A Sea-Swept Wedding on the Cliffs of Cabo

Set above the waves at Cocina Del Mar, Nicole and Eric’s wedding fused coastal elegance, oceanic texture, and intimate, sculptural detail.

Married on the sculpted cliffs of Cabo San Lucas, Nicole and Eric exchanged vows above the waves at Cocina Del Mar. The Esperanza Auberge property, chosen for its cinematic landscape and personal symbolism, offered a setting that echoed the Italian coastline — where water, light, and stone converged.

The bride — a travel blogger with a strong affinity to the sea — envisioned an elevated mermaid-inspired wedding unfurled in soft, oceanic hues and tempered textures. A sinuous floral installation framed the ceremony, curving with the contours of the cliffside terraces. Her calla lily bouquet and tailored Lihi Hod gown lent the moment an ethereal elegance.

While signature cocktails, a churro cart, and a late-night buffet added playful detail to a dinner of seabass, short rib, and pesto pasta, the reception tables featured abalone shell place cards and ambient candlelight — an effortless balance of intimacy and polish. Photography by Kreativ Wedding.

Cliffside Wedding Venue

Our Story

Names / Nicole Isaacs & Eric Aboutboul

Location / Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Wedding Date / December 8th, 2024

Guest Numbers / 140

Cliffside Wedding Venue

How We Met

Eric and I first met in June 2007 at his cousin’s engagement party — his cousin happened to be a good friend of mine from UCLA. We crossed paths again at the wedding in July 2008. I was in a relationship at the time, but fate had other plans. After Eric came to my New Year’s Eve party to ring in 2009, we officially started dating in January.

Our Engagement Story

Eric and I first dated in our early twenties for three and a half years before breaking up in 2012. Over the next 12 years, life pulled us in different directions, but we always felt a deep connection and believed that if it was meant to be, we’d find our way back.

I’d always called him my Prince Eric — The Little Mermaid has been my favorite movie since childhood — but over time, I began to let go of the idea we’d reunite.

Then, early last year, I had just ended a long-term relationship when Eric’s mom, who’d always had a soft spot for me, brought up my name to him — just a day after our second “first” date. From the moment we kissed, it felt like no time had passed. A few months later, we were engaged.

He proposed on my favorite mountain, where I walk my dogs — who were waiting at the top in tiny tuxedos with “Marry Me” signs. It was perfect.

After all these years, I finally married my Prince Eric in a sea-inspired dream wedding. The timing wasn’t what we expected — but it was exactly right.

What we love most about each other…

Because of our history, we truly know each other’s souls. Our connection runs deep, and when we found our way back to each other 12 years later, it felt both familiar and brand new at the same time. We’ve been through so much together, and that journey has made us incredibly confident and secure in our relationship. What I love most about Eric is his thoughtfulness. He has the biggest heart — always caring for others with such generosity, kindness, and sincerity.

Cliffside Wedding Venue

The Setting

Wedding Location

Our wedding took place at Cocina Del Mar, set on the breathtaking stone cliff terraces of the Esperanza Auberge property in Cabo San Lucas. The dramatic landscape, with its cliffs cascading over the ocean, reminded me of the Italian coastline — one of my favorite places in the world.

We chose Esperanza Resort because I wanted to be surrounded by water. To me, water is a powerful metaphor for life itself — it’s healing, cleansing, ever-changing, and a reminder of life’s ebbs, flows, and impermanence.

Cabo holds a special place in my heart, not just for its beauty but for the deep connection I feel to the ocean there. It’s one of the places I go to dive and be with the whales, making it the perfect setting for our wedding.

Aesthetic

I envisioned an elevated, ethereal mermaid wedding — one that felt earthy, organic, and deeply inspired by the sea. Drawn to nature and soft, muted tones, I wanted every detail to reflect the beauty of the ocean in an elegant, understated way.

Of course, The Little Mermaid has always been my favorite movie, so I couldn’t help but weave subtle nods to it throughout the day — after all, I was marrying my own Prince Eric. Ariel’s wedding dress served as inspiration for my own, and in one of my favorite details, our flower girl walked down the aisle to a beautiful instrumental version of Part of Your World.

Preparation

I wanted the morning to feel calm and peaceful — a quiet moment before the whirlwind of the day began. I chose not to have a bridal party, just my sister as my Maid of Honor, which made the morning even more special. Getting ready with just my mom and sister created the serene, intimate start I had hoped for — exactly what I needed before stepping into such a big, beautiful day.

