Thursday, October 14
Photo — Mezcal Palenque
Mezcal OR Hierve el Agua
Thursday, October 14 · ~9:00 AM · Optional
These tours are completely optional — there is plenty to do in Oaxaca City, more on that in our “Oaxaca Guide.” Both tours will start around 9 AM.
Mezcal Palenque. Let’s raise a glass (or several) before the big day! We’re heading out to the countryside for a mezcal tour at a family-run palenque, where agave gets roasted in earthen pits, crushed by a giant stone wheel pulled by a horse, and turned into mezcal. You’ll learn how it’s made, taste your way through the lineup, and pick a favorite. This is of course optional. Our wedding planner is organizing this tour; please reach out to our planners at oaxacadestinationweddings@gmail.com if you are interested in attending.
Hierve el Agua. For those who would like to be adventurous, our wedding planner is organizing a tour to Hierve el Agua — the frozen rock waterfalls (more info in the Oaxaca Guide). Please reach out to our planners at oaxacadestinationweddings@gmail.com if you’re interested in joining.
Friday, October 15
Photo — Monte Albán
Monte Albán
Friday, October 15 · 9:00 AM · Optional
A Zapotec city leveled into the top of a mountain 1,300 feet above the valley floor, begun around 500 BC and occupied for more than a thousand years. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, thirty minutes from the Centro. Our wedding planner is organizing a tour on Friday, October 15 at 9 AM. Contact oaxacadestinationweddings@gmail.com to join.
Photo — Pitiona
Fiesta de Bienvenida
Pitiona
Friday, October 15 · 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Fiesta attire
Please join us for rooftop tacos, hors d'oeuvres, and cocktails to start the party! The mezcal will be flowing and the dance floor will most definitely be open. We cannot wait to welcome you to Oaxaca.
Ignacio Allende 114, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax.
Saturday, October 16
Photo — Santo Domingo
The Wedding Ceremony
Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
Saturday, October 16 · 4:30 PM · Black tie
Our wedding mass will be held in Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, the 450+ year old church in the center of Oaxaca City. We recommend arriving 20–30 minutes before the ceremony begins to truly take in this sacred space.
Following the ceremony, guests are invited to join us for a traditional calenda parade through the city to the reception. A calenda is a joyful Oaxacan procession filled with music, dance, giant puppets, and of course, mezcal.
C. Macedonio Alcalá s/n, Ruta Independencia, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax.
Photo — Quinta Real
The Wedding Reception
Quinta Real
Saturday, October 16 · until 2:00 AM · Black tie
The calenda parade will conclude at our final destination, Quinta Real — the former Convent of Santa Catalina de Siena, built in 1576. Cocktail hour will take place in the Jardín Los Lavaderos and the reception will be inside La Capilla. We can't wait to dance the night away!
5 de Mayo 300, Ruta Independencia, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax.
* The Fiesta de Bienvenida and all wedding day events are within walking distance in the city center.
Travel & Accommodations
It means the world to us that you’re making the trip to Oaxaca to celebrate with us. While we’ll be celebrating the beginning of our lifetime together, we hope this trip becomes a memory you’ll treasure for years to come, too. One of the things that makes us happiest about bringing everyone to Oaxaca is the chance to share the beauty and richness of México with the people we love. For Sophia, as a proud Mexican-American, celebrating our marriage in México is especially meaningful. It is an opportunity to honor the culture, traditions, and heritage that have shaped who she is and that we hope to pass down to our children someday. We hope you experience the warmth of Mexican people, the depth of its traditions, the incredible food, colors, history, and culture, and leave with a new appreciation for just how special this part of the world is. Thank you for making this journey and for being part of a celebration that means so much more to us than we could ever express.
Room Block
A block of rooms has been reserved at Quinta Real Oaxaca, a UNESCO World Heritage boutique hotel in a restored 16th-century convent located in the heart of Oaxaca City. The wedding reception will take place at Quinta Real, which is just footsteps from the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, where the ceremony will be held.
