Teresa and Hunter were truly one of the sweetest couples to work with, surrounded by an equally kind and welcoming family. We feel so blessed to have been a part of their wedding journey and to help bring such a meaningful celebration to life. During the planning process, we toured several beautiful coastal Southern California wedding venues together, but Alila Marea Beach Resort in Encinitas immediately stood out. With its modern architecture, incredible ocean views, and the ability to create an indoor-outdoor reception experience, it felt like the perfect setting for their wedding weekend.

While Alila Marea offered a clean and contemporary backdrop, Teresa and Hunter envisioned a wedding that felt traditional, elegant, and timeless. They also knew they wanted to exchange their vows in a traditional church ceremony, creating the most beautiful contrast between the classic elements of their day and the modern coastal setting of the hotel. Their design centered around a soft palette of pink, white, and green, with thoughtful details that felt romantic and elevated without taking away from the natural beauty surrounding them.

The wedding morning began bright and early at Alila Marea, where Teresa, Hunter, and their wedding party got ready separately. The ladies spent the morning together before taking portraits around the property, while Hunter and the groomsmen had their own time for photos. Teresa and Hunter chose not to do a first look, saving that special moment for the ceremony. Their ceremony took place at a stunning church in Carlsbad, and getting them both down the aisle was one of those moments that reminds us exactly why we love what we do. Witnessing their love and the excitement of their families made the ceremony incredibly special.

Following the ceremony, everyone returned to Alila Marea for wedding party and newlywed portraits. The bridesmaids looked incredible in deep green dresses alongside the groomsmen in classic black tuxedos, creating such an elegant look against the light, modern architecture of the resort. Teresa and Hunter then explored the property for their own portraits, taking advantage of the hotel’s beautiful spaces, surrounding cliffs, and sweeping coastal views. The timing could not have been better, with the soft sunset light and Pacific Ocean creating the most stunning backdrop.

As portraits wrapped up, guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the bluff overlooking the ocean. With expansive coastal views, it was the perfect introduction to the evening at Alila Marea. Guests enjoyed tray-passed appetizers, a full bar with signature cocktails, and plenty of spaces to gather between tall and low cocktail tables shaded by umbrellas. A floral-accented seating chart welcomed guests and tied the cocktail hour design into the romantic details waiting for them at the reception.

The reception took place indoors, but floor-to-ceiling open doors allowed the space to maintain the open, coastal feeling that initially drew Teresa and Hunter to the venue. Views of the Encinitas coastline, lagoon, and passing trains became part of the experience. Ivory linens, velvet green napkins, willow chairs, candlelight, and arrangements of pink, white, and green florals filled a mix of round and long tables. The traditional, romantic design looked especially beautiful against Alila Marea’s clean architecture, creating a celebration that felt classic while still completely at home in its modern setting.

Guests were welcomed into the reception with Teresa and Hunter’s first dance, followed by dinner and heartfelt toasts. Later in the evening, the doors to the dancing space opened for an incredible reveal: a green-and-white checkered dance floor, stage, rounded wood bar, lounge seating, photo booth, and a slushie machine station as a playful nod to their 7/11 wedding date. From there, the dance floor stayed full and the energy was unmatched. Teresa and Hunter’s Alila Marea wedding was the perfect blend of tradition, coastal California beauty, thoughtful design, and pure celebration, and we feel so lucky to have been a part of it.

THE VENDOR TEAM

Planning & Design: Serene Events and Design | Photographer: Titus & Jocelyn Carlson | Venue: Alila Marea Beach Resort | Videographer: Taylor Hansen Films | Rentals, Signage & Flowers: To Be Designed | Makeup: Makeup by Linda Joy | Hair: Styled by Jordan & Curly Camille | Band: Lucky Devils | Photo Booth: Photo Glam Booth | Cake: VG Donut & Bakery | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Stationery: Papermade Studio | Transportation: MIB Transportation | Church: St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church