Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Weddings Wedding Travel Destination Weddings A Romantic Oceanfront Wedding in Los Cabos, Mexico By Nashia Baker Nashia Baker Nashia Baker is a skilled writer and editor in the journalism industry, known for her work interviewing global thought leaders, creatives, and activists, from Aurora James to Stacey Abrams. She has over five years of professional experience and has been a part of the Martha Stewart and Martha Stewart Weddings teams for the last 3 years. Editorial Guidelines Published on June 21, 2021 Close Julieta Amezcua Shayla remembers the exact moment when she met her future husband, down to his attire. The beauty influencer and entrepreneur was wrapping up an appointment in downtown Los Angeles, California, when she spotted Lester, an industrial engineer, in a red Polo shirt and the "freshest haircut" as he chatted with a colleague. Lester recalls looking up and immediately doing a double-take when he first saw her. They exchanged numbers that day after naturally crossing paths, but it took nearly two years to turn that lasting first impression into love. After visiting Los Angeles again for work, Lester reconnected with Shayla in person over a date, and the rest is history. Lester had a thought-out plan when he prepared to ask for Shayla's hand in marriage at her uncle's house in December of 2019. He coordinated with her family, including the bride's father and sister, to ensure there would be several close family members in attendance when he gave a speech (to Shayla's surprise). He began by sharing his appreciation for her loved ones and then shifted his attention to Shayla as he expressed his devotion to her. Shayla says that "Les creased his sneakers without hesitation" as he got down on one knee, and she offered a happy and tearful yes to his proposal. Tying the knot at Solaz in Los Cabos, Mexico, was a no brainer for the couple, as the destination venue was already one of their favorite vacation spots because of the great service, spacious layout, and stunning views of the ocean. At the end of the day, though, Shayla and Lester also wanted their celebration to look and feel romantic and personal to create an unforgettable experience for their 115 guests. They worked with Lauren Lemke of Amy Abbott Events to feature everything from salsa dancing and live saxophone performances to décor brimming with lush florals and soft candlelight for their big day. On April 16, 2021, exactly four years after they first met, Shayla and Lester's wedding vision came to life perfectly as they began their new chapter together as husband and wife. 01 of 22 Cheers! Julieta Amezcua Lauren Lemke of Amy Abbott Events helped Shayla and Lester host a full week of events in addition to their big day, which included personalized favors, bachelor and bachelorette parties on a yacht, and a welcome party. "They were so professional and experts at wedding planning," the bride says. "I was so pleased at how smooth the entire week was." 02 of 22 Pure Bliss Julieta Amezcua The couple designed their nuptials with their vision in mind, which included a few "nontraditional" touches—like opting not to have bridesmaids or groomsmen. The bride's advice for couple's planning their weddings? "Do what you want to do, and not what your friends and family want," she explains. "Not having a bridal party was the best decision I could have made, and I'm glad I followed my gut. This is your day, it's okay to not be traditional." Is the "No Bridal Party" Trend Right for You? 03 of 22 Bridal Beauty Julieta Amezcua Shayla created her custom Leah Da Gloria wedding dress alongside the designer on Zoom. Leah's sketch came to life in the form of a handmade mermaid-style gown with beading, an overskirt, and detachable shoulder straps. 04 of 22 Dressed to the Nines Julieta Amezcua Lester wore a white Hugo Boss tuxedo with Louis Vuitton sunglasses for the big day. From Start to Finish: Here's How a Custom Wedding Suit or Tuxedo Is Made 05 of 22 Breathtaking First Look Julieta Amezcua "We both felt excited to have that moment before we walked down the aisle," Shayla says of their first look, which took place between two walls that framed the "Sea of Cortez" at Solaz. "A little emotional, but mainly excited." 