As you may have guessed, I love Latin-inspired weddings! I’m originally from Mexico, so working with fellow brides and grooms of Latin Heritage is a natural fit and adds some extra fun.  

I have had the chance to style many weddings and today I would like to share how to style your very own Latin wedding!

For this exercise, we will focus not only on the decor elements of a traditional Latin wedding, but on the overall ambiance. After all, giving a cultural touch to a Latin affair is much more than using bright colors! Are you ready to learn how to style a Latin-Inspired Wedding?

For starters, make sure to add Latin sounds to your wedding – Mariachi music, cumbia, salsa, bachata, reggae, norteñas…the options are endless! While live music is arguably the premium choice, a professional Latin DJ is a great alternative and works well on a budget.

Next, let’s think about cuisine! There are, of course, many great food options from South and Central America, but don’t forget to make the traditional dishes of your Latin country a part of the mix.

While your home country’s contributions to the culinary world don’t have to be the primary focus of your wedding-day menu, it’s a nice touch to include a little something from back home 🙂  Happily, we’re very fortunate to have great caterers in the Washington, D.C. area that are able to help you with very specific culinary needs.

Morais Vineyards, Summer wedding. Photo Credit: Nuvoria Studios

Even though food and music are clearly two of the biggest considerations for any wedding, there are many other important elements that will determine the décor and ambiance – call it the atmosphere – of your wedding day.  

To follow is a list of steps that will help you style your own

Latin-themed event!

STEP 1. CHOOSE YOUR COLOR PALETTE

For color inspiration, I love to visit Design Seeds!

You’ll find great examples of how colors go together and complement each other. Once you’ve decided your color scheme, think of the elements you will use.

Color Inspiration via Designs Seeds

STEP 2. CHOOSE ELEMENTS THAT ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF LATIN AMERICA

Some examples include:

• Doves
• Roses
• Cactus
• Sarapes
• Tequila
• Peppers
• Guitars
• Loteria Mexicana
• Paper fans
• Papel picado
• Maracas
• Talavera pottery
• Mariachi hats
• Embroidery

Think of using elements that are meaningful to you and your fiancee. For example, I love hummingbirds, so I would use them in a pinch! (They would be great to adorn a sweetheart table or as a cake topper.) A word of caution: don’t overdo it! By this, I mean to sprinkle the elements you chose but be careful not to overcrowd the look. Less is more!

Tequila bottle favors. Photo credit: Maureen Pacheco Photography

STEP 3. THINK OF CREATIVE WAYS TO INCORPORATE THOSE ELEMENTS

Choose focal points of your wedding to display your colors and elements. Invitations, escort cards, table numbers and signs should be considered. Oh, and don’t forget to incorporate the theme into your wedding stationery! See some great examples below:

Santa Barbara Wedding, via 100 Layer Cake

Escort Card table- Escort names on tiles, via Green Wedding Shoes

STEP 3. DO MOCK-UPS OF THE STYLE YOU DESIGNED

Seeing a draft of your design will help you decide if it will actually look the way you have imagined. A mock-up also will help you realize how easy (or difficult) it will be to incorporate your elements into, say, a centerpiece, escort cards, or favors.

Remember to multiply each creation by the number of tables and/or guests you are having. Your florist, decorator, or wedding coordinator (or a combination thereof) can help you put together the exact right look on your wedding day. Finally, remember to pack all your precious creations carefully! Protect fragile materials or objects by adding padding or layers of paper in between.

STEP 4. CREATE A PACKING LIST OF ALL YOUR DECORATIONS ALONG WITH PICTURES

Creating a packing list can be a lot of work, but it’s worth it! Trust me, having an inventory of everything you need for your wedding will provide you with peace of mind – a priceless commodity heading into your big day. (And your wedding coordinator will love you for it 🙂 ) For this step, remember to take your time and consider recruiting your most organized friends for assistance. Write down the contents of each box along with pictures and their purpose. Clear boxes are excellent! Otherwise, labeled cardboard boxes will do just fine.

Good luck with creating your own Latin-Inspired wedding! If you have any questions or if you’d like more information on BodaMaestra and our services, please feel free to contact me.

Esme

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