“Her eyes were mesmerizing,” says Pedro Ostrosky of the feature that captivated him on his first date with Aliza Goldstein. He fell in love with her soon after they started dating long distance and felt they were meant to share their lives. Equally smitten, Aliza moved from San Diego, California, to join Pedro and pursue her master’s degree in Mexico City a few months later. “Once I saw her interacting with my family, my friends, children, and others around her, I knew she was going to be my wife and the future mother of my children,” he affirms.

Since Pedro’s grandmother is a jewelry designer, he collaborated with her to create a special engagement ring for Aliza. His grandmother even traveled to Israel to procure the perfect diamond. Being a traditional suitor, Pedro made sure to ask Aliza’s father for her hand in marriage before popping the question.

Though Pedro had secretly planned an elaborate proposal, Aliza had her suspicions. Being a foodie, she usually picked the restaurants, so she found it strange when Pedro insisted on making the reservations for lunch that particular Tuesday. Aliza also noticed he was nervous. As they walked past the magnificent Palacio de Bellas Artes, a balloon seller approached them. Pedro asked if she wanted one; Aliza said no and kept going. Nevertheless, to her surprise, he bought them all – more than 100 balloons. Pedro instructed her to hold them with him, close her eyes, and make a wish. When Aliza did, they released the balloons, and Pedro was left with a single white balloon on which was written “Marry Me.” He bent down on one knee and proposed. “It was a magical, movie-type, out-of-this-world proposal,” she says, the memory bringing a smile to her face.

For their nuptials, the couple chose an inviting resort in San Diego. The venue met Aliza’s criteria of being able to host an outdoor vow exchange, accepting of a reception that ended at 4AM, and enabled the kitchen to be koshered. Keeping the comfort of their 450 loved ones in mind, she ensured an adequate waiter-to-guest ratio. Despite conducting the planning from Mexico City, the process was fairly smooth.

The celebration was steeped in Jewish traditions. As such, the service did not begin until after the sun set. The bohemian secret garden ceremony took place under a velvet night sky on a verdant lawn fringed with ivory rose bushes and trees. Market lights were strung overhead and pillar candles in lanterns illuminated the custom raised clapboard aisle. Arrangements of peach, pearl, and coral roses, fluffy pink carnations, buttercream chrysanthemums, and foliage-filled stone urns stood at the entrance. Following Jewish custom, ladies and gentlemen sat on separate sides.

A ukulele rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” played as the glowing bride approached the rustic chuppah festooned with verdure, as well as vanilla and apricot flowers. Aliza was gorgeous in an exquisite fit-and-flare lace gown, veil, and bolero by Ines Di Santo. A natural halo accented with small ivory blossoms crowned her loose coiffure and she clasped a pastoral bouquet of white and peach blooms and greenery.

The fashionable groom was attired in a handmade tuxedo – graced with a fragrant gardenia at the lapel – which he designed. In fact, his father, brother, and father-in-law donned suits conceptualized and manufactured by Marrón Marino, Pedro’s brand. As Aliza circled Pedro and caught glimpses of her friends and family, she made sure to luxuriate in the moment and felt incredibly grateful to have so many people who loved and supported her, and for finding the love of her life.

The festivities moved to a ballroom for the reception. Guests found their seat assignments on triangular escort cards with a special sentiment – “Our dreams came true, we hope yours do, too!” – attached to miniature dream catcher favors. Rustic elements brought touches of the garden vow exchange to the space. Geometric terrariums housing succulents and candleholders were suspended from branches overhead.

Long wood tables were left bare, while round tables were swathed in pearlescent linens and embroidered top cloths. Floral designs had a freshly picked appearance and included roses, chrysanthemums, and dahlias in hues of yellow, peach, hot pink, and white. A multitude of candles cast a warm glow on tablescapes. Gatefold menus featured vintage profile silhouettes of the bride and groom, as well as their monogram. In lieu of a wedding cake, guests were treated to a “Sweet and Spicy Junk Bar,” where they could help themselves to an extensive array of candies, pastries, chips, salsas, and popcorn.

The merriment began with the newlyweds’ first dance to “Dream a Little Dream of Me” by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. It was a truly memorable moment for the both of them as they swayed and sang along, lost in each other’s arms. The emotional mother-son and father-daughter dances that followed were particularly significant to the couple. Aliza and Pedro also took the time to honor her mother and father. “There is a Jewish tradition where you dance around the bride or groom’s parents if they are marrying off their last child,” she explains. “[So], we danced around [my parents], put a wreath over their shoulders, and celebrated their happiness as well as ours.”

Their choice of entertainment set the tone for the lively festivities. “We ensured there was music of all types: oldies, ’90s, Spanish songs, rap, and top hits. It was surreal,” declares Pedro. “When we returned from our honeymoon, several guests had written us to ask about our DJ and [told us] they wanted him for their upcoming weddings.”

The week leading up to the nuptials can be nerve-racking for brides. So Aliza shares a practice that was immensely helpful to her during that period. “I meditated every night and my mantra was, ‘I found the one I love,’” she recounts. “Instead of going to bed thinking about all the things that could go wrong and all the stressors, I went to bed in peace, relaxed, knowing that at the end of the day all would be good because I found my soul mate.”