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The Wine Guides

What I Wore to My Sister's Wedding

Punta Mita, choosing with intention and being yourself on purpose

We all love a beach wedding.

The smell of the ocean, the light, the ease of it all.


But this one was extra special.

It was my sister’s.


Punta Mita has that je ne sais quoi kind of energy, and as I chose the outfits for the weekend, I wasn’t thinking about trends or what was “expected” of me as the sister of the bride. I was thinking about how I wanted to feel—comfortable in my own skin.


I chose every dress, every outfit—intentionally. Not to impress. Not to perform. But to feel like myself, on purpose.


Trusting your taste takes courage—especially when there are many voices around you offering opinions, and expectations start to creep in.


The truth is, I didn’t spend nearly as much time on my dresses as people assumed. In the months leading up to the wedding, my mind was elsewhere—building Sips & Voyage, writing SipChic: A Beginner’s Guide to Wine, showing up to wine class, studying late nights, and preparing for my final exam.


I was deep in it.


Between studying, building my brand, helping my sister plan her wedding, living my life, and designing trips for clients traveling over Christmas, my days were full. December is always intense in the travel world, and this one was no exception.


My final exam was on December 28th. It was demanding, technical, and required everything I had. When I passed with distinction, I felt deeply proud of myself.


After that, I did what I needed most: I went to Cancún with friends and let myself breathe.


Somewhere in between all of that, choosing what to wear slipped quietly to the bottom of my list. And when I looked up, there were only three weeks left until the wedding.


So I did the simplest thing. I ordered eleven dresses online—because the truth is, I knew what I wanted.


That’s the thing about knowing your taste. It saves you from feeling overwhelmed. It keeps you from spiraling. You don’t need endless time or endless opinions—you just need clarity.


I chose my outfits three weeks before the wedding. And when it came to the dress—the one I would wear that day—my instinct didn’t hesitate.

It knew.



Friday—Sunset Welcome Drinks.


Woman in a black dress holding a wine glass and gold clutch, standing on a beach at sunset. Background features ocean and cloudy sky.

For the sunset welcome drinks, I chose black—it just felt right. This Cult Gaia dress was elegant and bold, polished yet a little unexpected. Black at the beach can feel powerful when done with intention, and paired with gold, it softens—it becomes warm, glowing, almost sunlit.


Cult Gaia is always a good idea by the ocean. There’s something sculptural about their pieces that feels at home by the sea—artful and meant to be noticed.


I paired it with gold Femme LA heels (a personal favorite—the delicate straps, the way they elevate without overpowering) and a gold Cult Gaia clutch. Nothing else competing for space. Just clean lines, strong details, and a sense of arrival.


It felt confident.

Authentic.

The perfect way to begin the weekend.



Saturday—The Wedding


A woman in a light blue gown stands in a modern hallway with dark wood paneling. She's holding a clutch, exuding elegance and confidence.
Two women in formal gowns, one holding a flower bouquet, pose in a marble-tiled room. Others are seated in the background. Bride and sister of the bride.

This dress felt like I was wearing the ocean itself.


Soft, fluid teal blue silk from Marmar Halim, moving with me, catching the light, feeling alive.


There was something deeply meaningful about wearing her design that day. My mom wore Marmar Halim too—a striking red dress—and I loved the idea of us both wearing pieces created by a woman. It felt connected. Intentional. Like a quiet tribute.


And then the shoes.


Sparkly silver high-heeled sandals with spiral ankle straps on a wooden table. Wine bottle blurred in background. Elegant and stylish. Tene Caovilla heels.

A moment for the René Caovilla heels, please. They’re not just shoes—they’re jewelry. They sparkle like diamonds, delicate and powerful at the same time. The kind of piece that makes you stand a little taller the second you put them on.


For jewelry, I stayed close to the story: pearls, diamonds, sapphires. And for the clutch, of course, Cult Gaia. This pearl clutch felt like the final note—pearls from the ocean, echoing the dress, the place. Everything speaking the same language.


One of the most beautiful compliments I received that night was simple:

“Eres el mar.”


I don’t think I’ll ever forget that. It’s now, without question, my favorite compliment I’ve ever received.


Blue has always been my color. Baby blue, soft blue, ocean blue. It’s elegance to me—calm, depth, strength. It’s the same blue that once filled my boutique, Ekla. The same blue I always return to.


So wearing it that night didn’t feel like a choice.

It felt like recognition.


Elegant group in formal attire, women in red and white gowns, men in suits, posed in a stylish room. Mood is sophisticated and composed. Family of the bride.


Sunday—The Afterglow


Sunday was the exhale.


Barefoot on the sand, hair pulled back, a touch of gold, no plans beyond being there. The energy had shifted—lighter, slower, softer.


Woman in a beige dress stands on a beach at sunset, with waves and a cloudy sky in the background, creating a serene mood.
Woman in beige dress walks on sandy beach at sunset, with cloudy sky and ocean in the background, creating a serene mood.

I wore a dress by amrhea, in a soft, neutral tone. Effortless, feminine, relaxed. Just what Sunday called for.


No heels, no agenda—only music, fireworks, the people I love, and the feeling that eveything was exactly where it needed to be.



This weekend reminded me that style, like taste, isn’t about having endless options or following rules. It’s about knowing yourself well enough to choose with intention.


Seeing my sister so happy, surrounded by love, felt deeply wholesome—a reminder of how powerful it is to be fully present in moments that matter. And it reinforced something simple but important: when you trust your taste and choose intentionally, everything falls into place. Whether it’s a black dress at sunset, blue silk by the sea, or dancing barefoot on the sand, being yourself—on purpose—is always the right choice.


Sip chic. Dress bold. Travel always.

—N


Woman in a blue dress toasts with wine at an elegant outdoor dinner party. Lush greenery and warm lighting create a festive ambiance.
And of course—wine is always part of the story.
Outdoor wedding setup with tables and chairs under palm trees and ivy-covered arches. White linens, floral arrangements, and a calm, elegant mood.
Text on a textured white page says, "Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who's wearing it. -Yves Saint Laurent."
Bride and groom kissing at sunset ceremony. Bride in white gown, groom in blue suit, surrounded by flowers and candles under a large tree.
Just married.

 
 
 

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