Actors Maria Gabriela De Faria and Christian McGaffney’s first meeting on the set of a television show led to an instantaneous love affair that never stopped. Their love only grew over time, so to make it official, they hosted a spectacular South American celebration, with guests traveling from near and far to the Chilean countryside. Friends and family indulged in classic Venezuelan dishes made vegan and a cannabis station overflowing with plant-based edibles. After the ceremony, the couple sparked off the night with a sexy salsa dance party, bringing the whole crowd to the floor. Things got so steamy that McGaffney and company decided to throw the bride into the pool. As the newlyweds splashed in the water, revelers jumped in to join them—the perfect cool-down to a very special day.
Samuel Hernandez
The love story
The couple were inseparable from the moment they met, and moved in together the following week. “We just knew we wanted to be together from the very first night,” says De Faria.
The proposal
De Faria was prepared to propose on Christmas Eve, but McGaffney, without knowing his beloved’s intentions, preempted her marriage maneuver by popping the question exactly one day prior, on December 23.
Samuel Hernandez
The Big Day
The guest list
60
The city
The couple originally planned to marry on the coast of their home country, Venezuela, but because of political unrest, they opted for gorgeous Algarrobo, Valparaíso in Chile instead.
Samuel Hernandez
The venue
La Arbequina, a sprawling estate featuring acres of lush greenery, vineyards, and flower gardens, with a tiled outdoor dance floor to salsa in the sunshine
The décor
Aiming for zero waste, the pair avoided disposable decorations and instead embraced the venue’s bright outdoor spaces, complete with colorful canopied lounge areas that offered warm ambiance while keeping the carbon footprint low.
Samuel Hernandez
The music
The DJ played Latin American dance tracks specially curated by the couple, including reggaeton, vallenato, and bachata music.
The personal touch
For the afterparty, De Faria slipped into a specially designed dress made entirely with the fabric of her mother’s original wedding gown.
Inspira Fotografia Chile
The food
- Stuffed mini bell peppers in a Carménère red wine reduction
- Mini potato omelettes with panela-caramelized onions
- Tempura eggplant with avocado dipping sauce
- Teriyaki tofu sushi with fresh cucumber and roasted peanuts
- Almond cheese with sage syrup
- Peanut feta with herb oil
- Cheese spread with nuts, lavender, and vodka
- Arepas with Peruvian corn, avocado, vegan mozzarella, vegan beef, mayonnaise, pesto, and honey mustard dressing
- Eggplant moussaka en librillo
- Brazilian seafood stew with oyster mushrooms
- Vegetable ravioli with garden pesto
- Mushroom risotto
- Tempeh with red rice and truffles
The dessert
- Dulce de leche sweet potatoes
- Arroz con leche with caramelized almonds
- Bittersweet chocolate mousse with lavender sauce
- Tofu cheesecake with cinnamon syrup
- Amaretto trifle
- Lucuma cupcakes
- Dulce de leche sandwich cookies
- Chocolate-sesame popsicles
Inspira Fotografia Chile
The eco-friendly venue La Arbequina uses its vast acres to grow everything from fields of fresh flowers to marijuana. When McGaffney and De Faria’s guests stopped lighting up the dance floor, they got groovy at the wedding’s weed station. Replete with infused cookies, truffles, and brownies, the station was surrounded with plenty of pillows piled on the floor—providing those who partook a cozy landing spot to enjoy the music and atmosphere. And for those feeling a bit more philosophical, a dedicated hookah-smoking attendant was seated at the center of the station with the sole role of talking to anyone who wanted to gab.
Inspira Fotografia Chile
The cake
The couple sliced and served a trio of almond sponge cakes layered with dulce de leche manjar, meringue, and peach-strawberry fillings.
The drinks
Champagne, michelada cocktails, wine, beer, and fresh mint tea
The honeymoon
The couple has a getaway to Big Bear Lake planned, a ski resort area in Southern California that features a charming village and expansive lake.
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Maya Gottfried is a relationship expert and the author of Vegan Love: Dating and Partnering for the Cruelty-Free Gal.