To make your reservation, please call Quinta Real at +52 951 501 6100 ext. 322 (from the US) or email Luis Ramirez at lramirez@quintareal.com and provide the following to receive our wedding rate:
- Your name(s)
- Wedding code: Boda Lucas Ehly & Sophia Domínguez
- Arrival date
- Departure date
- Credit card to hold the room
Air Travel
Fly into Oaxaca International Airport (OAX), also called the Xoxocotlán International Airport. There are direct flights from Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara.
We encourage you to book your flights as early as possible to give yourself the best chance of finding a good fare.
Getting Around
From the airport, official taxi colectivo (shared taxi) and private taxi desks sit just outside baggage claim; a private car to the Centro runs roughly 400–600 pesos ($20-$30 USD). Didi (Mexican ride share app) works well once you are in the city and is usually cheaper than a street taxi.
If you are staying in the Centro (which we recommend!) you won't need a car. Almost everything is within a twenty-minute walk.
Documents, Money, Weather
Passport valid for the length of your stay. Check the expiration date and ensure there are at least six months remaining from your date of travel. No visa is required for U.S., German, or Japanese citizens for tourism.
Money. Cards are widely accepted in restaurants and hotels, but markets, mezcalerías and taxis are cash. ATMs in the Centro are plentiful.
Weather. Mid-October the weather is close to perfect: high 70s°F, mid 50s at night. Bring a layer for the evenings and sunscreen for the afternoons — Oaxaca sits at 5,100 feet and the sun is stronger than it feels.
Water
Because Oaxaca is a mile-high city (similar elevation to Denver), your body loses water through breathing twice as fast as it does at sea level. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water (cough cough Californians and New Yorkers). Stick to bottled or filtered, which every hotel and restaurant provides. Ice in established restaurants and bars is made with purified water and is fine.
Come Early, Stay Late
If you can possibly manage it, give yourself extra days. There’s a whole page of reasons why. Oaxaca City has more than enough to keep you busy, but if you’re a beach person, Puerto Escondido is only about a 3-hour drive away. Our favorite beach town in all of Mexico. You can also fly in and out of Puerto Escondido International Airport (PXM).
Our Oaxaca Guide
Oaxaca was named one of the happiest places to visit, and we couldn’t agree more! The full article is linked below, which includes details that make this city so special. travelandleisure.com
Oaxaca (pronounced waa·haa·kuh) is both the name of the state, located in southern Mexico, AND the capital city. Many popular things to do in Oaxaca City are located near the city center, so you’ll often hear locals simply reference “Centro” when talking about things to do or places to eat in the city. Our Fiesta de Bienvenida and Wedding day are all located within walking distance in the Centro.
Where to Eat & Drink
Photo — Casa Oaxaca
Casa Oaxaca
The place we send everyone to first. Alejandro Ruiz cooks the food of this state with total confidence, and the rooftop looks straight across at Santo Domingo (where we will be married) — which at dusk is about as good as a dinner table gets. Book ahead. Order the aguachile, you’re welcome! Luke cried when we ate here the food was so good and we have never been more full in our lives because we couldn’t stop eating…
C. de la Constitución 104-A, Ruta Independencia, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez
Photo — Criollo
Criollo
Enrique Olvera's Oaxaca project, set in a quiet colonial house with a courtyard you'll want to move into. A single tasting menu, changing constantly, built entirely out of what's good that week within about an hour's drive. This is the place Sophia cried because the food was so good. If you're only going to do one special dinner here besides Casa Oaxaca, make it this one.
Francisco I. Madero 129, Santa María del Marquesado, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez
Photo — Selva
Selva Cocktail Bar
There is no shortage of mezcalerías in Oaxaca and you should wander into all. Selva is one of our favorites: a small art-deco room upstairs on the Alcalá, a funky menu built on local ingredients, and window seats over the street. Steps from the hotel.
