A Private Wedding at Mar Del Cabo with Timeless Décor and a Mexican Flair
Nicole Kilar and Mark O’Neill met during Nicole’s senior year of college. They both attended San Diego State University, but Mark was a couple years older. Being involved in Greek life, Nicole and Mark’s social circles intertwined in the past, but they didn’t officially meet until the winter of 2016 at a college bar. They ended up talking and hanging out the entire time, and Mark immediately sent Nicole a Facebook message later that night.
The two became inseparable as friends – that is, until Mark asked Nicole out on a real first date. Like any romantic movie, their ice-skating date was interrupted by pouring rain, which was the perfect setting for their first kiss. Their second date was at Disneyland, and the “Magic Kingdom” is where they realized they “might just be in love.” After that, the two never spent another day apart. Within time, their relationship led to meeting each other’s families, celebrating milestones together, moving into their first apartment together, and getting their “first babies” together – two beloved ragdoll cats.
“It was just so incredibly special to see our guests become friends and hanging out together!”
The Proposal
During the 2020 pandemic, the couple was getting antsy from being in the same place by the time Nicole’s birthday rolled around in December. They decided to drive up to Monterey to celebrate, and Mark proposed at Folktale Winery & Vineyards.
“Wine tasting is one of our favorite activities as a couple,” says Nicole, “so it was absolutely perfect. He proposed right in front of the wine barrels and even hired a secret, private photographer to capture the moment as well as a photoshoot after. During the proposal moment, everyone there was watching and cheered us on. We’ve never received so many congratulatory wine bottles from strangers! It was truly one of the best days of their lives.”
A Private Wedding at Mar Del Cabo
The couple’s wedding planning process involved their planners, Lindsay Buwalda and Kathryn Hobbs from Bliss Productions, and their travel planner, April Schmitt from Divine Destination Weddings. Mar Del Cabo was selected as their wedding venue, and their talented team handled everything from the welcome party planning to the food selections, to the DJ, florals, décor, live music, signage, photo booth, and fireworks.
April booked tours for the couple, so they could scope out different Cabo properties for their destination wedding; but they knew Mar Del Cabo was the perfect location from the get-go. Being a boutique hotel, the capacity was perfectly suited for their guest list, and the ambiance was peaceful, private, and charming.
“We did a hotel buyout, so every room was filled by our hotel guests,” Nicole adds. “There are only 48 rooms, which was perfect for our wedding size. It was super important for us not to have any strangers around us during our special weekend, as we really wanted an intimate time with all of our loved ones. During the wedding weekend, it was so special to turn every corner and see one of your guests only! Since everyone knew it was a hotel buyout, during the wedding weekend, we saw our guests mingling with each other, inviting one another to their rooms/balconies even if they didn’t know them! It was just so incredibly special to see our guests become friends and hanging out together!”
Working with Bliss Productions
When it comes to their wedding planning team, the couple couldn’t have been more pleased with the ideas they brought to the table.
“Lindsay’s creativity and visionary touch transformed our wedding into an enchanting, modern, and timeless event with Mexican flairs,” Nicole shares. “She had the cutest ideas, from the personalized luggage tags for seating and food selection, to the Himalayan salt glass seating chart, adding unique touches that made our day unforgettable. The jaw-dropping florals, the charming table setup with Talavera plates, and the customized signage reflected her impeccable taste.”
Kathryn's dedication and meticulous coordination with vendors, including those with language barriers (being that it was a destination wedding), showcased her exceptional skills in ensuring every detail was perfect. She sourced the best-of-the-best vendors to make our weekend truly magical. I am a very type A person and Kathryn was always two steps ahead of me, which was so refreshing!”
The Wedding Day
When the wedding day arrived, the bride and groom awoke in separate penthouses so they could get ready with their respective wedding parties. It was a special time to enjoy with friends and family, while gifting custom made watches to the groomsmen and matching earrings from Gorjana to the bridesmaids.
