This Dapper Couple Married Both of Their Cultures on Their Big Day

A blindfold and a ukulele—Algin’s proposal during a trip to Maui incorporated more than one unordinary prop. “The first thing I saw was Algin standing under a beautiful plumeria tree dressed with bistro lighting, surrounded by roses and candles and overlooking the beach,” recalls his partner, Miguel, who was told its customary to arrive to luaus blindfolded (which is why he was donning one up to this point). “I was in shock. I slowly began to process my surroundings and realized there was a ukulele player serenading (us with) songs that Algin and I loved.”

To top off Miguel’s “yes” to the splashy proposal, the couple took engagement photos on the spot (yes, Algin had thought of hiring a photographer for that, too!) and wrapped up the evening with a private dinner for two under that plumeria tree.

The Houston-based couple opted for a destination as well for their “I dos” by choosing Estancia La Jolla. From start to finish, Bliss Events was there to help them plan the intimate and elegant affair that included 110 of their closest family and friends. The grooms were dapper as ever, donning black-on-black suits and bow ties, and their moms walked them down the aisle—leaving not a dry eye at the ceremony.

But the cherry on top of the entire night? That would be the couple’s first dance, which they’d been planning months in advance, complete with splits and lifts. Talk about sweeping someone off their feet! The grooms were sure to marry both of their cultures as well on the big day, from a mariachi band playing at cocktail hour to their outfit change into barong tagalogs, traditional Filipino dress shirts.