Cliffside Wedding Venue

Photography

I chose Kreativ to capture our special day. They’re a European-based wedding team whose aesthetic and vibe I absolutely love. They had actually shot my sister’s wedding in Puglia the year before, and after seeing their work — and experiencing their warm, easygoing energy firsthand — it was an easy and natural decision.

Beyond their incredible talent, what mattered most to me on my wedding day was surrounding myself with good energy. Having already spent time with them in Puglia, I knew their presence would bring exactly the kind of calm, positive vibe I wanted.

Videography

I wanted our wedding video to feel unique, artistic, and deeply personal — a true reflection of the emotions and energy of the day. I knew Ricardo from the Kreativ team would capture it beautifully, as I had always admired his cinematic style and storytelling. His work has a way of making moments feel both intimate and timeless, and our wedding film was no exception.

Cliffside Wedding Venue

Style Notes

Ceremony Décor

I envisioned romantic, organic floral designs that complemented the natural beauty of the setting. My planner and I came up with the idea of creating a wave-like floral arrangement that flowed with the curves of the stone cliff. Since the terraces themselves were rounded, I wanted to avoid rigid, linear lines and instead embrace soft, organic shapes that felt in harmony with the landscape. With waves crashing against the cliffs and the dramatic backdrop of the ocean, the setting was already breathtaking — I wanted the florals to enhance, not overpower, its natural beauty.

Reception Décor

I wanted the reception to feel soft, romantic, and effortlessly elegant. We used seashells, candles, and soft ambient lighting to create a warm, intimate atmosphere that complemented the natural beauty of the oceanfront setting. The tables were styled with refined, understated details — timeless and curated without feeling overdone. One of my favorite touches was the personalized abalone shell place cards for each guest, which added a thoughtful, memorable detail.

To honor Eric’s Moroccan heritage, we also included a traditional Henna ceremony during the reception. Guests changed into Moroccan kaftans, and we celebrated with music, blessings, and henna — an incredibly special way to unite our families and add cultural meaning to the evening.

“I wanted to be surrounded by water. To me, water is a powerful metaphor for life itself — it’s healing, cleansing, ever-changing, and a reminder of life’s ebbs, flows, and impermanence.”

Cliffside Wedding Venue

Wedding Planner & Stylist

I had the pleasure of working with Amy Abbott Events, and I couldn’t have asked for a better team. Amy and Ivette Hernandez were incredible throughout the entire process. Ivette, in particular, was my day-to-day planner, and she was absolutely amazing. She worked closely with me every step of the way, making sure everything was exactly how I envisioned it.

Flowers

I wanted a timeless, soft, and romantic floral design for our wedding. For my ceremony bouquet, I chose elegant calla lilies, which felt both classic and serene. The florals for the ceremony and reception featured a beautiful mix of white roses, orchids, and other delicate blooms, creating a refined and harmonious atmosphere throughout the day.

Stationery

We worked with Lavanda y Tinta, who is based in Mexico, for all printed signage throughout the wedding landscapes.

Favors

We did hangover kits for our guests, and also gave some of my favorite sunscreen and skincare products from OSEA Malibu and Coola.

Cake

Our cake was a custom creation by the incredibly talented Cheri Ingle, who also happens to be a family member. I shared my vision with her, and she truly brought it to life with her artistry. The result was everything I had imagined — elegant, unique, and perfectly in line with the overall aesthetic of our wedding.

Food & Beverages

We had a sit-down dinner with drinks served throughout the evening. To make it extra special, we created signature cocktails — one for the bride and one for the groom. The dinner featured a delicious menu with braised short rib, locally caught seabass, and a vegetarian pesto pasta. For dessert, we had a churro cart, and to keep the energy going, we set up a late-night buffet for the after-party. It was the perfect combination of flavors to make the evening memorable.

Cliffside Wedding Venue

Fashion & Beauty Notes

Bride’s Dress & Shoes

I wore four different dresses throughout the day, each chosen to reflect a different part of the celebration. For the ceremony, I wore a gown by Lihi Hod. My reception dress was by Netta BenShabu, and for the Moroccan Henna celebration, I wore a gown by Seema Gujral. For the after-party, I changed into a dress by Dana Harel. My shoes were by Sophia Webster, complementing each outfit with their whimsical and feminine designs.

