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Once Upon a Time in Mexico

Bold colors and authentic flavor create a wedding steeped in Old World romance

Imagine dancing beneath the stars, surrounded by chamomile trees strung with glowing lanterns. Sunflowers cast their shadows on dimly lit tables. And plates of half-eaten slices of tres leches cake are strewn about, abandoned by guests so enraptured by the Latin ballad that they’ve filled the sandy dance floor.

At the Four Seasons Resort in Punta Mita, this vision—and many other versions of it—becomes reality at least three times each month. After all, it’s hard to resist the lure of a wedding destination all at once exotic, romantic and boldly beautiful.

Luckily, if you’ve been dreaming of a Mexico wedding but want to keep festivities and guests closer to home, the resources are all within your reach.

“Wrought iron, bright, colorful tones and large multi-petal blooming flowers are key to any tabletop inspired by Mexico,” says Tam Ashworth of Isari Flower Studio in Carlsbad. For added inspiration, we invited her to Candelas on the Bay in Coronado, where a rustic wall of hanging candles and awe-inspiring views sent us back to “once upon a time” in Mexico.

“Candelas has a refined Hispanic vibe,” Ashworth says. “After viewing the overall scheme of the restaurant, I decided to use a simple monochromatic shade for the tabletop. With such an interesting backdrop as the candled wall, I knew the centerpiece would have to be bold and elegant in a bright shade. I achieved that look and created an authentic Hispanic feel by using only one flower—the dahlia—in shades ranging from black to burgundy to crimson, scarlet and fire engine red.”

A proponent of supporting local growers, Ashworth also chose dahlias for their local availability. She paired the flowers with textured linens and her own votives of silver mercury glass. Coral provided an ideal accent color while complementing views of the bay and skyline.

The combination perfectly suits the bayfront restaurant, where special occasions—from an intimate rendezvous in a private hacienda to bigger parties on two sun-filled terraces—are made even more memorable with Mexico City-style cuisine. Octopus ceviche and beef filet served with a peanut and chile guajillo sauce are two delectable items on Candelas’ menu, which is sure to leave you and your guests dreaming for years to come.

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