How gorgeous is the beachy boho Jewish wedding of California couple Amber, who works for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and Elliot, the owner of Golden State Corals?! This travel-loving pair opted for a destination wedding weekend in Tulum.
Amber had always dreamed of an intimate, laid-back celebration with the couple’s nearest and dearest – and fortunately, she was able to make that dream come true despite getting married during the pandemic. The couple’s fantastic planner, Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Lucy Gallagher, helped them bring it all together – which is no easy feat when planning from abroad in the best of times, let alone during COVID.
We love the relaxed California vibes of the day, and Moni Adri Photography’s wonderful pics make us feel as if we were right there with Amber and Elliot.
Now over to the bride, who looked stunning in her custom Winnie Couture gown…
How we Met
Amber, the bride: I’m from New Jersey and Elliot is from Maryland. We moved to California separately, around the same time. We both adopted German Shepherds, his a female and mine a male, around the same time. We met at the dog park. Our dogs became obsessed with each other first. We got engaged on the Amalfi Coast in September 2019.
A Wedding in Tulum
We got married Mahayana Tulum, Mexico. We love to travel. Since most of Elliot’s family is based in California and mine is in New Jersey I didn’t want one side to be more inconvenienced. Tulum has always been on my bucket list and since it’s a similar travel time from both coasts it made sense. I’ve always dreamed of a having an intimate wedding, small. I didn’t want it to become anything other than celebrating Elliot and our love. Flashy is not my style.
We used Archive Rental for our furniture rental. They were also amazing. To go with our comfortable theme we had elegant sofas on the beach for guests to watch the ceremony. We had the most exquisite shabby chic chandelier hanging over our wooden dance floor, along with string lights.
Boho Chic
We used the most amazing wedding planner, Lucy Gallagher. She was phenomenal.
Our color palette I would say was turquoise with rose accents. I wanted a casual wedding, one where nobody would be uncomfortable. I wanted to wear a pretty dress, eat good food and spend the weekend with the people that mean the most to us and that have supported our journey. A California boho chic vibe with a side of classy/glam.
Invitations / stationery
Our invitations were custom created by Cabin Creative. It is a hand drawing of us, our son and our two doggies. I wanted the invitation to have a laid back vibe but also something significant to us. I wanted people to feel comfortable while still acknowledging this is a once in a lifetime event (a casual, non-stuffy vibe).
Hair + Make-up
I chose Sara Tamargo for hair and makeup because they had done a friend on mine’s wedding in Cancun and I knew because she loved them and we have similar taste that I would love them as well.
A Winnie Couture Dress
My dress was a custom Winnie Couture gown. The Tinsley…For ten years my I had always obsessed over my Lagree teacher’s dress. She also wore a Winnie Couture so, I knew I wanted to at least try on dresses there. I wanted something simple but still made a statement. They were so sweet to customize it to add buttons down the back and length to the train.
My mom flew out from the East Coast and Elliot’s mom came with us. The dress I chose was the first one I tried on. My thought was “when will I ever be able to wear something like this again?” I tried several more on that day and went to other boutiques but, I couldn’t shake this dress.
Accessories
My veil was from Etsy. I didn’t want to overshadow the dress with jewelry so I only wore Olive and Piper earrings.
Shoes
I said “I do” in Choo.
The handsome groom
He wore Suit Supply.
Bridesmaids
We had one witness on each side. My sister stood by me. My sister’s dress was BHLDN.
Ketubah
Our son’s name is Oliver and we tend to gravitate to things with an olive branch theme. I choose the Etsy shop “Sweet Ketubah” for our Ketubah.
Chuppah
Our chuppah was bugambilia. And it was amazingly beautiful.
Our Music Choice
Processional ‘Canon in D’. Our first dance was the acoustic version to Ed Sheeran ‘Perfect’. We were introduced for the first time as husband and wife to Avicci ‘Levels’. I danced with my dad to ‘In My Arms’ by Mark Wills. Elliot danced with his mom to ‘Mothers’ by Thomas Finchum. Elliot is Persian so, the DJ also incorporated some Persian music throughout the night.
Flowers
We used Mon Amour for flowers. When we decided on Tulum I saw another wedding they did that I loved everything about. So we connected and they customized the things I loved about that look with what I wanted to add to mine. My bouquet was peonies, because they are my favorite flower, baby roses, and proteas letuco.
Photographer
Originally we had asked Moni Adri Photography to be our photographer but sadly she was already booked. We then booked a photographer from the States. Once COVID hit there was some complications with passport renewal wait times and other logistics so, I reached back out to Moni and that same day her couple that were scheduled on our date had postponed and suddenly the date was open. It was fate!
Food and Cake
Tomas Medina did our catering. We did brownies and churros instead of cake. It was the right decision. We did a mixed salad with goat cheese, cranberries, almonds in a fine herb dressing; Tikin Xic fish filet with roasted pineapple; chicken breast with “chile morita” and a sweet potato puree; creamy beans, white rice, green beans/almonds. We did family style…a buffet seemed a bit too casual for me. Family style allowed all guests to taste a little of everything.
Favors
We didn’t do favors. Mostly because we couldn’t find anything we loved and I hate the idea of going to a wedding and leaving with a favor that you don’t know what to do with. Instead because it was a destination wedding, we decided to use the money we would have spent on favors to do a “hangover” brunch the morning after the wedding.
Honeymoon
Prior to COVID we were going to do Four Seasons / Bora Bora a few months later however, because of COVID and the requirements to get into Bora Bora we are waiting now until we feel comfortable traveling that distance to go but we will!!
AMBER & ELLIOT’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK
Photography – Moni Adri Photography
Wedding planner – Lucy Gallagher
Venue – Mahayana Tulum
Bride’s dress – Winnie Couture
Bride’s shoes – Jimmy Choo
Bride’s accessories – Olive and Piper
Groom’s attire – Suit Supply
Bridesmaids – BHLDN
Hair + Makeup – Sara Tamargo
Flowers – Mon Amour
DJ – Uno Audiovisual
Catering – Tomas Medina
Stationery/Invitation – Cabin Creative
Furniture rental – Archive Rental
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.
