Most people don’t plan on meeting their true love at the age of 17 – but then, Leslie Osborne and Ricky Lewis aren’t most people. “We both played for the United States Youth National [Soccer] Teams and met at a National Team Camp in Rhode Island,” Leslie muses. The two stayed in touch through college and into their post-graduate lives as professional soccer players – Ricky ended up playing for the LA Galaxy team and Leslie for the U.S. Women’s National Team – and ran into one another through soccer from time to time, but both got into serious relationships with other people and eventually lost track of each other. 

That is, until a chance Skype session between Leslie and her business partner in 2012. “We reconnected because Ricky was living in London and my business partner happened to be hanging out with him while her and I were [video chatting],” she reveals. “It had been eight years since we had seen each other, so we kind of freaked out when we [caught sight of one another] on camera.” Leslie already had plans to visit London that coming summer for the Olympics, so the pair made plans to meet, wherein they discovered the spark between them had never died. “We [dated] long distance for a year and a half before he moved back to the U.S. I retired from playing professional soccer and the rest is history!”

Ricky popped the question in January 2015 while the duo was on a run during a vacation in London. The groom-to-be pretended to pull a muscle, forcing the couple to take a rest on a nearby bench where he got on bended knee. Ricky and Leslie didn’t start the planning process right away – they took a few months to bask in the new glow of their engagement. When they officially began organizing their January 2016 nuptials, they elected to set their vows in Mexico. “Our guests were traveling from all over the world – London, Australia, Europe, South America, and from all over the [United States] – so we wanted something hot and in a central location.”

After a private, family-only wedding in California, Ricky and Leslie jetted off to San José del Cabo for their grand event. “The wedding in Cabo was more of a celebration, with a brunch and pool party the last day,” the bride explains. “We rented out the entire resort so everyone could stay [and enjoy] the hotel!” The lovebirds said “I do” in a beachfront ceremony in front of family and friends. Leslie stunned in a form-fitting trumpet gown while her bridesmaids donned matching champagne-colored dresses with metallic detailing. The space did not require much adornment, as the breathtaking backdrop of the sea created the perfect mood.

Between the vows and the reception, the newlyweds took the opportunity to take professional photos on the beach, which included a quick one-on-one game. “Soccer is our foundation and [it was important that] we incorporate it into the wedding,” Leslie tells. Once the pictures had been snapped, the pair joined guests for their fête. The minimalist concept continued in the reception space with small, round tables covered in white linens featuring low floral arrangements consisting of bright flowers that popped against the simple tablescape. Menus were designed in an ombré style with a gradient of blush and refined calligraphy. “[We wanted] the look and feel of the [day to have] an understated-elegance vibe,” remarks the bride. The celebration provided plenty of dancing and an array of sweet treats in lieu of the traditional, singular cake. The most memorable moment of the evening? “Looking up at all of our guests at cocktail hour and thinking about how lucky and loved we were to have people from all over the world travel to our [big day],” Leslie smiles.