I cannot think of a better way to warm up this chilly, fall day than with this beautiful, romantic Las Caletas destination wedding from Michelle Turner Photography. I’m in love with the brilliant sapphire and hot pink hues, the flowers floating in their vases, the private island getaway. What’s more, I am completely smitten with the couple’s love story. It’s sentimental and sweet, and more than once funny. It’s all of the things that make up the best kind of story. One to sigh over.

Karen and Rene met on Match.com! (Proof the site does work then, eh?) Karen had been on the site a couple months already, had gone on many dates, but had had no luck in finding a “keeper”. That is, until she received a message from someone who stood out from all the rest. He was cute (though his photo was a little goofy), smart (his profile said he went to MIT), and funny (or at least his emails seemed clever)! They bonded in cyber space over their common love of poker and claw machines. You know, those arcade games with a mechanical claw you maneuver to try and win a stuffed animal. (Sounds like a match made in heaven to me.)

After talking online for several weeks, they set a day and time to meet at a local pub right on the Chicago river. Rene confided in Karen later that he didn’t have high hopes for the date. She was the first person he had met on the dating site and his first real “first date” ever! But they hit it off right away! It felt as if they’d known each other for years.

From the pub, they went to a local hot spot to play claw machines where Rene won Karen a stuffed alligator that she still has. (I think every girl keeps the first stuffed something a boy wins or purchases for her. Mine? A stuffed gingerbread boy that was won at a local state fair. He’s kind of ugly .. the gingerbread boy .. but the meaning behind him is why he stays.) After the claw machines, the two played heads-up poker and made a little bet. If he won, she had to give him a kiss. Guess who just so happened to lose that hand of poker that night? ;)

It was the perfect date and Karen knew she had found the man she was going to spend the rest of her life with. In fact, halfway through the date she texted her sister and told her that she was going to marry this guy! (I don’t know why but I love hearing that. It warms my heart right up to the tippity top.)

Early on in their relationship, they went on a date to the aquarium. They got lost in conversation, completely caught up in each other, and didn’t realize the employees were trying to clear an area for an educational presentation. By the time they realized they were the only ones in the middle of the circle, everyone was staring at them, and employees were politely asking them (through a megaphone) to move. (Take a moment to imagine this. Completely lost in each other, to them, they were the only two people in the room. It’s magical, isn’t it?)

Some time later, while taking a walk at night in downtown Chicago, Rene told Karen of a dream he had where she’d told him she loved him. He told her that it made him happy. She figured it was a pretty safe time to tell him of her feelings. Later, after they were married, they were taking a walk in the exact same spot when she told him they were going to have a baby! (My heart just melted.)

They’d been dating for almost ten months when Rene planned a snowboarding trip for Karen as a Valentine’s Day present. She’d never been snowboarding before, and although Rene was a great teacher, she fell. A lot. Heading back to the hotel suite one night, exhausted and bruised (both her butt and ego), Rene doubted whether it was the right time to pop the question. But as they cuddled up in front of the fireplace, Rene regained his courage and slipped off to the bedroom to set up candles, flowers, champagne, and chocolate covered strawberries. (Atta boy. Bonus points.) When he asked for her to join him, he was down on one knee with a gorgeous ring in hand. He told her how much he loved her and asked if she would marry him. Her teary-eyed answer was of course! (As if you could say no to that.)

{From the Bride} While the day went by quickly, I remember almost every detail. I started out the day by taking a boat over to Las Caletas early in the morning with my sisters and mom. We spent the morning getting massages and relaxing by the beach. Suddenly, it was time to get ready, and I started to get nervous. I hadn’t memorized my vows yet and spent a lot of time pacing back and forth, reading and re-reading the vows I had written (I had always been a procrastinator!). 

We could see the boat arrive with Rene and all of the guests, and I started to get really excited. It was time for me to walk down the sandy, beach aisle. I couldn’t wait to see Rene. The day I had been dreaming about for years had finally come. I was going to marry the most amazing man in the entire world. I could hear the waves crashing on the beach just a few yards away from where we were standing. The ceremony was short and sweet, full of humor, and of course, a few mushy moments. I held back tears as I said my vows to Rene.

The reception was laid-back and fun. Our centerpieces had flowers floating in vases of water with beta fish swimming around in them. The table names were all sea creatures like “The Dolphin Table” or “The Sea Horse Table.” Rene thought it would be hilarious to name one of the tables “The Crabs Table” and I said it was fine just so long as his friends were seated there. ;)

The dance floor was laid out on the beach, and our first dance was to “Sea of Love” by Cat Power, a song that always makes the two of us teary-eyed. My dad cried during the father-daughter dance which was to “Landslide” by the Smashing Pumpkins.

Some memorable moments were when the fire dancers performed and when guests started dancing on the beach as the waves crashed over their feet. It was such a beautiful atmosphere. The only light came from the stars, the bonfire, and hundreds of candles that were spread throughout all of Las Caletas. The reception continued on the boat ride back with music playing and people dancing.

{Advice from the Bride} My advice would be “don’t sweat the small stuff!” Not everything will go exactly as planned on your wedding day, in marriage, or in life, but always remember what’s really important. Whenever I find myself getting stressed or frustrated about something, I always try to remember how lucky I am, and that the small stuff doesn’t really matter.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Best advice for love, wedding day, marriage and life. Best. And such a sweet, inspiring love story and couple too. We couldn’t be happier for Rene and Karen and their new addition to the family! Congratulations, lots of love and luck to you both! And a special thank you to Michelle Turner Photography for sharing her talent for capturing love and details with us all!

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Photography: Michelle Turner Photography – Venue: Vallarta Adventures

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Happy Tuesday!

xoxo