Puerto Rico Wedding In A Rainforest With Love And A 5-Piece Latin Band
The photography for this blog post was captured by the talented Nilka Gissell. The story behind it is one of unique partnerships, with Kenzie Magner and Evin Magner forming an offbeat duo that adds to the charm of the narrative. The date and location where these memories were created are 8/25/2022 and Hacienda Siesta Alegre in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.
Our Puerto Rico wedding at a glance:
We’ve shared eight incredible years together, and our wedding celebration was no exception. Our love of travel has been a defining characteristic of our relationship since that initial trip to Puerto Rico, which holds a special place in our hearts. So, it’s only natural that we chose this beautiful island as the backdrop for our big day. What made our wedding truly unique was the focus on local vendors and sustainable practices.
We gave our team of talented professionals just one direction: ‘Moody Tropical’ – and let them bring their creativity to life. The result was a stunning display of décor, flowers, cake, pastries, and ceremony that was full of surprises until the big reveal. As an added touch, we requested that only native plants from the surrounding rainforest be used in our wedding arrangements.
And, as if by magic, our florist brought them fresh from the local properties just hours before the ceremony – a thoughtful gesture that meant the world to us, given my partner’s academic background in plant biology. The pièce de résistance was undoubtedly our cake, crafted with love by Flor De Harina and featuring the perfect blend of lemon and passionfruit flavors.
But what truly surprised us was the array of exquisite pastries that accompanied it – a delightful treat that added to the overall ambiance of the day. Throughout our wedding celebration, we prioritized intentionality over tradition. Instead of a traditional wedding party, we opted for a ‘party wedding’ that included a welcome gathering at a beach bar, a post-wedding food truck extravaganza, and even an island adventure on a catamaran just days later!
For us, the goal was to create a memorable experience that would bring our friends and family together – and that’s exactly what we achieved.
Tell us about the ceremony:
Our ceremony was infused with the poetic essence of Walt Whitman, as our friend Jeff beautifully merged excerpts from ‘Song of the Open Road’ and ‘Song of Myself’ towards the end. The union of Kenzie and Evin was further solidified by having two close friends serve as witnesses while signing the wedding certificate. In a future article, we’ll be sharing the complete ceremony details. For now, here’s a glimpse into this special day.
The officiant set the tone by emphasizing that love is our universal truth, regardless of our differences. It’s the thread that binds us all together. This powerful message brought Kenzie and Evin’s loved ones to this momentous occasion, where they exchanged their vows in a ceremony that will be remembered for years to come.
Kenzie’s heartfelt response stood out as she pledged her love to Evin: ‘I give you my hand! I give you my love more precious than money.
I give you myself before preaching or law. Will you give me yourself? Will you come travel with me? Shall we stick by each other as long as we live?’
Tell us about the reception:
As the reception wound down, the energy shifted to the delicious food and infectious rhythms. A Puerto Rican buffet offered a flavorful escape, while a lively 5-piece Latin band had everyone on their feet dancing into the night.
But the real highlight was the Café Sobre Grecas, a unique bicycle coffee bar that served up local beans from nearby farms. Francisco, the master brewer, crafted an impressive range of specialty drinks – lattes, cappuccinos, cold brew, and nitro among them.
And for the adventurous types, there was an added twist: grab a shot of fresh espresso, pass it to the bartender, and watch as they transformed it into a rum-infused coffee drink, a thrilling treat that proved a huge hit with the 30+ crowd.
What were the most important lessons you learned from your wedding?
When planning your wedding, consider investing in a local wedding planner to alleviate stress on the big day. Their insider knowledge can be invaluable in navigating vendors and finding unique touches that you might not have considered otherwise.
Give your vendors the creative freedom they deserve. As someone with experience in the events industry, I’ve learned that it’s essential to trust professionals to do their jobs well.
Provide them with a general idea of what you want and let them bring their expertise to the table – it will likely yield impressive results.
Make time to prepare for the big day alongside your partner. We made an exception to get dressed separately, but spent most of the morning together, which helped keep our nerves in check and allowed us to enjoy the excitement of watching everything come together.
Don’t underestimate the value of a live band over a DJ.
For me, this was a game-changing decision that added an extra layer of magic to our special day.
Vendors
The Hacienda Siesta Alegre was the perfect setting for this special day, with its beautiful surroundings providing a serene backdrop for the celebration. Ana Maria Hernandez of Wonderland PR played a crucial role in bringing everything together as the wedding planner and officiant. The couple’s memories were captured by Nilka Gissell’s expert eye behind the lens. Mesa364 took care of catering needs, while Flor De Harina provided delectable cake and pastries.
Allied Music set the tone with their lively tunes, and Café Sobre Grecas offered a refreshing coffee bar experience. The stunning décor and flowers were designed by STEM Events, creating a visually breathtaking atmosphere. Evin’s ring was thoughtfully chosen in collaboration with Rob + Lean, while Kenzie’s rings were custom-made by Capucinne. Mantaikotai outfitted the groom in a stylish suit, and Bopha Sar looked radiant in her stunning dress.
To ensure all guests arrived safely and comfortably, Five Star Executive Transport provided shuttle services throughout the day.
Gallery
