On April 20th, 2024, after nine years and having to cancel during COVID, Richard and Teresa Hastings were married on the beach in front of their house in Pescadero. Guests were invited to arrive an hour before the ceremony to enjoy cocktails on the beach. Women and children arriving were offered umbrellas and men were offered straw hats. Everyone received a commemorative tequila shot glass, a small bottle of Herradura tequila and a leather pouch to hold the glass around your neck. A solo guitarist was playing music as everyone was gathering on the beach. All attendees had been asked to where white – men with khaki pants. and white shirts and women with white dresses.

As Teresa arrived to the area set up for the ceremony, everyone gathered on each side of a path leading up to Richard and the two women overseeing the spiritual ceremony for their wedding. Unlike most church weddings, the first part of the ceremony was very much Mexican and spiritual with the bride and groom being blessed and participating in a series of exercises to join their spirits. Every part of the ceremony was in both Spanish and English – Teresa being Mexican and Richard American. The process was incredible touching and emotional. As Richard was asked to recite his vows (in both Spanish and English) telling how Teresa had changed in his life, he had to stop several times to control his emotion. Their personal vows both told the story of their time together and their hopes for the future. The not only exchanged rings but were joined together with a woven rope and their wrists were joined with colorful bracelets. The couple was celebrated with a drum beat and natural smoke by the two women officiating over the ceremony. As the sun was setting on the beach in Pescadero, Richard and Teresa shared several kisses and the gathered family and friends cheered. Everyone was asked to join in a tequila toast to the bride and groom. All the guests were invited to come to the front from a drone shot of everyone as the ceremony was completed and the sun was setting on the Pacific Ocean.

All of the wedding guests were invited back to Richard and Teresa’s house, which had recently completed. The courtyard was set with tables and chairs and as people were getting seated, every one was offered tequila, cocktails or water to drink. The reception was an entertainment extravaganza. It started with performances of an eight-piece Mariachi band from La Paz – Mariachis Transpeninsular. They were absolutely incredible with a full range of instruments – guitars, trumpets, an accordion, harp, violin, and more. With amazing voices, they entertained the guests for the first 45 minutes allowing Richard and Teresa to visit all of the tables in courtyard and talk personally to their guests.