With just seventeen guests and a weeklong stay together under one historic roof, Marie and Morgan designed a celebration that felt like family from the first spicy margarita to the last candle flicker. Casa San José became both venue and villa—its terracotta courtyards, carved stone, and rooftop views framing a ceremony against the city’s pink spires and surrounding mountains.
Their palette echoed San Miguel’s earthy romance: warm sand and beige layered with soft coral, dusty rose, and shades of green—sage, moss, and muted teal. At dinner, guests gathered at a single long table beneath exquisite floral-chandelier arches, petals drifting across the courtyard fountains while dozens of candles cast a golden glow. The fashion followed suit: Marie’s lace gown with draped pearls and a nude veil brought modern allure; Morgan’s custom olive suit and patterned bowtie delivered elevated, effortless style.
Hospitality led the way: signature cocktails (spicy margs, blackberry mojitos, frozen mango) paired with a multi-course menu, a carrot cake finale, and speeches offered by anyone moved to share. The soundtrack threaded their story—Marie walked to an orchestral “Wake Me Up” by Avicii, and they recessed to Marie’s first-ever concert song, “God Only Knows,” arranged for strings. A day later, the city gifted them one more memory: front-row views of the Festival de San Miguel’s vibrant parade—an unforgettable farewell to a place now woven into their family history.
“We limited our guest list to 17 so we could spend real, unrushed time together—one house, one table, one unforgettable week.”
Color Palette
Inspired by the vibrant yet earthy essence of San Miguel, the palette mixed soft neutrals like beige and warm sand with vibrant pops of soft coral, dusty rose, and varied shades of green—sage, moss, and muted teal.
Overall Vision
We aimed for an intimate and comfortable week-long celebration. To facilitate quality time, we chose Casa San José, which offered stunning rooftop views and beautifully designed spaces that served as the perfect backdrop for each part of our wedding. To achieve this, we limited our guest list to 17, including only immediate family and a few close friends. Given the geographical distance between our families—Morgan’s in Houston, TX, and Marie’s in Waupaca, WI—it was crucial to find a venue that not only brought everyone together but also allowed us to spend quality time as a newly united family.
We chose Casa San José for its ability to accommodate all our guests comfortably for the entire week. The venue boasts stunning rooftop views of the city and surrounding mountains, which provided a breathtaking backdrop for our ceremony. Additionally, the venue’s beautiful and unique design and décor in each room enhanced the overall experience, making our wedding not just a day, but a memorable week-long celebration.
Wedding Detail Vision
Despite opting for an intimate gathering, our wedding was crafted with the attention to detail and sophistication of a larger celebration. Our vision was to infuse the event with vibrant colors and a relaxed elegance.
The day unfolded seamlessly across various spaces of the venue—from the ceremony to the cocktail hour, followed by the dinner reception—each transition thoughtfully arranged to enhance guest experience. Dinner was envisioned as a communal experience, with guests seated at a single long table, fostering a sense of family and intimacy.
The décor featured one of the most striking elements of our celebration: exquisite floral chandelier arches suspended above the dining area, creating an atmosphere that was both enchanting and romantically cozy. Complementing this were scattered flower petals in the courtyard fountains and numerous candles throughout the venue, all of which contributed to the magical and warm ambiance of the evening.
Proposal Story
Morgan’s proposal to Marie during a ski trip in Park City, Utah, was a beautifully orchestrated surprise. Planned as a casual guys’ ski outing with college friends—where wives and girlfriends were also invited—the trip seemed like a typical group vacation. The party, numbering around 30, included a cleverly suggested “double date” away from the crowd, set at a mountain-top lodge, unbeknownst to Marie as the perfect setup for a proposal.
As they arrived at the lodge, Marie noticed a path of rose petals leading down the outdoor patio, but innocently remarked to Morgan, “We can’t go that way, someone is getting proposed to or something.” With a smile, Morgan revealed that the “someone” was her, unveiling the surprise. Following Morgan getting down on one knee, Marie turned around to find her best friend—who was not originally on the trip—waiting with her husband. Morgan had arranged for her surprise appearance, hired a photographer to capture the proposal, and organized a private dinner at the lodge with their friends. The evening was nothing short of perfect.
Wedding Gown
The dress beautifully merges classic romanticism with modern elements. It features delicate lace appliqués and strands of draped pearls across the back, alongside a daring plunging V-neckline and a sheer bodice. To accentuate the dress’s unique nude undertone, it was paired with a matching long nude veil.
