A Sculptural Golden Hour Wedding Along the Cliffs of Cabo

Earth-toned design, cinematic light, and a fashion-forward love story in Cabo

Golden hour in Cabo became a canvas for Rachel and Eli’s wedding – an immersive, art-driven celebration where place, design, and emotion moved as one. Tucked away at a secluded ceremony site and followed by an ethereal canyon reception carved into stone, the day felt less like a traditional wedding and more like stepping inside a carefully composed world. Earth-toned palettes, raw textures, candlelight, and architectural lighting worked in quiet harmony with the landscape, allowing nature to lead while intention filled every detail. Guests arrived by winding dirt roads, unaware of where they were headed until the last moment – an experience designed to spark wonder and intimacy in equal measure. Rachel’s bridal style echoed the mood: refined yet deeply personal, from her sculptural Eden Aharon gown to the reimagined heirloom lace worn at the reception, each look rooted in legacy and modern restraint. THE WED member, content creator, Ever After captures the artistry and intimacy of Rachel and Eli’s celebration, turning every moment into an unforgettable visual story.

Our Love Story

^{The Day We Met}

We met back in Boston in 2019. We worked at the same company, so yes—it pains me to say we were an office romance. Eli has one of those contagious personalities that you can’t get enough of. He lights up every room he’s in and makes everyone around him feel special.

I immediately gravitated toward him and still feel like the luckiest girl in the world that I get to spend the rest of my life with him.

^{The Proposal}

Eli proposed on December 19, 2023, in New York City. We were staying at our favorite hotel, The PUBLIC, and he proposed on the rooftop just as the sun was setting. New York holds such a special place in our hearts—Eli grew up there, and it’s always been my favorite city in the world. Ever since I got my driver’s license, I would take trips into the city any chance I could.

So having the proposal happen in our favorite place, in our favorite city, right before heading home for the holidays to celebrate with our friends and family, couldn’t have been more perfect.After the proposal, we went to one of our favorite jazz clubs, Django, where we shared fries and dirty martinis. Then we ran over to Soho for a surprise engagement photoshoot that Eli had coordinated and ended the night at our favorite restaurant, Cucina Alba. It was truly the most magical, unforgettable night.

^{The Engagement Ring}

The ring was designed by Ring Concierge. Talk about manifestation—I screenshotted the exact ring in 2020 when I first saw it on their Instagram. I put it in an album on my phone titled “Future Ring.” At that point in time, I already knew I was going to marry Eli; it was just a matter of when. Fast forward three years later, and my dream ring was on my finger.

Our Wedding

^{The Vision}

This wedding wasn’t just a celebration—it was a living art piece, 18 months in the making. Every element was lovingly curated with one purpose: to invite guests into our world. From the first step to the final toast, the event was designed to feel wholly, unmistakably us—less like attending a wedding and more like stepping into our creative consciousness. Inspired by the Fear of God fashion show at the Hollywood Bowl in 2023, we were drawn to its moody color palette and amphitheater ambiance, creating a subtle parallel to our ceremony site, “The Risk,” which echoed the same grandeur and intimacy. The aesthetic was intentionally minimal—earth tones, natural textures, and quiet elegance—allowing the raw beauty of Cabo’s landscape to take center stage.

^{The Location}

The water held deep significance for us as well. From our first home together overlooking Boston Harbor to falling in love with LA on a visit to El Matador Beach, and now as locals who end every week watching the sunset over the Pacific—it was only fitting that we wed during golden hour. We wanted the day to unfold like chapters in a novel, with each location transporting guests to an entirely new setting. A 15-minute drive down a winding dirt road opened onto a breathtaking, secluded ceremony site.

Later, guests were whisked down another rustic path to a canyon carved in stone for an ethereal reception—intimate, expansive, and profoundly private. The venues were kept secret until the last moment, preserving the wonder and ensuring that only invited guests were privy to the experience. To heighten the sense of magic and momentum, we surprised everyone with a mid-reception performance featuring fire dancers and water drummers—a celebration of Cabo’s culture and a moment that turned the party into a spectacle.

^{The Ceremony}

Upon arrival, guests were greeted with glasses of wine to bring to their seats, setting a relaxed, elevated tone. The ceremony began with the bridal party walking to “Young and Beautiful” by Lana Del Rey—the ocean crashing behind them, creating an atmosphere of cinematic emotion. I walked down the aisle to a stripped-down piano version of “Hurricane,” played by Eli’s cousin. The full lyrical version played as we entered the reception, weaving our story from solitude to togetherness—a sonic thread tying both moments together.

