A + M - Love in Akumal
Remember the couple who did their engagement photos in Mammoth? Or the couple who eloped in Yosemite with their dog Ladybird? Well, they’re the same couple and they had a big destination wedding in Akumal, Mexico a month after their Yosemite elopement. Crazy, right?! Here’s their story about their big ass Akumal, Mexico destination wedding with all of their friends and family.
The Welcome Wagon
We arrived on the Thursday before their wedding. In 2 days A + M would be saying their vows on a beach in the jungle on the Gulf of Mexico. But today we landed at Akumal Bay Beach & Wellness. Little do we know, the party has already started. At check-in guest services hands us each a welcome bag with swag from the couple as well as a letter thanking us for joining them. One of their many guests recognizes it and introduces himself as A’s uncle and I already know it’s about to be a good time. We hit the buffet and start seeing plenty of familiar faces. A + M introduce us to their families who greet us like we’re family ourselves. We plop down at a table with a view and eat to our heart’s content.
Later in the evening, many guests start filtering in and we’re the welcome wagon at the bar just saying hello and photographing everyone we can.
Vacation Activities
A little hungover from our celebrations the night before we nurse our wounds by grabbing breakfast with a view (again). We meet A + M and the rest of their family and friends at the pool where they’re all about to get some water aerobics in, including Norma (A’s Lola who does not play about partying).
Even those who aren’t joining in on the aerobics are lazing around in pool cabanas just there to be close to the couple and all the other people they love.
Everywhere A + M go the party follows. Which is the best thing about having a destination wedding. Everyone enjoys a vacation on their own time, showing up at all the activities they want to be a part of, even as spectators.
Rehearsal
Before the sun sets, A + M’s wedding planner leads us into the jungle to their ceremony spot. The jungle canopy swallows us whole and we’re in this tunnel of tropical trees. The waves of the beach lap in the distance, the breeze rustles the giant tropical trees I’ve only ever seen as smaller versions of the houseplants in my own home. Everyone is excited. A + M’s families, their friends – we’re all beaming and ready to help the two get married.
At the alter, nobody can keep a straight face. We’re all there strictly to have a little fun, listen to the wedding planner, and maybe, just maybe get some practice in for the wedding.
After they practice their first kiss everyone goes to their respective rooms to get ready for dinner at the resort’s steakhouse (read: fancy). Everyone is happy to be reunited so far from home, to be included in celebrating the love of A + M – the kind of love that goes all over the world together. Their destination wedding is simply an expression of who the two are together. And they get to share that with everyone they love… That’s magic.
Wedding Day
Getting Ready
Clouds loom in the sky this morning, teasing storms with every passing minute. On our way to breakfast we run into their families who greet us with so much love. Everyone’s ready to party.
While the two are getting ready, their friends are taking a quick dip right outside of their penthouse room. Preparing the details for photographing proves hard after the rain commences, so we take everything inside. A’s with her mom and aunt getting ready. They lovingly help her don her Coco Melody gown, a lacy number with flowy sleeves and a cathedral train that fits her like a glove. Then they put on all the personalized jewelry pieces she and M created in the Philippines together during M’s first time in Asia.
On the other side of the resort, the gentlemen are having a ball. Unlike A’s quiet room, M’s getting the party started early with all his guys. M’s friend Nak does his hair for him, bending down to meet his gaze. Like many grooms, M’s too cool and feeling so at ease on his wedding day. I bring the guys out for photos on the tree lined street next to their room and we’re interrupted by a sudden jungle downpour.
The First Look
We gather all of closest family, friends and bridal party together to have A’s first look. M joins everyone and they all turn around on our cue. As expected, jaws drop, tears are shed, and everyone is excited to walk them to the alter. But first, family photos!
Family Photos
The thing about the rain is that sometimes you think it’s ruining your plans when really, the pivot is much better. My original idea was to photograph family photos in the jungle, but seeing as the rain ruined those plans, we had to pivot to an indoor venue and the stairs in the lobby of the hotel was perfect. It displays her veil perfectly. The drama, y’all. I can’t.
The Rain
I mentioned the downpour, but what I mean is torrential. With the ceremony venue being outside it might be an issue but A + M’s amazing wedding planner was calculating the winds and observing the clouds and if she pulled out a protractor and started making calculations from the shadows I would not be surprised. It’s raining, like pouring, but when she puts her finger up in the air and says it’s going to stop, you can damn sure bet it did. So in the meantime we all take a second to hang out in the shelter of the lobby, each of us grabbing one of many all-inclusive drinks.
The Ceremony
When the rain passes, every guest makes a break under dry skies to make sure A + M make it to the alter in a hurry. We’re greeted with wet chairs and just enough room for us to squeeze in this nook made of tropical trees. The space holds everyone like a wet hug. M walks down the aisle to literal cheers. I’ve never seen wedding guests so happy to be sat in rainy weather. Nak leads us in the most heartwarming ceremony ever where A + M have a sand unity ceremony. During the ceremony the wind is churning and begins to send A’s cathedral length veil flying. JJ’s sister sits on it to make sure it doesn’t fly away. In the chaos and as Nak continues with his ceremony, A is laughing hysterically, unable to catch her breath. Everyone joins her in laughter. We all scramble for something to hide under as the rain returns – just in time for their cocktail hour in the jungle.
Cocktail Hour in the Jungle
Steps away from the ceremony, there appears a bar and sleek, modern white seating, like Alice in Wonderland magic. Everyone grabs a drink and a seat and start to mingle, greeting A + M and making sure to stop for a toast with them. A + M invited a friend who is reading tarot cards for guests. All of their friends have dressed for the occasion and I must say, the style in this tiny piece of jungle is off the chain. It begins to rain again, it’s not phasing A + M at all, the ceremony is over and they’re ready to party.
The Reception
Their reception includes an open bar, a photo booth, and the best food the resort has to offer. All 120 people are in attendance to have a good ass time and a good ass time they will definitely have. Details – from the tropical flowers to the guest wedding favors of tiny pots that A threw and glazed in Pasadena decorate the space that has become all their’s in a matter of a few hours. After A + M’s first dance and touching toasts delivered by M’s brother, A’s sister and best friend the dancing commences and honestly, it was a fever pitch dream. The dance floor was definitely the place to be.
Final Thoughts on Getting Married in Mexico at an All-Inclusive Resort
A Mexico destination wedding at an all-inclusive resort could be the best decision you make if
- Spending real, meaningful time connecting over the course of your time there is important.
- You want to give your guests an excuse to have a vacation.
- You’re adventurous and want a different wedding experience than you would get somewhere locally.
- You want to filter out certain guests you don’t actually want there.
- You want to simplify decision making. A + M’s wedding coordinator/planner did everything for the two without them having to touchdown several times and made the day-of stress free.
If any of these reasons speak to you, considering a destination wedding or elopement in another country might just be for you.