C. Macedonio Alcalá 403, int. 6, Ruta Independencia, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez
Photo — Tierra del Sol
Tierra del Sol
Our amazing place for an authentic Oaxacan breakfast, but they also offer lunch and dinner too. We love the cafecito, hot chocolate (a must have with your breakfast), local pastries, and hand-made tortilla dishes. Be sure to try the Cafe de Olla (made with Mexican ground coffee, cinnamon, + raw dark sugar). A few blocks from the hotel and right off the central square.
Reforma 411, Ruta Independencia, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez
Photo — Boulenc
Boulenc
A bakery that turned into the best casual breakfast in town. Go early, when the ovens are still going and the city is just opening up. Five minutes on foot from Quinta Real.
C. Porfirio Díaz 207, Ruta Independencia, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez
Photo — Alfonsina
Alfonsina
Worth the taxi and then some. Jorge León cooks out of his family's home on the edge of the city, in a dining room that seats a few dozen people and feels like being invited somewhere rather than booked into it. He trained at Casa Oaxaca and then under Enrique Olvera at Pujol, and his mole madre is the dish people fly here for. Thirty minutes south of the Centro, near the airport.
C. García Vigil 183, 71232 San Juan Bautista la Raya, Oax.
What to See
Photo — Jardín Etnobotánico
Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca
One of the most beautiful gardens in Mexico. Back in the 1570s, this was originally the vegetable garden for the monastery of the church we will be married in and throughout the centuries it became a military shooting range, horse stables, and barracks. In 1994, famed Oaxacan artist Francisco Toledo fought to return the land to the public and designed this garden of plants all native to Oaxaca. Tours run on a set schedule — check times when you arrive. This is obviously Sophia’s favorite place in the city (second to Santo Domingo de Guzmán)!
Reforma s/n, Ruta Independencia, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez
Photo — Monte Albán
Monte Albán
Our wedding planner is organizing a tour to Monte Albán on Friday, October 15 at 9 AM. Please reach out to our planners at oaxacadestinationweddings@gmail.com if you’re interested in joining. We would love to explore together!
Photo — Museo Textil
Museo Textil de Oaxaca
A small, exceptionally well-kept museum in a restored colonial house in the Centro, devoted to the weaving and dyeing traditions of Oaxaca and beyond. Go before you buy anything in the markets — an hour here will completely change what you notice. Free entry.
Miguel Hidalgo 917, Centro Histórico, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez
Photo — Hierve el Agua
Hierve el Agua
One of Oaxaca’s most breathtaking natural wonders, Hierve el Agua is famous for its stunning petrified waterfalls, natural mineral pools, and panoramic mountain views. Hierve el Agua is one of only two petrified waterfall formations on Earth, with the other counterpart being in Turkey. Our wedding planner is organizing a tour to Hierve el Agua on Thursday, October 14 at 9 AM for those who will not be joining our mezcal tour. Please reach out to our planners at oaxacadestinationweddings@gmail.com if you’re interested in joining! P.S. Make sure you bring a swimsuit to fully enjoy the natural pools!
Markets
Mercado 20 de Noviembre & Mercado Benito Juárez
Check out two amazing markets in Centro: Mercado 20 de Noviembre and Mercado Benito Juárez. Bustling traditional markets with stalls for fresh produce, baked goods & local street foods. Don’t be afraid! Eat everything!!
Cabrera & 20 de Noviembre, Centro, Oaxaca de Juárez
Makers & Ateliers
The valley around the city is full of workshops that have been doing the same thing for generations. Most welcome visitors; calling ahead is polite and often necessary.
