REAL WEDDING

  • Photography By:

    CHRIS+LYNN PHOTOGRAPHERS

    JENNIFER FERGUSON AND STEVE PORCHETTA

    FEBRUARY 8, 2014 IN CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO

    Steve Porchetta got one of the toughest parts of dating—meeting the parents—out of the way immediately when he first crossed paths with Jennifer Ferguson in a Vancouver bar: Unknown to him, the “beautiful older lady” with Jennifer that night was her mother, Liz.

    But it didn’t discourage Steve from asking Jennifer for a kiss that night—or for a follow-up date the next week. “Once I set eyes on her and spoke to her, I knew she was pretty much everything I wanted,” he said.

    “I FEEL LUCKY, BECAUSE NOT EVERYONE GETS TO EXPERIENCE A LOVE LIKE THAT.”

    Jennifer was still in college pursuing a degree in journalism, so marriage was far from her mind. Their relationship blossomed quickly into love, but the courtship took time as Steve was immersed in his real-estate career and Jen pursued her education. After several years of dating, however, the time for a proposal seemed right when Steve planned a trip to the Capella Pedregal resort in Cabo San Lucas.

    Steve told Jen that he had booked a sunset cruise but when the couple got to the dock she discovered that it was actually a private yacht chartered for two. With just the captain and first mate aboard, Jen and Steve sailed off into the Pacific sunset. 

    As the first bottle of champagne was popped, a pod of dolphins appeared alongside the boat as if on cue, and Steve seized the moment and asked Jen to marry him. “I know I said yes, but I really don’t remember,” she said.

    The couple briefly considered a February wedding in New York City, but a return to Capella took on a certain inevitability. “We really just wanted to throw a party for our family and friends, where everyone could escape for a vacation,” said Jen. The festivities kicked off with a welcome party on the beach accompanied by a mariachi band and a fire show, followed the next evening by the rehearsal dinner at Capella’s cliffside El Farallón restaurant.

    Jen woke up on her wedding day to the sight of whales breaching just offshore of the resort and spent a relaxing day in her suite preparing for the ceremony. “The biggest thrill for me was just to see Steve’s face,” said Jen. “It was just a reflection of pure love; I was totally blown away, and couldn’t take my eyes off of him as I walked down the aisle.” 

    The reception took place at Capella’s Beach Club, with guests mingling on the outdoor terrace as well as sampling signature tequila cocktails at the crescent-shaped bar. Jen was joined by her father and then her mother for a spotlight dance, while Steve took a turn at the bongos as the evening entertainment heated up. A late-night food cart with burgers, pizza and hot dogs refueled guests and kept the party going late.

    Nearly every guest turned up the next day at a farewell brunch that capped a long weekend that brought both families closer together. “It turned into a day by the pool that lasted until 7 p.m.,” said Steve, who added: “Everything went smooth as glass, just like that sail on the Pacific.”

    Months later, Jen said she’s still wearing the same smile she had the first time she met Steve. “I feel lucky, because not everyone gets to experience a love like that,” she said.

    The couple plans to continue their journey together with a “double honeymoon” later this year, with trips to Europe and then Australia and New Zealand.


    WEDDING TALENT

    Location and Caterer: Capella Pedregal, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Cake: Sweet Dreams Cabo Special Occasion Cakes, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Event Design and Planner: Cristina Verger Event Planning & Production, New York, NY; Floral Design: AretĂ© Florals, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Linen and Rentals: Del Cabo Event Design, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Rentals: Audio Visual Services and The Main Event Cabo, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Lighting: J&S Audio Visual, Cancun, Mexico; Wedding Dress, Veil and Shoes: Monique LhuillierGroom’s Tuxedo: Gucci; Engagement Ring and Bands: Kwiat; Photography: Chris+Lynn Photographers, British Columbia, Canada

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