Get ready for a truly spectacular Jewish wedding! Kali and Edon, who both work in fine jewelry (Kali’s bridal bling was all by Edon Mesica New York!), wanted a multi-day destination celebration bringing together their nearest and dearest from across the United States and Israel – and luxe Cancún resort NIZUC provided the perfect setting. The gorgeous grounds provided a range of spaces for multiple events over the course of the wedding weekend from a welcome party on the beach to a pool party to a golf outing – and, of course, the fairytale wedding itself – while still feeling secluded and intimate.
NIZUC’s zen, organic vibe and breathtaking nature- featuring lush mangroves, open sky, and water views – were huge draws for Kali and Edon, and so they decided to add just a few intentional decorative details in keeping with the resort’s aesthetic. Working with a palette of ivory, cream, and soft whites layered with muted greenery and delicate pastel accents, the couple opted for a minimal wooden chuppah adorned with loosely gathered florals for their outdoor ceremony. Catch it all in the beautiful photos and trailer by Pipe Gaber!
We also love that Kali chose beloved Israeli designer Berta Bridal for her striking gown – and did she ever look fantastic! Now over to Kali…
How We Met
Kali, the bride: We met in pre-school… I wrote this for our wedding website: In 1998 at Marlboro Jewish Center Preschool, Kali and Edon met for the first time, forming a bond that would last a lifetime. Little did they know, this friendship would become the foundation of a love story that would unfold over the next 26 years.
Skipping ahead to high school in 2009, fate decided to bring Kali and Edon back together. Their reconnection happened when Edon showed up at Kali’s house party for her 18th Birthday. She made him give her a birthday gift to enter her party. Kali’s social skills at that time were underdeveloped after years of being homeschooled for gymnastics, but Edon didn’t seem to mind.
Shortly after meeting again in high school, Kali and Edon couldn’t keep themselves apart, whether that be videochatting (shoutout ooVoo) every day afterschool or hanging out in the Mesica’s backyard. During their initial romantic sparks, Kali stumbled upon a note from preschool dated 1998 underneath her bed in an old box. The worksheet note had Kali’s scribbling on it that Edon was her new best friend. From then on, their friendship blossomed into a love story filled with unstoppable laughter and rebellious teenage adventures.
College threw some curveballs their way, with Kali at Penn State and Edon chasing his dreams at Rutgers. Despite the distance, their emotional bond stayed strong, thanks to mutual friends from childhood and overlapping social circles.
Kali and Edon ended up living in the same building while living abroad in Barcelona for five months. Together they traveled to various countries and made unforgettable memories with friends and family. Their shared adventures in the beautiful city strengthened their bond and set the stage for the next chapter of their story.
Edon’s admiration for Kali grew into a deep and lasting love, and every twist and turn in their journey brought them closer together. Eventually they gave in, and admitted that their romantic chemistry and friendship couldn’t be denied.
Through life’s ups and downs, Kali and Edon’s connection never wavered. Now, as they’re about to tie the knot, they want their friends, who’ve been with them through it all, to celebrate the raw, authentic love story that began in preschool, weathered the challenges of life, and emerged as a testament to the love they share. Here’s to Kali and Edon’s forever love story! Edon proposed to Kali on an April afternoon. During sunset on the 44th floor of their apartment building’s roof, surrounded with flowers and candles, Edon proposed with the NYC skyline in the background.
Venue
We wanted a location where we can celebrate with friends and family for more than one night. NIZUC‘s unique venue was large enough to have multiple different events in stunning locations. We were able to have a welcome party on the beach, a pool party, a golf outing, a brunch, and a fairytale wedding while still feeling secluded and intimate. We loved the organic look of the venue and breathtaking nature.
Theme
Our vision was to create a wedding that felt romantic, airy, and deeply personal—an experience rooted in emotion and designed to feel as though it naturally belonged within its surroundings. We were drawn to a style that balanced organic beauty with refined, intentional details, resulting in a celebration that felt both elevated and effortless. With lush mangroves, open sky, and water views, the setting became an integral part of the design, shaping an atmosphere that felt soft, cinematic, and quietly breathtaking.
The palette was composed of ivory, cream, and soft whites layered with muted greenery and delicate pastel accents, allowing the natural landscape to remain the focal point. A minimal wooden chuppah adorned with loosely gathered florals added warmth and movement, while suspended chandeliers introduced a subtle sense of magic and intimacy. Every element was thoughtfully curated to enhance the emotional experience without overpowering the environment.
We also envisioned the celebration as more than a single day. With 155 guests traveling from the United States and Israel, the wedding unfolded as a full weekend experience, designed to create meaningful moments of connection and shared celebration.
Bringing this vision to life was Canteiro Weddings, a design-driven company specializing in destination weddings across Cancun, Tulum, and the Riviera Maya. Their work spans floral design, rentals, and custom-built installations, allowing for a fully immersive and cohesive aesthetic. Their ability to transform concepts into visually striking environments ensured that every detail—from ceremony to reception—felt intentional, seamless, and entirely reflective of the couple’s vision.
Dress
My wedding gown was designed by Berta Bridal, a designer known for bold, fashion-forward silhouettes and intricate detailing. The dress featured a sculpted, figure-hugging silhouette with delicate lace and hand-applied embellishments, blending modern sensuality with timeless elegance. The craftsmanship and attention to detail felt incredibly elevated, with elements like a defined bodice and intricate textures that created a striking yet romantic look.
What made the dress feel like “the one” was how effortlessly it reflected both my personal style and the overall vision of the wedding. It felt powerful yet feminine, modern yet timeless…perfectly aligned with the atmosphere we wanted to create. The moment I tried it on, I knew it captured exactly how I wanted to feel on my wedding day: confident, emotional, and completely myself.
Accessories
Second look was by KYHA Bridal. Jewelry by Edon Mesica New York.
Shoes
Shoes by Manolo Blahnik.
Ceremony & Chuppah
Our ceremony was designed to feel powerful, romantic, and emotionally intimate, with a balance between natural elegance and thoughtfully curated details. It felt like a dreamlike, nature-wrapped moment—soft, ethereal, and quietly breathtaking before the celebration unfolded. Set on a wooden deck surrounded by lush greenery and mangroves, the space felt both secluded and expansive, as if it had been discovered rather than built, creating a deeply personal yet cinematic atmosphere.
One of the most special elements was the music. A chazzan, accompanied by a live six-piece band, led the ceremony and set an incredibly emotional and spiritual tone. His voice and presence brought a timeless, deeply rooted sense of tradition that resonated with every guest, regardless of background. The moment Kali walked down the aisle was unforgettable Edon was moved to tears, and so were many of our guests, making it one of the most powerful and meaningful parts of the entire day.
The chuppah design was intentionally minimal and organic, allowing the natural surroundings to take center stage. We chose a wooden structure for its warmth and grounding presence, adorned with loosely gathered wild florals in soft neutrals and delicate pastels. The palette of ivory, cream, soft whites, and muted greenery blended seamlessly with the natural foliage, while subtle details like chandeliers suspended above the guests added a layer of magic and elegance. The result was a romantic and elevated setting that felt effortless, intimate, and deeply meaningful.
Ketubah
Our Ketubah was a meaningful and traditional part of the ceremony, symbolizing our commitment and connection. While we kept the design simple, its presence added a beautiful layer of tradition and significance to the moment.
Our music choice
Music played a central role in shaping the atmosphere of our wedding, especially during the ceremony. We had a chazzan accompanied by a live six-piece band, whose performance created a deeply emotional and spiritual experience rooted in Jewish tradition. The live music added a powerful and immersive quality, making each moment feel even more meaningful and unforgettable.
For the celebration, we had DJ Bastian, who brought incredible energy to the reception and kept guests on the dance floor throughout the night. The combination of live ceremony music and a vibrant DJ set created the perfect balance between emotional depth and joyful celebration.
Flowers
The floral design embraced a soft, organic, and effortlessly romantic aesthetic. We chose a mix of delicate blooms in ivory, cream, and soft pastels, complemented by muted greenery such as eucalyptus and olive tones. The arrangements were intentionally loose and natural rather than tightly structured, allowing movement and texture to play a key role across the bouquets, buttonholes, and table settings.
Florals were designed to enhance the surrounding landscape rather than compete with it. From the chuppah arrangements to the table centers, every element felt cohesive with the lush mangroves and tropical foliage of the venue, creating a seamless connection between design and nature.
The floral design and execution were beautifully brought to life by Canteiro Weddings, who translated our vision into a refined and cohesive aesthetic throughout the entire celebration.
Photographer and videographer
We chose Pipe Gaber for both photography and videography because of their ability to capture moments in a way that feels both editorial and deeply authentic. Their work stood out to us for its emotional sensitivity and refined aesthetic—balancing beautifully composed imagery with candid, unscripted moments. We wanted our wedding to be documented in a way that felt natural yet elevated, and their style aligned perfectly with that vision.
Throughout the day, their team made us feel comfortable and fully present, allowing each moment to unfold organically. The result was a collection of images and footage that truly reflect the emotion, energy, and intimacy of the celebration.
Yes, we also had videography, captured by the same team, ensuring a cohesive visual narrative across both mediums.
Extra Details
Shay, our 3 year old niece did a first look with Edon and Kali before walking down the aisle. As Kali and Edon approached, Shay got so emotional and started to cry claiming ” Kali looks like a princess”. In the past 6 months, Shay has watched wedding videos almost every day reliving the memories.
When I was walking down the aisle on the wooded deck with my cathedral veil, it kept feeling like someone was standing on the back and i kept getting stuck. I started saying to my dad stop stepping on my veil as we were walking, turns out the hand sewn on beads were getting stuck in between the wood planks pulling my hair out, so i had to hold my veil and pull it down the aisle so i could refocus on Edon.
Advice to couples currently planning their wedding
Get a good wedding planner – one that is local to your destination. Weddings and the wedding industry is expensive, we wound up going 2X over our initial budget, but at the end of the day we had the most incredible experiences of our lives. Having a wedding planner that actually understands you and doesn’t stretch themselves thin with too many weddings at once really makes the world of a difference.
KALI & EDON’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK
Photography & videography – Pipe Gaber
Venue – NIZUC
Planning, design, production & flowers – Canteiro Weddings
Bride’s dress – Berta Bridal
Second dress – KYHA Bridal
Jewelry – Edon Mesica New York
Bride’s shoes – Manolo Blahnik
DJ – DJ Bastian
If you’re a Jewish or Jew-ish bride-to-be, you’ll want to join Smashing The Glass’ Brides Club. Guided by the world’s number 1 Jewish wedding expert, Karen Cinnamon, Brides Club is the private community for Jewish and Jew-ish brides that removes wedstress and indecision and gives you what you need to plan with confidence during these uncertain times. Join our Brides Club here.
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