06 of 22 Set the Scene Julieta Amezcua While the bride and groom hosted their ceremony right on the beach, they added a white platform on top of the sand to make their guests as comfortable as possible. Here's How to Start Planning Your Destination Wedding 07 of 22 Welcome for the Guests Julieta Amezcua The couple's loved ones faced the white flower- and greenery-filled altar (the largest ever built in Los Cabos) by Bella Flora Los Cabos during the "unplugged ceremony," free of phones and cameras. 08 of 22 Tears of Joy Julieta Amezcua Shayla held onto her cascading bouquet filled with white roses, orchids, and green leaves in one hand and her father's arm in the other as he walked her down the aisle (and cried most of the way, the bride shares). Can the Bride Walk Down the Aisle Alone? 09 of 22 Two Become One Julieta Amezcua The couple exchanged personal vows in their ceremony officiated by the bride's cousin. The moment Shayla and Lester said "I do" was surreal for the pair, as they explained that it gave them the space to share "a truly honest answer and commitment in just two words." 10 of 22 Husband and Wife Julieta Amezcua Los Mosquitos, a musical trio, sang "All of Me" by John Legend live as the couple tied the knot. What Kind of Music Should You Play During Your Ceremony? 11 of 22 Lounging Around Julieta Amezcua One of the couple's favorite parts of their venue? The large event deck, which was partially tented for more privacy. 12 of 22 Take Your Seats Julieta Amezcua Guests dressed in light yellow, olive green, blue, pink, nude, tan, and blush tones—to match the couple's pastel color palette—found their way to their seats with the help of a mirrored seating chart surrounded by flowers and candles. How to Make a Wedding Seating Chart Without Stressing Out 13 of 22 Simple and Sophisticated Julieta Amezcua The couple decked out their space with crisp, white details, including curtains that were washed in pink during the sunset. 14 of 22 Time to Eat Julieta Amezcua In addition to personalized menus, a shot of tequila with lime awaited each of their loved ones at their place settings. Best Wedding Menu Cards From Real Celebrations 15 of 22 The Little Things Julieta Amezcua White flowers and mini candles completed the tabletops. 16 of 22 Flowing Florals Julieta Amezcua A large white flower and greenery garland accented the newlyweds' table. 40 of Our Favorite Floral Wedding Centerpieces 17 of 22 Love Is in the Air Julieta Amezcua Shayla took off the overskirt and straps on her wedding dress during the party. She and Lester changed into sleek sneakers, too: The bride wore custom, crystal Jordan Ones and the groom sported Off-White Jordans. They showed off their footwear while being introduced as a married couple at the reception to T.I.'s "Bring Em Out." 18 of 22 Let's Dance Julieta Amezcua Guests, along with the bride and groom, got a 15-minute salsa lesson from Cabo Inside professional dancers during the reception, which Shayla describes as "fun, and also a workout." 33 Personalized Wedding Ideas You'll Want to Copy 19 of 22 The Newlyweds Julieta Amezcua Saxophone player David Cantoni performed "Back at One" by Brian McKnight as the pair shared their first dance. "Before the dance was over, the floor was covered with fog and fireworks went off," Shayla adds. 20 of 22 Cake Perfection Julieta Amezcua The couple topped their three-tier floral cake (two tiers of red velvet and one tier of vanilla) with vanilla ice cream. How to Preserve the Top Tier of Your Wedding Cake 21 of 22 Forever Together Julieta Amezcua Lester and Shayla capped off the night with a light show as DJ Alex Events played "Love on Top" by Beyoncé in the background. "One of my favorite moments was watching the fireworks go off as my now-wife jumped in joy, and all I could do was smile," Lester recalls. 22 of 22 Sources Julieta Amezcua Photography, Julieta AmezcuaVenue, SolazWedding Planning and Event Design, Lauren Lemke of Amy Abbott EventsVideography, Elysium ProductionsFlorist, Lucy of Bella Flora Los CabosInvitations, MintedPaper Products, Bells & WhistlesBride's Gown and Veil, Leah Da GloriaJewelry, EtsyShoes, Amina MuaddiHair, Keeva ClarkMakeup, Steven TabimbaGroom's Attire, Hugo Boss; Louis VuittonCeremony Music, Los MosquitosReception Music, DJ Alex Events; David CantoniSalsa Dancers, Cabo InsideCatering and Cake, SolazRentals, Del Cabo WeddingsLighting, VVRpro Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! 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