A San Francisco couple weds in Cabo amid stunning details
(Photography by Michelle Scolman)

A San Francisco couple weds in Cabo amid stunning details

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They spent five hours hiking to the top of Vail Mountain, where he then pulled out the ring. On their way back into town via gondola ride, he planned for Champagne. And just like that, Brittany Montalbo and Drew Chansky, who had been dating for seven years, decided to tie the knot. The betrotheds set their minds on gorgeous destination wedding in Cabo, Mexico.

Anticipating that weddings can be too fleeting, Montalbo and Chansky wanted to make the most of their time with loved ones. As San Franciscans with family in Cabo—the bride's family owns a villa there—the Mexican vacation spot popular among Bay Areans was an easy option, and once they saw the Cape Hotel, they knew they had found their venue. As with most inspiration nowadays, Montalbo discovered the hotel on an Instagram feed.


"I saw their gorgeous tiled floors and amazing wood accents and was obsessed. I know, so millennial of me," she says.

A natural color palette of white and greenery made for striking but classic adornment. Florals consisted of a plethora of white roses, tea roses, lisianthus, peonies, and freesias. The wedding arch offered a unique element with an asymmetric design: a wood frame was draped with fabric on one side and adorned with white roses on the other. Paired with the serene coastal backdrop, their simple theme was chic and timeless.

Capturing all the memorable moments and details was the couple's photographer and close friend, Michelle Scolman, who, like many photographers, jumped in to handle much more than just snapping great shots.

"She does such great job we knew that we had to have her come out to photograph our special day," says Montalbo. "Also I needed her there for moral support."

On the day of, there was nothing but excitement, including a quick mishap. At one point, water spilled onto their ceremony site when a guest overflowed the plunge pool. Luckily, it was cleaned up without the bride and groom even taking notice. Accidents aside, the wedding went off with just one hitch (of the matrimonial sort). The couple wrote their own vows, had an epic dance party at the reception and followed it with a bash at Montalbo's parents' villa, where she admits, there was a lot of tequila flowing.

"I was so happy to marry my BFF!"

Montalbo's tips for planning a wedding abroad:

  • Hire a planner. There is so much that goes into this day and it is impossible to plan something like this on your own in another country.
  • Scout the venue in person first. We were lucky enough to go down to Cabo in April before the wedding, which was very helpful. We did our food tasting, visited the rental companies, and went over all of the details with the planner.

Venue: The Cape, A Thompson Hotel

Wedding dress: Pronovias in NYC

Maid of Honor dress: Flynn Skye from Revolve

Reception dress: Naeem Khann

Shoes: Aquazzura, ordered online from Intermix

Photography: Michelle Scolman from Vivienne Tyler PhotographyVivienne Tyler Photography

Planner + Day Of Coordinator: Amy Abbott Events

Flowers: Lola De Campo

Invitations: Minted

Table numbers/ other printed materials: Bells and Whistles in Cabo

Calligraphy: Amy Abbott Events

Decor: Amy Abbott Events and Del Cabo Rentals in San Jose Del Cabo

Cake: The Cape Los Cabos pastry chef

Hair and makeup: Los Cabos Make Up

Catering: The Cape Hotel

Engagement rings: Mark Areias in Aptos, CA (family jeweler that her mom, grandma and aunt go to)

Wedding rings: Padis Jewelry in the SF Jewelry Mart

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