Bridesmaids Dresses
The wedding was an intimate affair with only 17 guests, eliminating the need for traditional bridesmaids or groomsmen. Instead, all attendees were regarded as part of our “wedding party.” Prior to the event, we provided guests with an outfit guide detailing our wedding color scheme and attire suggestions. The desired look for the occasion was elevated cocktail dresses for women and breezy, casual suits for men, ensuring a stylish yet relaxed ambiance.
Groom Attire
Departing from the traditional tux or dark suit typically worn by grooms, Morgan chose a custom-tailored olive green wool-linen blend suit cut in a European slim fit. The suit featured slightly cropped pants to showcase his leather loafers, adding a touch of modern style. The look was completed with a cotton patterned bowtie, which complemented the outfit’s elevated casualness.
Food & Drink
The signature cocktails for the event were spicy margaritas (Marie’s favorite), blackberry mojitos, and frozen mango margaritas.
Menu
First Course: San Miguel Salad, Stuffed Portobello with Prosciutto and Roasted Tomato
Soup: Chile Poblano and Roasted Corn Cream (our absolute favorite)
Main Course: Beef Tenderloin in Cabernet Sauce and Red Snapper served with Spinach and Leek Sauce
Dessert: Caramelized Torrijas and Deconstructed Tres Leches
Wedding Cake
Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.
Florals & Décor
The floral arrangements were a stunning blend of warm neutrals and vibrant color bursts. Marie adored Florklor’s signature style of natural, textured florals, which created a breathtakingly romantic “secret garden” ambiance. Accompanied by lush greenery and bicolor flowers in diverse shapes and textures, these elements brought the garden to life.
We chose minimal décor to let the floral beauty and the venue itself truly stand out, enhanced by subtle chandeliers and soft candlelight. The tablescape was elegantly set with intricately woven natural fiber placemats and linen napkins in alternating hues, adding to the charm and detail of the setting.
Ceremony Music
The ceremony music beautifully reflected Morgan and Marie’s shared passion for music, particularly tropical house and EDM—a genre that had played a significant role in their relationship. Having traveled globally to see their favorite artists, it was perfectly fitting that Marie walked down the aisle to an orchestral rendition of Avicii’s “Wake Me Up”, a song that held special meaning for them both.
Further heightening the emotional impact of the day, the couple gave Marie’s mom, Barb, the honor of choosing the exit song. She selected “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys, performed in an orchestral version. This classic tune not only represented Marie’s first concert at age five but also beautifully encapsulated the ceremony, weaving together personal history and shared joy.
Vows
Morgan and Marie chose to write their own personal vows, a decision that deeply reflected their journey together. Surrounded by family and friends who had significantly influenced their lives, they felt it was essential to express their love and commitment in their own words. This personal touch made the ceremony even more meaningful, underscoring their readiness to support and cherish each other in their new life together. Adding to the significance, Morgan’s older brother, Chris, served as the officiant, further personalizing their special day.
Special Details + Memories
All wedding attendees were invited to share speeches if they felt moved to do so. At the welcome party, friends and siblings took the opportunity to share their thoughts and stories, while parents delivered heartfelt speeches at the wedding reception.
This open invitation to speak turned into a profoundly special element of the celebration, providing a chance for everyone to reminisce, shed joyful tears, laugh, and deeply appreciate the relationships and experiences that shaped Marie and Morgan both individually and as a couple. These shared memories and moments underscored the supportive community that brought them together.
The day after the wedding offered an incredible surprise for us all as we experienced a piece of San Miguel’s enchanting history. Unbeknownst to all, our stay coincided with the Festival de San Miguel, a city-wide parade celebrating the city’s namesake. From our front-row seats, we were captivated by the vibrant processions filled with dancers, elaborate costumes, and festive music that lasted for hours. This unexpected experience was a beautiful farewell, forging a deep bond with San Miguel—a place now forever etched in our hearts as profoundly special.
Venue / Casa San José / @casasanjosesma
Wedding Planner / Penzi Wedding & Events / @penziweddings
Florals / Florklor Studio / @florklorestudio
Hair & Makeup / Dani Palacios / @danipalmakeup.hair
Dress Designer / Berta Bridal / @berta
Dress Boutique / Iconic Bride Dallas / @iconicbridedallas
Dress Alterations / Altered for the Altar / @alteredforthealtar
Groom Suit / Indochino / @indochino
Photographer / Marcus Jolly / @marcusjollyweddings
Videographer / Ricordo Media / @ricordomedia
Wedding PR / Published + Pretty / @publishedandpretty
Publisher at The White Wren and Bajan Wed, Award Winning Photography + Videographer at Live View Studios, Dad, 80s music lover, crunchy health advocate
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