while a donkey gowned in flowers led the way. 

THE VENUE

After the Callejoneada we entered into the garden of Casa Cien. It has the charm of the colonial period, areas with beautiful landscaping, a series of enchanted terraces with flowing fountains. A garden of succulents and cacti flowers manicured a big cobblestone wall on one side of the reception area while the other side caught a picturesque view of the sunset. Our planner Alicia Vilar of San Miguel Weddings, did an amazing job with decor and catering, there were warm shades of blush against romantic greenery everywhere. The tabletop florals along with lit candles created a warm intimate feeling. 

THE FIESTA

As the guests entered Casa Cien they were presented with either a salt rimmed frozen mango margarita or a cucumber margarita on the rocks. The guests gathered around the rose petal filled pool as a duo played romantic melodies using a guitar and violin. Traditional Mexican hors d’oeuvres were served to stimulate the guests appetite and the guests were greeted with a sign that said “take a shot, take a seat” as they walked into the garden reception area.

DOS DRESSES

I wanted every part of what I wore to have a story to tell. I wanted to feel like a princess with a dress that flowed on the cobblestone streets and swerved easily with me as I danced. So when I put on the Lennox dress by Enozani I thought "this is it"! It was an A-line gown with floral embroidered lace that flowed softly onto the top of the organza skirt.

I then donned another Enozani dress in an attempt to provide my future husband with a sophisticated “Vavavoom" of an effortless but breathtaking dress. This gown was crafted with lace that lined the hips creating a sensual illusion of bare skin. And there was that long Spanish style train I dreamt of. I went for both dresses. It was my wedding day after all. I topped it off with a long cathedral lace edged veil.

AFTER ONE, TWO, THREE TEQUILAS

The bar included a Mexican themed spiced tequila drink representing the Mexican groom and a Russian love mule for the Russian bride. Tequila flowed as we danced to the rhythm of the night. And to top it off tacos al pastor was served at the end with some Mexican coffee to help sober up the guests enough so that they can safely find their way back home. What a day to remember!

SALSA MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER

It was the song “Say you won’t let go” by Matt Johnson and Jaclyn Davies that so perfectly described us. Towards the end of the first dance cold sparkle fireworks went off around the stage and boom our surprise choreographed dance that we practiced for 2 months finally came on. We salsa danced to “Tu Vida en la Mia” by Mark Anthony and as it led into the song “Vivir Mi Vida” we invited our wedding guest to join us on the dance floor to start off our unforgettable evening. 

• Bridesmaid Dresses: Birdy Grey
• Cakes & Catering: San Miguel Weddings
• Event Planning & Design: Alicia Vilar of San Miguel Weddings
• Groom & His Men: Indochino
• Hair, Makeup & Beauty: Daniela Montemayor
• Photographers: Pierce Weddings
• Venues: Antigua Villa Santa Monica
• Venues: Casa Cien
• Wedding Dresses: Enozani