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When it came to planning their wedding, Maria and Chanel had two clear priorities: honoring their cultures and celebrating the strength of their community. As proud Queer Latinas, the couple envisioned a wedding day that not only reflected their unique love story but also paid homage to their heritage. The result? A vibrant San Diego wedding full of heart, color, culture, and joy.
A Love Story Rooted in Heritage
Although raised in different parts of the country—Maria in Miami and El Paso with her Mexican family, and Chanel in North Philadelphia with her Puerto Rican family—the couple describes themselves as a blend of desert and city. Their wedding at BRICK in San Diego’s Liberty Station beautifully brought those worlds together, thanks to the creativity of 828 Planning and visionary floral designer Mike of MR Florals & Events.
Cultural Wedding Decor: A Bold Floral Vision
Mike’s floral artistry played a central role in bringing Maria and Chanel’s cultural vision to life. Two stunning installations anchored the celebration: an ofrenda-inspired floral arch and a custom reception stage.
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The ofrenda, crafted with marigolds and roses, served as a heartfelt tribute to the couple’s ancestors. With their wedding taking place just before Día de los Muertos, it offered guests a sacred space for remembrance—linking past, present, and future.
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Their custom floral stage doubled as a symbolic backdrop and a functional reception lounge. Instead of a traditional sweetheart table, the brides sat on a couch surrounded by vibrant pinks and oranges, a color palette inspired by the lesbian pride flag. Tying the look together was a hand-painted 8-foot graffiti wall, created by the brides themselves, symbolizing their blended urban and cultural identities.
Personal Touches: The Museum of “Mucho Mucho Amor”
In tribute to their first date at a museum, the couple created a one-of-a-kind installation: The Museum of “Mucho Mucho Amor.” Inspired by Puerto Rican icon and queer astrologer Walter Mercado, this gallery wall was just one of the many deeply personal details woven into the day.
Guests were welcomed into Maria and Chanel’s world through:
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A curated R&B and reggaeton instrumental playlist
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Custom nameplates, referencing Chanel’s signature necklace
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Puerto Rican pilones filled with Mexican candies
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Tiny agua florida bottles as meaningful keepsakes
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Handmade Funko Pop figurines crafted by Maria’s late friend and mentor
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An airbrush heart photo booth backdrop that mirrored their first photo together
For those seeking a quiet moment, a cozy “sala” lounge recreated the couple’s living room, complete with personal furniture and favorite books like Queer Love in Color, The Nameplate, and All About Love.
Queer Latinx Performances & Pride-Driven Entertainment
This Latinx queer wedding celebration came alive with powerful performances and nonstop entertainment:
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Maria joined Batey Tambo and Bomba Liberte in a traditional Puerto Rican Bomba dance.
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Mariachi Amapola, an all-women mariachi band, serenaded guests with Maria’s favorite songs.
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Chanel performed a dynamic salsa routine with In Lak’ech Dance Academy, a queer Afro Latin dance company.
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Local drag artist Strawberry and DJ Sizzle Fantastic kept the energy high all night long.
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The evening wrapped up with a karaoke afterparty, a beloved tradition in Maria’s family—made possible by BRICK’s 24-hour rental policy.
Latinx-Inspired Wedding Food & Dessert
Food was another intentional celebration of culture and identity. Guests enjoyed:
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Puerto Rican street food by AntoYitos Borincanos
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A traditional Mexican dinner by El Tapatio
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Refreshing artisanal paletas from Cabeto’s Pops
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A custom wedding cake by Les Fleur Bakery
Because neither bride drinks alcohol, dessert took center stage. And in a true show of values, 90% of the vendors were women and/or queer people of color.
Culturally Significant Wedding Attire
Maria and Chanel’s wedding looks were bold, meaningful, and rooted in cultural pride:
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Maria wore a traditional Mexican charro suit, commonly worn by men, as a declaration of her unapologetic queer identity. Her look included cowboy boots and a classic trenza braid.
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Chanel wore a sleek, fitted gown incorporating heirlooms from her mother’s wedding: a veil, beaded gloves, and jewelry. Her glamorous gemstone-accented acrylic nails added sparkle and personality.
A Meaningful Wedding Date in San Diego
Though they now live in Oakland, Maria and Chanel chose San Diego for their wedding so family and friends could experience the magic of the West Coast. BRICK, located in Liberty Station, felt like a perfect fit—not just for its vibe, but for its emotional significance. The couple had unknowingly stayed nearby during their first visit to the city together.
Their wedding date, October 11, turned out to be even more meaningful: it was National Coming Out Day and the 10-year anniversary of Chanel’s grandmother’s passing. It felt like the universe had aligned just for them.
A San Diego Wedding That Celebrates Love, Identity, and Legacy
Maria and Chanel’s wedding at BRICK was more than just a beautiful celebration. It was a deeply intentional expression of love, identity, culture, and queerness—a wedding that honored their roots, uplifted their community, and proudly embraced every part of who they are.
Every detail was chosen with purpose, every moment crafted with heart. And in doing so, they created not just a wedding, but a legacy.
Planning your own culturally rooted, identity-affirming wedding in San Diego?
BRICK in Liberty Station offers the flexibility, style, and heart to bring your vision to life—just like Maria and Chanel did. Contact our dedicated venue and planning team to get started.
Venue + Beverage: BRICK
Planning: 828 Planning
Catering: El Tapatio Catering
Food Truck + Appetizers: AntoYitos Borincanos
Rentals: Platinum Event Rentals
Specialty Rentals: Cedar & Pine
External Restrooms: Posh Privy
Florist: MR Floral & Events
Photo: Tiffany Le Visuals
Photo Booth: Amor Y Vista Media
Dessert: Cabetos Pops
Cake: Les Fluer
DJ/MC: DJ Sizzle Fantastic
Mariachi Band: Mariachi Amapolas
Bomba Entertainment: Bomba Liberte + Batey Tambo
Salsa Entertainment: In Lak’ech Dance Academy
Drag Entertainment: Courtney Johnson
