March 6, 2021
Photography by Anahi Weddings
March 7, 2020, Leslie and Rey were engaged in her favorite spot in the world, her grandparent’s garden. They set the date for a year later, March 6, 2021, where a wedding in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico would create the dreamy backdrop of their wedding day. The couple soon had to re-visualize their dream and bring it to fruition while navigating the constraints of an uneasy year caused by a global pandemic. Their destination wedding quickly shifted to the bride’s hometown of McAllen, TX where they planned a beautiful and unforgettable wedding reception and festive tornaboda at the freshly remodeled McAllen Country Club.
The alluring bride and her bridesmaids were pampered with hair and make-up as they enjoyed light hors d’oeuvres and mimosas at her late grandparents’ home. The bride surprised her bridesmaids with matching pajama sets and custom-made gold and pearl flower earrings to pair with their bridesmaids' dresses. The groom and his groomsmen enjoyed their snacks and liquor at the Casa De Palmas hotel, where Rey gifted the men custom matching suspenders that were handmade in San Miguel de Allende to pair with their tuxes. Looking dapper, Rey suited up in his custom tuxedo and made his way to the Garza home. There, the couple shared their first look in the very same spot the gleaming groom proposed. The bride was revealed to her groom detailed in her grandmother’s earrings that her mother also wore on her wedding day and her gorgeous wedding gown made to fit perfectly.
When friends and family arrived at the McAllen Country Club, they approached a gorgeous arrangement of flowers that led the way to a dreamy candle-lit walkway where they were greeted by doormen dressed in tuxedos and guitarist Mario Aleman playing acoustic Spanish music as they made their way into the black-tie event. Upon entering the cocktail hour preceding the reception, guests were presented with a beautiful green wall adorned with filled champagne glasses with custom cards carefully placed in them which included the guests' name and seating assignment. Signature drinks and hors d’oevres were also served for the wedding guests to enjoy before the reception began; Leslie’s festive spicy grapefruit margarita, Rey’s dressed Dos Equis with tajin, salt and lime in the couple’s custom wedding crest koozies, mini beef taquitos, cheese flauta enchilada shooters, and shrimp cocktail shooters continued to carry their San Miguel theme into the reception.
The wedding guests then made their way into the reception room which was elegantly filled with perfectly placed flowers of subtle pops of color, again reminding them of their favorite destination spot of San Miguel de Allende. The beaming couple was presented to them as Mr. and Mrs. Reynaldo Elizondo for the first time and they then shared their first dance and sat to enjoy dinner with their wedding guests. Guests were served a refreshing cucumber wrapped salad followed by a delicious chicken picata, jumbo shrimp, wild rice, and asparagus. For dessert, guests enjoyed the couple’s gorgeous wedding cake decorated in a flowing cascade of colorful flowers and tasting almond cream cake paired with a strawberry cream cheese filling. Adding to the desserts was a churro bar found in the front lawn where draped lights and additional cocktail tables and seating were offered. To close dinner the groom shared a first dance with his mother, then the bride and her father shared the stage dancing to a remix of their favorite songs which then opened the dance floor. Partygoers enthusiastically flooded the dance floor to enjoy the vivacious music of the 8-member live band. The dancefloor was consistently full and as guests took breaks, they captured the memories at the photo booth which was adorned with a fresh green wall and a custom neon sign of the couple’s last name, The Elizondo's. Party favors were passed out to the guests; confetti poppers and lighted foam sticks were added to the festive dance floor.
Shortly after midnight and an encore from the band, the couple exited the ballroom and led their guests to the Country Club’s outdoor patio overlooking the lake and golf course to a Tornaboda after-party hosted by the Tias and Tios of the bride, a family tradition. The bride snuck away, slipped into her white sequin party dress and sneakers to enjoy a breakfast taco bar, menudo, and continued bar service with family and friends. Cheers to the happy couple!
The Valley Wedding Pages Featured Vendors
Featured on November 20, 2021
Bridal Gown & Veil SPOSA MIA COUTURE | Cake Designer HONEY’S CAKES | Event Designer LETICIA GUERRA CANTU EVENT DESIGNER | Floral MA DESIGNS and CANTU’S SPECIAL EVENTS
Hotel Accommodations CASA DE PALMAS, TRADEMARK COLLECTION BY WYNDHAM and DOUBLETREE SUITES BY HILTON MCALLEN | Music at Ceremony VIOL CONSORT STRING ENSEMBLE | Photo Booth OH SO CHIC PHOTOBOOTH | Rehearsal Dinner Location QUINTA MAZATLAN | Rentals AMBIANCE FLOWERS & RENTAL and CANTU’S SPECIAL EVENTS | Signage THE WRITE GIRL STUDIO | Transportation PRESIDENTIAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
