A Romantic Destination Wedding in Cuernavaca, Mexico

Throwing dinner parties is second nature to Meredith Ramsey and Joe DeSalazar. The food-loving pair met in 2007 thanks to a summer time-share on Fire Island, New York. Each weekend, a member of the house would cook for the entire group. Even before the two became an item, they were whipping up supper-club-style feasts together. The Brooklyn duo tackled the details for their March 11, 2012, wedding with the same hands-on, cuisine-focused approach. They chose to marry in Mexico, also the site of Joe's elaborate proposal in 2010, because of its romantic haciendas, bright colors, and, of course, killer culinary offerings.

Meredith snapped photos on a trip to Mexico and sent them to U + U Stationery to help during the design process.

Metal Mermaid designed the couple's wedding announcements to resemble traditional Mexican papel picado.

The Cuernavaca area, sometimes described as the Beverly Hills of Mexico, was the ideal place for their upscale fiesta.

Decked out in Hugo Boss and Wtoo, respectively, Meredith and Joe held hands on the grounds of the Hacienda San Antonio el Puente.

Meredith and Joe gathered with their family and friends outside the hacienda's stone chapel.

At their Sunday afternoon ceremony in a stone chapel, the couple exchanged funny and sentimental self-penned vows. Amazing detail: The groom actually wrote his three years earlier, when he first knew he wanted to marry Meredith.) The newly weds exited the chapel to The Postal Service's "We Will Become Silhouettes."

The hotel is home to seven gardens and one gorgeous pool, where the couple stopped for photos taken by Braedon Photography.

Drinks, like a mezcal-and-cucumber sipper, were served in the hacienda's garden.

A mariachi band played throughout the evening.

Yellow roses in blue-and-white Mexican Talavera ceramic vases enlivened tables. The couple served signature mezcal cocktails and, for dinner, tortilla soup and fish tacos, served alfresco.

The bride made white tiles festive and functional with Martha Stewart Crafts stencils and paints.

Papel picado displayed the date and served as day-of décor, too.

Location: Hacienda San Antonio el Puente

Event planning and flowers: Valerya Garcia Wedding Studio

Additional flowers: Lya Studio

Photography: Braedon Photography

Officiant: Francisco Javier Lagunes Gaitán of the Free Unitarian Congregation of Mexico City

Stationery: Metal Mermaid (save-the-dates); U + U Stationery (invitations)

Music: Proyecto Versatil (cocktails); Two DJs Mexico (reception)

Rentals: Arte y Renta

Bride's gown: Wtoo

Bride's shoes: Jimmy Choo

Hair and makeup: Laura Martinez

Groom's suit: Hugo Boss

Groom's shoes: Johnston & Murphy

Transportation: Cuerna Tours

Whether you decide to go big or small, seaside or mountainside, bohemian or black tie, find more wedding inspiration in our fall Real Weddings issue by downloading our app and buying the digital issue for only $.99.