A Romantic Wedding at Namar Event Center in South Padre Island, Texas

rn South Padre Island, Texas, lends itself to romance—the Gulf Coast beaches are effortlessly beautiful, making the island a popular vacation destination. That’s why Natalie Alfaro (31 and a lawyer) and Chris Gonzales (32 and a teacher and football coach) got married at their hometown church in Donna, Texas, and then hosted their reception on the island at Namar Event Center in South Padre Island, an elegant ivory building with classic columns and oversize windows that could accommodate their 200 guests with ease. “It’s easily the most beautiful venue on the island,” Natalie says. “Our local guests were able to easily attend the ceremony and reception, and our out-of-town guests had the benefit of a destination wedding.” Their planner, Janelle Allen from Destination We, helped Natalie and Chris create a beachy atmosphere with a palette of blue, coral white and ivory with lace details to add a vintage vibe. Florist Sandra Pope from Along Came Sandra brought in roses, hydrangeas and greenery to play up the romance. Nena Siller of IncrEdible Catering created a scrumptious dinner menu (we’re talking mini empanadas, Gulf Coast seviche shooters, crab salad crepe cornets and fillets), along with an paella station filled with seafood and hearty fare. But that’s not all—at midnight, Nena Siller wowed guests with a Mexican wedding tradition: menudo and posole. At the end of the night, everyone gathered on Namar Event Center’s wrap-around patio for a fireworks show. Needless to say, Natalie and Chris spared no detail to make their wedding perfect. See the details below, captured by David Pezzat Photographers.