A DESTINATION WEDDING IN CABO WITH TIMELESS CHARM AND OLD-WORLD MEXICAN FLAVOR
Chrisy Alcaraz and Zach Sandberg both attended Pepperdine University in the idyllic setting of Malibu, California, where they walked the same paths, breathed the same ocean air, and graduated the same year. Despite this, their orbits never intersected during their university days. In a twist of fate, Chrisy worked at the front desk of the gym Zach frequented. Still, their paths never truly crossed until January 2020, when a dating app, Hinge, finally declared them a match. It was then that their parallel lives began to converge.
Upon matching on Hinge, they discovered an array of mutual connections. They had numerous friends in common, several of whom would later join their bridal party. With over 150 mutual friends on Facebook, largely due to the close relationship between Zach’s fraternity and Chrisy’s sorority, they both marveled at how they had never met before. Their first date was almost thwarted by a minor car accident Zach experienced on the way, forcing him to call off the date. However, Chrisy, believing his story, agreed to an early morning hike a few days later, setting the stage for their first real meeting.
“The presence of whales, whose mating calls could be heard underwater, added an unexpected and enchanting element to the weekend.”
The First Meeting
Their initial meeting was on a hike, where both were struck by how easy and pleasant the conversation was. While there were no overwhelming fireworks, there was a palpable attraction and a comfortable connection. During the hike, a group of children approached them, and Chrisy noticed Zach’s kind interactions with them, which left a lasting impression on her. After the hike, they extended their time together with breakfast, leading Zach to skip his boss’ birthday lunch and nearly miss a flight to San Francisco. This spontaneous decision marked the beginning of a budding romance, as both left eager for a second date.
The Proposal
As an actor, Chrisy was used to auditions, but Zach orchestrated a memorable and elaborate proposal by setting up a fake audition. He created a fictitious casting director, Lucas Cabeaux, a nod to his intended proposal destination: Cabo San Lucas. With the help of Chrisy’s agent and six actor friends, Zach staged a callback audition for an OxiClean commercial.
After filming the audition, Chrisy was led to a balcony at One Hotel in West Hollywood under the pretense of taking still photos. As she gazed at the Los Angeles skyline, Zach snuck up behind her and proposed. Her initial confusion quickly turned to joy, captured beautifully in a video of the event. The surprise continued with a rooftop dinner where both their families and closest friends celebrated the engagement amidst stunning L.A. views.
Wedding Planning
Despite their busy professional lives, Chrisy and Zach embraced the wedding planning process by outsourcing much of it to a skilled planner. This approach allowed them to focus on their careers while making quick, decisive choices about their vendors.
To ease the burden on their guests traveling to their destination wedding in Cabo, they generously bought out the hotel and covered the rooms for three nights. This unexpected gesture delighted their guests, who enjoyed hosted events with food, live music, and an open bar each day. One challenge they didn’t anticipate was the difficulty of arranging room assignments for 48 rooms, but they managed to make it work perfectly, creating a warm and communal atmosphere for their loved ones.
Both Chrisy and Zach’s creative backgrounds influenced their wedding preparations. They recorded their first dance song, “I See the Light” from Disney’s Tangled, and took ballroom and salsa lessons to prepare. These artistic endeavors added a personal and unique touch to their wedding experience.
The Wedding Day
Nerves ran high on the wedding day, more than either of them expected. Chrisy’s bridesmaids helped ease the tension with an impromptu dance session to a Big Sean track, while Zach and his groomsmen found themselves rushing to get ready in time for the photos.
The emotional first look was a moment neither would forget. Zach was overwhelmed as he watched Chrisy approach the grassy promenade by the sea, her entrance nothing short of spectacular. Adding to the magic, Zach had arranged for musicians hidden among the guests to play “Despacito,” a scene reminiscent of the movie “Love Actually.” The ceremony was followed by an unforgettable beach party.
The Reception
The reception was imbued with timeless, classic charm, echoing the old-world Mexican flavor of their venue, Mar Del Cabo. The Greek-style architecture, blue and white Mexican tiles, and vibrant bougainvillea flowers created an incredibly romantic ambiance. Chrisy and Zach’s first dance, set to the song they recorded, featured fog and lights, making it a unique highlight. The presence of whales, whose mating calls could be heard underwater, added an unexpected and enchanting element to the weekend.
The couple’s welcome event, an all-white boat party, brought guests close to the whales, creating memorable moments. Each morning’s breakfast, covered for their guests, became a cherished time for gathering and connecting. A large mariachi band played on Friday morning, adding to the festive atmosphere. A traditional Mexican ofrenda honored their loved ones who had passed, creating a poignant and colorful tribute. The wedding party’s excursion to a traditional Mexican restaurant for an authentic dinner capped off a day filled with joy and remembrance.
A Memorable Honeymoon
After the wedding, Chrisy and Zach enjoyed a few extra days in Cabo for a “mini-moon,” staying first at Mar Del Cabo and then moving to The Cape, a luxury hotel nearby. They planned to take a more extended honeymoon in Italy in the fall, savoring the anticipation of exploring together. The wedding planning had been a significant undertaking, so they welcomed a brief respite before embarking on their romantic Italian adventure.
WEDDING TALENT
Location & Catering: Mar Del Cabo; Planner: Cabo In Love Weddings; Floral Design: Floral Dreams by Vero Romo; Wedding Dress: Pronovias; Reception Dress: Selfie Leslie; Hair & Makeup: Suzanne Morel; Groom’s Attire: The Black Tux; Entertainment: DJ ALEX, Live String Duet; Invitations: Caylynn Cole; Cinematography: Cabo Weddings Films; Photography: Irela Garcia