After four years together, Alexander Ellis Paul proposed to Tinsley Merrill Paul, CEO of Support HerStory, at Spanish Bay in California. She thought they were celebrating his mother’s 60th birthday at Pebble Beach, but when they walked down to the beach to pick a location to set up the picnic, he got down on one knee. The two used to have date nights during the pandemic in that very spot. “I pretty much blacked out after that,” Tinsley says.
The engaged pair quickly decided to choose Cabo as their wedding destination, as they’d both spent lots of time there growing up. “I actually met Alex’s mom and brother four years before I ever met Alex at the Palmilla,” Tinsley reveals. Each of their event venues was chosen to showcase the five elements they love most about Cabo: culture, colors, desert, beach, and ocean. To help bring everything to life, the couple hired Amy Abbott, and Katherine Jezek Design set the tone for the weekend with a beautiful invitation suite.
The welcome party’s theme was “Todos Blanco” at Goncanseco in the San José Del Cabo square. The bride wore a Dolce & Gabbana set with Valentino platforms and Lele Sadoughi earrings. The couple entered the venue with a traditional Mexican parade with mojigangas, crafted by Tony Ramirez. Guests then enjoyed hand-crafted embroidered hats by HerStory partner Corazon Playero, local cuisine by Felipe Bertin, mezcal tastings, and a performance by Rosalia De Cuba and salsa dancers. “Every aspect of the night was a celebration of the culture and people who have made Alex and I fall in love with this area,” the bride shares.
Friday’s night’s affair had a Western-chic flair at Rancho La Huerta in Chileno Bay. Tinsley rocked a Bronx and Banco customized by Braylee Flaska Designs and custom Miron Crosby boots that had “Hey Y’all” and her new initials on them. “The Miron Crosby founders truly went out of their way to make these boots so special,” the bride gushes. Guests had their turn at axe throwing or riding a mechanical bull, while the couple’s favorite band, The Shamans, played.
To walk down the aisle, Tinsley wore a customized version of Monique Lhuillier’s Maeve gown with Jimmy Choo pearl platform heels and diamond flower studs that were a wedding present from Alex. The bride’s hairdressers plucked a tulip from a bridal bouquet, as her “something borrowed,” and placed it in Tinsley’s low bun.
Bridesmaids complemented Tinsley well in three styles of Jenny Yoo dresses in green, Champagne, and blush florals and flower crowns, crafted by Aria Vera Floral. For the after-party, the bride changed into a custom set by Braylee Designs and Alice + Olivia.
On February 2, 2022, the wedding day was hosted at One&Only Pamilla. The two had their ceremony on Tortuga Beach, as whales jumped out of the ocean. “I was so nervous, excited and emotional all at once,” Tinsley recalls. The bride’s sister, Brittany, led the ceremony. We are 10 years apart, and she is one of my best friends, my business partner, and my role model, so it was so special to us.”
After witnessing the exchanging of vows and rings, guests were ushered by Mariachi Nuevo Jalisciense to the south lawn for margaritas, ranch water, and Champagne. Saxophonist, Breno Morais, then led the party of 300 to Agua for the reception, passing by synchronized swimmers from Cabo Inside performing a show in the pool.
For dinner, loved ones enjoyed a stations with ceviche, guacamole, taquito, shawarma, and fajitas. The cake by Cades Cakes featured tiers of dulce de leche and even one that was gluten free.
San Diego-based Liquid Blue Band kept the energy on the dance floor high all night. The newlyweds had their first dance to “Your Song,” which led into “500 Miles.” Mid-reception, light up dancers did a Michael Jackson performance, as he is one of Tinsley’s favorite artists. And the night ended with surprise fireworks and a Vespa getaway to the after-party at the Bahia Courtyard and Ballroom. “You couldn’t keep Alex and me off the dance floor,” Tinsley shares.
The last fête of the night had a futuristic circus theme, complete with aerial dancers, water drummers from Cabo Entertainment, men on stilts, fire dancers, mirrored cage dancers, disco bunnies, an espresso martini bar, Daft Punk Discovery, and a 3D photo-booth from Cabooth. “It was my and Alex’s futuristic club for the night—think Moulin Rouge meets Westworld,” Tinsley says. The party lasted until the lights came on at 2:30 a.m. “Play the song “Pepas by Furick,” and it all comes back to me.”
