January 3, 2012

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The Studio Photographers.

When Kimberly Guiffredo, a hairdresser from Toms River, and Tony Genco, a police officer from Clifton, decided to tie the knot, they opted for Cancun, Mexico, where they vacation annually. “Everyone thinks a destination wedding means sundresses and bare feet. We wanted something different: a formal, unforgettable event in the tropics,” Kim says. Enter Williams Perez, the expert wedding planner at the Ritz-Carlton. During two visits, Perez introduced Kim to local florists, bakers, makeup artists and deejays for her selection and approval.

Destination: Cancun, Mexico

This was not to be a packaged resort wedding. “The Ritz-Carlton truly catered to us. And because all the planning was away, my wedding didn’t take over my life,” Kim says. With only 40 family members and close friends attending the June 25, 2011, wedding, Kim could afford to treat them royally. From the surf-and-turf menu to a celebrity deejay, everything was upscale. “I didn’t want to be introduced to my wedding guests,” Kim told us. “We invited those who truly wanted to be there.” She invited New Jersey photographers David and Tammy Salomone to shoot the weekend. Having wed in Cancun themselves, they were thrilled to return.

A Friday dinner on the beach—complete with margarita and tequila bars, fajita and taco cooking stations and a roving mariachi band—kicked off the weekend. But by Saturday afternoon, monsoon rains had settled in. Outside photos were taken during periodic sun breaks, but the ceremony was moved inside to an equally lush location: an atrium topped by stained glass and dripping with vines. After the couple wed, hotel guests overlooking the proceedings applauded. At Sunday breakfast, guests unwound indoors over Ping-Pong and foosball, rather than poolside. Kim’s dream wedding was everything she wished for and more. After all the hoopla, Kim and Tony stayed for a five-day honeymoon before returning home to Manalapan. As they left, their favorite bellman said, “I hope to see you for your first anniversary.” They are indeed returning to Cancun to celebrate their first year in June.

Resources:

PHOTOGRAPHER: David and Tammy Salomone, The Studio Photographers, Freehold, Millburn and Staten Island, 973-863-2720 or 800-439-6178; thestudiophotographers.com

HOTEL: The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun, Mexico, 52-998-881-0808; ritzcarlton.com/cancun; Williams Perez, wedding planner

BRIDE’S GOWN & VEIL: Romona Keveza from Exquisite Bride, Princeton, 609-452-7200; exquisite-bride.com

BRIDE’S SHOES: Kate Spade from Nordstrom; nordstrom.com

BRIDESMAID, FLOWER-GIRL DRESSES & GROOMSMEN SUITS: Dessy Collection from After Six; aftersix.com.

STATIONERY: Elegantly Stated, Morganville, 732-536-1220; elegantlystated.com

RINGS: Martin Flyer design from Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry, Manalapan, 732-577-1030; garymichaelsfinejewelry.com