La ChicharraCeramics
Local 22, Plaza Casa de Barro, Reforma 703, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca
Colectivo 1050°Ceramics
Xolotl s/n, esquina con Rufino Tamayo, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca
Espacio ComalCeramics
Mártires de Tacubaya 308C, Ruta Independencia, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca
Bii DaüüTextiles
A. Iturbide 19, Tecutlan, 70420 Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca
Casa VivianaWax & Candles
Abasolo s/n, Centro, 70420 Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca
Taller Manos que VenCeramics
Calle Libertad 24, 2da Secc, 71520 San Antonino Castillo Velasco, Oaxaca
Mujeres de Barro RojoCeramics
Matamoros 18, 70406 San Marcos Tlapazola, Oaxaca
Fábrica de Vidrio la Luz OaxacaGlassware
Oaxaca de Juárez — handblown glassware made by local artisans
Questions
What to Wear
What is the dress code for the wedding?
Black tie. For men, a tuxedo. For women, a floor-length colorful gown — wear the fabulous dress you’ve always wanted to wear but never had an occasion for!
What is "fiesta attire" for the welcome party?
Festive, colorful, embodying the spirit of Mexico. To get you inspired, we put together a mood board: https://pin.it/5BqxpCpCc
What should I wear to the excursions?
Casual and comfortable for all. If you are going to Hierve el Agua bring a swimsuit to jump in the natural pools. Monte Albán is open, exposed and involves walking on uneven stone — wear sneakers or walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. The mezcal palenques are working farms with dirt floors, so closed-toe shoes you don’t mind getting dusty.
Other FAQs
Can I bring a guest?
Your invitation names all invited guests. If it says “and guest,” you’re very welcome to bring someone, just add their name when you RSVP.
Are children invited?
We love your children. Our wedding will be an adults-only celebration — our hope is that this allows everyone (including parents) to stay out as late as they like. However, you are welcome to bring your children to the Fiesta de Bienvenida the night before the wedding!
If your little ones will be joining you in Oaxaca, our planners are organizing childcare services. If interested, please contact our planners Fried and Citlali at citlali@oaxacadestinationweddings.com / oaxacadestinationweddings@gmail.com. Or call +52 951.461.8159
Will the ceremony and reception be indoors or outdoors?
The Fiesta de Bienvenida will be outdoors on a rooftop. The ceremony will be inside of a church. The cocktail hour will be outdoors and the reception will be indoors.
Registry
No podríamos estar más emocionados de celebrar nuestro amor para toda la vida junto a todos ustedes. El regalo más grande de todos es tenerlos con nosotros en Oaxaca, México; de corazón, su presencia es todo lo que podríamos pedir.
Pero si no pueden resistirse a las ganas de hacernos un regalo, hemos preparado una pequeña lista de cosas que traerán alegría a esta nueva etapa de nuestras vidas. Muchas de ellas son piezas hechas a mano en Oaxaca y en distintas partes de México, así que con su regalo también podrán apoyar a los artesanos locales y a la comunidad que hacen de este lugar algo tan especial.
Con amor,
Sophia y Lucas
The greatest gift of all is having you with us in Oaxaca, Mexico, so truly, your presence is all we could ever ask. But if you can’t resist the urge to give, we’ve put together a list of things that will bring joy into this new chapter of our lives. Many of the pieces are handmade in Oaxaca and across Mexico, so you can help support local artisans and the community that make this place so special.
Con amor, Sophia y Lucas
Help adorn our abode!
Help us get lost in South America and spoil Cashew!
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Andrés’ Welcome
I want to welcome you to my México, where culture, incredible food, a vast history, and probably a few things I will insist you try await your arrival. Oaxaca is a very special place. I like to think this is where the Mexican identity was created. When I dream of Oaxaca, I think of the mole, el mezcal, alebrijes, and the Zapotec people. While it’s very Mexican, it is also very indigenous. This region has managed to preserve customs and rituals that are treasured and unique to this land.
A few years ago, Sophia and Luke joined us for a trip to México. Our home base was México City, but we also explored Taxco, San Miguel, and Puebla. I recall walking into the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel (the main church in San Miguel) when Amy turned to me and said how wonderful it would be if Sophia and Luke decided to marry in one of México’s old, historical towns. To our surprise, a few days later, back in México City, over one of the best meals of my life, Luke asked for our blessing, la pedida, to propose to our Sophia. It warms my heart that Luke and Sophia have chosen Oaxaca and el Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán as the special place where they will exchange their vows. Built in 1575, Santo Domingo is one of the oldest and most beautiful places of worship in México and the world. When I think back to Amy standing beside me in that church in San Miguel, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed by how beautifully life has brought us here. We are overjoyed that they would choose a place as deeply Mexican as Oaxaca to begin their life as husband and wife.
