Salazar – Jones Destination Wedding, Los Cabos, Mexico on March 8, 2014
The dazzling beaches of blue waters and the casual elegance of the serene surroundings illuminated a fantasy charm at the destination wedding of Esperanza Salazar and Rashad Jones. The sweethearts were united this past spring on March 8, 2014, at a renowned Paradise Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico.
Without a doubt, best wishes came in many languages for this intimate international affair. Guests arrived from China, Ecuador, Guatemala, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Russia, United States, and Venezuela to take part in the memorable occasion.
Taxis and vans shuttled 60 of Esperanza and Rashad’s closest friends and family to the Bel Air Resort & Spa.
The bride was glowing as she walked down the aisle in a gorgeous ivory lace fan-tailed gown. Her five bridesmaids escorted by their dapper groomsmen danced down the aisle in the sand, dressed in emerald green off-the-shoulders dresses for the ladies and cream tailored suits with gold initialed cuff links and cream short-brimmed fedoras for the gentlemen. After the elegant entrance of the bride, she and the groom exchanged personal wedding vows while overlooking a beautiful beachfront. It was an exchange of warm-hearted sentiments written by Esperanza and Rashad and spoken in each other’s native languages (Rashad in Spanish, Esperanza in English).
“Our wedding in Los Cabos was absolutely amazing! Making such an important commitment to my closest friend in front of loving family and friends made it the most memorable experience,” remarked Rashad.
Following the ceremonial activities, the guests dined on a delicious menu of delicacies from the sea and beef tenderloin topped with desserts. And afterward, each table was serenaded by a mariachi band playing traditional Mexican love songs. Each table placement had a silver heart shaped cork champagne bottle screws as a crowd pleasing wedding favor.
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The festive entertainment was nothing short of a show-stopper complete with a neon-lighted stage reminiscent of the movie Grease. Some of the highlights included the bride singing a medley of tunes with her favorite Mexican mariachi quintet. Just when the guests thought they’d seen it all, Rashad performed a heartfelt serenade in fluent Mandarin Chinese for Esperanza using a popular love song by Jay Chou titled, “Simple Love.” The evening culminated as the couple put on the ritz when dancing a choreographed salsa number mixed with a Nat King Cole jazz song.
“Our wedding was extremely magical. During all the weekend activities my face kept glowing with happiness in what was the wedding of my dreams with the love of my life,” said Esperanza as she blushed and wiped away a teardrop from her eyes that glittered in the sunlight.
Earlier highlights of the wedding weekend included a sunset cruise rehearsal dinner along the sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean, complete with cocktails and buffet for all aboard the ocean cruise liner.
Rashad is currently serving as a U.S. Foreign Officer in Lima, Peru. He met Esperanza, an employee of the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara, Mexico, while on temporary assignment in the country. In June, the newlyweds will move to the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., until reassignment of positions.
E. Stephenie Jones is an Emmy Award-winning international journalist. She’s spent more than 15 years in radio, television and print working for ABC affiliate, WJLA-TV, CNN, PBS affiliate, WCLK-FM radio, Deputy Director of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Broadcasting, and a contributing editor of a news magazine. Stephenie is the owner of Amedia & Associates P.R. in Atlanta, a minority public relations service.
