Holly and Carson found me on the ‘gram. And let me tell you how thankful I am for that. When I received their inquiry, I knew right away that they were my kind of people–funny, smart, kind, and welcoming. When Holly shared with me that their wedding would be at the beautiful Acre Baja in San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico, I couldn’t say “no” because Acre Baja is the dreamiest venue I have ever seen. Considering this would was my first international destination wedding I had ever booked, I was super-super pumped.
Holly and Carson have been together since Junior High (cue the tears) and have been through A LOT together…like…a lot. I won’t get into it, but getting to photograph this wedding meant a lot to me in many different ways–Holly and Carson’s story being the main one. When we met in Dallas for their engagement session over margaritas and tacos and exploring, we hit it off immediately, and they instantly felt like friends. Not to mention how stylish Holly is…(Carson…you are too), I knew their wedding would be a blast to photograph. Holly’s beaded dress (which she found at Lovely Bride) fit her and the wedding vibe to a T–stylish, a bit glam, modern, yet timeless.
Let me first tell you about this venue…because Lordy it’s amazing. Treehouses and a farm-to-table restaurant tucked into acres of cacti, palm trees, and the best desert plant life. There are baby goats and miniature donkeys running around. The reception spot was a turquoise-tiled MANGO ORCHARD. Mangos are my favorite fruit, so that alone made me giddy. Cocktail hour took place near Acre Baja’s pool which I was very tempted to dive into. I should have brought underwater housing for my gear…. Acre Baja is truly what a photographer’s dream venue looks like and–just putting this into the universe–I would VERY MUCH LOVE TO GO BACK. For work or a vacation. Both.
The day was relaxed and emotional and joyful. One of the weddings I couldn’t believe I got to shoot, a lot having to do with how thought out and organized it was, thanks to Pamela Franssen with Amy Abbott Events. One of the ones where I caught myself thinking “This is my real life right now…like…this is my life!!” The ceremony made me cry. The friends and family welcomed me and Matt like old friends. The flowers and the lights and the desserts and the animals and the music and everything was perfection. The whole day was magic. Speaking of magic…the farm-to-table meal Acre Baja prepared was also easily the best food I’ve ever had at a wedding, and it felt like the menu came straight out of my dreams: biscuits with fresh butter, a delightful and perfect kale salad with jicama and avocado and a really tasty dressing, fried green tomatoes, a sumptuous fish dish, hella-delicious braised beef with root vegetables, and more. My mouth is watering again. The night continued with an excellent playlist (for real–this DJ knew his stuff), tequila shots, a cute photobooth, a whole lot of dancing, toasts, and a party I will remember for a very long time.
I’ll let the photos do the talking now…
Just me and Matt living our best lives in Mexico. <3
Photos by Destination Wedding Photographer, Rachel Waters.