Wedding Rings, Jewelry & Accessories

Our engagement rings are from Orianne Jewelry, a Los Angeles-based designer I adore. I actually have two engagement rings. The first is my grandmother’s diamond ring, which I had reset by Orianne — it’s the one Eric used for the proposal. The second ring features an emerald stone, one of my favorite gemstones, also crafted by Orianne.

Our custom wedding bands were made in Kyoto, Japan. During a trip there last year, we discovered a gold shop and had the bands created with the word “infinity” in Japanese engraved inside both rings. These special bands were worn during our ceremony and will always hold a deep, personal meaning for us. I also wore family jewels, and the emeralds I wore for my Moroccan henna outfit were from Orianne Jewelry.

Hair & Makeup

I chose a simple, timeless, and romantic look for my hair and makeup. For the ceremony, I wore my hair down in soft waves, styled by Reagan Link, and then had it styled up for the reception. As for my makeup, I wanted a natural, bronzy look with soft tones that enhanced my features without feeling overdone. Rebecah Janian did my makeup, creating a flawless, radiant finish.

Cliffside Wedding Venue

The Details

Transport

We stayed at our wedding venue for the week to make things easy. The only time we really left the property was for our sunset cruise with our guests to kick off our wedding weekend.

Honeymoon

After the wedding, we went on a smaller trip because we were on such a high, and it was nice to get away and decompress after all the months leading up to the wedding. We are still planning our honeymoon for this year and haven’t gone on an official honeymoon yet!

Gift Registry

We created a honeymoon fund on our wedding website on The Knot for guests to contribute to.

Cliffside Wedding Venue

Wedding Songs

My aisle song was “Treat You Better” by Rufus Du Sol, while Eric’s aisle song was “Remember the Time” by Michael Jackson. For the ring bearers, we chose “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars, and our flower girl walked down to the instrumental version of “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid. Our first dance was to “Sure Thing” by Miguel.

Entertainment

We worked with a well-known DJ company from Cabo to set the tone for the evening. To add a unique touch, we incorporated live elements, starting with a Spanish guitar player to welcome guests before the ceremony and during cocktail hour. For the reception, we had live drumming, a saxophone player, belly dancers, and even a fireworks display to create a truly unforgettable atmosphere. Each element enhanced the celebration and brought a dynamic energy to the night.

Our Advice

A memorable moment…

Eric and I had such a fun time in Cabo for our wedding tasting. We stayed at the stunning Las Ventanas Paraiso and had an incredible tasting experience at Esperanza. The food was phenomenal, and we even got to design our own signature drinks. It was magical to see the Cocina Del Mar terraces light up at night — it truly got us excited for our big day.

Our wedding weekend was filled with unforgettable moments, including the welcome sunset cruise where we sailed toward the Cabo Arch with humpback whales swimming alongside our boat. The most memorable moment of the day was our first look. Having that intimate moment with Eric before the wedding chaos began really calmed our nerves. During our ceremony, we were blessed with the sight of whales breaching around us, which felt like something out of a dream.

One thing I wish I knew before I started my wedding plans…

Honestly, everything went pretty smoothly. I made a conscious decision to let go of any stress once the weekend started, and that mindset really helped me enjoy the moment. There were a few minor hiccups, but that was mostly due to my perfectionist tendencies. Looking back, I don’t think it could have gone any better, and I feel so fortunate for that. I truly attribute the seamless experience to the incredible team we had, who worked tirelessly to ensure everything went off without a hitch.

If I could give other couples one piece of advice…

When it comes to wedding planning, stay as true to yourself as possible. While you’ll likely need to compromise on certain things for your partner, I made sure my wedding reflected who I truly am. Don’t sacrifice too much for others — it’s your special day, and it’s okay to be a little selfish in making it the way you want. Trust your instincts and make choices that feel right for your soul. As for the wedding day itself, try to stay by each other’s side as much as possible. The day flies by, and it’s important to experience it together. And when things don’t go exactly as planned, let it go and don’t sweat the small stuff — no one else will notice anyway!

Sources of inspiration…

Pinterest is such a great resource for inspiration, and Instagram was also incredibly helpful. I saved posts that aligned with my vision — whether it was floral ideas, makeup inspiration, or decor. And of course, I was inspired by my favorite movie, The Little Mermaid. I’m also a huge fan of The Lane and the stunning weddings they feature. It’s truly a dream to have my wedding showcased!