Oaxaca is known for its beautiful valleys and mountains as well as its beautiful coastline. It is one of Mexico's gastronomical capitals full of rich moles, ancient recipes, and hundreds of varieties of corn. We encourage you to try different dishes and explore your palate while you visit! We also hope you get to try the different types of Mezcal, brewed from the agave plant, which the state is recognized and known for. The state is also home to hundreds of indigenous cultures including the Mixteca region which Karla hails from. We ask you to keep an open mind and an open heart with all the people you encounter that call Oaxaca home.

Guests are encouraged to stay for at least a four-day weekend. Check out our "Things to Do" for ideas on how to spend your time while visiting! Wedding guests will need to arrive at minimum one-day before the wedding and book their stay at Hotel Azul accordingly. Members of the wedding party and immediate family may need to arrive earlier which will be communicated by us.

Guests should wear clothing appropriate for a cocktail or semi-formal event. Dress to impress within your own comfort! No jeans or casual attire is allowed. Keep in mind when choosing your attire that the ceremony will be held in a Catholic church. Please note: Guests cannot wear white, off-white, beige or any shade of blue.

We know there are many options when it comes to hotels when traveling to Oaxaca City. However, we chose Hotel Azul for the safety and convenience of our wedding guests. Why? When a wedding reception is going to occur there, the hotel reserves all rooms for wedding guests to avoid interruptions or encounters with strangers or other travelers. Due to this, all of our guests are expected to book their stay at Hotel Azul from August 15-17. As long as you book those dates at the hotel, you can look elsewhere for other dates if you are arriving earlier or leaving later or you can book a longer stay directly with them.

Save the Dates and Invitations are addressed to the wedding guests being invited and accounted for by us. If your wedding invitation includes a plus one then, you may bring someone. If it does not include a plus one then, you may not. We understand some of you may want to travel with a friend or loved one and explore Mexico. You may travel with them, but they must make other arrangements for the day of the wedding and cannot be present at the ceremony or reception.

An open bar will be available during the cocktail hour and reception! You should expect traditional mezcals, tequila, mixers and beer. Watch yourself as the mezcal and tequila creeps up after a while and the party will go well on past-midnight!

Lasso/Lazo: The wedding lasso, or el lazo, symbolizes unity; a joining of two lives. In traditional Mexican weddings, a unity ceremony is performed after the couple exchanges vows. Then, the Godparents place the wedding lasso over the couple’s shoulders in a figure-eight shape, which represents a new beginning in the Bible.

Las Arrallas/13 Coins: In traditional ceremonies, the groom presents an ornate box with 13 gold coins to the bride. The coins represent Jesus and his disciples as well as his commitment to provide for his new family. They’re usually given to the groom by his Godparents, and they’re blessed by the priest during the ceremony. During the ceremony, the Godparents typically present the coins to the groom, who then gives it to the priest. The priest then blesses the wedding coins and gives it back to the groom, who then offers it to his bride promising to support her throughout their marriage.

Calenda: After the ceremony, the wedding guests and wedding party will have a parade through the streets. This early precursor to the reception is full of music, dancing, and celebrating! Often times included in the parade are: live music, pyrotechnics, puppets, stilt walkers, and traditional dancers. Leading the parade is the bride and groom, wedding party and Godparents.

La Vibora de la Mar: The Sea Snake Dance is a traditional dance performed by the bride and groom. The couple stands on opposite chairs and joins hands to create an arch. Family and friends pass under the arch while holding hands and dancing. The couple must not break the snake formation. As the music gets faster, it gets increasingly more difficult for the couple to keep it together. This tradition is meant to be fun and incorporate guests!

El Muertito: The tossing of the groom, also known as El Muertito, is when all groomsmen and male wedding guests get together, lift the groom over their shoulders and toss him into the air several times. During this process, they'll remove his shoes and carry him around the dance floor. They’ll pass around the groom’s shoes for guests to leave money or gifts inside them.

Money Dance: This dance is a tradition practiced in cultures around the world. Guests will “pay” for a dance with either the bride or groom by pinning dollars to their clothing throughout the reception. This gives them some time with the couple and an opportunity to wish them good fortune and dance!

If we were unable to answer your questions here, please reach out to either of us via text or call. We are more than happy to help and understand you may have more questions about our destination wedding. Don't hesitate to ask!