Galia Lahav brides are experts at choosing a destination wedding. The bridal fashion house has said that they will design gowns to suit the brides with impeccable travel tastes.
Amiee, the Galia Lahav bride, and Joshua, her groom, generously invite you to their intimate wedding on the Mexican Riviera. Their venue, Hotel Esencia, located on the Caribbean coast between Playa del Carmen & Tulum, is far from the typical resort wedding space. This gorgeous boutique hotel in Mexico is a tropical haven. The five-star resort is hidden amongst palm trees and offers privacy for couples seeking luxury. This fabulous event is a private affair.
Amiee and Joshua made the most of their time at Hotel Esencia. Three days of festivities were planned for the destination wedding – a great excuse to wear a sparkling bridal party gown that will be remembered forever.
Our Love Story
Our lives crossed on Monday, 17th July 2017. It was a warm, humid, rainy summer day. Josh chose the location, Murphy’s Virginia Highlands.
We had never met each other before, like in all great love stories of the modern era. Our lives technically crossed paths thanks to Instagram’s algorithm a month early. Josh wasn’t interested in dinner because he was tired of Bumble dates. We were supposed to start with a few drinks that night. While he patiently waited for me at the bar, as usual, I was running to escape the rain. I remember seeing him the first time when I walked in. Josh is a Hollywood movie star beauty with full dark hair and bright blue eyes. He also has a warm smile. Knowing him is loving him. And that Monday was the first day in a lifetime of loving him. Sparks literally flew.
We were the last ones to leave when we closed. We and everyone else in our circle knew from that moment on that this love was something special. On that night, we spent five years. We spent countless moments together growing, refining, and cherishing love. We were excited to commit our lives together through marriage finally.
Destination
We knew that we wanted to have a destination wedding because we are from both coasts. This would allow us to spend more time with family and friends. We value creating and making memorable moments in our relationship above all else. We were searching for the ideal destination to host 45 guests. The world is your oyster when you search for a destination wedding. We looked at many countries and climates before deciding on the perfect location.
The Venue
Hotel Esencia is a 50-acre estate located in the middle of Tulum and Playa del Carmen. The property, originally built for an Italian duchess as her private residence, is a luxury boutique hotel. It has an aura of European Charm mixed with lush jungle. Hotel Esencia was rated as one of only a few Five Star Hotels worldwide by the 2022 Forbes Travel Guide. It is also the first independent Five Star Forbes Hotel in Mexico.
The property is a hidden gem. It’s a special hideaway known for its refined appeal. We wanted to make sure that our guests felt connected, relaxed, and at ease during a three-day conference. Esencia was chosen because you only have to step onto the property, and your worries will disappear. The beach, decor, service, and food are unmatched by any other resort in the area. The property is stunning, down to every last detail. And the staff go above and beyond. It allowed us to spend time with our guests without having to leave the premises. The venue was chosen because we wanted to create intimate, unique moments that were free of distractions and stress.
The Dress
I’m sure I tried on at least 100 dresses. Galia Lahav’s dress was the one I needed. I knew exactly what I wanted but couldn’t find it anywhere else. Fabric and construction are what really set GL dresses apart. My seamstress said that the dress “was made for my soul,” and it was indeed refined, natural, and romantic, with feminine beauty. The floral lace and sheer layers of the dress made it dynamic yet still perfect for the wedding venue. Some people advise “don’t try too many dresses”. I could not disagree more. The ideal dress is waiting for you.
The Ceremony
Our wedding aesthetic had to be in line with the spirit of our property. Beauty that is timeless, refined, romantic, and natural. Devon Windsor’s St. Barth wedding was the inspiration for this wedding. Together, our wedding planner, Julia Salinas, worked with wedding stylist Daniela Parra to create an amazing masterpiece. We held our ceremony on the steps that led up to the mansion. With lush greenery lining each aisle, we created an archway of white flowers and natural vegetation. My dress’ floral lace pattern was used to inspire a seamless vision.
We both walked to the music of our favorite John Mayer. The 90-year-old grandfather of the bride opened the ceremony with a prayer. While holding our newly engraved bible, we exchanged written vows.
I will never forget exchanging my vows with my husband on the steps in front of our closest family and friends. The smell of flowers, his face, and the memory will be forever etched in my mind.
The Reception
The cocktail hour was held in the garden with a saxophonist performing live. The reception consisted of a long, romantic table decorated with flowers and candlelight. The reception was boosted a notch by the groom’s non-negotiable set of disco balls and a live musician playing saxophone. The party under disco lights was amazing. We danced to a mix of EDM and rap music in the jungle. The night ended with a private party in the pool of the villa at Yum-Ha. The estate was hacienda style with Spanish tiles and had a large courtyard.