Prior to the ceremony, the bride and groom enjoyed a romantic “first look,” which allowed them to spend a private moment together while taking some beautiful photos.
The ceremony itself was filled with storybook romance, with the couple sharing vows that were emotional yet funny. Taking place on the grassy area of Grand Velas Los Cabos next door, the beach and ocean served as the bride and groom’s backdrop. The weather was pristine, and guests were given champagne while a local violinist and harpist performed live. One of the couple’s best friends officiated the ceremony, and the personalized stories continued with heartfelt speeches during the reception.
Timeless Wedding Décor with a Mexican Flair
For their wedding décor, the couple envisioned a celebration that was timeless and enchanting, yet trendy and elevated. They also wanted to incorporate touches of Mexican flair.
“Our dinner plates had a really adorable Mexican Talavera vibe, but still matched the colors of the wedding,” Nicole describes. “We also did Himalayan salt shot glasses filled with tequila for the wedding guests’ seating chart. Our wedding signage said, ‘Bienvenidos familia y amigos’ as guests walked into the wedding ceremony. Our colors were neutrals such as white, beige, and gold topped with hints of pink. Our florals were a mix of highs and lows with beautiful large pieces along the rectangular tables. Our table scape included pink Talavera plates, rose gold silverware, trendy pink water glass, opaque beige wine/champagne glass, a macrame style charger, white table with gold legs, and classy beachy vibe chairs! It really was a dream come true of a tablescape.”
As another personal touch, the couple incorporated their cats into the celebration with custom bar napkins that featured a painting of their faces.
The night ended with all 135 guests dancing and having the time of their lives.
“We extended the reception to 11 p.m. so we could really soak in the time with all of our loved ones,” Nicole explains. “The dance floor stayed packed all night long. Our DJ, from Alex DJ Cabo, was incredible! We gave him a small list beforehand, so he knew our vibe and he just did it amazingly.”
A Honeymoon in Dubai and the Maldives
After their destination wedding in Mexico, the Nicole and Mark set off on another international adventure with a honeymoon in Dubai and the Maldives. With the Maldives being so far away, they decided Dubai would be an ideal layover spot. To make things even easier, the couple’s entire honeymoon and itinerary was planned by JRNY Travel, Courtney Guillory, and Sara Horowitz.
“In Dubai,” says Nicole, “we did a full city tour, including exploring the souks, going to the top of the Burj Khalifa, and visiting Atlantis in Palm Island. It was so amazing seeing the city and the culture/history within it. It’s an absolutely stunning city and we can’t wait to visit again. In the Maldives, we stayed at Gili Lankanfushi and WOW – words cannot even describe how absolutely breathtaking this private island resort is. The over the water bungalows, food, drinks, and staff were top notch. We did activities such as a turtle snorkel, kayaking, couples’ massages, a blindfolded dinner, wine tasting, and so much more. The staff really makes you feel special there. Our favorite part was just relaxing in our over water bungalow and watching sunsets. Time felt like it stood still; there is nothing like it.”
WEDDING TALENT
Ceremony Location: Grand Velas Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Reception Location, Catering & Cake: Mar Del Cabo; Planning & Event Design: Bliss Productions; Floral Design: Aria Vera Floral; Rentals: Yaya Rentals, Warehouse Rentals, The Cabo Wedding Co.; Lighting: Celtrev; Engagement Ring: David Levi & Sons Jewelry; Wedding Bands: Kasia Jewelry; Wedding Dress: Galia Lahav; Shoes: Badgley Mischka; Bridesmaids Dresses: Norma Kamali; Hair: Riri Roya; Bridesmaid’s Hair: Suzanne Morel Face and Body Care; Makeup: Candice Renae; Groom’s Attire: Michael Kors; Invitations: Green Mango Kraft; Entertainment: Luciano Pavan Productions, Alex DJ Cabo, Gramusik, Los Cabos Fireworks; Travel Agent: April Schmitt – Divine Destination; Photography & Cinematography: Shumanev Productions