Oaxaca awaits your exploration, from the ancient ruins of Monte Albán to Yagul and Mitla. The Zapotec sites convey a deep sense of science and spirituality. And yes, “I believe in science.” If you don’t know what I mean, there’s still time to watch Nacho Libre before the wedding. Consider it required cultural preparation, and please, watch through the credits. While you’re at it, when you come to our home, feel free to ask to see my luchador mask collection. And just to clear up any confusion: yes, lucha libre is all real, unlike the NFL, which is fake!
If you like Mexican food, Oaxaca will introduce you to foods beyond tacos. The spices, herbs, and more give the food a richness you can only find here. Pair that with a Modelo, or better yet, a mezcal, you’ll find it doesn’t get much better. I first sampled mezcal at a wedding at my Abuelo Cayo’s ranch near my hometown in Northern México, Torreón, and I expect to have many toasts with you all at this next special wedding in October 2027. Mezcal is a Mexican wedding tradition along with a good mole. Oaxacan mole is the sauce of the Zapotec Goddess Huichaana, her gift to humanity. Enjoy it and all the other foods Oaxaca provides. The mole will give you special powers.
As you prepare for your own journey to Oaxaca, here are just some tidbits that I hope will help you prepare for México:
- First and foremost, cast away any preconceived notion that may create anxiety, fear, or concerns. As with any place that may be unfamiliar, be aware of where you are, and feel free to ask anyone for guidance, especially locals, many of whom speak English. Just know whatever you need in the US is also available in México and at a better price!
- Get your passports now, do not delay.
- Plan a side trip. There are endless things to do in Oaxaca City, but there are so many great places right nearby. México City is truly one of the best cities in the world and is only an hour flight. If the beach is calling, Puerto Escondido and Huatulco are world class beaches just a three-hour drive south from Oaxaca City on the brand-new highway through the Sierra Sur mountains. The Yucatán (Cancún, Riviera Maya) is only a two hour flight away, but if you have already experienced the Yucatán coast, I would suggest Mérida or Campeche.
- Enjoy the food and try everything at least once! That said, chapulines are crickets and they make frequent appearances in Oaxacan cuisine. Consider this your warning, or your encouragement, depending on how adventurous you are. In Oaxaca, Luke once ate an entire chapulín quesadilla in the morning and a chapulín burrito for lunch, and then bought more chapulines from a street vendor in México City. So if you have questions, please direct them to Luke, our family’s cricket sommelier. Personally, I maintain that enough Tajín and limón can make virtually anything taste good!
- Music and dancing are central to Mexican culture. Just move to the beat and have fun! Nobody is judging your dance moves, and if they are, they’ll be doing it in Spanish, so most of you will never know. If you were brave enough to eat the crickets, you’re brave enough to dance in the calenda.
- Life slows down in México. Experience it with the understanding that you are traveling through. You can stand among the ancient ruins of Monte Albán and then return to Oaxaca City, where the Zapotec people and their culture are still very much a part of everyday life. You can walk centuries-old cobblestone streets past colonial churches and historic buildings, yet find those same streets filled with contemporary art, incredible restaurants, cafés, mezcalerías, and a vibrant modern energy. That is part of the magic of Oaxaca: the past is not something left behind. It lives alongside the present.
- Life awaits in México. Don’t hesitate to ask me anything if you have questions or need a Spanish speaker — you can reach me at (816) 809-3170. The Ehlys and our family cannot wait to share this incredibly special celebration with all of you. Come ready to eat, drink, dance, and explore. And remember, the mole gives you special powers, but unfortunately getting through immigration without a passport is not one of them.