REAL WEDDING

  • Photography By:

    Mel Barlow Photography

    ALEXANDRA BACH & SAM FRAENKEL

    November 14, 2009 in Los Cabos, Mexico

    Alexandra Bach fell hard—literally. The sophomore at Tulane University had been out partying and crumpled on the sidewalk not far from her home. Luckily, fellow student Sam Fraenkel was right behind her as she went down. “It was like God had dropped this beautiful girl at my feet,” recalls Sam.

    Proving chivalry is not dead, he carried her back to her place, bandaged her scraped knees, tucked her in bed and slipped out. 

    INSIDE IT READ, “I LOVE YOU FOREVER. WILL YOU MARRY ME?” SASHA TURNED TO FIND SAM DOWN ON ONE KNEE HANDING HER A RING.

    Come morning, Alexandra, or Sasha as her friends know her, asked her roommates to clarify the fuzzy details of the previous night. “I was so intimidated when I heard Sammy Fraenkel brought me home, because he’s such a stud,” she says. In the next weeks Sam began to call and spend time with Sasha. It took some work to win her over, but he finally triumphed.

    After graduation, they relocated to New York City, where one morning, the usually robust Sam, said he was sick and would skip work. Moments later, there was a knock at their door and Sasha was surprised to find the concierge delivering a pile of mail. On the top was an enticing, thick envelope addressed to her. Inside it read, “I love you forever. Will you marry me?” Sasha turned to find Sam down on one knee handing her a ring. In another envelope was her itinerary for a whirlwind celebratory weekend with family and friends.

    The bride-to-be found her dream wedding location, Las Ventanas al Paraiso, in Los Cabos, Mexico. “The name actually means window on paradise and it’s a magical place,” says Sasha, who single-handedly planned every detail of the extended-weekend celebration. 

    Romance and poetry was in the air as 75 people gathered for the destination wedding on the beach. Everything was filled with meaningful odes to love, tradition and family history. Leading up to the main event, guests enjoyed a lazy day on the beach, a nighttime bonfire with sparklers and fire dancers, candlelit dinners and late-night clubbing.

    On the day of her vows, Sasha, dressed in a Monique Lhuillier gown with an encrusted bodice and razor-cut tulle skirt, had timed sunset down to the minute, providing the ceremony with a spectacular backdrop. As the stars appeared, the vows were completed, Sam stomped on the symbolic glass, and fireworks lit the sky. 

    The elegant gold and white, black-tie dinner took place under an open-sided thatched roof providing a whimsical counterpoint. Eloquent toasts were made to the happy couple. “We were blessed with articulate storytellers who had us laughing, crying and touched our hearts,” says Sasha.

    A white dance floor set the stage for the early evening partying, and at 11 p.m., guests were bussed to a Cabo nightclub. “Our friends let off steam and partied like a last hurrah,” says Sam

    Memories of the friendly staff and the incredible wedding weekend planted the seed of an idea with Sam and Sasha: their first anniversary will find them returning to the warm welcoming resort, but this time, they’ll leave the extra 75 people back in the States.


    WEDDING TALENT

    Location, Cake and Caterer: Las Ventanas al Paraiso, Los Cabos, Mexico; Photography: Mel Barlow Photography, Brooklyn, NY; Event Design and Linen: Del Cabo Event Design, San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico

    Floral Design: Mazarte Floral, San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico; Rentals: Oxten, San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico

    Wedding Gown: Monique LhuillierGroom’s Attire: Calvin Klein Collection

    Follow us: