“Weddings are important because they celebrate life and possibility.”

– Anne Hathaway, American actress

In these troubled times, joyous occasions and celebrations are more important than ever, and a Cuban Mexican South-of-the-Border destination wedding amplified that. As do the wonderful possibilities that lie ahead for Rennie and Cristina, as they embark on their married life together.   

On June 18^th, they were wed in a lovely ceremony in the Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico’s wine country on the Baja California peninsula; a two-hour, 45-minute flight for us to Tijuana, and 90 minutes’ drive south-from-the-border airport.

And, did David hear a wedding in wine country? Oh, yes … and hit La Ruta del Vino trail a few days earlier and check out some bodegas for tastings. This region of northern Mexico is producing world-class medal winners, and some of the vineyard names are familiar to us, so it was easy to choose from the vast selection dotting the valley; over 100 and counting!

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We stayed two nights in a fabulous boutique hotel/winery perched high up overlooking the valley, with an excellent restaurant. Fabulous food & wine and tempting tacos galore: oxtail, octopus, carnitas, and short rib versions all wrapped in a black corn tortilla; mushroom flatbread, Birria taquitos (David’s new fave), elote (corn) cream soup, chipotle benedicts, seafood omelet, duck tamales, a bit dry, but packed with flavor; fresh fruit and delightful summer cocktails, too. Life is Good!

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A two-hour ATV morning ride gave us a dusty, backroads view of the valley, where many of the wineries are hidden off the main drag. By now, I’ve groomed David to become a real action trouper and he took to the road like an old pro. This first taste of El Valle de Guadalupe gave us strong reason to return someday and explore further.

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The weekend’s events gathered La Familia together in two Ensenada beachfront hotels; overflowing with immediate and expanded family members; some having not seen for years but knowing all my life and now 4th generation strong. With all the young ‘uns, they could run their own day care center!

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Poor David, one of a few, token non-Latinos, couldn’t keep track of all the introductions and connections. His reaction, “Who just hugged and kissed me?” and “What’s their relationship to the family again?” It was challenging to keep him straight, especially when the names repeat themselves:  2 Javier’s, 2 Mercedes, and not counting the nicknames we all have for one other. My family call me Sergito (Sir- jito), for I’ll never outgrow the “ito,” Sergio? ¡Nunca! Never. It’s fruitless, futile. My family’s very demonstrative, hugs ‘n kisses galore, sometimes they’ll squeeze in an extra one for a little more ❤️.

Rehearsal dinner was held at a sprawling inn and gardens. Dinner was lovingly cooked by the bride’s mom; a simple and delicious spread of Mexican stews, rice, beans, tortillas; all with heavenly flavors and aromas. Of course, Mexican tequila and beers flowed.

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The weather gods delivered a picture-perfect wedding day. The venue was a park-like oasis located between vineyards. Several areas were setup beautifully for the wedding and reception for the over 200 guests; with quite a large wedding party, my oldest nephew, Eddie, serving as best man.

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Rennie and Eddie have a deep bond, closer than brothers, since infancy. Christina had two maid of honors, also longtime besties. So, with the first strains of music, Christina walked down the path radiating in her beautiful, shapely, and sultry gown. David, El Fashionista, helps me describe it: 

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Strapless ivory satin, corseted mermaid style; with sweetheart neckline and drapey, sheer organza, cuff sleeves; boned and open-corseted, button-back with long organza train; lovely white floral bouquet. Simply gorgeous.

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A beautifully, spoken ceremony followed, with exchanged vows and then, Fiesta ~ Party Time! A Mariachi band began the fanfare and festivities as the late afternoon sunshine gave way to a long evening of music, dancing and a whole lotta love!

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A gigantic pergola covered the main outdoor space in grape vines; a lighted dance floor was draped with a ceiling covered in drippy silk Wisteria flowers. Long, wooden tables were beautifully set with a golden display of gold rim glasses, charger plates, and utensils; each table’s flower arrangement was slightly different: pale color roses, white snapdragons and an assortment of greenery created a rustic and simple, elegant effect.

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The food menu included a delicious ahi tuna tostada, cream of asparagus soup (need the recipe), then a choice of fish or beef filet, followed by a choice of elote (sweet corn) cake or cheesecake topped with fresh berries – a lovely meal was had. Wedding cake was carrot.     

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After dinner, with the sun settling down beyond the mountains, the Latins really got their party on, as a DJ and a Banda, a Mexican band featuring brass instruments, and often woodwinds and singers, would play to the wild, mad hip-swaying guests. We left a little early, missing the fireworks display. My aunt was gushing about it; how beautiful they were, especially against the cloudless, star-filled sky.

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I need to share The Toast with you. Of course, the couple spoke, as did the BFFs, and then the pièce de résistance – my nephew’s hilarious interpretation of how the couple met. Priceless. It had everyone roaring in their seats, and I totally lost it when he started doing jumping jacks!

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You see, Rennie has been a fitness fiend forever; besides his regular, demanding job, he teaches fitness training, and that’s how the story goes of their first meeting. From the speeches given, here’s my own, imagined re-interpretation of this meeting:

Rennie – “Hello, my name is Rennie, and I’ll be your torture instructor for the next hour.”

Christina – (to herself) “OMG! What a HUNK! Is he single, gay, … gotta find out!”

Rennie – (to himself) “WOW! I got Miss Universe standing in front of me. And I don’t see a ring, …let’s hope and pray, man.”

Rennie – (commanding) “Get down on the floor and give me 20 push-ups!”

Christina – (falls to the floor, and not by his instructions, but by Cupid’s piercing LOVE arrow!)

Rennie – (to himself) “Class is over … wait, what’s happening to me?! Why am I so sweaty; my heart feels like its running in a Formula 1 race, my skin tingles. I didn’t exercise – just shouted instructions – Is this what TRUE LOVES feels like?!”

And their story begins . . . Cheers and Mazel Tov to the new Mr. & Mrs. Suarez! Christina, welcome to our nutty, loving and loud family! Live. Love. Laugh.

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ps … I’m a bit of a sentimental blub at weddings. It’s a good thing I don’t wear makeup or it would have been running down my face.