^{The Reception}

Lighting was a carefully orchestrated element throughout the evening. From golden hour to dinner to the high-energy dance floor, the lighting shifted with the mood—warm and moody, then vibrant and alive. Hundreds of candles lit the venue, lending an organic, intimate glow that was never harsh, always intentional.

^{The Special Touches}

The bridal party stayed in Villa Turquesa, a stunning estate in Pedregal known for its sweeping Pacific views and old-world artistry. We also custom-designed sweatshirts for our bridal party and families, marrying vintage Western charm with timeless comfort. Guests were asked to wear earth tones on wedding day, in harmony with Cabo’s natural palette. The result was a dreamy, cohesive blend of colors that amplified the venue’s surrounding beauty and created a serene visual language throughout the day.

We collaborated with filmmaker Dougie Anthony to create a black-and-white, documentary-style video that played before our reception entrance. Filmed throughout our favorite spots in LA and Malibu, the film offered a rare look into our private love story. Instead of a traditional guest book, a camcorder was passed around during the reception, allowing guests to leave personal video messages.

^{Our Favorite Moment}

As the sun started to set, Eli’s aunt and cousin performed “The Blessing” by Elevation Worship while we stood beside our maid of honor and best man. Hands lifted in collective prayer, waves crashing below—it was a moment steeped in spiritual energy, designed to invoke presence and divine love.

Our Style

^{The Bridal Looks}

For the friday night I wore full Jacquemus. I bought the dress of my absolute dreams at the store on Melrose in LA and worked with Natalya Valentine Atelier to tailor the dress and make a few customizations. It was perfect. I paired the look with Jacquemus sunglasses and a bag. For the getting ready I wore a beautiful dress from Arcina Ori.

My wedding gown was Eden Aharon, paired with Prada shoes and Bottega earrings (probably my favorite accessory of the day). For the reception I changed into my mom’s wedding gown, which I transformed into a two-piece set—an off-white silk skirt and a delicately reworked lace corset with boning and lace-up detailing.

^{The Groom Looks}

Eli wore a YSL suit jacket paired with Fear of God pants and YSL shoes. The best part? He sewed his cummerbund from scratch. He couldn’t find one he loved, so he sourced the material and custom-made his own. He also wore several of my grandmother’s rings, along with one of her favorite brooches.

^{Our Bridesmaids’ Looks}

All of my bridesmaids got ready in black Skims sets (my MOH and mom wore matching blue slips from Skims), which I bought for them. All I wanted was for my bridesmaids to feel as beautiful as I did on my wedding day. I gave everyone the flexibility to select their own dress, resulting in a perfect mix of warm- and cool-toned browns. Everyone looked and felt amazing, which is all I could’ve asked for.

^{Our Groomsmen’s Looks}

Eli didn’t have overly strict rules for the groomsmen’s looks. The only requirement was that the suit jackets be oversized and double-breasted, paired with relaxed-fit trousers and a cummerbund. They all wore the same white mock neck underneath. Eli gifted all of the groomsmen cowboy boots from Ariat to complete the look.In place of boutonnieres, each groomsman wore a different brooch that once belonged to my grandmother—a deeply personal, meaningful detail that tied legacy into modern style. Classic, relaxed black suits paired with cowboy boots added a subtle Western edge.

Our Advice

^{For the Planning Process}

Everyone always tells you not to put too much stress or pressure on yourself during the planning process, but I’m here to tell you that it’s okay to put pressure on yourself to create the results you want. Your wedding day only happens once, so it’s okay to want it to be perfect.You’re marrying the love of your life, surrounded by all of the people you love most. We viewed our wedding weekend as an exchange of love—we wanted our guests to feel how much we loved them, so much of the weekend was designed intentionally to ensure they knew how deeply we appreciated them.

^{For On The Day}

On the first night, my maid of honor gave me the advice to take “brain photos” throughout the weekend—creating a file cabinet in my mind to revisit forever. There were so many moments when I caught myself staring and reminding myself to take a brain photo. There will never be another time in your life when you’re celebrating with all of your people in one room. It’s incredibly special to look around and feel that much love.

^{For Post-Wedding}

Give yourself a huge hug and tell yourself you did it. All of the stress, sleepless nights, time, and effort put into creating the perfect weekend—it was all worth it. Be grateful for the people who showed up for you, celebrated you, and have been with you up to this chapter of life.Although post-wedding blues are very real, enjoy the stillness for a bit and give yourself grace. Planning a wedding is challenging, but it is always worth it.