This Florist's Dreamy Destination Wedding Is a Masterclass In Soft Elegance

In the age of rom-coms and social media, it's easy for couples to get overwhelmed with all the options they have for mounting their wedding. There are so many Instagrammable venues to choose from, a lot of pegs to draw inspiration from, and an array of suppliers to bring your vision to life. The choices seem endless and can lead to decision fatigue or choice paralysis, but luckily, such was not the case for newlyweds Marie Garcia and Robert Vergel de Dios.

The bride and Designer Blooms COO describes wedding planning as "pretty easy" since she already had a clear idea on what she wanted for her big day. "Being in the floral industry and having styled numerous weddings before, I knew what was needed and what I wanted," she explains in an exclusive interview with Preview. "What made it extra easy was [my groom] Robbie agreeing with all my decisions and choices," she adds with a laugh.

In the bride's corner to help bring her vision of soft elegance to life were her daughter Natalia, and her matron of honor, Designer Bloom's CEO Isa Garcia-Sicam. "It was such a great experience because we think alike in so many ways (and have the same eye for design) so it was almost like they could read my mind," Marie muses.

"I completely understand Marie’s thinking in her designs—she puts care and a personal touch in everything as her way for her guests to feel welcomed and special," Isa echoes. "As her partner and designer, I was the executional arm of her vision and it was an honor to be a part of it!"

Ahead, find out what it took to bring this soft and dreamy destination nuptials to life and the Garcia sisters' tips for your own wedding planning.

It was a chance encounter in 2021 that brought Marie Garcia and Robert Vergel de Dios together. "A common friend of ours invited us to go to Tulum," Marie recounts, sharing how they hit it off and spent hours talking. Three years later, they would come back to Pablo Escobar's old mansion Casa Malca, the same spot where they took their first selfie—only this time, exchanging vows in front of friends and family.

Drawing inspiration from Tulum and Casa Malca, their wedding weekend itinerary involved local sights and flavors, and the wedding motif was intentionally oriented to complement the location. "Tulum is a pristine beach with a vibe and spirit like no other, while Casa Malca is a stunning, sophisticated yet warm resort that is an art piece in itself," Marie explains. "We kept the tones neutral like the white sand and the overall feel ethereal like the spirit you feel when you are there."

To enhance the atmosphere of soft romance and quiet elegance that Marie envisioned, Isa and the team, including lead florist Petrus Drenters, worked with a muted palette of creams, beiges, and champagne tones. Layered drapery and flowing florals cascaded, seemingly unrestrained, to create a chic, organic vibe.

As Isa puts it, the orchids, roses, and sand-colored blooms were "arranged in a way that felt natural and a little sculptural, almost like they were growing right out of the fabric, stone and sand." This made the ceremony space exude warmth and intimacy, albeit being outdoors.

After all, the flowers weren't just some random aesthetic display, they were also story-tellers. "Designing my own wedding as a florist was less about florals and more about creating a world—one where emotion, form, and beauty could exist in quiet conversation," Marie shares.

While every decision about the wedding was deliberate and intentional, seeing the dinner come together was one of Marie's favorite moments. "The long table at the reception still gives me goosebumps when I remember it," the blushing bride admits.

The couple wanted it intimate and memorable, so together with their 53 guests, they gathered in one long table. They shared a sumptuous meal that highlighted the best food and drink that Mexico had to offer, while basking in each other's company and bathing in the candles' soft glow .

Needless to say, lighting—or the lack thereof—shifted the mood as the draping and delicate florals continued to set the scene. "It all came together in this really refined but relaxed way—nothing too overworked, just timeless, romantic, and very 'them,'" Isa observes.

Both Marie and Isa stress the importance of creating your wedding's mood board. "This will be your guiding light throughout the process and it will help your vendors understand and execute your vision," Marie explains. "The clearer your vision, the easier it is for your creative team to bring your dream wedding to life," Isa adds.

Additionally, Isa reminds future brides and grooms to keep it personal and veer from blindly following trends. "Your wedding is a celebration of the story you and your partner have built together, and your design choices should reflect that. Rather than focusing solely on trends, try incorporating ideas, colors, or motifs that hold meaning for you both," she advises.

Mounting a wedding requires a village. Aside from ensuring that your vision is executed, they are also the ones who can determine your stress levels. "A strong team can anticipate challenges, handle logistics, and remove the guesswork from the planning process, allowing you to enjoy the journey leading up to your big day," Isa shares.

"As much as possible work with suppliers that are recommended by people you know," Marie says. "If you like a supplier that’s new, read reviews and set a meeting to ask questions."

Whether you're getting hitched abroad or at home, timing is everything and you have to make sure you and your team are in synch. "If you are working with a planner or coordinator, insist on having a meeting a few weeks before the wedding to run through all the details—timings, point persons and executions," Marie shares, "This will lower the chances of details being missed."

"Planning a wedding in another country came with an entirely new set of challenges, especially around communication and logistics," Isa cautions, but it isn't impossible. She revealed that their flowers ended up arriving a day late and slashed their prep time because of a major flower festival that was also happening. It's a reminder to buffer in contingency times in case last minute issues arise, and to breathe and push through when it does. "It was a true photo finish, but the photos turned out absolutely stunning," she says.