Marah Alindogan and Nicholas Unan officially met on Hinge, but quickly realized their lives had previously been intertwined. “Our connection was instant, but what makes our story even more special is the serendipity behind it,” Marah says. “We had unknowingly crossed paths growing up, attending the same church. It felt like the universe had been quietly nudging us toward each other all along.”
The couple shares a love for traveling, and on their first international trip together—to Oaxaca, Mexico—something shifted. “It’s the place where I realized Marah wasn’t just my partner, she was my person,” Nicholas says. “Oaxaca has a magic about it. It’s romantic, alive, and full of community—everything we value most in our relationship.” Since then, it’s held a special place in their hearts; so when Nicholas proposed, “it felt like the perfect place to begin our next chapter,” Marah says.
“Our aesthetic was romantic, fun, and vibrant, effortlessly merging the rich traditions of Oaxaca with personal, heartfelt touches,” the bride says. “We wanted our guests to leave feeling like they were immersed in our love story, experiencing something uniquely us that resonated long after the weekend ended.” They chose venues rife with history: a former 16th-century monastery and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Quinta Real, for the ceremony, and a beautifully restored hacienda,Proyecto Murguía, for the reception. “We loved the idea that these walls had witnessed centuries of stories before ours,” Nicholas says. “It felt like we were adding our own chapter to something much bigger than ourselves.” The fashion needed to bring the same unique energy, an easy ask for Marah. “I wanted to have fun with my wedding looks because that’s when I feel the most confident!” she says. Her trumpet Galia Lahav wedding dress from The Dress Theory was adorned with three-dimensional florals and lace and paired with a modern horsehair veil. Her custom after-party mini by ASTON Bridal featured sequins and pearl detailing, and Mach & Mach heels added extra sparkle.
But it was the glam that brought it all together. “I had an incredible glam team—Lisset Allende and Yayo Hernandez—that made me feel the most beautiful I’ve ever felt,” Marah says. “I went for a natural, sun-kissed makeup look with soft bronzer and rosy cheeks, something fresh and effortless. For the after-party, I switched up my hair and makeup, opting for a playful, bouncy ponytail, a glamorous smokey eye, and plenty of shimmer!"
On February 21, 2025, guests took their seats for the ceremony decked out in “festive formal” attire, including Marah’s pink-clad bridesmaids (“I told them to ‘upstage me’ in something fun and glam,” she says). The setting was magical and intimate. “The florals by Floral & Event Design were one of the most personal design elements of the day, inspired by the early days of our relationship, when we fell in love over many bottles of Superbloom wine,” Marah describes. “We wanted everything to feel lush, wild, and full of life. The arrangements reflected the organic beauty of nature, with a color palette of soft whites, blushes, vibrant greens, and pops of pink. At the ceremony, clouds of roses, lisianthus, bougainvillea, and hydrangeas framed the space, while overgrown floral clusters lined the aisle as if they had always belonged there.”
The groom’s childhood best friend officiated, and the couple exchanged personal vows. “To honor my Filipino roots, we included a veil and cord blessing in the ceremony,” Marah says. “The veil symbolizes oneness and protection in marriage, while the cord represents eternity and unity.” Immediately following the ceremony, guests were ushered into the street for a wedding parade, including dancers, and music.
The couple reached the reception venue first and requested a few minutes alone to take it all in. “It was surreal to see all our plans come to life,” Marah says. “We wanted to engage all five senses in the space. The tables featured a mix of Ikebana-inspired sculptural arrangements and lush floral blocks that shifted depending on perspective, continuing our ‘Superbloom’ theme and color palette from the ceremony.” There were patterned linens and handpainted menus, and the distinct scent of Sampaguita, a Filipino flower. Guests were greeted at their seats with hand-carved alebrijes, Mexican figurines created by Oaxacan artisans.
“Food played a huge role in creating the unforgettable experience we had,” Marah adds; Catedral provided catering. “Oaxaca is known for its rich culinary history, especially its moles, mezcal, and unique regional ingredients. The flavors were as vibrant as the decor.” As the newlyweds looked on from their sweetheart table—a last-minute addition to the layout—they saw their guests enjoying the cuisine and celebrating. “It was such a surreal, love-filled moment,” Marah says. “We felt like the luckiest people in the world.”
Then, the dance floor opened, energized by DJ Alexis Del Angel of Capital DJs and saxophonist Alberto Sosax. “To keep the momentum going, we had a lively hora loca with giant light-up alebrijes,” Marah says. “It was so incredible to see the looks on guests’ faces when each surprise came out.”
Later yet, a churro cart appeared, then trays of tequila shots served by the bride. “The party was far from over,” Marah says. “We went on until 3 a.m. the next day, filled with dancing, laughter, and so many incredible memories.”
