Trish & Shanu
Secrets Akumal
Describe one of your favorite memories or highlights of your destination wedding:
With a destination wedding, we were able to create an amazing guest experience with memorable details and fun moments we otherwise would not have been able to afford in the US. For example, our resort coordinator helped us organize customized coconuts for the guests after a hot ceremony, to refresh during the cocktail hour!
Why would you recommend a destination wedding to future couples?
Though it of course puts some burden on your guests to afford travel, those who came were truly "our people". Instead of a local wedding with 300+, we had 150 of our closest friends and family able to do a multi-day, shared experience. We got very stressed at the idea of so much money only going into one evening for a local wedding - this allowed us to have a full experience with our loved ones, and show them a part of the world we adore!
"My destination wedding was"...
Unique, memorable, romantic, beautiful, quality time, a forever memory in so many ways!
Your number one tip (or two) for future destination wedding couples:
You're not going to make everyone happy, whether having a local wedding or a destination. If it makes sense for your budget, your preferences, just do it! Although the initial decision is unnerving, we are so happy and have no regrets. Once the initial booking and payment is done, guests are able to unplug from their wallets and enjoy a one-of-a-kind vacation with their loved ones in a place they may not have known about.
~ Trish
Wedding Vendors:
Photography: @adrianbonetphoto
Videography: @gallardo.films
Gallardo Films was our favorite vendor: great collaboration/communication, and the video content is out of this world! @gallardo.films
Resort: @secretsakumal
Client Review:
Our calm, steady partner through destination wedding
Beth helped us plan a 150-person destination wedding in Mexico, which was no short feat! We had folks traveling in from all over the US, and had the largest wedding the resort had ever seen. Beth helped us get creative while we exceeded the normal structures (easily helped us navigate 2 contracts with the resort to help us get the best deal/cohesive experience), and was such a valued partner to us every step of the way. We picked Beth due to her calm, organized nature and could not recommend her enough. She’s super direct, down to earth, pushes back when she needs to (on us or on the resort), professional, gave good guidance. Our guests mostly had good responsiveness and partnership with her. Even though I'm sure she has a lot on her plate, she makes sure to make you feel like she is fully dedicated to you - I never felt like I had to re-fill her in on the latest updates, she was always up to speed, responsive, and helpful.
-Trish
