Weddings: Leo and Cynthia Torres

The Couple Modeled their Nuptials on Small-Town Mexican Weddings

Cynthia and Leo Torres celebrate their nuptials near their Casa de la Guerra wedding reception location. The Santa Barbara couple’s September wedding paid tribute to both the bride and groom’s Mexican heritage.

“Simple and not too expensive was kind of the goal,” said Cynthia Torres (née Marquez) of her September wedding to now-hubby Leo. The pair, who were introduced by a friend a little over two years ago, wed at Our Lady of Sorrows Church last fall, just seven months after their Solvang engagement date.

The bride’s sister Claudia Marquez and the couple’s niece Ariana Laguna Marquez get ready.

With a bevy of area vendors on their side, the couple orchestrated a stunning, classy 200-guest wedding, which concluded with a reception at the historic Casa de la Guerra. “We went with a Mexican theme,” said Cynthia, “but nothing too crazy colorful — mainly white and purple. We really wanted it to be a little more traditional.”

The Torreses modeled their big day off of the small-town Mexican weddings their families grew up attending. Following the ceremony, the couple and about 100 wedding guests were escorted down State Street to their reception by Santa Barbara–based banda La Invasora. “We got a lot of attention,” laughed Cynthia, “but it was great fun.”

So much fun, in fact, that passersby even got in on the action. “When we were walking down, the owner of the La Arcada Bistro came out and offered us a shot, so we stopped everybody and went into the restaurant,” recalled Cynthia. “After we came back from our honeymoon, we went and saw her and asked if she remembered us. She was so sweet. She said she heard the music and it just reminded her of home.”