if you don’t know yet about monique martinez, you should know that she is the sought-after fashion designer behind a thriving etsy shop called ouma clothing. brides from all over the world commission her for one-of-a-kind handmade dresses. but the world hasn’t really seen anything yet.
over the past year i’ve chatted with monique about projects, dreams, family, love. i always find myself in grown-up conversations with her, trying to get insights on just how she does it. this busy mother-of-two is doing what she absolutely loves, and doing it damn good. yet i’m always taken by her humility and calmness. she smiles even while chaos bends and spins around her.
on her wedding day though, i got to glimpse through the cracks and discover something more profound. i got to see her pillars. her reasons for doing what she does so well. the special people in her life who stand behind her and keep her going. i got to witness just how much she loves john, and how much they love their two daughters. monique and john have a battalion of family and friends beside them ready to either fight for them or cheer them on. it’s pretty incredible to see how much they are loved. these two may have been together for 10 years and have a family of their own, but when they stood before each other at the altar, it was as if they were falling in love for the first time. their wedding seemed like the culmination point. a long deep breath. an unwavering continuation of a story which has come full circle. because it’s not so much about doing the right thing, at the right time, in the right order. but more about bringing yourself back to the basics. of fear, commitment, love, laughter.. and celebrating the chapters of your life with those you love most.

venue: the ice house
dress: the bride herself, monique martinez of ouma clothing
bracelet: lisa dominy of lilew treasures
head piece: xappa of space cadet
flowers: by jennifer wood of mignonne handmade
cake: fleur de lis
cake topper: milk tea
flower girls dresses: faith works for you
event coordinators: cristi & bianca of blissfully chic events
djs: ariel perez, conrad & kristhefist herrera