Westmeath bride's dream Mexico wedding after meeting husband on college exchange

THE HAPPY COUPLE

Melissa Shannon and Carlos Melendez Campos.

THE PROPOSAL

It was January 2021, we were not long back into lockdown so we were making the most of our time at home.

For me and Carlos, that means binging star wars. I was in my PJs on the couch. I turned to Carlos at one point and said 'ask me a question' – something we often did when watching star wars as he’d test my knowledge and vice versa – sure next thing he pulls out a ring, gets down on one knee and asks me to marry him.

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I nearly passed out.

Turns out he had gone shopping with my sister a month previously and had been carrying the ring with him since, trying to find the perfect moment. Turns out all you need to do is get dressed up in your finest Mandalorian PJs, stick on star wars and you’ll get yourself a ring on your finger.

FIRST GLANCE

We met in 2014. I travelled to Irapuato, Guanajuato for a work exchange programme from university. There was an Irish school in his city that had a tie to University of Limerick so Irish students had been arriving in Irapuato for a number of years.

We met on my very first night in Mexico but between the jet lag and all the rest, it wasn’t exactly love at first sight! We luckily met again at a party two weeks later and he asked me for my number.

Six months later I was leaving to return home and we were both devastated. We decided we’d give long distance a shot. 18 months later, after a tonne of phone calls, texts, holidays back and forth, I bit the bullet and moved there. And the rest is history!

THE RECEPTION

The reception took place just outside of Cancun in a beautiful private villa called Villa la Joya. Joya means ‘gem’ in Spanish and the venue quite literally is a hidden gem nestled in the Mexican Caribbean.

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We always knew we’d get married in Mexico. Carlos and I met in Mexico nine years ago and we lived there together for nearly four years. Ireland will always be home but Mexico obviously has a very special place in our hearts so we knew the wedding would be there.

Mexican weddings are a little different and you don’t often see the traditional wedding band like you do in Ireland so we had a Mariachi band show up and surprise everyone for cocktail hour and then my uncle Sean Costello of the Galway Tenors sang me down the aisle and during our ceremony.

THE PHOTOGRAPHER

His name is Alex Marc, he’s actually French but based in Mexico.

THE OUTFIT

I got my dress in MK Bridal, they’re based in Navan, Co.Meath and my dress is by Enzoani.

It was June or July 2021 and there were still Covid restrictions in bridal shops but thankfully I was able to bring my mom and little sister who was my maid of honour. When I tried it on I knew instantly it was the one.

I loved how it made me feel, loved the dramatic train extension, the detailing, everything! It was an easy yes in the end.

THE HIGHLIGHTS

Our first look moment was so special. I was a ball of nerves. It was nice to have this time together before the madness of the day to calm each other and have a bit of a laugh.

Another was my uncle singing me down the aisle. He sang ‘This is the Moment’, a moment I had been thinking about in my head for months. It was so special to have him do that and it is a memory I’ll never forget.

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Carlos and I didn’t have a top table, something that's common in Mexico, we had a sweetheart table so we remember looking out at everyone at one point, they were all just eating, drinking, toasting and laughing - it was just such a special moment to see all of our closest Mexican and Irish family and friends be there enjoying themselves. We felt so lucky to have everyone travel to be there with us.

THE HONEYMOON

We’re heading on our honeymoon in April to Switzerland and Italy. We’ve done the long haul flights for years now and we really want to explore what’s on our own doorstop for the time being.

Switzerland has been on the bucket list for quite some time so we’re really excited about all the chocolate and cheese and sure you can’t go wrong with Italy, right?

THE STRESS FACTOR

The night before we were told there was going to be thunder storms on the day of our wedding and that we’d need to get a tent as the wedding was all planned for outdoors.

My friend's mom had actually brought the Child of Prague to Mexico with her so she stuck him outside for the night and not a drop of rain did we see the following day, thank you Regina!

Turns out the Mexicans have their own traditions and our wedding planners had also stuck a knife into the ground which is their tradition of keeping the rain away, it obviously worked!

THE WORDS OF ADVICE

The little bits add up, the wedding game is pricey so I’d suggest buying all those little details months out like bridesmaid gifts, pyjamas, your robe, your wedding outfits, hair accessories, jewellery the list goes on.

Make a list of the pictures you want your photographer to take. The final month before the wedding is the worst, make time for each other outside of the wedding conversations because they can be all consuming! Enjoy it all, it goes by so quick!

Would you like to have your wedding featured in RSVP Magazine and on our website RSVP Live? Get in touch with kathy.prendeville@reachplc.com