A Four-Day Brazilian and Mexican Fusion Wedding in Veracruz
In 2018, Esther and Francisco met while attending California State University, Long Beach. With Francisco being an international student from Brazil, he was the president of the school’s International Club while Esther, who is from Mexico, attended a meeting to make new friends.
“The second I saw him, confidently leading the group with his easy smile, I couldn’t help but find him attractive,” Esther shares. “I even started asking about him afterward, so yes—I made the first move. We ran into each other again at the next international student event, and this time he came up to talk.”
That afternoon led to playing volleyball with friends, followed by dinner and hanging out by Francisco’s pool.
“our wedding was… about two cultures, two families, and all the moments that brought us there”
“He kept suggesting more plans to stretch the day,” Esther recalls, “and I remember laughing, thinking we can see each other any day; but he clearly didn’t want it to end. That mix of persistence and sweetness is what made me realize he was different. Within a month, we were officially together, and we haven’t gone a single day without talking since.”
A Lake Tahoe Engagement
Three years later, Francisco planned a road trip though California that included stops in Palm Springs, Big Sur, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, and finally Lake Tahoe. His original plan was to take Esther to Yosemite and Sequoia, but they were unable to make it at the time due to COVID closures. Esther assumed if a proposal was in the works, then Francisco might postpone it for later, so she was relaxed throughout the road trip, not suspecting a thing.
In Lake Tahoe, Francisco suggested they visit a place called Secret Cove—a stunning location with turquoise water and pine-covered cliffs.
“What we didn’t know was that it was a nudist beach,” Esther adds. “So yes, he proposed surrounded by a few very confident strangers. We climbed to a hill overlooking the cove, and there, with the lake glimmering behind us, he got down on one knee. My outfit was terrible, but I couldn’t stop smiling. It was private, funny, and perfectly us. I kept it a secret for the rest of the day so we could enjoy the moment before sharing the news. Later that evening, when we finally told my family, they were waiting at home to celebrate.”
Planning a Wedding in Veracruz, Mexico
The couple decided to get married in Esther’s hometown of Veracruz, Mexico, surrounded by culture, warmth, and a tantalizing ocean breeze.
“Planning a wedding from another country wasn’t easy,” she says, “but I had a great planner and amazing support from my family. I always wanted a white and green theme, full of greenery, flowers, and natural elegance.”
With many of their guests traveling from abroad, the couple turned their wedding celebration into a four-day event. The festivities kicked off with a boat party where everyone met, drank, and danced together on an island—the perfect ice breaker that made the rest of the weekend feel like one big family gathering.
Next was a cultural night the following evening at Los Portales, one of Veracruz’s most traditional spots.
“We had jarochas performing folkloric dances and la marimba playing local music,” says Esther. “It was lively, colorful, and the perfect way to share my roots with everyone.”
The Wedding Day
On the morning of the wedding, Esther and her bridesmaids got ready together, filling the room with calm vibes and laughter. The couple also opted for a first look before heading to the church, giving them a quiet moment to themselves.
For the ceremony, the bride wore a Vivienne Westwood wedding gown as she walked down the aisle at San Pedro y San Pablo—the church from her childhood, and the place where her father’s ashes rest.
“Walking down the aisle and seeing Francisco waiting there was emotional,” she shares. “He swore he wouldn’t cry, but the second he saw me, he did. He even managed the entire ceremony in Spanish, which impressed everyone. I was so nervous I accidentally said one word wrong, and he didn’t make a single mistake. It broke the tension and made us both laugh; a small, human moment that made the day even better.”
The wedding reception was joyful, relaxed, and full of love, just as the couple envisioned. Esther’s mother surprised them by bringing mojigangas—giant, colorful figures that resemble the bride and groom, and dance during Mexican festivals. They were originally meant for the bachelorette party, but she thought it would be funny to
bring them to the wedding. It became one of the highlights of the night, along with the bride’s brothers and friends secretly organizing themselves to wear Brazilian soccer jerseys and Mexican sombreros to symbolize both countries coming together.
“We made sure our cultures were represented in every detail,” Esther explains. “There were brigadeiros and beijinhos from Brazil, caipirinhas and caipiroskas at the bar, and a menu that blended sophistication with heart: octopus carpaccio, tuna with hollandaise, pistachio cream soup, brisket or róbalo in butter sauce, and desserts like pavlova and arroz con leche foam. Late at night, we served quesabirrias and esquites for the die-hard dancers. The wedding lasted 13 hours, and even then, people didn’t want to leave.”
The next morning, as the final event of their four-day wedding celebration, the newlyweds hosted a tornaboda—a recovery brunch with comfort food, laughter, and everyone sharing stories from the night before. It was the perfect way to close the celebration.
Escape to Playa Mujeres
For their honeymoon, Esther and Francisco escaped to Playa Mujeres, Mexico for a leisurely week at an all-inclusive resort. Unlike the rush of their destination wedding experience, there was nothing on the itinerary except for eating, swimming, and enjoying each other’s company.
“Looking back,” says Esther, “our wedding wasn’t just about two people; it was about two cultures, two families, and all the moments that brought us there. From meeting at a university club in Long Beach to dancing barefoot in Veracruz, our story has been a mix of humor, warmth, and love that continues to grow every day.”
>Written by Lauren Malamala
WEDDING TALENT
Location: Salón L’Incanto; Ceremony Location: Saint Peter and Saint Paul Catholic Church
Wedding Planning: Yoab Lara; Floral Design & Linen: L.C Bustos Lajud; Invitations: She Said Web; Cake: 180 Reposteria; Catering & Rentals: Banquetes Ambianza; Lighting: Lum Design; Wedding Dress: Vivienne Westwood; Hair & Makeup: Andres Urdapilleta; Groom’s Attire: Tommy Hilfiger; Groom’s Watch: Movado; Groom's Shoes: Christian Louboutin; Photography: Oscar Castro Photo