When two people fall in love, they feel like they’ve known each other all their lives. For Lindsay and John, sharing a long history together was not only a sensation, but a reality. The couple met when they were only fifteen years old as classmates in Kansas, and while they were never more than just friends, the thought did cross their minds that they could end up together later in life. Years passed and sure enough, a romance began, and with Lindsay in Kansas City and John working in Cabo San Lucas, the couple traveled back and forth to maintain their relationship. Finally, the time came to fulfill their teenage prophecy, and when Lindsay accepted John’s romantic proposal, a new stage of their almost lifelong relationship took shape.

During Lindsay’s many trips down to Cabo San Lucas to visit John, they not only fell in love with each other, but with the vibrant spirit of Mexico. Fortunately, John’s former employer and dear friend opened the doors of his expansive private estate to the couple, creating an idyllic setting for their ceremony and reception with casita style lodging for their forty-nine guests. Inspired by Cabo’s intense colors and their beachfront locale, Lindsay and John designed an intimate wedding that celebrated family and friends and a commitment to each other that blossomed in Cabo.

No longer living in Mexico, the couple wisely asked people who knew the area for vendor referrals. The person they credit most with guiding them through the planning process was their highly recommended caterer, Tracy Dunlop, of The Lazy Gourmet. Not only did Tracy create their menu, but she applied her exquisite taste toward helping the couple design the look of their reception. “Our wedding was as beautiful as it was because of Tracy,” admits Lindsay.

With the ocean mere steps away, guests gathered for the balmy ceremony holding custom made palm fans that were personalized with their name and table number. Tropical arrangements of birds of paradise, gladiolas, irises and local greenery marked the aisle as the late afternoon sun embraced the compound. Lindsay, wearing special bridal flip flops underneath her ivory and champagne gown, met John at the end of the aisle where they were married in a ceremony conducted in Spanish and simultaneously translated into English. One of their most beloved memories is of reciting their vows, when, overcome by the gravity of the moment, they squeezed each other’s hands a little tighter, allowing everything except the words the were speaking to fade into the background.

A poolside cocktail hour kicked off the reception and guests were seated for dinner beneath the nighttime sky. They dined on a salad of hearts of palm, artichokes, mandarin oranges and red grapefruit, followed by grilled lobster tail and herb-rubbed filet mignon. A friend of John’s from Cabo created their raspberry and white chocolate wedding cake, which she adorned with seashells to coordinate perfectly with their reception decor. Sand, beach glass, shells and candles created a focal point at each table, which were draped in ivory linens and champagne overlays inspired by Lindsay’s gown.

The party moved to yet another breathtaking part of the residence with a popular cover band energizing the mood. Lindsay and John shared their first dance together to “Moondance” as lanterns, twinkle lights and an actual full moon provided a harmonious ambience.

As a special tribute to his daughter, Lindsay’s father wore a tie given to him by John’s dad that was decorated with “little toads,” his childhood nickname for Lindsay. He also delivered an unforgettable toast, summing up the warmth and happiness that was apparent in every aspect of Lindsay and John’s wedding. Basking in the glow of their guests as well as the moon above, Lindsay and John relished their decision to remain in Cabo to enjoy some additional time with their loved ones. “It is a place that we both love and where we grew to love one another,” says Lindsay, and a natural choice for their honeymoon destination.