An Ashven Estate Wedding

Weather threatened Yasmin and Efrain’s Ashven Estate wedding ceremony all day long. Even though it was the day all eyes were to be focused on them, they were concerned that their guests had an excellent time and were provided for. They are one of the most precious couples I’ve had the privilege of working with to date! Their care for each other and their guests really brought vibrancy and life to a day threatened by dreariness.

The ceremony location, originally planned to take place out on the estate grounds, was moved in front of the barn at the last minute. Personally, I love how it turned out! Yasmin and Efrain were concerned for the safety of their guests and the cleanliness of everyone’s formal wear. No one likes having to get mud off of your nicest shoes, after all.

You know you’ve got the right team of vendors (Britt’s Events Co handled this wedding) when everyone was all hands on deck to pull it off around the weather. When preparing for an outdoor wedding, a rain plan is always essential.

Traditions Make It Memorable

One of the most beautiful things about being a wedding photographer is witnessing to so many cultural and family traditions. For example, a new personal hot take is that maybe more weddings should have a mariachi band! How fun that was!

Yasmin and Efrain’s reception introduced me to some of my favorite traditional dances yet: La Vibora de La Mar and El Baile de Mandilon. You can read more about the dances below with the photos from the reception. I think it makes so much more sense when you can see the explanations side-by-side with the dances!

Focusing on the Details

A Mother’s Touch

First Look Before Forever

The Bridal Party & Florals To Remember

Ashven Estate Wedding

A Dance Floor to Never Forget

La Vibora de La Mar

The Sea Snake Dance, according to Brides.com, is “a song and dance where the bride and groom stand on chairs opposite one another and form an arch, which guests pass through while holding hands and dancing. The goal is to not break the snake formation, and and that get harder as the music gets faster.”

El Baile del Mandilon

The Domesticated Husband Dance, as explained in this blog post on Mexican Wedding Reception traditions, is “a dance where the roles are switched. Understanding older Mexican practices, the father/husband has always been the head of the family. This dance essentially is making fun of how the ‘dominant husband’ is now the domesticated partner in the relationship.”

“The dance is started by giving the bride a belt and tejana (cowboy hat) and the groom an apron and broom.”

“They dance around the floor as the bride gestures at ‘whipping’ the groom and the groom dances around sweeping the floor.’

“This is just a way of reminding them that now they are equal and have to work together while both have a say in the relationship.”

Laughter & Love