Ale and Menooa’s wedding was a masterclass in destination celebration – thoughtful, design-forward, and effortlessly alive. Welcoming guests from around the world to Barcelona, the couple curated a multi-day experience that felt intimate yet expansive, beginning with a vibrant pre-wedding soirée at the architectural icon Casa Batlló and culminating in an outdoor celebration at Castell de Sant Marçal. Every detail was intentional: sculptural florals, warm-toned tablescapes, candlelight, and a circular reception layout designed to keep everyone close and connected. Ale’s bridal style mirrored the spirit of the weekend – vintage and modern, playful and refined – moving seamlessly from a romantic ’90s Dolce & Gabbana moment to a dramatic Vivienne Westwood gown that evolved with the night. The atmosphere was electric but emotional, blending Armenian and Mexican traditions through music, rituals, and a dance floor that never slowed down. Captured beautifully by our members Robert Marcillas and Anker Prod, and accented by rings from THE WED fine jewelry member Jonne Amaya, this celebration was less about spectacle and more about feeling – joyful, personal, and deeply human.
Our Welcome Reception
The Location
Our welcome reception venue was an important reason for us to choose Barcelona s wedding destination: Casa Batlló, the iconic architectural masterpiece by Antoni Gaudí. As an art lover, the moment I imagined Casa Batlló for our pre-wedding, I knew it was the place.
Décor and Ambience
Our welcome reception was a very special night for us, as it was the first time we saw all of our loved ones together. That night, our friends from home (Los Angeles, where we live) met our family and friends from our countries, and it felt incredibly meaningful to see all of our homes come together.
It was a cocktail-style reception where guests explored every corner of Casa Batlló, enjoyed a flamenco show on the rooftop, danced on the main floor, and ate delicious Spanish tapas while sipping cocktails. We ended the night with beautiful speeches from my dad and Menooa’s mom, raised a toast together, ate egg cakes, and said good night to everyone—ready for the big day ahead.
Our Style
For the welcome reception, I wore a romantic ’90s Dolce & Gabbana dress I found at Happy Isles Salon, paired with a veil handmade by my lovely local Armenian seamstress, vintage Nina Ricci pearls gifted by an aunt, and vintage yellow Manolo Blahniks that matched the venue’s colors. Menooa wore a deep navy, double-breasted suit.
Our Love Story
The Day We Met
We met at a dinner with mutual friends. I was there with my girlfriends, and Menooa came with his friends. We started talking immediately, and a couple of months later, after not seeing each other for a while, he invited me on our first official date at the very same restaurant where we met. From that moment on, we became inseparable. On that first date, I knew he was the one.
The Proposal
Menooa knew that one of my biggest dreams was to see the Northern Lights, so we added Iceland as the last stop of a trip we had already planned. What I didn’t know was that he had been carrying the ring with him for two weeks while we traveled. He proposed under the Northern Lights, completely surprising me. It was the perfect night—I still can’t believe it happened.
The Engagement Ring
Our dear friend Jonne Amaya designed my engagement ring. Menooa and Jonne knew exactly what I wanted, since they both know me so well. She created the most beautiful engagement ring—truly the ring of my dreams.
Our Wedding
The Vision
From the very beginning, our vision was to host an intimate two-day destination wedding with our closest people. It ultimately became larger than we expected, which felt like a true blessing—we couldn’t believe how many loved ones traveled to celebrate our love with us. It was a beautiful reminder of how surrounded by love we are. Menooa is Armenian and I’m Mexican, so our celebration naturally became a blend of cultures, filled with the warmest people, joyful music, and traditions that felt new and exciting to each side of our families and friends.
Our Team of Vendors
I’m forever grateful to every vendor who made our wedding so special. Nothing makes a bride happier than working with people who are genuinely invested in what becomes one of the most meaningful days of your life. I spent a full year planning every detail long-distance with my incredible wedding planner, Marina from Bodas de Cuento, who never once said no to any of my ideas—even the ones that felt impossible—and wholeheartedly helped bring my vision to life. Our photographer, Robert Marcillas, and videographer, Anker Prod, along with their teams, made the entire experience effortless and truly joyful. Their work is impeccable and so beautifully reflects who they are as people.
Our cakes, created by the sweetest and most creative girls from CouCou Bakery and Handy Bakery, were as beautiful as they were delicious. Go Floral understood my décor vision instantly—it honestly felt like she read my mind. And Aspic Catering served the best “wedding food” we and our guests have ever had. The quality and flavors were absolutely top-notch. Last but not least, DJ Escuby kept the dance floor alive all night with the most iconic setlist and his distinctive energy—euphoric in the best way possible—entertaining our Armenian, Latin, and American guests.
The Location
We chose the beautiful city of Barcelona as a meeting point for our guests traveling from around the world—a city we knew everyone would enjoy, rich in art, incredible food, nightlife, and culture. For our wedding day, we envisioned something outdoors, surrounded by nature, where we could enjoy the beautiful October weather. When I discovered Castell de Sant Marçal, I knew it was the perfect setting for all the ideas I was planning.
The Ceremony
The ceremony took place the next day in the garden of Castell de Sant Marçal. Our close friend and writer, Ashley Frangie, officiated a beautiful ceremony centered on what love is and on our love journey. We heard speeches from my best friend and Menooa’s best friend, exchanged our rings and vows, and shared many tears and laughs. We honored both of our cultures with Mexican traditions like el lazo, symbolizing unity, and las arras, representing shared commitment and abundance, as well as an Armenian tradition of breaking a plate before walking back down the aisle together—a symbol of good luck as we began our journey as a married couple.
The Cocktail Hour
The cocktail hour took place in the same garden where our ceremony had just ended. We greeted each of our guests over spicy cocktails and Spanish aperitifs. Then, the mariachi arrived, and everyone started dancing and singing. We ended up following the music upstairs to continue the celebration and watch the sunset.
The Reception
The reception took place upstairs, next to the castle and the garden house. Dinner was held at my dream circular table, by candlelight, with an orange dance floor at the center that perfectly matched the castle’s color and lighting. We wanted an intimate wedding vibe, and this layout made it happen. We were seated in the middle with our immediate family, surrounded by all of our loved ones. On the orange dance floor, we shared speeches during dinner, cut our beautiful cake, Menooa and I danced with both of our parents, and had our first dance just as a light rain began—it felt like a blessing. Then, with carajillos in hand, we moved into the party at the garden house.
The Special Touches
We wrote handwritten letters to all of our guests, which were placed at their seats, thanking them for traveling all the way to Barcelona to celebrate with us. It was beautiful to take a moment in the days before our wedding to sit down and write each letter, and to share our gratitude with our loved ones.
Our Favorite Moment
Even though we had so many beautiful and emotional moments throughout the weekend, my husband and I agreed that finally making it to the dance floor—when everyone was relaxed, joyful, and ready to party with us—was one of our favorites. Seeing our Armenian guests dancing to Latin music and our Mexican guests dancing and jumping to Armenian music, all with huge smiles on their faces and without understanding a word of the songs, was unmatched. In that moment, we truly felt present, forgot everything else, and simply enjoyed every single second, surrounded by our favorite people.
Our Style
The Bridal Looks
For my wedding day, I went for a more dramatic look and wore a sculptural Vivienne Westwood gown with a movable collar that allowed the silhouette to shift throughout the evening, which made it especially fun. I wore white Christian Louboutins that intentionally matched my red lipstick, along with Tiffany diamond drop earrings. My dear friends, Anna Sarelly and Sherlyn Suzette, created my hair and makeup both days, making me feel completely like myself.
The Groom Looks
Menooa wore a green tuxedo for the wedding day, matching both of our dads and my brothers. Both looks were custom-made by the Armenian-owned atelier Klein Epstein Parker.
Our Advice
For the Planning Process
Don’t rush anything, but also don’t sleep on important decisions. Wedding vendors and details need to be booked well in advance, so focus on the most important things first, then enjoy the creative process. If you’re planning the wedding, discuss everything with your partner, but leave a few surprises for the day—it’s so special to see your husband’s reaction to things he didn’t know about. Also, make your ideas happen and don’t give up, even if they sound impossible at first.
For On The Day
Let go of control and allow things to happen as they’re meant to. There’s no point in being stressed on your wedding day over things you can’t change—enjoy it as it is. Most of the time, these are things no one notices except you and your wedding planner. Also, take a few moments to go to the “couple’s room” at the venue with your husband. Take a breath, talk about what’s happening, enjoy some time for yourselves, and then continue the party with your loved ones—it’s very refreshing!
For Post-Wedding
Once you have your photos and video, plan watch parties with your family and friends. It’s so fun to look through the photos with the people who were there and relive the day and everything that happened. On the wedding day, you’re so overwhelmed (in the best way possible) that you don’t notice a lot of things. Planning these gatherings lets you hear your guests’ perspectives and learn about moments you had no idea happened—which is so special.
Vendors
Bride & Groom: Ale, Menooa
Photographer: Robert Marcillas
Videographer: Anker Prod
Venues: Casa Batlló, Castell de Sant Marçal
Wedding Planner: Marina Martín, Bodas De Cuento
Florist: Go Floral
Cake: Cou Cou, Handy
Catering: Aspic Catering
Celebrant: Ashley Frangie
Music: Enrique Tena Padilla
Hair: Sherlyn Suzette
Makeup: Anna Sarelly
Style
Ceremony Dress: Vivienne Westwood
Shoes & Accessories: Christian Louboutin, Tiffany & Co.
Wedding & Engagement Ring: Jonne Amaya